Project-Based Learning Exemplified by Research and Development of Polymer Membrane Roof Shells

Lack of the competent specialists acts as a brake on the progress in the building industry. Project-based learning is used for developing the following professional skills of engineering students: identifying the challenges and deep understanding the problem, considering the entire project and choosing appropriate ways for tackling it, performing numerical simulation and laboratory mockups of the constructions. The learning strategy is exemplified by research and development of polymer membrane roofs. The membrane roofs are sensitive to proper design and implementation. The process of designing the membrane must be taken in its entirety. It can not be considered as a set of independent activities. Two types of the membrane roofs are considered and analyzed. Detection of the intrinsic problems of the constructions is illustrated. Membrane edges and corners are numerically simulated. The ways for improving them are discussed. The membrane pre-stressing technique is considered and experimental mockups are proposed for further research.