Students testing out their floating structures.
STUDENTS of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently took part in a “Floating Structure Challenge” organised by the university’s Department of Civil and Construction Engineering.
The competition, which saw 35 students participating, was organised as part of the students’ study of units related to structural analysis, which is an integral part of the Civil and Construction Engineering course at Curtin Malaysia.
Structural analysis is an engineering discipline that involves the study of forces and deformations of structures to determine their stability, strength and safety.
The process of structural analysis involves mathematical calculations, computer simulations and physical testing, to ensure that a structure can withstand the loads and stresses it will experience over its lifetime.
The Civil and Construction Engineering Department head associate professor Wong Kwong Soon says that aside from classroom delivery, other learning activities like the competition, can help students understand structural analysis better.
Furthermore, the students find it to be a considerably more fun and engaging way of learning a complex subject.
Dividing themselves into nine teams, the students pitted their knowledge and skills in structural analysis and model construction against each other.
They were given 45 minutes to construct their floating structures and an additional 45 minutes to test the structures.
Coming up tops was team “ISD”, comprising Joyce Tiong Ka Kiong, Tan Jeng Shiang and Edmund Hii Xiang Yao.
The first runner-up team “Johan”, comprised Vincent Wong Bing Sheng, Wong Sing Fong, Calvin Wong Shu Jing and Kenneth Tsang Tze Hou, while the second runner-up team “F.A.T. John” comprised Tan Jia Qi, Alan Poon Tik Loon, Forrest Tiong Ing Poh and See Xu Ze.
Curtin University is ranked among the world’s top 100 universities for civil engineering, according to the ShanghaiRanking’s 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
The institution is also ranked in the top 100 for civil and structural engineering in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
In the highly regarded Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2022, Curtin University ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide.
Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin’s four-year Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Construction Engineering (Hons).
The professional and practical-oriented course is one of the most popular engineering courses at Curtin Malaysia and its graduates are highly sought after by the industry.
n For more information on the course offered at Curtin Malaysia, visit courses.curtin.edu.my
Students testing out their floating structures.
The winning teams of student participants from the Floating Structure Challenge pose with their prizes.
