Students are aware of factors which control the cost of welding. Students are exposed to industrial welding practices and problems during a field trip to Caterpillar Decatur that concludes the course. This field trip proves to the students that all the concepts covered in the course are critical in the manufacturing of quality heavy equipment. The students are asked to become thoroughly familiar with and comment on one of the classical studies of the failure of welded structure at the conclusion of the course. Topics such as plasma physics, heat flow, physical metallurgy, nondestructive testing, fracture mechanics, economics, industrial safety, physical chemistry, thermodynamcs, and electrical circuits arise in the course and are integrated though the importance of these topics in a rational discussion of welding.
Students appreciate the great skill of good welders after their attempts at welding.
The students become aware of how difficult it is to make a good weld and why weld defects occur as frequently as they do. Knowledge of welding ideas tested in two hour exams and a final. Weekly quantitative homework underscores underlying physical principles. Bridge between academic and real world is provided by many case studies presented in lecture. The hand-on laboratory experience with welding that includes the preparation of a weldment, which is radiographed and tested to failure in tension.