Case Studies in Engineering

V.Thanikachalam

Case Studies

Real reports how people committed blunders

Present realistic, complex, and contextually rich situations

Often involves dilemma, conflict, or Problem that one or more of the characters

in the case must negotiate Do not reveal the names of the people who

are responsible for blunders/ or organizations where such blunders occured

What is a Case Study?

The vehicle by which a chunk of reality is brought into classroom to be worked over by the learners and the instructor.

A good case keeps the class discussion grounded upon some of the stubborn facts that must be faced in real life situations

A Good Case Study( Prof. Paul Lawrence )

Medicine Law Business Effective teaching tool in any discipline Bridge the gap between theory and practice Between the academy and the workplace Provides opportunity for identifying the

parameters of a problem Recognizing and articulating positions Evaluating courses of action Arguing different points of view

Uses of Case Studies

Short ( a few paragraphs) Long (20+ pages) Used in lecture- based or discussion- based classes Can be real, with all details drawn from executives and

circumstances Simply realistic Can provide all the relevant data that learners need to

discuss and resolve the central issue or only some of it May require learners to identify and possibly fill in Additional data from research Require learners to examine multiple aspects of a problem Require participants to propose a solution for the case

Types of Case Studies

Draw from professional experiences Current events Historical sources Selecting from reports On-line case study collections

Preparing a Case

Tell a “real” and engaging story Raise a thought- provoking issue Has elements of conflicts Promote empathy with the central characters Lack an obvious or clear-cut right answer Encourage participants to think and take a

position Portray actors in moments of decision Provide plenty of data about character, location,

context, actions Relatively concise

Effective Case Study( Davis, 1993)

Case:1. Bridge over backwaters near Chennai* Bridge started settling within one month of construction* The foundations of the piers had different settlement varying from 30 cm to 60 cm* The bridge could not be used* Why?

• What is the type of subsoil in the backwater?• What is the liquid limit?• What is the type of soil?• What is the shear strength?• What is the bearing capacity?• What is the settlement ratio?• What is the depth of hard rock?• What is the load coming on the bridge?• What is the type of foundation constructed?• Why should piers settle?• Why type of foundation that you recommend?

Case discussion

• Case :2 The supply pipeline of the water tank breaks slowly and water is lost* Every time afterrepairs, the joint fails slowly* Why?

Is there any problem in the pipe joint? Why should every time the joint fails? Can you improve the joint by using high

quality bolt and nuts? If the joint fails again, can you suspect any

other cause? Or there any other problem?

Case discussion

Will the tank will be stable? Will it tilt ? If it tilts, what will happen to the super

structure? [ Since the foundation was on an

unconsolidated silty soil with the least bearing capacity, the water tank tilted slowly]

Suppose the foundation of the water tank was not constructed properly, what will happen to the supply pipe line and water tank?

Case:3. Three storied building constructed near Taramani, Chennai settled after two years.* One portion of the building was on mat foundation* This part of the building settled by 98 cm in 33 years*Another portion was on pile foundation* This part of the building is intact

Why dose the building on the mat foundation settles slowly?

What is the nature of subsoil? What is the bearing capacity of the subsoil? What is the depth of hard rock area? Can you prevent further settlement?

Analysis

Case: 4 The machines in forging section of an industry vibrates too much* When one machine is started, other machines go to resonance.* Why?

Model of machine foundation system Machines installed

Case: 5 Accident in the Cement Plant*Due to current failure, the motors stopped* The maintenance section wanted to remove the mass* The molten clinker started moving out when the metal was cut and opened to remove the solidified mass* Three senior officials were exposed to molten clinker and died.

Machines stopped first The workers cut open the clinker

Based on the goals of the Program Educational Objectives

Ensure the course outcome To illustrate and enrich the lecture material Use small group discussion Use more detailed and complex cases for

suggesting proper solutions as per the curriculum

Explore the perspectives introduced in the case in greater depth

Integrate role playing or debate

Use of Case Studies

What is the role of the faculty in the Case Study ?

Should know the issues involved in the case Prepare questions and prompts in advance Anticipate where students might run into

problems Provide needed data Provide a video clipping, if available Plan to draw on the learners backgrounds,

experiences, personalities etc. to enhance discussion

Role of the Faculty

Role of the faculty ?

Give ample time to read and think about the case

Give a set of questions to consider Provide information on the consequences of

the Problem that an industry is facing Invite possible courses of action Explore potential obstacles, risks, barriers

Lead a Case-based Discussion

Case study?

As a presiding judge As a consultant to the company Break down the case into logical steps Identify the constraints Check the opportunities Evaluate the decisions Identify the implications What you would have done differently? Disregard the unconnected information Focus on critical issues Provide a solution

Approach to a Case

Approach to a Case?

Create small groups of learners discuss the case

Monitor the discussions Check the participation and interactions Make the task concrete and clear Control drifting off the track Check the assumptions and interpretations What are the different roles that the

learners take?

Small Group Discussion

Small Group Discussion

Guide the discussion Ask questions for clarification Probe for deeper analysis No over direction Request for examining the assumptions Request for the substantiating the claims Request for providing illustrations Request the group to deliberate the

suggestions to the whole class

Role of the faculty member

Solutions!

Decision Rationale Analysis Focus Seriousness State the conclusions

Presentation of the Solutions

Synthesizing the issues raised Bring various stands of the discussion back

together Reinforce the lessons learned

Finishing

Engineering Students are Capable of Solving Problems too!

Thank you very much,your questions, please