Engineering Students Spend a Day with Dunn Associates, Inc.
Hands-on experience is key to shaping the engineers of tomorrow. Recently, 22 students from the senior course 4900 got that chance to take a site visit to view seismic testing and soil borings. This project, focusing on building expansion and site improvements with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices, offered students a glimpse into the real-world applications of their studies.
Partnering with Dunn Associates, Inc., a trusted local Consulting Structural Engineers company, our students had the privilege of witnessing professionals in action. They observed Dunn engineers conducting seismic testing and soil borings, gaining invaluable insights into industry practices and standards.
During the visit, the parking lot buzzed with activity as Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) and Standard Penetration Testing (SPT) were conducted to analyze soil conditions. This data is instrumental in designing safe and stable structures, highlighting the practical applications of classroom knowledge.
This field trip was just one aspect of the Professional Practice & Design course sequence (4900 and 4910), where Civil and Construction Engineering students engage with real clients to engineer integrated design solutions. This capstone experience has been a pivotal component of our BSCE program since 2003, providing students with real-world design experience before graduation. Empowering them to address community challenges in Civil and Construction Engineering, this sequence ensures that our students are well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in their field.
We extend our sincere thanks to Dunn Associates, Inc. for their partnership on this capstone project, as well as to Applied Geotechnical Engineering Consultants Inc. (AGEC) for their support. The collaboration between academia and industry is crucial in preparing students for their future careers. Together, we’re building a brighter future, one project at a time.
At the University of Utah’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, we are committed to providing our students with the tools and experiences they need to succeed in the ever-evolving field of engineering. Through partnerships with industry leaders like Dunn Associates, Inc., we ensure that our students are equipped to tackle the engineering challenges of tomorrow with confidence.
