Course Impressions 2009   In March 2009 the study course started again with the introductory course week. Prof. Dr. Robert Off, head of the study course, introduces some basic knowledge in textile constructions to the students. With the seminar in physical modelling the students learned how form finding was done in Frei Otto's times.     Dr. Ali Khan gave his lectures in Structural Engineering. The students learned about general principles of physics, i.e. static and dynamics including mechanics of materials and theory of structures.

At the end of the introductory course week Prof. Dr. Off started with an introduction in the membrane software FORTEN3000 of Mr. Gerry D’Anza (software for form finding, calculation and patterning) so that the students can follow his lectures during the active week.

 

Beside the introductory course some students finished the study course with the presentation of their master thesis.

This was a good chance for the ‘freshmen’ to see what they have to expect from the next semesters and what they will learn from the course.

At the weekend the grand opening of the new course and the handover of the master degree certificates, with the exhibition of the master-theses at the took place.

 

Prof. Dr. Robert Off and the president of the Anhalt University, Prof. Dr. Dr. Dieter Orzessek, were very proud to hand over the degree certificates to the graduates.

During the following active week the first semester students started with some lectures in Architecture given by Prof. Andreas Bunge, M.Eng. Membrane Structures, followed by lectures in Numerical Theory by Prof. Dr. Bletzinger. The students learned something about differential geometry, continuum mechanics and the mechanical behaviour of membranes and cables.

 

The week ended with module Membrane Program by Dipl.-Ing. Gerry D’Anza and the optional modules Bionics and Experimental Structures and Visualization which were held by Prof. Dr. Bernd Baier and Prof. Einar Kretzler.

The active week for the third semester course started with lectures in the module Structural Design Concepts - Dimensioning given by Dr. Karsten Moritz and Dr. Lars Schiemann, followed by lectures in Internship Theory and Project Management were the students had to weld, detail and erect a small membrane to cover the barbecue area of the Institute of Geo-Informatics of the Anhalt University.

 

At the end of the week an excursion to the company Novum-KfM in Edersleben took place. The students had a look at the facilities of the company and were able to look over the shoulder of the workers.

 

The week finished with the optional modules Building Physics by Dr. Heidrun Bögner-Balz and Bionics and Experimental Structures by Prof. Dr. Bernd Baier.