D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

Name of the Course: ECE1106: Design Thinking and Fabrication Technics

• Course Instructor:

Name:              Dr. Atul R Kolhe

Phone:                         9970456457

Email:                          atul.kolhe@dypiu.ac.in

Office hours:             9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Location:                     ED Cell 2^nd Floor Near Central Lift)

 Level :  Civil Engineering & Any Under Graduate Level student

• Credit:                                              2-0-1-3.0
• Evaluation:
• Breakup of evaluation: % wise  
1. Theory:

                                                              i.      Mid-Semester Exam: 30%

                                                            ii.      Assignments/Case Studies: 20%

                                                          iii.      End-Semester Exam: 50%

2. Tutorials:

                                                              i.      Class Participation and Problem Solving: 40%

                                                            ii.      Case Study Presentation: 60%

3. Practical:

                                                              i.      Continuous Evaluation: 50%

                                                            ii.      Final Viva and Project Submission: 50%

 Maximum Number of Students:      60

• Course Description

This course emphasizes the principles and process of Design Thinking as a structured approach to solving real-world engineering challenges. Tailored for first-year Civil Engineering students, it introduces a human-centered, collaborative, and iterative methodology to foster creativity and innovation in problem-solving.

Students will learn to empathize with users, define problems, ideate potential solutions, and create prototypes while refining their designs through feedback and testing. The course also incorporates basic fabrication techniques, such as model-making and 3D printing, enabling students to bring their ideas to life.

By focusing on the mindset and process of Design Thinking, this course equips students with the skills to address complex engineering problems with innovative, sustainable, and user-focused solutions.

Through practical sessions, students will learn fundamental fabrication techniques, including model-making, 3D printing, and material manipulation, to translate design concepts into tangible outputs. By fostering creativity and technical skills, this course prepares students to approach engineering problems with a multidisciplinary perspective and a focus on sustainable and efficient design solutions.

Course Objectives:

1. To introduce design thinking principles for solving real-world civil engineering challenges.
2. To provide knowledge of fabrication techniques, including advanced digital tools and 3D printing technologies.
3. To develop the ability to create sustainable, functional, and innovative civil engineering solutions.

 Prerequisites:

Basic Engineering Graphics, Advanced Drawing Techniques, and familiarity with CAD tools.

   Course Syllabus:

  Lesson Plan:

Sr. No	Content (Daily Plan)	Date (Proposed)
1	Unit 1: Introduction to Design Thinking and its Overview	13/01/25
2	Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test phases.	15/01/25
3	Importance of human-centered design in civil engineering.	17/01/25
4	Problem-Solving in Civil Engineering: Case studies in infrastructure, urban planning, and materials innovation.	20/01/25
5	Techniques for brainstorming and idea generation.	22/01/25
6	Visualization Tools: Role of sketches, flow diagrams, and basic modeling in idea presentation.	24/01/25
7	Unit 2: Digital Tools for Civil Engineering Design	27/01/25
8	Advanced Drafting Tools: Application of AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp for 2D and 3D modeling.	29/01/25
9	Layer management, blocks, templates, and standards in civil engineering drawings.	31/01/25
10	Introduction to BIM and its advantages in collaborative design.	03/02/25
11	Parametric Design Fundamentals:Basics of Rhino and Grasshopper for parametric modeling.	05/02/25
12	Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Combining architectural, structural, and service designs into a cohesive framework.	07/02/25
13	Unit 3: Overview of Fabrication Methods: o Digital fabrication techniques: 3D printing, CNC machining, and laser cutting. o Traditional methods: formwork, molds, and modular construction.	10/02/25
14	Introduction to 3D Printing: o Additive manufacturing technologies and their applications in civil engineering	12/02/25
15	Materials for construction: concrete, polymers, and composites.	14/02/25
16	File Preparation for Fabrication: o Preparing STL/OBJ files, slicing models, and generating tool paths.	17/02/25
17	Applications in Construction: o Small-scale applications: models, prototypes.	21/02/25
18	o Full-scale applications: walls, beams, bridges, and modular housing.	24/02/25
19	Unit 4: Structural Optimization Techniques: o Using design software to improve strength, minimize material usage, and reduce costs.	28/02/25
20	Sustainability in Fabrication: o Role of recycled materials in construction.	3/3/25
21	o Impact of 3D printing on reducing waste and energy consumption.	05/03/25
22	Sustainable Case Studies: o Analysis of projects like 3D-printed houses and eco-friendly infrastructure	07/03/25
23	Future Trends: o Advances in robotics, AI, and automation in fabrication.	17/03/25
24	o Digital twins and their application in construction.	19/03/25
25	Unit 5: Prototyping Techniques: o Building scaled models for visualization and testing.	21/03/25
26	o Iterative prototyping using 3D printing	24/03/25
27	Modular components using 3D printing	21/03/25
28	2. Testing and Feedback: o Analyzing prototypes for functionality, structural performance, and user feedback.	24/03/25
29	o Role of simulations and physical testing.	26/03/25
30	3. Iterative Design: o Incorporating feedback into revised designs.	28/03/25

  Laboratory

Sr. No	Content	Date
1.	Draw a Detailed Plan Elevation Plan and Section of Residential Building using AutoCaD with Layer Management	22/01/25
2	Work on hypothetical design challenges using design thinking principles	05/02/25
3	Design an innovative plan and elevation for any special structure	19/02/25
4	Analyze real-world projects like 3D-printed houses, modular bridges, or innovative urban infrastructure	05/03/25
5	Explore advanced functions of AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, and Grasshopper under instructor supervision.	19/03/25
6	Present initial drafts of designs or fabricated small building component models	26/03/25

• Course Outcome:

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

1. Apply design thinking methodologies to civil engineering problems.
2. Use advanced digital tools for modeling and detailing.
3. Understand and implement fabrication techniques, including 3D printing and parametric design, for prototypes and structures.
4. Emphasize sustainability and efficiency in design and fabrication practices.

• Text Book:
• Design Thinking for Engineers and Architects – S.M. Jain
• AutoCAD 2024: A Problem-Solving Approach – Sham Tickoo
• 3D Concrete Printing Technology: Construction and Building Applications – Jay G. Sanjayan, Ali Nazari, and Behzad Nematollahi 

• Reference Book:
• Solving Problems with Design Thinking: Ten Stories of What Works – Jeanne Liedtka, Andrew King, Kevin Bennett
• Mastering Autodesk Revit 2024 – Daniel John Stine
• Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing – Ian Gibson, David Rosen, Brent Stucker