Spyridon Paschalis

Design/methodology/approach This research has measured, using National Student Survey (NSS) criteria, student experiences on an interdisciplinary project on a civil engineering programme. It benchmarks the quality of learning and student understanding and perceptions of learning. The method is based upon a literature review and questionnaire survey of students.
Purpose In line with business goals of customer satisfaction, higher education institutions of learning consider excellent student experience a priority. Teaching and learning are important aspects of satisfaction that are monitored annually by universities using tools such as the NSS. NSS results are useful for educational planning and informing consumer choices. This research measured undergraduate student experiences on an interdisciplinary project using the NSS framework. Hinged on diversity, the purpose was to investigate whether full time, part time and degree apprenticeship students with varied work experience enhance their learning studying together on an interdisciplinary project.
Findings Results indicate good amounts of peer influence on learning in a simulated interdisciplinary team setting supported by a mix of diverse work experience in students’ background.
Originality/value Sections of the NSS are extended with additional questions to capture the impact that full-time, part-time and degree apprenticeship study modes, closely associated with students’ background of job experience, have on teaching and learning.

Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is a cementitious material with enhanced mechanical characteristics. The superior mechanical properties of UHPFRC compared to conventional concrete, as well as the ease of preparation and application, make the use of this material attractive for strengthening applications. In the present study, an extensive experimental investigation on full scale Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams strengthened with UHPFRC layers has been conducted. Additional UHPFRC layers with and without steel bars have been added to the RC beams and the efficiency of the examined technique has been examined through flexural tests. An additional investigation has been conducted on the interface characteristics between UHPFRC and concrete through push-off tests. Finally, finite element analysis has been conducted and crucial parameters of the examined technique have been investigated. The results of the present study indicated that the strengthening with UHPFRC layers is a well promising technique, as in all the examined cases the performance of the strengthened elements was improved. Also, a good interface connection between UHPFRC and concrete was identified, with low measurements of slips at the interface