Computer simulation and video for consolidation testing

The development and structure of a novel simulation and video package (CTM) on the topics of consolidation and laboratory consolidation testing is discussed in this paper. A courseware tool called Authorware proved to be versatile for building the package and the paper shows in details how the file structure of CTM is implemented within Authorware. In the video background information, animations on consolidation testing and theory in practice as well as a standard and large-scale model consolidation tests, are shown. Running the package in a multi-user examination-type setting proved to be effective for learning and control of the process. To simulate real-life situations users can pick a soil sample from a location-sensitive map of the Netherlands with options for randomly generated parameters. Content-oriented multiple-choice questions on the theoretical and professional aspects of the test are posed, and users response is evaluated and reported on log files. Student users have responded positively to this development indicating minor future improvements.