Author(s): Daniele B. Laucelli; Luigi Berardi; Antonietta Simone; Orazio Giustolisi
Linked Author(s): Orazio Giustolisi
Keywords: Pipe sizing; Serious gaming; Water distribution network
Abstract: A new playful interface allowing a more intuitive understanding of real-life problems is the Serious Gaming, which combines video game and utility functions addressed to problems other than the mere entertainment. The use of Serious Gaming allows having fun while favoring the learning process related to specific technical fields. This paper presents the results of using Serious Gaming within a university classroom of 26 students to solve an engineering problem, i. e. the pipe sizing of several water distribution networks. It relates to five benchmark water distribution networks, and students were asked to find the optimal value of pipe diameters to match minimum capital cost of pipes and good average pressure. Therefore, the players/students can be seen as decision makers, from a real-life standpoint. The paper has multiple aims, such as investigating the gaming approach usefulness in consolidating/learning the main concepts of network hydraulics, and bringing users closer to real-life complexity of engineering problems where different technical aspects must be considered at the same time.
Year: 2018