CIVIL ENGINEERING PRACTICE - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module provides students with an appreciation of the nature of civil engineering practices and the role of the Civil Engineer.  An introduction is provided on the fundamental principles of sustainability and practices of health and safety in design and construction.  Case studies  delivered by external lecturers are introduced to illustrate the principles and practice within the profession. Also, different media for graphics communications in civil engineering including freehand sketching, computer aided design (CAD), geographic information system (GIS) and configuration processing are introduced.

Module provider

Sustainability, Civil & Env Engineering

Module Leader

BEHNEJAD Alireza (Civl Env Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Civil Engineering Practice

• Introduction to architectural and structural forms


• Introduction to the principles and practices of health and safety and sustainability within the construction industry and provide cases studies to illustrate good practice


• Civil Engineering project case studies - provided by invited speakers from civil engineering consultants, contractors and specialists


• Insight into the potential graduate experience in the Civil Engineering profession – provided by invited alumni

• Introduction to freehand sketching including the basics of proportion and perspective


• Insight into 2D engineering drawing production using AutoCAD. This will include the use of basic commands, precision input, use of relative, absolute and polar coordinates, object snapping, selecting groups and objects, using GRIPS, editing commands and controlling drawings with use of layers, drawing templates and dimensioning.


• Introduction to geographic information system (GIS) 


• Introduction to formex configuration processing and geometrical data generation for design and construction of structures

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment in this module consists of the following 6 units:

1- Design and make a cardboard bridge in teams of two, as well as a short report to justify the design. (LO: 4 & 9)

2- A maximum 8 page essay on a selected subject from the available list on different aspects of civil engineering. (LO: 1-3) Additionally, a set of engagement reports for the site visits and invited lectures should be submitted together with the essay. (LO 1-3 & 5)

3- A sketching portfolio from their personal sketches drawn by pencil and/or pen including up to five A4 sketches in total. (LO 6)

4- A short individual report on the application of Geographical Information System for site analysis. (LO 7)

5- A report on configuration processing in teams of two to create a selection of 3D configurations for structural forms. (LO 4, 8 & 9)

6- AutoCAD class test for two hours to prepare a set of drawings for a 3D object. (LO 6)

Formative assessment and feedback

Feedback on essay and engagement forms will be given via personal tutors. 

A session on testing the bridge models in terms of meeting the brief requirements takes place during the last lesson were constructive comments on good and bad designs will be discussed and commented on  for the benefit of the entire cohort.  This usually  culminates  with presenting students  who produced the best bridge models with Prizes and Commendations presented by a representative from industry.

Feedback on sketching, GIS and configuration processing is provided on the submitted coursework.

Group feedback on submitted drawings will be given to the cohort during the AutoCAD tutorials.

Module aims

• Provide students with an appreciation of the nature of the civil engineering profession and its range of activities
• Provide students with an awareness and appreciation of the different types of projects that civil engineers undertake and the way in which the profession operates.  This is illustrated via presentations delivered by professionals from the industry
• Provide an introduction to the principles of sustainability within the construction industry and provide cases studies to illustrate good practice
• Introduce students to the concepts of structural form (bridge in this case) and its role in civil engineering design
• Introduce students to graphics communications for civil engineers including freehand sketching, computer aided design (CAD), geographic information system (GIS) and configuration processing.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy for this module is designed to provide FHEQ Level 4 students with an appreciation of the nature of civil engineering practices and the role of Civil Engineers in the profession.  An introduction is provided on the fundamental principles of sustainability and practices of health and safety in design and construction.  Case studies delivered by professionals from the industry are introduced and presented to illustrate principles/practices within the profession.  The bridge modelling group exercise is used to introduce the students to some of the concepts of structural form and behaviour.  Also, an introduction is provided on the freehand sketching, CAD, GIS and configuration processing throghout lectures and tutorials.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Introduction to module & assignments (2 hours)


• Invited lectures on civil engineering practice (18 hours)


• Workshops on sketching GIS and configuration processing (12 hours)


• Lecture on structural forms of bridges (2 hours)


• Tutorial on making bridge models (3 hours)


• Bridge Model Testing Competition (3 hours)


• Tutorials on AutoCAD (10 hours)


• Independent learning (100 hours)

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG1074

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.