Overview of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Civil, construction, and environmental engineering

Involve designing, building, and maintaining infrastructure essential to society, including transportation systems, water treatment facilities, and environmental protection structures.

Infrastructure

Refers to the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or other area, including transportation, communication systems, power plants, and water supply.

Common sub-disciplines of civil, construction, and environmental engineering

Include structural engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, and environmental engineering.

Important themes in the history of civil infrastructure

Human dimension, Technology advances and innovation, Government support, Longevity (resiliency).

Examples of important civil infrastructure through history

Transportation systems, Bridges and other structures, Water distribution and treatment, Wastewater conveyance systems.

Inter-sector systems

Systems that connect multiple sectors (e.g., transportation and water management).

Intra-sector systems

Systems that function within the same sector (e.g., multiple roads within the transportation sector).

Engineering as a profession

Considered a profession because it requires specialized knowledge, rigorous education, and a commitment to public welfare and ethical standards.

Life-long learning activities for engineers

Engineers engage in continuing education, professional conferences, obtaining certifications, and maintaining membership in professional organizations like ASCE.

Importance of engineering ethics

Ensures public safety, accountability, and integrity in engineering practice, maintaining the trust of society in infrastructure projects.

Motivations for unethical behavior

Include financial gain, competitive pressures, lack of accountability, or ignorance of ethical guidelines.

ASCE Canon of Ethics

Outlines the professional conduct expected of engineers. Their primary responsibility is to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare.

First canon of ethics

To hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

Engineering analyses

Conducted to ensure that structures and systems meet safety, functionality, and regulatory standards.

Steps in the analysis process

1. Definition of Scope
2. Background Research
3. Data Collection
4. Data Organization
5. Data Analysis
6. Model Application
7. Model Development
8. Recommendation

Steps in the design process

Define objectives and constraints, Generate design alternatives, Evaluate alternatives, Select the best solution, Implement the design.

Transportation engineers

Design, operate, and maintain safe, efficient, and reliable transportation systems.

Four main disciplines in transportation engineering

Planning: Long-term forecasting and system design, Design: Creating detailed plans for roads and infrastructure, Operations & Maintenance: Managing existing transportation systems, Safety: Ensuring systems reduce accidents and enhance protection.

History's most valued road builders

The Romans were among history's most valued road builders due to their advanced techniques.

Material used to build roadways for agricultural product transport

Gravel and cobblestones were commonly used.

Classifications of roads

Classified by function, such as highways (long-distance travel), arterials (major urban routes), and local roads (short-distance, low-speed travel).

Major controlling factors in road design

Factors include traffic volume, vehicle speed, safety considerations, and environmental impact. These influence the geometry, materials, and layout of roads.

Factors controlling horizontal curve design

Design velocity, Superelevation, Side friction factor.

Types of intersections

Traditional 4-leg intersection: Simple and common, Roundabouts: Reduces conflict points, improves flow.

Conflict points

Places where traffic paths intersect. Roundabouts have fewer conflict points than 4-leg intersections, reducing crash risk.

Difference between an interchange and an at-grade intersection

Interchanges separate traffic flows at different levels, reducing delays, but they are more expensive than at-grade intersections.

Environmental engineers

Develop solutions to environmental challenges, such as air and water pollution, waste management, and sustainable development.

Goals of environmental engineering infrastructure

To protect human health, preserve ecosystems, and ensure the sustainable use of resources.

Differences between drinking water and wastewater treatment

Drinking water treatment focuses on purification and pathogen removal. Wastewater treatment focuses on removing contaminants and returning clean water to the environment.

Types of water pollutants

Pathogens, Chemical contaminants, Heavy metals, Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

Chlorination

Disinfects water by killing pathogens.

Filtration

Removes suspended particles from water.

Composting

The decomposition of organic waste into nutrient-rich material used to enrich soil.

Solid waste during water or wastewater treatment

Typically treated and then either landfilled, incinerated, or used in land applications (e.g., as fertilizer).

Clean Water Act of 1972

A federal law aimed at reducing pollutants in U.S. waters and improving water quality.

Effluent

Treated water or wastewater that is discharged into natural bodies of water.

Main goal of primary wastewater treatment

To remove large particles and debris from wastewater.

Activated sludge wastewater treatment

A biological process where aerated microorganisms break down organic matter in wastewater.

Water resources engineers

Manage water systems, including flood control, irrigation, and water supply systems.

Components of the hydrologic cycle

Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and groundwater flow.

Watershed

An area of land where all the water drains into a common water body.

Aqueduct

A man-made structure used to transport water from one location to another.

Hydrograph

A chart that shows the flow of water over time at a specific location.

Aquifer

An underground layer of water-bearing rock that can supply water for wells.

Canal

A man-made waterway used for navigation, irrigation, or water supply.

Qanat

An ancient underground channel used to transport water in arid regions.

Purpose of a wetland

Serve as natural water filters, flood control systems, and habitats for wildlife.

Design storm or flood

A hypothetical storm used to design drainage systems. A 100-year storm event has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year.

Water quality parameters impacting surface water

Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen.

Water quality parameters impacting groundwater

Contaminants like nitrates and heavy metals.

Combined sewer system

Carries both stormwater and sewage in the same pipes.

Separate sewer system

Has distinct pipes for each stormwater and sewage.

Vulnerability of water resources to climate change

Can lead to altered precipitation patterns, increased flooding, and droughts.

Green stormwater infrastructure

Uses natural processes to manage rainwater. Examples include rain gardens, permeable pavements, and green roofs.