Introduction to Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Town Planning

Flashcards covering the fundamental concepts, history, modern marvels, surveying techniques, and ethics of civil engineering.

Civil Engineering

The oldest engineering discipline focused on providing a livable and sustainable environment by combining concepts from science, mathematics, and human experiences.

Planning Stage

The first step in a civil engineering project involving feasibility and environmental impact studies.

Geotechnical Engineering

A branch of civil engineering that investigates the strength of soil and rock to provide safe ground for structural support and various forms of foundations.

Geomatics Engineering

The modern term for surveying technology involving the application of measurement science to collect spatial data on land, water, and other objects.

Environmental Engineering

The branch concerned with applying engineering principles to manage water, air, and land resources for sustainable development.

UPVC

Un-plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride; a modern composite material used in construction for easier and long-lasting results with minimal environmental damage.

Mohenjo-Daro

An archaeological site containing the earliest remains of Indian civil engineering, featuring symmetrical buildings made of waterproof bricks from approximately 3,000 years ago.

Kailasa Temple

The largest rock-cut temple in the Ellora caves, believed to have been carved from a single rock.

Indo-Saracenic Style

A hybrid architectural style combining Indian and European elements introduced by the British in colonial-era buildings like Victoria Terminus.

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

A pioneer of modern civil engineering in India whose birthday on 15th September is observed as Engineers' Day.

Architecture

The science and art of designing buildings and physical structures to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Design Principles - Balance

The principle that provides symmetry or asymmetry to a composition, creating a state of equilibrium and stability.

Town Planning

A vital part of land resource management involving decisions on the development and use of land to meet current and future community requirements.

Geodetic Surveying

A type of survey where the lines are considered curved due to the Earth's curvature, requiring high precision.

Cadastral Survey

A land survey used specifically for fixing property boundary lines and calculating land area.

Tacheometry

An angular surveying method where distances to points are determined by optical means rather than tape or chain.

Bhupen Hazarika Setu

Also known as the Dhola-Sadiya bridge, it is the longest bridge in India ($9150\,m$) and is built over the Lohit River.

DMRC

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.; a joint venture formed in 1995 to provide a passenger-friendly and eco-friendly mass rapid transport system.

Atal Tunnel

A highway tunnel in Himachal Pradesh connecting Kullu valley with Lahaul and Spiti; it is $9.02\,km$ long and the longest above $10,000\,feet$.

NATM

New Austrian Tunneling Methodology; the excavation method used to construct the horseshoe-shaped Atal Tunnel.

Seri Nala Fault Zone

A major construction challenge in the Atal Tunnel where water flowed at a rate of $8000\,liters\,per\,minute$, taking four years to overcome.

Namami Gange Project

A project initiated in June 2014 with a budget of $Rs.\,20000\,crores$ aimed at conserving and revitalizing the Ganga River.

Sardar Sarovar Project

The nation's largest water resource project featuring a gravity dam $1210\,meters$ long and $163\,meters$ high.

ASCE Code of Ethics

A widely known guide for civil engineers published by the American Society of Civil Engineers, targeting the public, employers/clients, and licensed engineers.