2025.01.22_CEE250_Module1_Intro

CEE 250: Sustainability in Civil and Environmental Engineering

• Instructor: Dr. Marie-Odile Fortier

• Date: 1/22/2025

• Course Focus: Introduction to sustainability in infrastructure

Today's Class

• Introductions of Instructor and Teaching Assistants

• Overview of course details

• Introduction to infrastructure sustainability

Instructor Background

• Dr. Marie-Odile Fortier:

  • Positions:

    • 2022-present: Assistant Professor, Sustainability in Arid Lands, UNLV

    • 2018-2022: Assistant Professor, UC Merced

    • 2015-2018: Assistant Professor, SUNY-ESF

  • Education:

    • Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2015), University of Kansas

    • B.S. in Environmental Engineering (2010), University of Florida

  • Contact: marie-odile.fortier@unlv.edu

Teaching Assistants

• Santiago (Santi) Cisneros Castillo

• Email: cisnes4@unlv.nevada.edu

• Office Hours: Mon/Wed 10am-11am, AEB 215

• Taposh Mohanto

• Email: taposh.mohanto@unlv.edu

• Office Hours: Tues/Wed 11am-12pm, AEB 315

Course Components

• Syllabus: Found on Canvas; includes:

  • Office hours

  • Grade breakdown

  • Due dates and exam schedule

• Canvas:

  • Course materials organized in modules

  • Regular login recommended

Course Organization

• Modules organized by topic, including all assignments and project components

Infrastructure Sustainability

• Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss definitions of sustainability, sustainable design, and development

  • Identify real-world infrastructure problems

  • Understand sustainability rating systems and metrics

  • Relate the Human Development Index (HDI) with lifespan, education, and income indices

  • Evaluate global population trends impacting sustainability

  • Discuss sustainability indicators like ecological footprint and IPAT equation

  • Explore ethical issues in sustainability

Infrastructure Definition

• Infrastructure includes physical facilities and systems needed for effective functioning, such as:

  • Roads, bridges, railroads, airports

  • Power plants and electrical grids

  • Water supply and wastewater management systems

  • Telecommunications networks

Notable Infrastructure Problems

• Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse (1981)- Kansas City:

  • 114 deaths, 216 injuries due to design flaw

• Florida International University Bridge Collapse (2018):

  • 6 deaths, 10 injuries, design flaw detected prior to collapse

• Pittsburgh Bridge Collapse (2022):

  • Structural failure led to injuries but no fatalities

• Lac-Mégantic Train Derailment (2013):

  • 47 fatalities due to failure in safety protocols

US Infrastructure Report Card (2021)

• Cumulative Infrastructure Grade: D

• Key Areas Rated:

  • Aviation: D+

  • Bridges: C

  • Drinking Water: C-

  • Energy: C-

  • Roads: D

  • Solid Waste: C+

• Reasons for Poor Grades:

  • Minimal funding and deferred maintenance

• Solutions Proposed:

  • Advocate for funding, planning, investment, new technologies

Nevada Infrastructure Grade

• C grade in 2018 (improved from C- in 2014)

• Solid Waste management remains a concern

• High costs due to poor infrastructure: motorist pays $558/year due to road conditions

• Lack of adequate recycling and waste management facilities

Definition of Sustainability

• Context-dependent

• Merriam Webster: Resource use methods that do not deplete or damage resources

• Key Aspects:

  • Sustainable methods and lifestyles

  • Longevity of resources

Sustainable Development

• Brundtland Report (1987):

  • Development meeting present needs without compromising future generations

• Intergenerational ethics and triple bottom line approach: Environment, Society, Economy

Importance of Sustainability

• Overconsumption and resource scarcity

• Increased environmental costs, health impacts

• Urgency due to climate change

Sustainable Urban Development

• Process of improving built environments and economic efficiency while conserving resources

• Aiming for healthier communities and ecosystems

• Sustainable Infrastructure: Designing and operating structures without compromising ecosystems and equity

Rating Systems for Sustainability

• LEED: Multiple track ratings based on building type and sustainability goals

• Envision: Framework developed by ISI for civil infrastructure projects focusing on sustainability aspects

Ecological Footprint and HDI

• Measures consumption of Earth's resources and impact on biocapacity

• HDI Calculation: Incorporating life expectancy, education, and income indices to assess human development and wellbeing

• Trend demonstrated: Higher HDI typically correlates with increased ecological footprints

IPAT Equation

• I = P x A x T

• Links environmental impact to population, consumption levels, and technology usage

• Applications in assessing national CO2 emissions and mitigation strategies

Homework and Class Resources

• Upcoming assignments will be detailed in the last slide of each lecture

• Lecture slides posted to Canvas after class

• Homework #1: Due by 11:59 pm on 1/30 (soft) or 1/31 (hard deadline)