Design and Communications 3

Overview

This module requires two design assignments to be undertaken, each in a major area of civil, structural and environmental engineering. The design exercises offered vary from year to year, but will typical include exercises in:
• Geotechnics, which might include bridge foundations, building foundations, retaining structures, embankments, seepage control, and basements;
• Hydraulics, which might include storm drainage networks, industrial pipe systems, flood relief, and flood measurement structures;
• Structures, which might include single and multi-storey buildings, road and canal bridges, and footbridges; and
• Environmental, which might include, land & groundwater contamination, site investigation, conceptual model development, identification of pollutant linkages, remediation options appraisal using sustainability metrics, design of a remediation strategy.

The studio element of the module requires group work. An options appraisal presentation will be given by week five by each group as an overview of their project to enable peer feedback.

Learning Objectives

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to assess:
• the general processes involved in civil engineering design;
• the difference between the preliminary and detail stages within the overall design process;
• the importance of task prioritisation;
• the need for careful time management; and
• the value of effective team working.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to assess:
• accept a design brief and formulate a design sequence to reach a solution;
• understand that distinct and viable design options are possible;
• demonstrate the basis on which one design option is chosen for detailed design; and
• explain the difference between the conceptual and final stages in the design process.

Skills

On completion of the design exercises you should be able to:
• interpret the information contained in a client’s brief;
• recognise critical or core design requirements which are stated or implied within the brief;
• propose different design solutions which are distinct and viable;
• calculate sizes of primary and secondary engineering elements;
• make effective use of design aids and the appropriate codes of practice; and
• describe the process of writing and compiling design reports.

This course will enhance the following skills:
• the ability to work in a team;
• the ability to undertake routine and non-routine design tasks;
• the ability to gather technical and appropriate trade information from a variety of sources;
• the ability to set out well defined tasks and targets;
• preparation and delivery of group multi-media presentations; and
• ability to explain and defend design proposals in question and answer sessions.

Assessment

None