FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

Civil Engineering

CIVL1900: INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL ENGINEERING

Semester 1, 2017 | 6 Credit Points | Mode: Normal-Day
Coordinator(s): Mike Bambach

1. INTRODUCTION

The objective of this unit of study is to introduce students to the field of civil engineering and its areas of specialization: structural engineering,
environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction management, transportation engineering, and humanitarian engineering.
The unit will cover basic physics concepts relevant to civil engineering. The unit will equip students with knowledge of foundational civil
engineering tools and techniques such as the identification and calculation of loads on structures, structural systems, and load paths in
structures. The unit covers design and construction issues related to the use of standard materials such as steel, concrete, and timber. The unit
includes several design case studies and a design project with an emphasis on issues associated with the impact of civil infrastructure on the
natural environment, the economy, and social and humanitarian outcomes. The topics will provide a sound foundation for the further study of
civil infrastructure design, analysis, construction, and maintenance.

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. See assessment summary table below for details of
which outcomes are assessed where. Outcomes are listed according to the course goals that they support.

Design (Level 1)
1. Appreciation of practical problem-solving aspects of civil engineering. Understanding how to formulate a well-scoped civil
engineering problem.
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 1)
2. Ability to undertake elementary applications of basic science and engineering concepts in civil engineering and its areas of
specialisation.
3. Ability to undertake and report on basic experimental laboratory tasks
Communication (Level 1)
4. Ability to produce clear, concise written explanations of basic engineering processes and products.
5. Ability to produce appropriate sketch illustrations of basic engineering processes and products.
6. Ability to write an engineering design brief including functional and technical requirements.
Project and Team Skills (Level 1)
7. Appreciation of teamwork aspects of engineering work.

For further details of course goals related to these learning outcomes, see online unit outline at http://cusp.eng.usyd.edu.au/students/view-unit-
page/alpha/CIVL1900 .

3. ASSESSMENT TASKS

ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
Assessment name Team-based? Weight Due Outcomes Assessed
Design Project No 50% Week 13 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Group project - Structural failure Yes 15% Week 6 1, 2, 3, 7
Group project - Humanitarian engineering Yes 15% Week 10 1, 2, 3, 7
Online Quiz No 20% Multiple Weeks 2

ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION

1. The Design Project will require students to create and write an engineering design brief, and demonstrate the application of fundamental civil
engineering concepts to the design. Late submissions will be accepted, however 10% of the project mark will be subtracted for every day late.

2. The Group projects will require students to work in a team to respond to the design task and communicate the results with a presentation

3. The Online quizzes will require students to demonstrate their understanding of the theoretical aspects of the civil engineering concepts
covered in the lectures. There are 10 quizzes to complete and each quiz is available on Blackboard from Wednesday to the following
Wednesday, starting in Week 2 (see the unit schedule on Blackboard for specific quiz weeks)

ASSESSMENT GRADING
Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI (previously D) for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS (previously P) for
Pass and FA (previously F) for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy. Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the
Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies . Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a
final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.

4. ATTRIBUTES DEVELOPED

Attributes listed here represent the course goals designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through
CIVL1900: Introduction to Civil Engineering (Semester 1, 2017)
practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment sections above for details of how these attributes are assessed.

Attribute
Design (Level 1)
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 1)
Information Seeking (Level 1)
Communication (Level 1)
Professional Conduct (Level 1)
Project and Team Skills (Level 1)
Method
Requirements analysis; Engineering problem formulation; Concept generation and
analysis
Develop an understanding of the skills and tools needed for civil engineering practice.
Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals in solving civil
engineering problems.
Research problems using available resources.
Report writing; oral presentation; written design briefs; presentation of engineering design
concepts
Professionalism; Understanding of social aspects of engineering; Ability to cope with
change; self-assessment skills.
Project Management; Interpersonal, group and teamwork skills. Ability to cope with
change.

For further details of course goals and professional attribute standards, see the online version of this outline at
http://cusp.eng.usyd.edu.au/students/view-unit-page/alpha/CIVL1900 .

5. STUDY COMMITMENT

Lectures: The lectures will introduce students to specific tools, techniques, and design cases in civil engineering and its areas of specialisation:
structural engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction management, transportation engineering, and
humanitarian engineering.

Tutorials and Laboratory: Following each lecture, students will put into practice the concepts presented in the lectures through a series of civil
engineering design tasks. The design tasks aim to foster a culture of engineering design and multidisciplinary problem solving. Design tasks
will challenge students to demonstrate their understanding of civil engineering concepts by demonstrating them in their designs. The design
tasks address the need for students to obtain competence in the practice of civil engineering and approaches to solving open-ended
multidisciplinary engineering problems with attention to design issues including environmental sustainability, economic factors, and social and
humanitarian outcomes.

Independent Study: Independent study includes time students are expected to work on assessments.

Activity Hours per Week Sessions per Week Weeks per Semester
Lecture 2.00 2 13
Tutorial 2.00 1 12
Independent Study 6.00 13

Standard unit of study workload at this university should be from 1.5 to 2 hours per credit point which means 9-12 hours for a normal 6 credit
point unit of study. For units that are based on research or practical experience, hours may vary. For lecture and tutorial timetable, see
University timetable site at: web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp

6. TEACHING STAFF AND CONTACT DETAILS

COORDINATOR(S)
Name Room Phone Email Contact note
Dr Bambach, Mike mike.bambach@sydney.edu.au

LECTURERS
Name Room Phone Email Contact note
Dr Bambach, Mike mike.bambach@sydney.edu.au

7. ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS

ASSUMED KNOWLEDGE

None.

PREREQUISITES

None.

PROHIBITIONS

ENGG1800 OR CHNG1108 OR MECH1560 OR AERO1560 OR AMME1960 OR MTRX1701 OR ENGG1960.

CIVL1900: Introduction to Civil Engineering (Semester 1, 2017)

8. POLICIES

See the policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/student-policies/ for information regarding university policies
and local provisions and procedures within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.

9. WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar
https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp

Week Topics/Activities
Week 1 Lecture: Introduction to Civil Engineering
Lecture: Introduction to Design Project: From brief to building
Week 2 Tutorial: Engineering drawings
Lecture: Structural systems
Lecture: Structural systems in the Design Project
Week 3 Lecture: Loads in the Design Project
Lecture: Static and dynamic Loads
Tutorial: Structural systems in the Design Project
Week 4 Lecture: Failures due to static loads
Tutorial: Loads in the Design Project
Week 5 Lecture: Load paths in the Design Project
Lecture: Load paths
Tutorial: Failure analysis - Hyatt walkway collapse
Week 6 Lecture: Structural design in the Design Project
Lecture: Failures due to dynamic loads
Tutorial: Load paths in the Design Project
Assessment Due: Group project - Structural failure
Week 7 Lecture: Humanitarian Engineering project
Tutorial: Structural design in the Design Project
Lecture: Humanitarian Engineering
Week 8 Lecture: Geotechnical Engineering
Lecture: Foundation in the Design Project
Tutorial: Humanitarian Engineering project
Week 9 Tutorial: Foundation design in the Design Project
Lecture: Construction management
Lecture: Construction management in the Design Project
Week 10 Lecture: Transport in the Design Project
Lecture: Transportation Engineering
Tutorial: Construction management in the Design Project
Assessment Due: Group project - Humanitarian engineering
Week 11 Lecture: Sustainability in the Design Project
Lecture: Environmental Engineering
Tutorial: Transport in the Design Project
Week 12 Lecture: Civil Engineering risk
Lecture: Civil Engineering Standards
Tutorial: Sustainability in the Design Project
Week 13 Tutorial: Design Project
Lecture: Design Project
Assessment Due: Design Project

CIVL1900: Introduction to Civil Engineering (Semester 1, 2017)