English For Civil Engineering Students

ENGLISH 1 – CIVIL ENGINEERING PROF.
ELIZABETH SORUCO
JUAN MISAEL SARACHO UNIVERSITY

TECHNOLOGY FACULTY
CIVIL ENGINEERING CAREER
TECHNICAL ENGLISH I
ENGLISH FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENTS
PROFESSOR:
Lic. Elizabeth M. Soruco Velásquez (Groups 1 and 3)
Tarija - 2021
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ENGLISH 1 – CIVIL ENGINEERING PROF. ELIZABETH SORUCO
UNIT 1
CIVIL ENGINEERING PROFESSION

OBJECTIVES
The students will be able to:
• Write sentences using simple present tense.
• Recognize nominal groups
• Summarize the text “Civil Engineering Profession” in one paragraph containing main
information.
TASK 1. Work in pairs. What is civil engineering? In English or Spanish

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Task 2. Match the English word with its Spanish equivalent.
Design Carretera
Road Vía férrea
Dam Sub especialidades
Bridge Conocimiento
Harbor Sitios
Railway line Autopistas
Knowledge Pozos de prevención de inundaciones
Sub-specialties Diseño
Surveying Represa
Mapping engineer Trabajo
Sites Ejecutar
Flood control wells Aguas residuales
Waste water Puerto
Water-supply system Topografía
Underground Puente
Highways Edificio, construcción
Bachelor’s degree Sistema de suministro de agua
Perform Subterráneo
Work Propósitos
Purposes Mapeador
Building Licenciatura
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Task 3. Watch the following video: What do civil engineers do? Complete the
video transcription; then complete the chart below.
Civil Engineers ……………….. roads,

bridges, ………………., ……………. and
airports. They combine a
……………………….. of material
science, engineering, economics, physics,
…………………. and hydraulics to create
the physical infrastructure that is central
to modern life. Naturally, there are
numerous ……………………………….:
surveying, ……………………………….
identify the best sites for
……………………….. Hydraulic and
…………………………………………..
focus on dams, flood ………………………………… and reservoirs. Environmental engineers deal
with waste water products, garbage disposal and ………………………… And traffic engineers
specialize in designing people moving systems like ………………………………, commuter railroads or
new or improved roads and highways. A ……………………………. is the minimum educational
requirement. At some …………………………….. this is a five-year program but co-op, junior-colleges
and night-school options are also available. Becoming a ………………………………. Is a lot of work
but if you like the idea of being part of big complex projects to improve people’s lives it could be just
the profession for you.
SUB-
SPECIALTIES
STRUCTURES
Task 4. Complete the following definition about Civil Engineering provided by

Brieger (2002) with these words: structural, canals, communal, engineering,
design, systems, civilians.
“The term civil …………………… describes engineering work performed by

……………………. for non-military purposes. In general it describes the profession of
designing and executing ……………………… works for the general public and the
………………………… environment. Civil engineering covers different areas of
engineering, including the ………………….. and construction of large buildings, roads,
bridges, ………………….., railway lines, airports, water-supply ………………….., dams,
irrigation, harbor, aqueducts and tunnels”.
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Task 5. Summarize in Spanish the definition provided by Brieger (2002), use your
own words.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
LANGUAGE FOCUS:
NOMINAL GROUP
a) Noun + Noun : Material science

b) Adjective + Noun: Civil engineers
Task 6. Copy and translate nominal groups from previous exercises (3 and 4).
a) ………………………………………………………………………………………..
b) …………………………………………………………………………………………
c) ……………………………………………………………………………………………
d) ……………………………………………………………………………………………
e) ……………………………………………………………………………………………
f) ………………………………………………………………………………………….
Task 7. Read the text “Civil Engineering Profession” and underline all cognates you
find (similar words to Spanish).
Civil Engineering Profession
Civil engineering is the oldest engineering

profession. This discipline deals with the
design, construction, and maintenance of the
natural and built environment. It is a very
broad field made up of several sub-disciplines
such as environmental engineering,
construction engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydrotechnical engineering,
materials engineering, structural engineering, and transportation engineering.
Civil Engineering encompasses a variety of sub-disciplines and jobs. The civil

engineering curriculum at most of Universities emphasizes the following major sub-
disciplines:
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• structural
• environmental
• water resources
• geotechnical
• construction
• transportation
Surveying is a skill used by many civil engineers, but there is a separate

professional licensure for land surveyors. Urban planning is an activity that uses skills
from a variety of the civil engineering sub-disciplines.
Some interesting thoughts on civil engineering by Bugliarello (1994) include: Civil

engineering is “the modification of nature to create and improve human habitats”. Civil
engineers work toward an ideal that is “a standard of perfection, beauty, or moral and
physical excellence, especially as an aim of attainment or realization”. Civil engineers strive to
“match deep functionality with aesthetics in every manifestation of the profession”. Engineers
should be mindful that there is a “moral pact between the engineer and world society.”
“Professional engineers should work for the welfare of the public. They are
responsible for observing societal needs, and often have the position and resources
to improve society. As professionals, engineers are expected to set examples in the
work field and to establish themselves as assets to society.” (T.D. Oates, 1993) Article
retrieved from http://civil.colorado.edu/~silverst/cven1317/CEintro-F04.pdf
Task 8. Answer these questions. Work in pairs.

a) What does civil engineering deal with?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b) What sub-disciplines does civil engineering include?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c) What sub-disciplines do most Universities emphasize at civil engineering curriculum?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
d) What kind of skills is used by Urban planning?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
e) What is civil engineering according to Bugliarello (1994)?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
f) What does Bugliarello say about civil engineers’ work?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
g) What does Oates (1993) say about professional engineers’ work?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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Task 9. Are these sentences True or False? Correct the false ones.
a) Civil engineering is the most ancient engineering profession.
b) Civil engineering does not include several sub-disciplines.
c) Hydrotechnical engineering is a sub-discipline of Architecture profession.
d) Electricity is a sub-discipline emphasized in civil engineering curriculum.
e) Surveying is not a separate professional licensure.
f) Civil engineers attempt to adjust deep functionality with aesthetics.
g) Civil engineers do not have the resources to improve society.
LANGUAGE FOCUS: SIMPLE PRESENT

VERB TO BE
Positive Negative
I am a civil engineering student. I am not an architecture student.
Surveying is a skill used by many civil engineers. Surveying is not a skill used by mechanics.
Engineers are important professionals for society. Doctors are not professionals of construction.
Questions
Am I a civil engineering student? Yes, you are.
Is surveying a skill used by mechanics? No, it is not.
Are engineers important for society? Yes, they are.
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Positive Negative
I work in a construction. I do not work in a hospital.
Thomson engineer builds a dam. Thomson engineer does not build a robot.
Engineers have a lot of construction projects. Doctors do not have a lot of construction projects.
Questions
Do I work in a construction? Yes, you do.
Does Thomson engineer build a robot? No, he does not.
Do engineers have a lot of construction projects? Yes, they do.
Task 10. Scan the reading “Civil Engineering Profession” and find sentences using
the verb TO BE and other verbs in present tense. Copy positive, negative or
interrogative sentences as you find.
a) ………………………………………………………………………………………..
b) …………………………………………………………………………………………
c) ……………………………………………………………………………………………
d) ……………………………………………………………………………………………
e) ……………………………………………………………………………………………
f) ………………………………………………………………………………………….
Task 11. Write your own sentences in the present tense.

a) ………………………………………………………………………………………..
b) …………………………………………………………………………………………
c) ……………………………………………………………………………………………
d) ……………………………………………………………………………………………
e) ……………………………………………………………………………………………
f) ………………………………………………………………………………………….
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Task 12. Investigate civil engineering sub-disciplines presented on the reading.

Then summarize them into a spider diagram as showed below.
Task 13. Summarize the reading “Civil Engineering Profession” into one paragraph.
GLOSSARY
Asset = recurso, activo Mapping engineer = mapeador

Attainment = logro, realización Match (v.) = emparejar, ajustar
Bridge = puente Mindful = conciente
Commuter railroad= tren suburban Night-school= escuela nocturna
Dam = presa Railroads = vía férrera
Deal with (v.) = ocuparse de Requirement= requisito
Encompass (v.)= abarcar, incluir Road = carretera
Environmental = medio ambiental Site = sitio
Field = campo, área Skill = habilidad
Flood control well = pozo de prevención de inundaciones Strive (v.)= esforzarse, esmerarse
Garbage disposal = depósito de basura Surveying engineer = ingeniero topógrafo
Highways = carretera, autopista Thought = pensamiento
Improve (v.) = mejorar Underground subways = metro subterráneo
Junior-college= escuela semisuperior Urban Planning = planificación urbana
Knowledge = conocimiento Waste water product = producto de aguas residuales
Land surveyors = agrimensores, topógrafos Water resources = recursos hídricos
Make up (v.) = constituir, componer Welfare = bienestar
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UNIT 2
TALL BUILDINGS
PAST AND PRESENT TRENDS

OBJECTIVES
• Write sentences using simple past tense.

• Summarize the text “Tall buildings – past and present trends” in one paragraph containing
main information.
TASK 1. Match the synonym.
Build (v.) Thin

Tall Altitude, elevation
Reach (v.) Construct (v.)
Height Raise, elevate (v.)
Challenge (v.) Test (v.)
Trend Tendency, pattern
Skinny Achieve (v.)
Bustling Big, enormous
Storey Floor, level
Emerge (v.) Audacious, brave
Daring Progress, advancement
Feat Accomplishment
Hoist (v.) Busy, active
Advances Appear, arise (v.)
TASK 2. Read the paragraph from the picture below and copy the sentence that
called your attention the most, and say why (in Spanish).
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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Task 3. Read the text and underline in each paragraph the main ideas. Check
with your classmates.
WHERE THE TALL BUILDING PHENOMENA STARTED
Vertical habitation isn’t a new trend. It was driven by urbanization and bustling,
overpopulated cities for centuries. Multi-storey construction actually dates back to
the Roman Empire, with vertical cities.
An example still in existence today is the 16 th century Yemeni city of Shibam which
has mud-brick tower houses of five to eight storeys high, built to protect the
occupants from Bedouim attacks.
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Social, economic and technological developments in the latter part of the 19 th

century created an environment for modern, high-rise buildings to emerge in the
North American cities of New York and Chicago.
DARING ENGINEERING FEATS OF THE 1800s
In 1852, Elisha Graves Otis built the first “fall safe” hoisting system (the elevator)
which allowed vertical transportation of people and goods in multi-storey buildings.
This invention made the construction of skyscrapers possible.
In 1885, the Home Insurance Building in Chicago demonstrated the use of the first
steel-framed gravity system. It was the first tall building to be supported both
internally and externally by a fireproof metal frame which allowed for large windows
at the ground level of high-rise buildings.
From the 1950s through to the 1970s, great technological advancements took place
that allowed architects and engineers to aspire to greater heights. Some of these
advancements included high-strength bolts replacing hot-driven rivets, the
emergence of glass-metal curtain wall façades, the use of electric arc welding in shop
fabrication.
These technological advances, combined with a deeper understanding of structural

behavior and analysis under environmental loads (particularly wind loads), led to the
emergence of super-tall buildings being built in Chicago during the 1960s and 1970s.
These super-tall buildings were conceived by structural engineers as tubular schemes
where the entire structure was designed as a cantilevered tube (John Hancock
Centre, 1969).
Task 4. Read the subtitle WHERE THE TALL BUILDING PHENOMENA STARTED, and
answer the questions.
a) Why did vertical habitation emerge?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
b) Who built the first multi-storey constructions?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c) Which is the characteristic of the 16th century Yemeni city of Shibam?
.………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………….
d) What did social, economic and technological developments in the latter part of the 19 th century
create?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Task 5. Read the subtitle DARING ENGINEERING FEATS OF THE 1800s, and
complete the table.
YEAR FACT
1852 Elisha Graves Otis built the first “fall safe” hoisting system (the
elevator). It allowed vertical transportation of people and goods.
LANGUAGE FOCUS: SIMPLE PAST

Simple past is used to talk about a completed action in a time before now.
Examples:
I was at university yesterday.

We were school students three years ago.
You were not an architect.
She was not from Yacuiba
Was he at home? Yes, he was
Were you in class? No, we were not.
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REGULAR VERBS
Examples:
Engineers created magnificent structures.
He did not enjoy being a student.
Did you work in that construction?
Roman engineers built multi-storey constructions.
I did not see the subcontractors.
Did general contractor pay the workers?
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Task 6. Scan the reading and copy complete sentences in the past tense (they
can be regular or irregular verbs).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Task 7. Write your own past sentences. Work in pairs.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
NOTICE
What are Compound Words?
Compound words are formed when two or more words are put together to form a new word
with a new meaning.
Hyphenated compound words are connected by a hyphen. To avoid confusion, modifying
compounds are often hyphenated, especially when they precede a noun such as in the case of
part-time teacher : profesor a tiempo parcial; high-speed chase : persecución a alta velocidad;
fifty-yard dash : carrera de cien yardas.
Task 8. Scan the reading, copy and translate nominal groups formed by
hyphenated compound words.
Example: super-tall structures : estructuras muy altas.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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Task 9. Write a summary about the reading using the main sentences you
underlined.
GLOSSARY
Allow (v.): Permitir Goods: productos, artículos.
Behavior: Comportamiento Height: Altura
Brick: Ladrillo Hoisting system: Sistema de elevación
Build (v.): Construir Home Insurance Building: Compañía de
Bustling: Bullicioso, ajetreado. Seguros Home Insurance
Cantilevered: En voladizo Hot-driven: Caliente
Century: Siglo Latter: Último
Curtain wall: Muro cortina Lead (v.): Conducir, guiar.
Daring: Osado, intrépido. Make (v.): Hacer
Date back (v.): Datar de. Mud: Lodo, barro
Development: Desarrollo Overpopulated: Superpoblado
Drive (v.): Conducir, impulsar Shop: Taller
Emerge (v.): Surgir, emerger. Start (v.): Comenzar
Environment: Medio ambiente Storey: Piso, nivel
Fall safe: A prueba de caídas Strength: Fuerza, Resistencia
Feat: Hazaña, proeza. Take place (v.): Tener lugar
Fireproof: A prueba de fuego. Trend: Tendencia
Understanding: Comprensión
Welding: Soldadura
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UNIT 3
STRENGTH BEHAVIOUR OF MUD BRICK
IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
OBJECTIVES
• Analyze about characteristics and improvements of mud brick.

• Write sentences using Passive voice.
Task 1. From the following chart select the characteristics of a mud brick and
copy them into the other column.
Mud brick characteristics

Strong – beautiful – economic – old fashioned –
expensive – cheap – heavy – light – low cost –
fragile – inexpensive – modern – thermal
conductor – most used – least used – convenient
Task 2. Considering the characteristics mentioned above, answer the following

questions: Would you use mud bricks in your construction? Why? Or Why not? (in
Spanish).
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Task 3. Watch the video and complete the diagram with the steps to make mud
bricks.
Task 4. Read the text, identify nominal groups and underline in each paragraph
the main ideas.
READING: PART I
STRENGTH BEHAVIOUR OF MUD BRICK IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Earth as mud bricks, has been used extensively in building construction

around the world for thousands of years and approximately 30 % of the world’s
present population still live in earthen shelters. Mud brick construction is often
referred to as ‘adobe’ which is an Arabic and Berber word brought by Spaniards to
the Americas, where it was adopted into English.
Mud brick is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and abundantly-available

building material that is normally made by blending mud and water together into a
goopy mixture. Traditionally straw is added to improve tensile strength, and may
prevent mud bricks from cracking; once all these elements are mixed, mud bricks
are shaped by hand or in a mold of almost any size or shape and then, they are
finally laid to dry in the heat of the sun for about 25 days before use.
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Advantages and disadvantages of mud brick
Mud bricks have several advantages over other conventional building

materials, e.g., concrete masonry. These advantages include: very minimal
manufacturing process; skilled labor not necessary; inexpensive construction
materials; mud availability from natural resources; and mud structures satisfactorily
performed under hot environmental conditions.
On the other hand, there are unfortunately many disadvantages by using mud
bricks as building materials. These include: Tendency to erode under rain impact;
swelling of mud brick due to the absorption of water, shrinkage and cracking from
the evaporation of water, turning the mud brick into a relatively fragile material,
which cannot resist earthquake hazards.
Task 5. Read Part I of the reading and complete the chart below.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Task 6. Read Part II of the reading, identify cognates and underline main ideas in
each paragraph.
READING: PART II
Studies and Investigations to improve the mud brick properties
It is known that mud brick technology has been widely used in desert
countries due to the widespread existence of silt and clay deposits in these areas.
However, the importance of using mud brick as a building material, had not been
seriously investigated through scientific experimentation until some scientists tried to
avoid water penetration to improve its consolidation and durability. Its compressive
strength was also examined through more than ninety tests to derive the optimum
load capacity from the produced brick.
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Thus, the overall aim of this study was to determine, through extensive
experimental investigation, the effect of different mud brick ingredients on strength
and absorption, and utilize these results in a forthcoming study on thermal-
conductivity properties. The basic contents of the studied brick samples were mud,
sand, and water, but different bonding materials were added to the basic brick
mixture in order to reach the highest compressive capacity without sacrificing the
initiative thermal property. The bonding materials considered in this study were: hay,
cement, lime, bitumen, steel fibers, and steel filings.
Summary and Conclusions
The results from the experimental investigation gave the following conclusions:
1) Adding hay to the basic sample of mud, sand and water had a great effect
on the compressive strength of the produced brick. The optimum ratio of
hay was 0.48 % of the total weight of the sand and mud.
2) Adding cement to the basic contents of the brick sample led to an increase
in the compressive capacity of the produced brick. However, increasing the
cement ratio might not be preferable due to its negative impact on thermal
performance.
3) In case of basic specimens with hay, adding an extra bonding material such
as lime or cement slightly increased the load capacity up to a certain limit,
then compressive strength decreases.
4) Using steel fibers or steel filings as bonding materials did provide a notable
increase in the load capacity of the mud brick.
5) The results showed that the major change in compressive strength was
achieved where hay was replaced by cement as a bonding material.
Task 7. Answer the questions according to the readings.
a) How long has the mud brick been used?
b) How is the mud brick made?
c) What were the basic elements of mud brick during the investigation?
d) What were the additives used to improve the mud brick?
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LANGUAGE FOCUS: PASSIVE VOICE (PRESENT AND PAST)

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action and on the object. It is not important or not known;
however, who or what is performing the action.
Examples:
Mud bricks are made of mud, water and hay.

Mud brick was examined in this study.
Rocks were not used in this investigation.
Task 8. Scan the complete reading and copy complete sentences in Passive
Voice (they can have regular or irregular verbs).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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Task 9. Write your own sentences using the Passive Voice. Work in pairs.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Task 10. Write a summary about the reading using the main ideas you underlined
previously.
GLOSSARY
Available: disponible Improve (v.): mejorar
Berber: Bereber (que pertenece a una raza del Lime: cal
Norte de Africa) Manufacturing: fabricación
Bitumen: Betún, asfalto Masonry: mampostería
Bonding: adesivo Mud: barro
Blend (v.): mezclar Ratio: proporción
Clay: Arcilla Shelter: refugio
Compressive strength: resistencia a la compresión Shrinkage: encogimiento, contracción
Cracking: agrietamiento Silt: sedimento
Derive from (v.): obtener algo de, derivar algo de Skilled: cualificado, especializado
Earth: tierra Spaniard: español(a)
Earthen: hecho de tierra Straw: paja
Earthquake hazards: peligros sísmicos Strength: fuerza
Forthcoming: próximo, venidero Swelling: hinchazón
Goopy: fangoso(a) Tensile strength: resistencia a la tracción
Hay: Heno Weight: peso
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UNIT 4
BRIDGES
OBJECTIVES
• Write sentences about bridges using the comparative and superlative adjectives, and
nominal groups.
• Summarize the text “Bridges” in one paragraph containing main information by using
reading techniques (recognize general, main and supporting ideas, underlining).
Task 1. Match column A with column B.
Column A Column B
Beam bridge
Suspension bridge
Arch bridge
Task 2. Work in pairs. Classify the following vocabulary into the boxes.
Important, spectacular, work, imposing, arched, structure, heavy, masonry, stone; brick; riverbed,
roadway, remarkable, natural, fiber, mountainous, country, highways, railroads, great, pier, simple, rigid,
beam, diagonal, vertical, compression, tension, iron, steel, available, strong, long, distance, chain, wire,
truss, prestressed concrete, movable, counterbalance, counterweight, span, bedrock.
Bridge General Vocabulary
Stone Imposing
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Task 3. Read the text and identify the twelve kinds of bridges. Check your answers with a
partner.
BRIDGES
Bridges are among the most important, and often the most spectacular, of all civil
engineering works. The imposing bridges that have survived from ancient times are arched
structures of heavy masonry, usually stone or brick. Ancient sources also mention pontoon bridges,
usually in connection with military operations. A pontoon is a hollow drum that can float; a series
of pontoons anchored to a riverbed can support a roadway. The Incas of pre-Columbian Peru built
remarkable suspension bridges, supported by cables of natural fibers that crossed many of the
deep gorges in their mountainous country.
The sudden expansion in transportation systems has enormously increased the need for
bridges as a part of highways and railroads. With the ability to span greater distances, the masonry
arch bridges with several heavy piers that block the flow of a stream can be largely eliminated.
The simplest type of span is a beam bridge, consisting of a rigid beam between two
supports. Today most simple beam bridges are strengthened by a truss, which is based on the
triangle. Diagonal beams that extend between the horizontal and vertical beams give support
against both compression and tension. Another type of beam bridge is the cantilever, in which a
horizontal beam extends beyond its support. Cantilever bridges, like trusses, had been built before
iron and steel became available. Most cantilever bridges have two arms of truss structure that
meet or support a section between them. Cantilevers enabled bridge builders to span longer
distances than truss bridges.
A third type of modern bridge is the steel arch bridge, which can carry a road either above
or below its arch of steel beams. An arch exerts strong downward and diagonal thrusts, so the piers
that support it must be especially strong.
Suspension bridges span even longer distances than other types of bridges. The deck or
roadway of a suspension bridge is suspended from steel cables that are supported by massive
towers.
When steel became available, cables of steel wires replaced chains of wrought iron. Several
suspension bridges built in this manner collapsed. It was later discovered that these failures were
caused by lack of truss supports for the deck. The first major cable-type suspension bridge to
overcome these faults was designed by John A. Roebling at Niagara Falls.
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The development of reinforced and prestressed concrete has given engineers other important
materials for bridge building. Concrete has been used particularly for relatively short-span bridges
that are a part of freeway systems. Many arch bridges have also been constructed of concrete.
Many bridges that pass over rivers or canals must be movable so that shipping can pass under
them. One type is the lift bridge, with towers that can raise the entire span between them by means
of counterbalances and electric motors. Another type is the swing or pivot bridge, which pivots the
span on a pier so that the bridge can swing open parallel to the river or canal. A third type is the
bascule bridge, which has one or two arms that can open upward at an angle by means of
counterweights. A bascule with one arm is a single-leaf bridge, and with two arms it is a double-leaf
bridge.
Bridge construction can present extraordinary difficulties. Usually the foundations for the
piers must rest on bedrock, and often under water. One technique for working in these conditions is
by means of cofferdam. Another technique is the use of the pneumatic caisson. Each type of bridge,
indeed each individual bridge, presents special construction problems.
Adapted from Hall, Eugene.
Task 4. Read the text then complete the sentences. Check your answers with a partner .
a) The bridges that survived from ancient times were made of …heavy masonry....
b) A pontoon bridge is made of ……………………………………………….........................……
c) The need for bridges has increased due to ……………………………………...................
d) A beam bridge is the simplest ……………………………………………………......................
e) Compression and tension are supported against by …………………………................
f) The difference between cantilever and truss bridges is ………………………..............
g) An arch in the steel arch bridge exerts ……………………………………….......................
h) Several suspension bridges built using ………………………………………........................
collapsed.
i) This bridge has one or two arms that can open upward at an angle by means of counterweights, it
is …………………………………………………
j) The techniques for bridge construction are:……………………………………........................
Task 5. Discussion. Answer the questions and then share them with a partner.
a) What kind of bridges do ancient sources mention?

......................................................................................................................................................
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b) How are most beam bridges strengthened today?

......................................................................................................................................................
c) What is another type of beam bridge? What materials were used to build it?
................................................................................................................................................
d) What is another type of modern bridge? Why must the piers that support this type of bridge be
especially strong?
....................................................................................................................................................
e) What two types of bridges are often built with reinforced concrete?
.....................................................................................................................................................
f) Why must some bridges be movable?

...................................................................................................................................................
g) What are the three types of movable bridges? How do they differ from each other?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................
h) Where do the foundations for a bridge usually rest?

................................................................................................................................................
i) What is the technique used for working on foundations below water?

...................................................................................................................................................
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Task 6. Work in pairs. Describe the most important characteristics of the four bridges.
PICTURE TYPE CHARACTERISTICS
1 1 Beam bridge 1 It consists of a rigid beam

between two supports,
2
2
2
3
3
3
4 4
4
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LANGUAGE REFERENCE
Adjectives (comparatives and superlatives)
Form and Position. Adjectives in English only have one form in singular and plural.
An old roadway Three old roadways
A new suspension bridge Five new suspension bridges
An adjective comes before a noun: a young engineer
And after the verbs be, look, seem, etc., when we describe the subject: This pontoon bridge is
short.
Comparative and superlative adjectives:
Short adjectives. We use –er for the comparative and –est for the superlative.
Longer adjectives. Adjectives of three or more syllables take ‘more’ in the comparative and
‘most’ in the superlative.
Use
Task 7. Work in pairs. Complete the chart.
- We use comparatives when we compare one person, thing, etc., with another. Ex.:
Pontoon bridges are older
ADJECTIVE than pivot bridges.
COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
- We use superlatives when we compare one person or thing in a group. Ex.:
Big The Golden GateBigger
Bridge is the longest suspension The
bridge in the USA.
biggest
Wet
Old Older The oldest
Clean
Small
Cheap
Short
Hard
Noisy Noisier The noisiest
Easy
27
Efficient More efficient The most efficient
Expensive
Difficult
Interesting
We can write in two ways:
Common Commoner / more common The commonest / the most common
Narrow
Quiet
Shallow
Simple
Good Better The best
Bad Worse The worst
Far Farther/ further The farthest/furthest
Task 8. Find some examples in the reading and write the complete sentences. Check
your answers with a partner.
a) ……………………………………………………………………........................................................................
b) …………………………………………………………………….........................................................................
c) ……………………………………………………………………….....................................................................
d) ……………………………………………………………………….....................................................................
Task 9. Work in pairs. Compare these things.
Example: a brick and a rock (small)
A brick is smaller than a rock
a) wood and steel (light/ hard/ strong/heavy)

..............................................................................................................
28
b) brick and concrete (hard/cheap/expensive/common)

..................................................................................................................
c) a roadway and highway (safe/wide/narrow)

..................................................................................................................
d) a masonry arch bridge and a suspension bridge (old/modern/long/short)

.....................................................................................................................
Task 10. Write your own sentences comparing kind of bridges. Check your answers with a
partner.
Example: Suspension bridge is longer than pivot bridge.
a) ……………………………………………………………………...................................................................
b) ……………………………………………………………………...................................................................
c) ………………………………………………………………………................................................................
d) ………………………………………………………………………................................................................
e) ……………………………………………………………………...................................................................
29
GLOSSARY
Bascule Bridge: A movable bridge with a span that is raised at an angle by means of a counterweight. There are two kinds:
single-leaf with one section, and double-leaf with two sections. Puente Basculante.
Beam Bridge: The simplest kind of bridge. It consists of a rigid beam between two supports. Puente de Viga
Cantilever: A type of structure in which a horizontal beam extends beyond its support. A cantilever bridge is a type of beam
bridge. Puente cantilever (voladizo).
Cofferdam: A watertight enclosure made of piles or steel sheets sunk into the water bed. It can be pumped dry so that
construction work can be done inside it. Cajón.
Concrete Arch Bridge: A bridge with an arch made of reinforced concrete. It is really a kind of masonry arch bridge, but it can
span a much greater distance than a stone arch. Puente de arco de hormigón.
Compression: The process of pressing something. Compresión.
Deck: The roadway or traffic-bearing surface of a bridge. Piso, tablero.
Lift Bridge: A movable bridge with a span that is raised by elevators. Puente levadizo.
Masonry Arch Bridge: A bridge of masonry with arches between piers. Today the term usually refers to bridges made of stone.
Puente de Arco de Mampostería.
Pontoon: A hollow drum that can float. Pontoons are used as supports for a pontoon bridge. Pontón.
Pneumatic Caisson: A cylinder with a cutting edge that can be sunk into the water bed. Water is forced out by compressed air.
Cajones neumáticos
Span: The distance between two supports of a bridge. Span (v.) to extend or reach over or across. Tramo entre dos arcos
consecutivos. Salvar tramos, atravesar.
Steel Arch Bridge: A bridge with an arch made with steel beams. Puente de arco de acero.
Suspension Bridge: A bridge supported by cables that are usually hung from towers. Puente colgante.
Swing Bridge: A movable bridge with a span that swings open parallel to the channel. It is also known as a pivot bridge. Puente
giratorio.
Tension: The degree to which something is pulled tight. Tensión.
Truss: A framework strengthened by diagonal beams that form triangles with horizontal and vertical beams. Trusses are used
to strengthen beam bridges. Cercha, armadura.
30
WOORKBOOK
31
WORKBOOK UNIT 1
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Task 1. Complete the sentences with the appropriate words (s) from the text about civil engineering
and its branches. Then check your answers with a partner.
1. Civil engineering is the …………………………………………………………………. that deals with

………………………………………………………………
2. Civil engineers work toward ………………………………….…………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..(Bugliarello, 1994).
3. Civil engineers can design and build: ………………………………………………………………………….
4. …………………………………………………. resolve problems of waste water products, garbage disposal and
recycling plants.
5. Engineers who work to move people, goods and materials safely are
………………………………………………
6. They analyze and identify the best sites for construction. They are ………………………………
7. Hydraulic and irrigation engineers ………………………………………………………………………………
Task 2. Look at the following sentences and identify: a) cognates b) nominal group c) verb tense d)
translate the sentence.
1) Nowadays civil engineering has numerous sub-specialties.
2) Surveying is a skill used by many civil engineers, but there is a separate professional licensure for land
surveyors.
3) Structural engineers face the challenge of designing structures that support their own weight.
32
4) Civil engineers strive to “match deep functionality with aesthetics in every manifestation of the
profession”.
5) Water resources engineering is the quantitative study of the hydrologic cycle - the distribution and
circulation of water linking the earth's atmosphere, land and oceans.
Task 3. Complete the table about the reading “Civil Engineering Profession” on Task 7.
POSITIVE
NEGATIVE
INTERESTING
33
WORKBOOK UNIT 2
TALL BUILDINGS: PAST AND
PRESENT TRENDS
Task 1. Complete the sentences with words from the glossary.
1. A …………………………. is a block of clay hardened by being burnt in a furnace and used for building,
paving, etc.
2. A ………………………. ………………………… is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are
nonstructural but are attached to the building structure and used to keep out the weather.
3. ………………………………Welding is a fabrication process whereby two or more parts are fused
together by means of heat.
4. A Fall Safe is a setup that is capable of preventing falls from the drilling platform, mast or any
other elevated equipment.
5. Overpopulated having too many people or animals for the amount of food, materials,
and space available.
Task 2. Write your own affirmative sentences in the simple past with these verbs: make, protect, use,
be, build.
1. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Task 3. Transform the previous sentences into the negative form.
1. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
34
Task 4. Read the following text: a) summarize into a paragraph; b) copy and translate 3 compound
nouns.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

K. Kayvani
While cities like New York and Chicago can be considered as the birthplace of modern high-rise buildings,
the history of multi-storey construction is much older. The tower houses of Shibam in Yemen date back to
1600 AD representing one of the earliest examples of human habitation in multi-storey construction. These
tower houses reached to 7 stories tall providing security as well as prestige for their inhabitants. Social,
economic and technological developments in the latter parts of the 19th century created the environment
for modern high-rise buildings to emerge in North American cities of New York and Chicago. Perhaps the
two most important technological factors contributing to emergence of modern tall buildings were
advancements in steel structures and vertical transportation (that is, elevator). Gustav Eiffel used pre-
assembled iron components to design and construct his 300m tall tower in Paris in 1889 thereby doubling
the height of the previously tallest man-made structure in the world (that is, Washington Monument, USA)
and showing the viability of tall metal structures. In 1852, Elisha Graves Otis built the first fall-safe hoisting
system, the “elevator”.
VOCABULARY
Birthplace: lugar de origen Reach: Alcanzar As well as: así como
Latter: Último Perhaps: Quizás Doubling: Duplicando
Thereby: Así, de este modo
35
WORKBOOK UNIT 3
STRENGTH BEHAVIOUR OF MUD BRICK

IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Task 1. Tick the odd word or phrase.
1. economic Engineer heavy fragile
2. straw mud water metal
3. cement wood hay steel fibers
4. Tend to erode swelling inexpensive cracking
Task 2. Complete the sentences with these words: durability, earthen shelters, advantages, straw,
bonding materials.
1. …………………… is added to mud brick elaboration to improve tensile strength, and may prevent
mud bricks from cracking.
2. Nowadays, approximately 30 % of the world’s present population still live in ……………………..
3. Mud bricks have several …………………, for example: very minimal manufacturing process; skilled
labor not necessary, etc.
4. Some scientists tried to avoid water penetration to improve mud brick consolidation and
……………………….
5. During this investigation, different …………………………..were added to the basic brick mixture in
order to reach the highest compressive capacity
Task 3. Look at the following sentences and identify: a) Nominal groups, b) verb tense, c) voice, and d)
translate the sentence.
1. Mud brick building is an ancient technique common in the Americas and the Middle East.
2. In countries with a big demand, mud bricks are produced mechanically.
36
3. As with other forms of earth construction, mud bricks are a fireproof, durable yet biodegradable,
and non-toxic building material.
4. With adequate supervision this technique is highly suitable for owner builders, as no costly tools
or equipment are necessary.
Task 4. Estimate the following in your classroom, write complete sentences.

1. Mud brick provides sufficient thermal mass.
2. Builders make mud bricks of earth with high clay content and straw.
3. Builders mix earth and water.
4. Scientist replaced the hay by cement.
5. Scientist did not add wood as a bonding material to the basic brick mixture.
37
WORKBOOK UNIT 4
BRIDGES
Task 1. Complete the sentences with the appropriate word(s) from the glossary. Then check your
answers with a partner.
1. A bridge of masonry with arches between piers is called a…………………………………………..
2. A truss is the framework strengthened by …………………………………….. that form triangles.
3. A…………………………… is a hollow drum that can float, it is used as supports for a pontoon bridge.
4. …………………………….is the distance between piers, towers, or abutments.
5. ……………………is the force that pulls or stretches.
6. The roadway portion of a bridge that directly supports vehicular and pedestrian traffic is called a
………………………………….
Task 2. Match the picture with the description. Check your answers with a partner.
a) Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge b) Tacoma Narrows Bridge
c) Women's Bridge (Puente de la Mujer)
38
……. It is a rotating footbridge for Dock 3 of the Puerto Madero commercial district of Buenos Aires,
Argentina. It is of the Cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge type and is also a swing bridge. It was
inaugurated on December 20, 2001, and is the only one of Calatrava's works in Latin America. The 170-
metre pedestrian bridge weighs 8 tonnes, is 6.20 m wide and is divided into two fixed portions, the middle
section rotates on a white concrete pylon, allowing vessels to pass in less than two minutes.
……… It is a concrete double arch bridge located in Williamson County, Tennessee, 14 km (8.7 mi) from the
northern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway. It is 479.1 m (1,572 ft) long and carries the two-lane
Natchez Trace Parkway 44.2 m (145 ft) over State Route 96 and a heavily wooded valley. The 177.4 m
(582 ft) long main span is symmetrical, while the 140.8 m (462 ft) long second arch is not, due to the slope of
the valley at the southern end of the bridge. The bridge is unique in that it does not use spandrel columns to
support the deck from the arch.
………… It is a pair of twin suspension bridges that span the Tacoma Narrows strait of Puget Sound in
Pierce County, Washington. The bridges connect the city of Tacoma with the Kitsap Peninsula and carry
State Route 16 over the strait. It opened in 1950 and still stands today as the westbound lanes of the
present-day twin bridge complex. When built, it was the third-longest suspension bridge span in the world.
Like other modern suspension bridges, it was built with steel plates.
Task 3. Read the paragraphs from the previous exercise. Write comparative sentences.
What are the differences among those bridges?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Task 4. Are these sentences TRUE or FALSE? Read the texts on task 2, and correct the false
sentences.
1. This rotating footbridge is a combination of Cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge type and a
swing bridge.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. The 170-metre pedestrian bridge rotates allowing vessels to pass in less than two minutes.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. The Tacoma Narrows bridge was built over State Route 96 and a heavily wooded valley.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
39
4. The second arch has 140.8 m (462 ft) long which span is symmetrical.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. The Tacoma Narrows bridge connect the city of Tacoma with the Kitsap Peninsula and carry
State Route 16 over the strait.
……………………………………………………………………………………..............................................................
40

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English For Civil Engineering Students

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ENGLISH 1 – CIVIL ENGINEERING PROF.

JUAN MISAEL SARACHO UNIVERSITY

ENGLISH FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Lic. Elizabeth M. Soruco Velásquez (Groups 1 and 3)

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROFESSION

TASK 1. Work in pairs. What is civil engineering? In English or Spanish

Task 2. Match the English word with its Spanish equivalent.

Civil Engineers ……………….. roads,

Task 4. Complete the following definition about Civil Engineering provided by

“The term civil …………………… describes engineering work performed by

a) Noun + Noun : Material science

Civil engineering is the oldest engineering

Civil Engineering encompasses a variety of sub-disciplines and jobs. The civil

Surveying is a skill used by many civil engineers, but there is a separate

Some interesting thoughts on civil engineering by Bugliarello (1994) include: Civil

Task 8. Answer these questions. Work in pairs.

a) Civil engineering is the most ancient engineering profession.

b) Civil engineering does not include several sub-disciplines.

c) Hydrotechnical engineering is a sub-discipline of Architecture profession.

d) Electricity is a sub-discipline emphasized in civil engineering curriculum.

e) Surveying is not a separate professional licensure.

f) Civil engineers attempt to adjust deep functionality with aesthetics.

g) Civil engineers do not have the resources to improve society.

LANGUAGE FOCUS: SIMPLE PRESENT

Task 11. Write your own sentences in the present tense.

Task 12. Investigate civil engineering sub-disciplines presented on the reading.

Asset = recurso, activo Mapping engineer = mapeador

PAST AND PRESENT TRENDS

The students will be able to:

• Write sentences using simple past tense.

TASK 1. Match the synonym.

Build (v.) Thin

WHERE THE TALL BUILDING PHENOMENA STARTED

Social, economic and technological developments in the latter part of the 19 th

DARING ENGINEERING FEATS OF THE 1800s

These technological advances, combined with a deeper understanding of structural

a) Why did vertical habitation emerge?

LANGUAGE FOCUS: SIMPLE PAST

I was at university yesterday.

Task 7. Write your own past sentences. Work in pairs.

Example: super-tall structures : estructuras muy altas.

STRENGTH BEHAVIOUR OF MUD BRICK

The students will be able to:

• Analyze about characteristics and improvements of mud brick.

Mud brick characteristics

Task 2. Considering the characteristics mentioned above, answer the following

STRENGTH BEHAVIOUR OF MUD BRICK IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Earth as mud bricks, has been used extensively in building construction

Mud brick is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and abundantly-available

Advantages and disadvantages of mud brick

Mud bricks have several advantages over other conventional building

Studies and Investigations to improve the mud brick properties

Summary and Conclusions

Task 7. Answer the questions according to the readings.

a) How long has the mud brick been used?

b) How is the mud brick made?

d) What were the additives used to improve the mud brick?

LANGUAGE FOCUS: PASSIVE VOICE (PRESENT AND PAST)

Mud bricks are made of mud, water and hay.

The students will be able to:

Task 1. Match column A with column B.

Bridge General Vocabulary

Adapted from Hall, Eugene.