Civil Engineering – Societal & Global Impact

 

HSMC252

Civil Engineering – Societal & Global Impact

2L:0T:0P

2 credits

 

The course is designed to provide a better understanding of the impact which Civil Engineering has on the Society at large and on the global arena. Civil Engineering projects have an impact on the Infrastructure, Energy consumption and generation, Sustainability of the Environment, Aesthetics of the environment, Employment creation, Contribution to the GDP, and on a more perceptible level, the Quality of Life. It is important for the civil engineers to realise the impact which this field has and take appropriate precautions to ensure that the impact is not adverse but beneficial.

 

The course covers: 

Ø  Awareness of the importance of Civil Engineering and the impact it has on the Society and at global levels

Ø  Awareness of the impact of Civil Engineering for the various specific fields of human endeavour

Ø  Need to think innovatively to ensure Sustainability

 

Module 1: Introduction to Course and Overview; Understanding the past to look into the future: Pre-industrial revolution days, Agricultural revolution, first and second industrial revolutions, IT revolution; Recent major Civil Engineering breakthroughs and innovations; Present day world and future projections, Ecosystems in Society and in Nature; the steady erosion in Sustainability; Global warming, its impact and possible causes; Evaluating future requirements for various resources; GIS and applications for monitoring systems; Human Development Index and Ecological Footprint of India Vs other countries and analysis;

 

Module 2: Understanding the importance of Civil Engineering in shaping and impacting the world; The ancient and modern Marvels and Wonders in the field of Civil Engineering; Future Vision for Civil Engineering

 

Module 3:Infrastructure - Habitats, Megacities, Smart Cities, futuristic visions; Transportation (Roads, Railways & Metros, Airports, Seaports, River ways, Sea canals, Tunnels (below ground, under water); Futuristic systems (ex, Hyper Loop)); Energy generation (Hydro, Solar (Photovoltaic,

Solar Chimney), Wind, Wave, Tidal, Geothermal, Thermal energy); Water provisioning; Telecommunication needs (towers, above-ground and underground cabling); Awareness of various Codes & Standards governing Infrastructure development; Innovations and methodologies for ensuring Sustainability;

 

Module 4: Environment- Traditional & futuristic methods; Solid waste management, Water purification, Wastewater treatment & Recycling, Hazardous waste treatment; Flood control (Dams, Canals, River interlinking), Multi-purpose water projects, Atmospheric pollution; Global warming phenomena and Pollution Mitigation measures, Stationarity and nonstationarity; Environmental Metrics & Monitoring; Other Sustainability measures; Innovations and methodologies for ensuring Sustainability.

 

Module 5: Built environment – Facilities management, Climate control; Energy efficient built environments and LEED ratings, Recycling, Temperature/ Sound control in built environment, Security systems; Intelligent/ Smart Buildings; Aesthetics of built environment, Role of Urban Arts Commissions; Conservation, Repairs & Rehabilitation of Structures & Heritage structures; Innovations and methodologies for ensuring Sustainability

Module 6: Civil Engineering Projects – Environmental Impact Analysis procedures; Waste (materials, manpower, equipment) avoidance/ Efficiency increase; Advanced construction techniques for better sustainability; Techniques for reduction of Green House Gas emissions in various aspects of Civil Engineering Projects; New Project Management paradigms & Systems (Ex. Lean Construction), contribution of Civil Engineering to GDP, Contribution to employment(projects, facilities management), Quality of products, Health & Safety aspects for stakeholders; Innovations and methodologies for ensuring Sustainability during Project development;

 

Module 7A: Population Dynamics covering, Population ecology- Population characteristics, ecotypes; Population genetics- Concept of gene pool and genetic diversity in populations, polymorphism and heterogeneity; (3 Lectures)

 

Module 8B: Environmental Management covering, Principles: Perspectives, concerns and management strategies; Policies and legal aspects- Environment Protection Acts and modification,

International Treaties; Environmental Impact Assessment- Case studies (International Airport, thermal power plant); (3 Lectures)

Module 9A: Molecular Genetics covering, Structures of DNA and RNA; Concept of Gene, Gene regulation, e.g., Operon concept; (3 Lectures)

 

Module 9B: Biotechnology covering, Basic concepts: Totipotency and Cell manipulation; Plant & Animal tissue culture- Methods and uses in agriculture, medicine and health; Recombinant DNA Technology- Techniques and applications; (3 Lectures)

 

Module 10A: Biostatistics covering, Introduction to Biostatistics:-Terms used, types of data; Measures of Central Tendencies- Mean, Median, Mode, Normal and Skewed distributions; Analysis of Data- Hypothesis testing and ANNOVA (single factor) (4 Lectures)

ORGANISATION OF COURSE (2-0-0)

S. No.	Module	No of Lectures	Details
1	Introduction	3
2	Understanding the Importance of Civil Engineering	3
3	Infrastructure	8
4	Environment	7
5	Built Environment	5
6	Civil Engineering Projects	4
	TOTAL	30

 

Text/Reference Books:

1.     Žiga Turk (2014), Global Challenges and the Role of Civil Engineering, Chapter 3 in: Fischinger M. (eds) Performance-Based Seismic Engineering: Vision for an

Earthquake Resilient Society. Geotechnical, Geological and Earthquake Engineering, Vol.

32. Springer, Dordrecht

 

2.     Brito, Ciampi, Vasconcelos, Amarol, Barros (2013) Engineering impacting Social, Economical and Working Environment, 120^th ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition

3.     NAE Grand Challenges for Engineering (2006), Engineering for the Developing World, The Bridge, Vol 34, No.2, Summer 2004.

4.     Allen M. (2008) Cleansing the city. Ohio University Press. Athens Ohio.

5.     Ashley R., Stovin V., Moore S., Hurley L., Lewis L., Saul A. (2010). London Tideway Tunnels Programme – Thames Tunnel Project Needs Report – Potential source control and SUDS applications: Land use and retrofit options

6.     http://www.thamestunnelconsultation.co.uk/consultation-documents.aspx

7.     Ashley R M., Nowell R., Gersonius B., Walker L. (2011). Surface Water Management and Urban Green Infrastructure. Review of Current Knowledge. Foundation for Water Research FR/R0014

8.     Barry M. (2003) Corporate social responsibility – unworkable paradox or sustainable paradigm? Proc ICE Engineering Sustainability 156. Sept Issue ES3 paper 13550. p 129-130

9.     Blackmore J M., Plant R A J. (2008). Risk and resilience to enhance sustainability with application to urban water systems. J. Water Resources Planning and Management. ASCE. Vol. 134, No. 3, May.

10.  Bogle D. (2010) UK’s engineering Council guidance on sustainability. Proc ICE Engineering Sustainability 163. June Issue ES2 p61-63

11.  Brown R R., Ashley R M., Farrelly M. (2011). Political and Professional Agency Entrapment: An Agenda for Urban Water Research. Water Resources Management.

Vol. 23, No.4. European Water Resources Association (EWRA) ISSN 0920-4741. 

12.  Brugnach M., Dewulf A., Pahl-Wostl C., Taillieu T. (2008) Toward a relational concept of uncertainty: about knowing too little, knowing too differently and accepting not to know. Ecology and Society 13 (2): 30

13.  Butler D., Davies J. (2011). Urban Drainage. Spon. 3^rd Ed.

14.  Cavill S., Sohail M. (2003) Accountability in the provision of urban services. Proc. ICE. Municipal Engineer 156. Issue ME4 paper 13445, p235-244.

15.  Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (2012) Blueprint for a water sensitive city. Monash University.

16.  Charles J A. (2009) Robert Rawlinson and the UK public health revolution. Proc ICE Eng History and Heritage. 162 Nov. Issue EH4. p 199-206