Basics of Civil Engineering

[Buela_Vigneswaran]

Basics of Civil Engineering

1. Introduction to Civil Engineering (History, Scope, Sub-disciplines)
2. Types of Structures and Materials
3. Surveying (Basics, Levels, Theodolite)
4. Introduction to Geology for Engineers
5. Building Planning and Drawing (Basics of AutoCAD)

 

 

 

1. Introduction to Civil Engineering
Definition and Scope:
Civil Engineering involves the design, construction, and maintenance of physical and naturally built environments such as buildings,
roads, bridges, canals, and dams.

Sub-disciplines:
Structural Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Transportation Engineering
Water Resources Engineering
Construction Management

2. Types of Civil Engineering Structures

Buildings: Residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

 

 

Bridges: Beam, arch, suspension, and cable-stayed bridges.

 

 

Dams: Gravity dams, arch dams, and earthen dams.

 

 

Roads and Highways: Flexible and rigid pavements.

 

 

 

Tunnels and Subways: Underground transportation and utility passages.

 

 

3. Construction Materials
Concrete: Types of concrete, properties, and uses.
Steel: Reinforcing steel (rebar), structural steel sections.
Bricks and Blocks: Different types of bricks, blocks, and masonry techniques.
Timber: Uses in construction, types, and preservation techniques.
Other Materials: Glass, plastics, composites, and geotextiles.

 

 

 

4. Surveying
Definition: The process of determining the relative position of points on the earth's surface.
Types of Surveying:
Plane Surveying: Assumes the earth is flat.
Geodetic Surveying: Considers the curvature of the earth.
Surveying Instruments: Chain, tape, compass, theodolite, total station.

 

 

5. Building Components and Terminology
Foundation: The part of the structure that transfers the load to the ground.
Plinth: The portion between the ground and the floor level.
Walls: Load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls.
Roofing: Types of roofs (flat, sloped, trussed).
Flooring: Types of floor finishes and materials.

 

6. Basics of Structural Analysis
Loads on Structures:
Dead Load: Self-weight of the structure.
Live Load: Load due to occupancy and use.
Wind Load and Earthquake Load.
Stress and Strain: Basics of how materials respond to forces.

7. Geology for Engineers
Introduction to Rock and Soil Types.
Importance of Geology in Construction: Understanding the soil profile for safe foundation design.
Geological Hazards: Landslides, earthquakes, and their impact on construction.

8. Environmental Considerations
Sustainable Construction: Use of eco-friendly materials.
Waste Management in Construction: Recycling and reuse.
Green Building Concepts: Energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable buildings.

9. Tools and Software
AutoCAD: For drafting and design.
STAAD.Pro: For structural analysis.
Revit: For building information modeling (BIM).