CE151: Introduction to Civil Engineering Course Introduction PDF

Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad COURSE INTRODUCTION & MIDTERM PROJECT DISCUSSION CE151: INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL ENGINEERING Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Spring 2025  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezh...

Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad COURSE INTRODUCTION & MIDTERM PROJECT DISCUSSION CE151: INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL ENGINEERING Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Spring 2025  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Course Instructor Soroush Mousavinezhad, PhD Email: [email protected] Office: Room 212, Hernandez Hall (ECII) Office hours: By Appointment Only (Schedule via Calendly)  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Teaching Assistant Arina Kharazi Email: [email protected] Office: TBD Office hours: TBD  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Syllabus Review  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Total Points Breakdown Weight Number of Assessment Type Deadline (%) Items Attendances 5% - - Quizzes 10% ̴̴̴ 3-5 Varies Homework 15% ̴̴̴ 7-9 Varies Midterm Project 15% 1 Week 8 (March 4th: Submissions and Presentations) Weeks 13 and 14 Final Project 25% 1 (April 10th and April 15th: Submissions) Week 16 (Presentations) First Exam 7.5% 1 Week 5 (February 11th) (may be combined with second exam) Second Exam 7.5% 1 Week 11 (March 25th) Final Exam 15% 1 Final week (May 6th)  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Why civil engineering matters? Civil engineering is at the core of modern society. It provides safe transportation, clean water, and resilient structures. Projects impact our daily lives—from bridges and dams to skyscrapers.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Major challenges in civil engineering Climate change: Designing resilient infrastructure. Urbanization: Accommodating growing populations. Aging infrastructure: Repairing and maintaining systems. Resource scarcity: Using materials efficiently.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Skills needed for civil engineers Problem-solving: Thinking creatively to tackle challenges. Teamwork: Collaborating with architects, contractors, and clients. Analytical skills: Using data to make informed decisions. Leadership: Managing projects and guiding teams.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Cool emerging trends Smart cities: Technology integrated into infrastructure, such as intelligent traffic lights, waste management, and building automation 3D printing: Faster and cheaper construction. AI/ML: Optimizing designs and predicting failures. Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials and renewable energy.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous and fascinating projects The Hoover Dam, USA: Built in the 1930s during the Great Depression. Provides water and hydroelectric power to millions. Engineers faced numerous challenges, including extreme temperatures and difficult terrain, in constructing the dam. A symbol of engineering excellence and human determination.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous and fascinating projects The Hoover Dam, USA:  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous and fascinating projects Golden Gate Bridge, USA: Opened in 1937; spans 1.7 miles. Known for its iconic design and innovative suspension system. Built to withstand earthquakes and strong winds.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous and fascinating projects The Panama Canal: Connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Features a complex system of locks. Revolutionized global trade by shortening shipping routes.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous and fascinating projects The Panama Canal:  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous and fascinating projects The Channel Tunnel (Chunnel): Underwater tunnel connecting the UK and France. Opened in 1994; spans 31 miles. Combines structural, geotechnical, and mechanical engineering.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous and fascinating projects The Burj Khalifa, UAE: Tallest building in the world (828 meters). Designed to withstand high winds and desert conditions. Uses innovative materials and construction methods.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad USA engineering milestones Interstate Highway System – Connecting America: Initiated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 as part of the Federal-Aid Highway Act. A network of +46,000 miles of highways, designed to connect major US cities.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad USA engineering milestones Interstate Highway System – Connecting America: Revolutionized the way people travel, boosting commerce and connecting the country. Improved transportation efficiency, reducing travel times and costs. Played a key role in economic development, enabling rapid movement of goods and services. Vital for national defense, enabling faster military troop movement.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad USA engineering milestones New York Subway – Engineering Beneath the City: Opened in 1904. One of the largest and busiest public transportation systems in the world. Consists of over 665 miles of track and more than 450 stations. Incredibly complex due to the need to build under the crowded city, avoiding existing infrastructure.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad USA engineering milestones New York Subway – Engineering Beneath the City: Underground design required innovative tunneling techniques and systems to ensure safety and efficiency. A model for other cities around the world, demonstrating how civil engineering can solve urban transportation challenges. Critical to the city’s economy, moving millions of people daily and reducing traffic congestion.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad USA engineering milestones One World Trade Center – Rising from Tragedy: Completed in 2013. Stands as a symbol of resilience after the September 11 attacks. At 1,776 feet, it is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Designed with cutting-edge safety features, including reinforced steel and advanced fire protection. The building includes office space, an observation deck, and a memorial museum.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad USA engineering milestones One World Trade Center – Rising from Tragedy: Represents a rebirth for lower Manhattan, marking the strength and spirit of the U.S. in the face of adversity. An engineering masterpiece, with a foundation designed to withstand future terrorist threats and natural disasters.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Key civil engineering projects in progress Hyperloop: Hyperloop is a proposed high-speed transportation system that could travel faster than 700 mph in vacuum tubes. Aiming to revolutionize long-distance travel, reducing travel time significantly between major cities. Uses magnetic levitation and air pressure to propel capsules through vacuum tubes with minimal friction.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Key civil engineering projects in progress Hyperloop: Designed to be more sustainable than traditional transportation by reducing energy consumption and emissions. Currently in development by companies like Virgin Hyperloop and Elon Musk’s Boring Company. Could reshape future transportation networks and reduce congestion on traditional highways and railroads.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Key civil engineering projects in progress Offshore Wind Farms: Offshore wind farms are large-scale renewable energy projects that harness wind power to generate electricity. Positioned off the coastlines, they can produce more energy than onshore wind farms due to stronger and more consistent winds. Technological advancements in turbine design and offshore construction techniques make these projects viable.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Key civil engineering projects in progress Offshore Wind Farms: Contribute to reducing carbon emissions by providing cleaner, renewable energy. Ongoing large-scale projects like the Block Island Wind Farm and plans off the coast of New Jersey and California. Expected to become a key part of global efforts to transition to renewable energy and combat climate change.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Key civil engineering projects in progress Mega-Dams: Mega-dams are large-scale infrastructure projects that store and regulate water for hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and flood control. Examples include the Three Gorges Dam in China and the Itaipu Dam on the border of Brazil and Paraguay. These projects involve massive civil engineering efforts, including construction of dams, power plants, and reservoirs.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Key civil engineering projects in progress Mega-Dams: Mega-dams can produce significant amounts of renewable energy, providing power to millions of people. However, they come with environmental challenges, including displacement of communities and impacts on local ecosystems. Despite challenges, these projects continue to be integral to energy and water management.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous civil engineers John A. Roebling: Master of Suspension Bridges Born in Germany (1806), immigrated to the U.S.. Pioneered wire cable suspension bridge design. Most famous for designing the Brooklyn Bridge, connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Bridge was the first US major suspension bridge. Tragically passed away before its completion, but his son, Washington Roebling, completed the project. Roebling’s legacy shaped modern bridge-building techniques and inspired future civil engineering advancements.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous civil engineers John A. Roebling: Master of Suspension Bridges  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous civil engineers Gustave Eiffel: Icon of Innovation Born in France (1832), Eiffel became an engineering pioneer, especially in the use of wrought iron. Eiffel Tower (1889) was initially controversial but became a symbol of engineering excellence.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Famous civil engineers Gustave Eiffel: Icon of Innovation At the time of construction, it was the world’s tallest man-made structure (324m). Pioneered the use of wrought iron in large-scale construction, making structures lighter and more durable. His contributions to SE shaped modern architecture and bridge design.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Midterm Project Overview Title: Exploring Civil Engineering Disciplines Through Interviews Objective: Familiarize students with diverse civil engineering disciplines. What You'll Do: Research disciplines in civil engineering, Interview faculty members, Analyze findings and present them to the class. Why It's Important: Gain practical knowledge of civil engineering fields, Develop research, communication, and presentation skills, Explore future career opportunities.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Midterm Project Overview Project Steps: 1. Select your group members (4 per group): Now… 2. Research different disciplines in civil engineering, 3. Indicate your first choice among the four civil engineering disciplines offered by NMSU: Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering. ✓ As a backup plan, please also select a second choice, Submission Due: Beginning of the next session, so when? ……………..  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Midterm Project Overview Project Steps: 4. Based on your assigned discipline, please select at least one faculty member within the Civil Engineering Department at NMSU to interview Submission Due: Beginning of the 5th session, so when? …………….. 5. Identify 1 or more research problems that most interest you within your assigned discipline. 6. Based on the identified research problem(s), create 5-8 interview questions that could be potentially used for the faculty interview Submission Due: Beginning of the 7th session, so when? ……………..  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Midterm Project Overview Project Steps: 7. Interviews: Talk to the selected faculty member (Due beginning of the 11th session, so when? ………….) Look into their research or projects to understand their area of expertise, Approach the interview professionally and respectfully, Take detailed notes or record the conversation (with permission), and Ask follow-up questions to clarify or expand on important points. 8. Analysis: Compare and analyze the information you gather, Highlight the key takeaways from the interview, Focus on their role, challenges, daily tasks, and their perspective on the discipline, What did you learn that surprised or inspired you? What aspects of the discipline are most appealing to you? How does this information align with your career goals?  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Midterm Project Overview Project Steps: 9. Presentation: Deliver a 10-minute presentation to share your findings. Submission Due: Beginning of the 14th session, so when? …………….. Presentation Days: 14th and 15th sessions, so when? …………….. Content Requirements: Briefly describe your first-choice discipline and why you chose it. Mention the faculty member you interviewed. Share the most important or interesting points you learned. Highlight real-world challenges, exciting projects, or emerging trends. Explain how your chosen discipline compares to others you researched. Discuss the most interesting part of the discipline for you. Explain how this project influenced your perspective on civil engineering. Keep your presentation organized and within the time limit (10 minute). Use visuals or bullet points to emphasize key points. Speak clearly and confidently, engaging your audience.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Midterm Project Overview Evaluation Criteria: 1. Research quality: Thorough and diverse. 2. Interview depth: Thoughtful and insightful questions. 3. Analysis: Clear and detailed comparisons. 4. Presentation: Organized, engaging, and well-delivered.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Final Project Title: Myths and Heroes in Civil Engineering Project Overview: Choose a civil engineering myth and superhero who can debunk the myth using their powers. Creative Work: Create a visual presentation (poster) explaining the myth, the superhero’s power, and real-world engineering examples. Display & Voting: Your work will be displayed in the department hallway for voting by other students and faculty. Project Timeline: You will start working on this project in about a month. I will provide more details later.  Instructor: Soroush Mousavinezhad Stay motivated and enjoy a great semester!