Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering Design

An introductory course in civil engineering Sustainable Civil Engineering Design: A Project-Based Approach Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering Design: A Project-Based Approach is designed to accompany a one-semester introductory course to civil engineering. The text introduces students to the field of civil engineering and sustainability through team projects which require them to identify design problems, define design objectives, generate and evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations for follow-up studies and designs. The projects outlined in this text will help students learn to think critically in order to solve design problems, develop an understanding of public policy as it relates to design and civil engineering, become familiar with current issues in civil engineering, and sharpen their written communication skills.  

Table of Contents:
Preface About the Authors Acknowledgments 1. Civil Engineering Infrastructure Systems Historical Perspectives The Infrastructure of Civilization Civil Engineering as a Learned Profession Design of Systems, Components, and Processes Feasibility Assessment Detailed Design Construction Drawings Goals that Guide Design Performance Safety Health Sustainability and Environmental Protection Economic Efficiency Acceptability to the Public Conclusion Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 2. Sustainability and Design—Writing Skill Assessment Introduction Philosophical Perspectives Sustainability Issues Related to Design Methods for Assessing the Achievement of Sustainability Goals in a Design Carbon Footprint Life-cycle Analysis Environmental Impact Assessment Additional Considerations Climate Change Environmental Protection The 3Rs Sustainable Communities Sustainability Strategies Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 3. Climate Change Introduction Measurement of Temperature Change and Carbon Dioxide Concentration Factors that Influence Atmospheric Temperature and Climate Modeling of Climate Change Potential Consequences and Risks Associated with Climate Change Implications for the Design of Civil Engineering Infrastructure Systems Summary Key Terms Exercises To Develop Design Skills 4. Federal Laws and Acts Introduction The Federal Legislative Process National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Clean Water Act (CWA) Wetlands Portion of Clean Water Act (Section 404) Executive Order 11988—Floodplain Management Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Clean Air Act (CAA) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Endangered Species Act (ESA) National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) The Surface Transportation Bill Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 5. The Phases of Design Introduction A Framework for Organizing Civil Engineering Design Critical Thinking Phases of the Design Process Needs Assessment and Problem Definition—Phase 1 Establishment of Design Goals—Phase 2 Generation of Alternative Solutions—Phase 3 Evaluation of Alternative Solutions—Phase 4 Selection of a Solution and Recommendations—Phase 5 Verbal and Graphic Communications—Phase 6 Implementation of the Solution—Phase 7 Project Management, Communications, and Teamwork Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 6. Needs Assessment and Problem Definition—Report 1 Introduction What Basic Needs Will a Design Meet What Physical Design Characteristics Should be Examined What Opportunities and Challenges Does the Site Offer Who are the Gainers and Losers What are the Political Realities Clients, Constituents, and Project Approval Public Agencies and the Private Sector Public-Private Partnerships Non-Profit Groups Techniques to Assist With Problem Definition Principles of Problem Definition Methods for Defining Problems Conclusions Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 7. Establishment of Design Goals—Report 2 Introduction Writing Goal Statements Characteristics of Design Goals Quantifiable Independence Generality Hierarchical Categories of General Design Goals Performance Goals Safety Goals Health Goals Sustainability and Environmental Protection Goals Economic Efficiency Goals Public Acceptability Goals Design Codes and Standards Ranking and Weighting of Goals Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 8. Synthesis and the Generation of Alternatives—Report 3 Introduction Breaking the Design Problem Down into Components or Sub-Problems Techniques to Assist with the Generation of Solutions Providing Evidence that Design Goals are Being Met Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 9. The Evaluation of Alternative Solutions—Report 3 Introduction Goals Matrix Computing Decision Scores Trade-Off Analysis Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 10. Development of Site Maps and Data Bases Introduction Step 1—Downloading Usgs Dems for the Base Map Step 2—Importing Dems into Esri Arcmap Step 3—Mosaicking Dems Using Esri Spatial Analyst Extension Step 4—Clipping Dems to Depict Project Boundary Step 5—Smoothing the Raster Image Step 6—Creating Contours Using Esri Spatial Analyst Extension Option A: Convert Z Unit from Meters to Feet Option B: Z Factor Conversion from Meters to Feet Step 7—Selecting Styles/Symbolization of Major and Minor Contours Step 8—Attaching Contour Labels Step 9—Exporting Contours to KML Step 10—Viewing Contours in Google Earth Summary of Steps Software Licenses Conclusion Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 11. Site Evaluation and Use of Contour Lines Introduction Site Characteristics of Importance Location and Boundaries Land uses Surrounding the Site Previous and Current Uses Topography and Morphology of the Site Drainage Patterns and Floodplains Geotechnical Features Environmental Resources Existing Utilities Historic and Cultural Features Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 12. Abstraction and Modeling Introduction Iconic Models Analog Models Symbolic Models Modeling Software Theories, Laws, and Empirical Relationships Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills 13. Licensure, Ethics, Liability Introduction Safety Licensure The Code of Ethics NSPE Code of Ethics ASCE Code of Ethics Legally Binding Design Codes Contract Law Tort Law Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Design Skills Appendix A—NSPE Code of Ethics for Professional Engineers Appendix B—ASCE Code of Ethics for Civil Engineers 14. Team Management, Communications, and Leadership Introduction Planning Organizing Directing and Communications Controlling Keys to Effective Teamwork Summary Key Terms Exercises to Develop Management and Leadership Skills 15. Undergraduate and Graduate Curricula and Programs Introduction Accreditation of Undergraduate Programs Required Courses and Elective Courses Cad Capstone Design Undergraduate Extracurricular Opportunities The Graduate Degree Program Other Post-Graduate Program Options Summary Key Terms Exercises to Enhance Preparation for Life-Long Learning Appendix A: Writing Assignment to Assess Writing Skills—Designing to Achieve Sustainability Appendix B: Rubric for Team Report 1—Problem Definition Appendix C: Rubric for Team Report 2—Design Goals and Constraints Appendix D: Rubric for Team Report 3—Design Alternatives and Evaluation References Index