Main Aspects of Civil Engineering - Essay Example

Introduction I am pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering at Liverpool John Moores Civil engineering is one of the oldest professions that has been practiced for ages and is second only to military engineering. The profession deals mainly with the construction of structures and buildings and their aesthetic beauty. At Liverpool John Moores University, the degree in civil engineering will cover the inception of the projects to their completion in a variety of fields. The field can either be structural, transport related or environmental. In the field of structural engineering, the main line of duty of civil engineers covers a wide range of structures. The main aim of design and construction of these structures is their ability to resist loads. Careful analysis is done at the time of design to ensure that the structures do not fail to produce the level of resistance required. Some of the works of structural engineers include the construction of dams, buildings pipelines and even offshore platforms used for drilling oil. Civil engineering can also be related to the transportation sector. in this case, the civil engineers work is to design and create ways that support the ease of access to different parts of the world. The main structures that could be developed by the civil engineer, in this case, are roads, railway line, tunnels, water canals and bridges. The environmental aspect of civil engineering, on the other hand, deals with structures such as water supply networks like rivers and piping systems and the drainage networks. There are several career options in the field of civil engineering. These careers range from managerial to government related jobs. In the government, for instance, a civil engineer can be a policy maker influencing standards that are used in the construction of government projects (Institute of civil engineers 1999). The policies can also deal with the regulation of bodies of civil engineers country wide. Education also offers a career path to the civil engineers. In this case, the civil engineer will be in charge of training the next batch or generation of civil engineers. Consultancy is another avenue for a career of civil engineers (Institute of civil engineers 1999). The civil engineer can opt to join consultancy firms that offer a variety of solutions to different clients in construction projects. At an industry level, civil engineers can work at a variety of positions offering solutions to the public and designing or implementing projects that are used in production. Al these career options are alternate to the main career of civil engineers that is in the construction industry. My passion in civil engineering has been in existence for a long time. I began with the interest in Architecture and my admiration of their ability to design and produce marvellous buildings. A part from the buildings, there are much other structure that make our life even simpler and better. Things like roads and water canals and the sophistication with which they are designed and constructed is very exciting. The construction process of these structures and their sophistication is what made my interest in civil engineering. My main interest is to make the world a better place aesthetically and through utility. Part B Civil engineering being an old profession is offered in many universities throughout the United Kingdom and the world in general. These universities include the Anglia Ruskin University, and other institutions throughout the United Kingdom. A similar course that deals with structural engineering is also offered at the University of Liverpool. There are significant similarities and differences that the two universities have while offering this courses in civil engineering. The course content and the design of the modules that are used to teach the same course are the source of difference or otherwise. A review of the costing can also shed some light in the similarity of the two courses. To begin the comparison, there is no difference in the course content that is taught at Anglia Ruskin University and those that are given at the Liverpool John Moores University. Most of the units are similar in nature and this point out to the fact that even the teaching could be similar. The amount of fees charged for the same course at the two universities is similar. Both Anglia Ruskin University and LJMU offer the same course at fee of nine thousand pounds per year. The Liverpool John Moores University offers five modules in the first year of study as compared to the seven modules offered at Anglia Ruskin. Apart from this difference, at LJMU, a math certificate is required as an entry requirement which is not necessary at Anglia Ruskin. I have chosen to look at the details of Doctor Alison Cotgrave in this study project. Dr. Cotgrave currently lectures at LJMU and got her first degree in 1988 from the University of Liverpool Polytechnic at which she graduated with a commendation. She later joined Manchester University in 1994 to complete her PGCE and also her Mastery in education in 1997. She is the deputy director in the school of built environment. A visit to one of the departments in our school is an exciting exercise. Most members of the department are welcoming. The learning environment is conducive, and the students are friendly. The learning facilities are also of high standards. Part C Construction practice is one of the modules taught in the first year of study in the degree of civil engineering. This module is mainly about the method or processes that are involved in the design and implementation or creation of buildings. It encompasses the aspects of design, costs, safety mechanisms all the way to the completion of the structure of the building and its occupancy. There are many types of construction projects (Bright Hub Engineering 2009). I intend to highlight a few and discuss some of the ideas relating to the construction exercise. The common construction projects are residential, commercial, industrial, and private construction. Residential construction purposes mainly to produce a housing unit for a single family. Commercial purpose buildings like skyscrapers, hospitals and sports centres are categorised under commercial construction. Industrial constructions are those that deal with the development of manufacturing plants or any other type of plant. Private construction is based on the ownership of the construction in which case the government is not involved. The knowledge of these types of construction projects is essential to an individual or company intending to undertake a construction project. The reason for this importance is based on the knowledge of the law governing the different forms and types of construction (Chudley 2006). Apart from the laws governing the type of construction, other laws regarding labour are also important and could be specific to the type of construction. In most countries, these laws also differ and are sometimes not properly reinforced depending on the governing authority of the construction in the country. Environmental laws are part of the standards that requires the knowledge different types of construction. The main concern of the public in these constructions is the reduction of emissions of carbon with the overall goal of taming the effects of global warming. The building of a third runway in the Londons Heathrow airport received a huge amount of opposition (The Guardian 2014). The debate was about the impact of the same on the environment. Proponents of the project believed that the ability of the airport to change capacity would mean an improvement to the economy of London and the country as a whole. They argued that if the airport expansion program were transferred to another location, the level of emissions would still be even higher. This is due to the position which London holds as the chief commercial hub. The use of vehicle transportation from the new expanded airport would imply an unprecedented increase to emissions of carbon in the country. Furthermore, the expanded airport would still increase the overall emissions anyway. To those who refuted the proposed expansion, the basis of their argument remained the environmental sustainability of the same. The ability to concentrate a lot of emissions on one location would imply that the airports expansion would pollute the area. This group also felt that it was not a safe location for the flights to fly over residential homes which posed a threat to the locals and the passengers alike. From a perspective of the economy, the argument was that an expansion would reduce the tourist income as most tourists will just pas by on transit to other destinations. So much thought and considerations have to go into the construction process from the point of interception to the finish. The knowledge of the type of construction will help in making consideration about the legal perspective of the project. In construction, the planning is important as the implementation as indicated by this preceding discussion. This module will sharpen my skills in dealing with any issues relating to the construction process. In properly dealing with the issues arising in a construction project, the chances of success in a project are advanced. I look forward to progress with my civil engineering course at Liverpool John Moores University. Bibliography BRIGHT HUB ENGINEERING: Bridge Design, Planning, and Construction (September 30th 2011). Available at: http://www.brighthubengineering.com/structural-engineering/59793- bridge-design-planning-and-construction/ CHUDLEY, R. ( 2006). Advanced Construction Technology. 4 Edition. Prentice Hall (UK). INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINERS (1999). Current and Future Trends in Bridge Design, Construction and Maintenance: Safety, Economy, Sustainability and Aesthetics : Proceedings of the ... and Held in Singapore on 4-5 October 1999. Edition. Thomas Telford Ltd. THE GUARDIAN: Changes to airport capacity could take off. (September 3rd 2014) available at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/03/changes-airport-capacity-could-take- off. Read More