Module ENGI4151: HYDROLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Department: Engineering

ENGI4151: HYDROLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Prerequisites

• L3 MEng Civil Engineering route

Corequisites

• As specified in programme regulations

Excluded Combination of Modules

• As specified in programme regulations

Aims

• This module is designed solely for students studying School of Engineering and Computing Sciences degree programmes.
• The module will provide graduates with advanced knowledge of the various processes of the hydrological cycle with relevant analytical methods for engineering analysis, an understanding of the theory of Geographic Information Systems and an introduction to contract law including aspects of planning/management/safety in construction.

Content

• HYDROLOGY
• Hydrological cycle and water balance.
• Measurement of rainfall data and consistency check.
• Extension of rainfall measurements and evaluation of missing data.
• Estimation of the areal precipitation.
• Depth-area relationship, depth-area-duration relationship, intensity-duration-frequency relationship.
• Statistical concepts relevant to hydrology - frequency analysis and return period concept and hydrological forecasting.
• Analysis of abstractions.
• Methods for measuring and estimating evaporation and evapotranspiration.
• Soil moisture and methods of measuring and estimating infiltration capacity.
• Different occurrences of groundwater.
• Yield of wells and pumping analysis.
• Measurement of river discharge and analysis of stage-discharge curves.
• CONSTRUCTION PLANNING
• English law, contract and tort.
• ICE contract documents.
• Latham, ECC, Partnering, PFI, DBFO.
• Construction management, bar charts, network analysis, finance, project appraisal, risk.
• Safety, CDM - in planning, design, construction and maintenance.
• Hazardous activities - CIRIA 90.
• GIS:
• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.
• Analysis, display and manipulation of spatial data.
• Edit and query of spatial data.
• Applications relevant to civil engineering.
• Introduction to the ArcGIS software.
• Creation of a spatial database in ArcGIS.
• Tri-dimensional representation and analysis of data in ArcGIS.

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciation and technical understanding of advanced analysis tools and modelling techniques for the prediction of hydrological variables.
• Understanding of the capabilities as well as the limitations of predictive methods when applied to varied environmental conditions and engineering problems.
• Knowledge of simple analysis tools and modelling techniques for the prediction of hydrological variables.
• Understanding of the legal issues associated to the professional practice of civil engineering.
• Knowledge of the sources of hazards in construction and understanding of the relevant measures for the control of risk.
• An understanding of the fundamental theory underlying the use of Geographic Information Systems and the creation and query of spatial databases.

• The awareness of current technology, analysis methods and industrial practices along with the ability to apply those methods in novel situations.
• The use of effectively specialised, advanced geographic information tools and packages for the analysis spatial data.
• The ability to carry out the preliminary assessment and planning of construction processes.
• The ability to identify the different phases of the hydrological cycle and to describe the physical processes involved.
• The ability to perform critical assessment and review and to communicate the results of their own work effectively.

• Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
• Highly specialised analytical and numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
• Highly specialised use of information technology (IT) relevant to the engineering profession.
• Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The courses in the Hydrology and the Environment module (i.e. Hydrology, Construction Planning and GIS) are covered in lectures and are reinforced by seminars leading to the required problem solving capability.
• In addition the GIS course is underpinned by four practical sessions in which students are taught to use the software ArcGIS through hands-on group sessions in which they apply the software to different types of analyses.
• Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis.
• Written timed examinations are appropriate for the Hydrology and Construction Planning courses because of the wide range of analytical, in-depth material covered in these courses and to demonstrate the ability to solve advanced problems independently.
• Coursework assignments are appropriate for the GIS course because of the practical nature of the material covered in this course and to assess the student's ability to perform independent data analysis and professional reporting.
• The GIS coursework assignments are based on the study of real topographical data and river discharge measurements collected during the surveying campaign attended in year 3.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University