| Unit name | Design of Highways and Bridges |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CADE30009 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Vardanega |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Geomechanics (CENG20018) or equivalent, Methods of Structural Analysis (CENG20019) or equivalent |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Design, maintenance and management of highway infrastructure is vital for the functioning of society. Transportation infrastructure is vital for community connectivity and for preservation of lifelines during and post natural disasters. If highway infrastructure is not well designed and maintained, then it requires expensive repair or replacement. This unit combines concepts from surveying, geomechanics, materials science and structural mechanics which are necessary for design of different types of highway infrastructure. This unit will see students work in teams to fulfil set design tasks and offer recommendations. These activities will be used as the basis for learning reflection and completion of a CPD log.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Design is embedded across all years of study in our Civil Engineering programmes. The principles of design are taught in multiple units, including Introduction to Design Practice in Year 1, Sustainable Architecture and Design, and Structural Materials and Design in Year 2, Design of Highways and Bridges (this unit) in Year 3, and Design Project in Year 4. The development of design skills is also building on the fundamentals of structural, geotechnical, water and systems engineering, that are delivered in separate units. Additionally, this unit introduces students to the broad field of Transportation Engineering, and Bridge Design and Management. It also prepares students for industrial settings by offering the opportunity to work in a design team and engage with Continuing Professional Development activities.
An overview of content
The unit will cover the following topics:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will be able to carry out designs of various types and components of highway infrastructure. They will develop their teamworking skills in the context of a group design project. The unit will also introduce students to the concept of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and reflection on project work as they build a design portfolio.
Learning Outcomes
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities, which may include lectures, set readings of technical literature, examples sheets, design tasks and laboratory related work.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Problem and design classes will be held throughout the unit where students can receive feedback on their attempts at set example questions and related design tasks.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
In the case of required reassessment of the group design project, where the student was unable to complete their contribution to the group project, the student resitting can undertake further individual development and critique of their group’s original submission, highlighting areas for improvement and development using knowledge and understanding from the taught components. The resubmission components would be as above, but individual.
The examination reassessment retains the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CADE30009).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
