Methods and Techniques in Civil Engineering

This report discusses the methods and techniques used in civil engineering for various activities such as earthworks, foundation construction, culvert construction, and highway design. It also covers topics like hazards, risk assessment, safety arrangements, and solutions to environmental and geotechnical challenges. The report provides valuable insights for students and professionals in the field of civil engineering.

Civil Engineering

Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.......................................................................................................................................................3
P1. Discuss earthworks activities, equipment and the techniques............................................................3
P2. Describe methods and the techniques which are used to create the complex foundations, pilling
works and drainage works.......................................................................................................................4
P3. Describe methods and techniques which are used in culvert construction, underpass construction
and provision for utilities.........................................................................................................................5
TASK 2.......................................................................................................................................................6
P4. Identify the hazards, risk and the safety arrangements for excavations, working in confined spaces,
working on structure and for working within temporary works on highways..........................................6
P5. Develop and present the site safety plan, risk assessment and method statement for the given civil
engineering activity.................................................................................................................................6
Task 3..........................................................................................................................................................7
P6. Evaluate the environmental, quality, geotechnical and economic context of the given civil
engineering problem................................................................................................................................7
P7. Propose a solution to the given civil engineering problem................................................................8
Task 4..........................................................................................................................................................8
P8. Describe the methods and the techniques used in the highway design..............................................8
P9. Develop the civil engineering design proposal for the new infrastructure project.............................9
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Civil engineering technology can be defined as the designing, planning and constructing
the buildings, road, bridges, subdivisions, heavy infrastructure or the municipal services. The
businesses dealing in civil engineering are liable to deliver the service in various different
environments which comprises of the construction, mining and other (Kaveh, 2017). The current
report is based on the conceptual design and execution of the report on the industrial complex
near the parallel express highway which is 12 km apart and both link the megacity of the London
to the international airport which is within the outskirts of the London which is Heathrow. Here,
around factories and industrial buildings are to be developed. This report shall deal with the
different methods and techniques which are used to create the buildings and the solutions for the
problems which will be identified. Moreover, the report shall cover different measures of safety
and the distinct code of practices which are related to the construction. At last, it will have the
risk assessment, safety plan and the method statements along with proposal for the new
infrastructure and the methods for the creation of the distinct foundation.
TASK 1
P1. Discuss earthworks activities, equipment and the techniques.
The engineering works which are formulated by the moving or processing parts of the
surface of the earth which involves unformed rocks or the quantities of the soil is termed as
earthworks (Conrad, 2017). For the current project, there are different techniques and equipment
which are being used, these are discussed below-
 Bulldozers- These are utilized to ample the dirt or soil, fine and rough grading, crushing,
removing or crushing the rick in the open construction sites. It consists of the large metal
plates in the front which can be used to move up and down with the restricted angle
which utilized mainly two hydraulic pistons that are attached to it.
 Excavators- It is the heavy machine which comprises of the base cabins together with the
long arm where there are various attachments which utilizes the hydraulic system for the
functioning. This is mainly utilized in order to demolish, excavation, mining, grading and
lifting heavy dredging and many other applications.

 Backhoe loaders- These are tyres mounted machines which have the shovel at the bucket
and front which is attached to the joint arm at the rear end. Their mobility which is
furnished by it makes the ideal for the utilization in this project. This can also be utilized
for carrying out the applications like placing pipes, filling up the trenches, excavation
work, lifting materials and many other (Lai, W.W.L., Derobert and Annan, 2018).
P2. Describe methods and the techniques which are used to create the complex foundations,
pilling works and drainage works.
The term foundation is referred to as the structural system which is liable for the support
and anchoring the superstructure of the building as well as the transmission of the lead on the
earth directly. There are various kinds of foundation which includes deep and shallow
foundations. In context to present project, Steel grillage foundation shall be apt that consists of
the joint beams and steel which are supplied in the single and double layer. These mainly cover
around 10cm on the outer side of the outer beams together with the upper flanges of upper layer.
The various methods which can be used in drainage work are illustrated below-
 Cement mortar- This is a paste which is utilized for binding the clocks for the spaces in
them and also prohibits the water infiltration on the ground id there are any type of
cracks. This can be used in this building for joining the gaps from drains to the drains.
 Geotextile membrane- The rationale behind this is to prevent the water from passing
which may be utilized for the improvements of subsurface drainage through eliminating
the groundwater from the muddy section of road. It provides the barrier in the
surrounding gravel and soil.
 Channel sealing method- It is used in case if the hill areas in order to prevent the
landslides and also the prevention of the infiltration on the ground, this implies that it is
not apt for the current project (Kaveh and Eslamlou, 2020).
For the piling work, it implies the long cylinder of the strong material such as concrete
which is pushed to the ground and acts as the steady support in order to structure the built on
top of that. The methods are illustrated below-
 Driven and cast in situ piles- In this, the steel shell which is the diameter if the pile shall
be driven in the ground by making the utilization of mandrel which can be inserted in the

shell and it shall be removed afterwards in order to concrete which may be poured within.
The shell is mainly formulated of corrugated and reinforce the thin sheet steel.
 Driven pile foundation- These are formulated by making the utilization of the timber
concrete and steel. These types of piles are mainly prefabricated before they are actually
placed in the construction site. But in the present case, if the soil is cohesive or may be
saturated silty soil then this cannot be compacted and also the water has to be drained
(Berglund and et. al., 2020).
P3. Describe methods and techniques which are used in culvert construction, underpass
construction and provision for utilities.
Culvert is referred to as the tunnel which aids the water to the flow under the stream
under road, trail or any other obstruction from one side to the another. Underpass is defined as
the crossing of the highways and another way at the distinct level. The various methods and
techniques which can be used in construction of culvert and underpass is discussed below-
 Box culvert- It is formulated from TCC and most typical part of installing thus culvert is
that it requires dry space. Water directions can be easily altered due to the strength of the
concrete floor.
 Pipe culvert- It is in unlike shape like the circular and elliptical shapes an are entirely
dependent on site condition and constraints. It is not relevant due to bacteria organic
matter together with harmful gas.
 Bridge culvert- It is liable to serve double aim which makes it to act like the bridge and
culvert. It is constructed in rivers and canals whose foundation is laid on the pavement
surface and ground level.
 Arch culvert- It is built by using the concrete, stone, metal, RCC, etc. under this, the
water direction cannot be disturbed which is meant as the natural integrity is maintained
by this culvert (Bekdaş and et. al., 2019).
For the present project, bridge culvert is suitable as it is very strong in terms of foundation and
acts like the repeater.

TASK 2
P4. Identify the hazards, risk and the safety arrangements for excavations, working in confined
spaces, working on structure and for working within temporary works on highways.
The hazard and risk which is associated with working in the confined space are given
below together with different ways in which it can be prevented-
 Physical hazards- It has limited structural stability and integrity. Moreover, the area
should be inspected before the operations are carried out.
 Atmospheric hazard- It can be verified by evaluating the flammable materials, gases,
hazardous chemicals and gases and in case the contents are released then the situation of
oxygen deficient might occur. To prevent it, air mo0nitoring should be conducted on
periodic basis in order to make sure acceptable atmospheric situations.
 Welding, cutting and burning- Flammable and combustible material should be removed.
It is important to maintain the fire watches while doing hot water until the material is
cooled down.
 Power and hand tool use- GFCIs or the double insulated power should be utilized, the
condition of power tools or cords should be verified for the safety before they are actually
used (Wyllie, 2017).
P5. Develop and present the site safety plan, risk assessment and method statement for the given
civil engineering activity.
Risk assessment- It implies the systematic scrutiny f the workplace which comprises of
the identification of the hazards, assessing the injury together with severity and the
implementation and likelihood of the control measures. This is initial step in the prioritization of
the hazard controls which shall prompt the separate methods statement for the peculiar task.
Safety plan-
 All activities should be conducted in such a way that the employees or other people are
not harmed.
 Environmental practices should be improved.
 Occupational health should be promoted.

 Work in a team in order to attain the objectives for averting any accident without harm or
damage.
 Safety operating controls and procedures must be executed.
Method statements- These are utilized in the construction like means to control the
peculiar safety risks and health which have been identified like the installation of the
equipment, dismantling, lifting activities, etc. Mechanics or operators are caught or run over
in the equipment when brakes are not set, wheel chocks are not used or equipment is left in
the gear.
 Utilize the PPE kits and inform all the contractors about the same. It is important to make
sure that the area where work is conducted has the exit point and there is no obstruction
in it.
 Area which shall be excavated should be cleared by the Golpla plastic grid and the
excavations should not undermine the nearby structure.
 All the equipment which is required for the job should be loaded and the vehicle safety
check should be carried out.
 There must be safe access along with the egress should be maintained and the site plant
related with the existent ground must be located and the underground services should be
determined (Moss, 2020).
Task 3
P6. Evaluate the environmental, quality, geotechnical and economic context of the given civil
engineering problem.
The major problem associated with this project is the pollution. Like the river water flows
to the Thames which is meant that an impact is created which will be high and they are also
invisible as the chemicals get dissolved in the water. It includes, glues, diesel, cement, oil, paint
and many other toxic chemicals. The consequences of water pollution are narrated below-
 Economic- Water needs to be cleaned ad shall also lead to the fines to the respective
firm. It is important that firm needs to extract the water from the soil fo that it will

become difficult to build the strong foundation. As the current project is built on the
river, there is high loss to it due to flood or other natural calamity.
 Environmental- The pollution extracted from construction enters the water system like
the waste and goes into the river which results in killing aquatic animals or the ones who
drinks water from river. It will result in disruption of the ecosystem.
 People- Pollutants from the sites gets sock into the groundwater which makes it harder to
treat and it is consumed by the human beings which imply that some chemicals are being
consumed. Substances like arsenic, mercury, etc. may cause serious health effects (Wang,
Jiang and Xiang, 2018).
From above analysis, it can said that from the construction of current project, the quality was
water shall be hampered and the geotechnical aspects will also be affected.
P7. Propose a solution to the given civil engineering problem.
The measures which can be taken to deal with the water pollution in order to maintain the
water quality and the geotechnical aspects shall also be handled from the following-
 Keeping the material such as sand, cement secured and the materials should be stored in
such a manner that the risk of the washed into the drains or the waterways may be
prevented.
 Gather and then treat the waste water which is being produced.
 Monitor and improve the management and the disposal of the site waste in order to
ensure that the waste is handled in an effective manner and is also stopped from
spreading.
 Cover all the drain in order to prevent the waste from getting in the water.
 Keep the footpath and the road site as clean all the time as it may lead to preventing the
silt together with other pollutants from running the water bodies.
Task 4
P8. Describe the methods and the techniques used in the highway design.
The methods which can be used includes the following-

 Geometric design- Its main objective is to get the optimum efficiency in traffic operations
period and maximum safety. The planning process in this is carried out in advance.
 rigid pavement design- It has flexural strength in order to transmit the wheel load stress
to the wider area below.
 Flexible pavement design- These are constructed by using the bituminous materials. Its
layer reflect the deformation of lower layers on the surface layer.
 Drainage system design- It involves the removal of the excess water from the surface of
soil and it is done by removing the low spots where the water accumulates by the land
forming or the excavating the ditches or combination of the two.
 Rigid pavement overlay design- In this, fully monolithic or bonded or partly bonded and
unbounded types are mainly based on the conditions of existing pavement.
 Flexible pavement design- It is named as the structure of the total pavement deflects or
flexes under the loading. This structure is composed typically of many layers of the
materials and each layer receives the load from above and spreads them out and passes
the load to other (Saleh and Murtaza, 2018).
They can be used as per the requirement of the project as each has separate usage.
P9. Develop the civil engineering design proposal for the new infrastructure project.
Project: Construction of 10 industrial factories and buildings.
Scope: To provide economic option for people in th whole country and provide the individuals
to have various items at one place.
Stakeholders: These includes the following-
 Employees.
 Board of directors.
 People.
 Shareholder.
 Management.
Construction amount: the cost for constructing the present project shall be approximately $750n
billion.

All the task and activity which will be carried out during the construction of this project will
adhere with all rules and regulations which are formulated by the Government and the health
and safety of the employees and people surrounding the project shall be also be ensured. Every
aspect relating to environment shall also be taken into consideration so that pollution can be
prevented.

CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the above report that there are different techniques and methods
which are utilized in this construction project but the methods and techniques are dependent
entirely on the kind of project which is being undertaken. Every aspect such as culverts,
drainage, piling, underpass, etc. carries different methods which are also as per the requirement
of the project for which they are being used. Moreover, it is concluded that it is very important to
identify the risk which are related to the project so that the constructive measures can be taken
earlier in order to ensure the success of the project.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bekdaş, G., and et. al., 2019. Optimization in civil engineering and metaheuristic algorithms: a
review of state-of-the-art developments. Computational intelligence, optimization and
inverse problems with applications in engineering, pp.111-137.
Berglund, E.Z., and et. al., 2020. Smart infrastructure: A vision for the role of the civil
engineering profession in smart cities. Journal of Infrastructure Systems. 26(2).
p.03120001.
Conrad, S., 2017. A comparison of practitioner and student writing in civil engineering. Journal
of Engineering Education. 106(2). pp.191-217.
Kaveh, A. and Eslamlou, A.D., 2020. Metaheuristic optimization algorithms in civil
engineering: New applications. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Kaveh, A., 2017. Applications of metaheuristic optimization algorithms in civil engineering.
Basel, Switzerland:: Springer International Publishing.
Lai, W.W.L., Derobert, X. and Annan, P., 2018. A review of Ground Penetrating Radar
application in civil engineering: A 30-year journey from Locating and Testing to Imaging
and Diagnosis. Ndt & E International. 96. pp.58-78.
Moss, R.E.S., 2020. Applied civil engineering risk analysis. Springer International Publishing.
Saleh, N.S. and Murtaza, S.F., 2018. English language use in Malaysian government and private
civil engineering workplaces. International Journal of Education and Literacy
Studies. 6(3). pp.84-91.
Wang, H., Jiang, L. and Xiang, P., 2018. Priority design parameters of industrialized optical fiber
sensors in civil engineering. Optics & Laser Technology. 100. pp.119-128.
Wyllie, D.C., 2017. Rock slope engineering: civil applications. CRC Press.