2023-2024 Course Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Overview of the specialty areas within the civil engineering profession, professional engineer licensing, and engineering ethics. Includes recognizing contemporary issues in civil engineering, civil engineering work in the surrounding community, and the impact of civil engineering solutions on society. Emphasizes successful personal business practices for civil engineering professionals, to include the fundamentals of effective oral, written, and visual communication skills for the Civil Engineer. Introduction to engineering library resources. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite. For Pathways Advanced Discourse credit, must complete combination of CEE 2804, CEE 3304, CEE 4804
Introduction to various data measurement issues in civil and environmental engineering, including collection techniques, analysis, error, and statistical evaluation in all sub-disciplines. Spatial measurement topics include GPS, leveling, distance and angular measurement, mapping and topographic surveys, automated data collection, terrain models, earthwork methods, construction surveying, geodesy, and GIS. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisites. Pre: BC students required to take the BC 1224 pre-requisite, BC and CEM students are exempt from corequisite CEE 2834. CEE and CEM students are required to take the ENGE 1216 pre-requisite.
Introduction to the use of Computer-Aided Drafting, Building Information Modeling and Geographic Information Systems software. Interpretation of civil engineering drawings. Creation of civil engineering plans and two- and three- dimensional visualizations. Professional collaboration tools. Basemap creation. Basic analysis tools utilizing Geographic Information Systems.
Fundamental elements involved in managing construction projects. Management structure, construction contracts, equipment and labor productivity, scheduling, quality assurance, and cost control. Junior standing required.
Overall view of environmental engineering with emphasis on hazardous waste management, water treatment, wastewater treatment, air pollution and its control, solid waste management, groundwater pollution and environmental regulations. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisites.
An introduction to the land development design process including site selection and feasibility, environmental considerations, utility layout, grading, stormwater management and integrating planning with the design of infrastructure to support residential and commercial development. A grade of C- or better in prerequisite.
Introductory course in fluid mechanics. Includes concepts and measurements of fluid properties; computing hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces on hydraulic structures; computing fluid pressures, discharges, and velocities; and determining energy losses in pipe flows. Course includes conducting hydraulic laboratory experiments and demonstrations, analyzing and interpreting collected data, and preparing technical laboratory reports. Emphasizes the fundamentals of effective interpersonal, written, and visual communication skills for technical civil engineering reports. Design Lab/Studio. A grade of C- or better in prerequisites. For Pathways Advanced Discourse credit, must complete combination of CEE 2804, CEE 3304, CEE 4804
Open channel flow; hydrology; hydraulic modeling; hydraulic machinery and structures; laboratory experiments and demonstrations. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite 3304. Design Lab/Studio.
Introduction to structural engineering as an art and science and its fundamental tenets; description of structural systems, structural loads, and load paths; structural models, case studies of successful and unsuccessful structural designs; calculations of forces and deformation for simple determinate structures (trusses, beams and simple frames) and indeterminate structures using virtual work, use of stiffness methods in computer programs.
Behavior and design of reinforced concrete members based on ultimate strength. Beams and slabs in flexure, shear and torsion, development of reinforcement. Columns with axial force plus bending, slenderness effects in columns. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisites.
Behavior and design of structural steel members and steel-frame buildings, including simple and fixed connections. AISC specifications; elastic theory. Design members to resist tension, compression, bending, torsion; plate girders, composite beams. ESM 3054 may be taken in place of co-requisite CEE 3684. A grade of C- or better in prerequisite. Design Lab/Studio.
Engineering properties of soils including their descriptions and classifications, the effects of water, soil strength and compressibility. Introduction to soil stabilization, earth pressures, slope stability, and foundations. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisites GEOS 2104 and ESM 2204. Design Lab/Studio.
Planning, design and operation of transportation systems with emphasis in multimodal transportation techniques and unified system engineering theories to analyze large scale transportation problems. Discussion of Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS) and hands on experience in computer models in transportation operations and planning. Interactions between transportation infrastructure and environmental engineering planning. Junior standing required.
Characteristics of constituent materials and the design and behavior of portland cement and bituminous concrete mixtures with demonstrated laboratory experiments. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisites. Design Lab/Studio.
Introduction to computer applications in civil and environmental engineering. Integration of quantitative analysis for design, data management, computer programming and problem solving skills with computer tools and techniques. Topics include systems analysis, numerical methods, optimization, data mining, computer programming and data queries. Analysis and interpretation of a global data set. Pre: Junior Standing.
Computer programming and data analysis for civil and environmental engineering projects. Acquiring, cleaning and pre-processing data sets. Probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression modeling. Time series and frequency analysis. Data visualization.
Application of academic knowledge and skills to in a work-based experience aligned with post-graduation goals using research-based learning processes. Satisfactory completion of work-based experience often in the form of internship, undergraduate research, co-op, or study abroad; self-evaluation; reflection; and showcase of learning. Pre: Departmental approval of 3900 plan.
Interpretation of plans and specifications, preparation of construction estimates, and cost control. Methods analysis, resource requirements, and resource costs in building systems, including system components, and in large-scale civil engineering works such as highways, bridges, and hydraulic structures. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3014.
Techniques used to plan, schedule, and control the Construction Process. Emphasizes manual and computer-based approaches. Focuses on an analytical approach towards the construction process whereby good technical methodologies and solutions are converted to reality through construction practices. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite.
Challenges and barriers to sustainable infrastructure. Effects of a changing planet and society on current infrastructure systems. Technology and data use for engineering. Infrastructure data interpretation. Data-driven engineering solutions.
Construction means, methods, and equipment used to transform a particular design concept into a completed usable structure or facility. Selection and optimization of individual units as well as the systems needed to produce the required work to the required quality on time and on budget. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite.
Design of municipal water and wastewater treatment plants. Emphasis on characterization of water and wastewater and physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods. Sludge processing advanced treatment methods and treatment plant hydraulics are considered. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisites.
Public health engineering principles for protection against biological and chemical health hazards. Emphasis on major communicable diseases that plague mankind, organisms that cause them, routes of transmission, and engineering methods of control. Appropriate control methods for rural areas and developing countries. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite.
Quantitative methods to evaluate environmental sustainability using a sytems approach. Sustainability assessment frameworks, oreintors and indicators, indicators of sustainable development, green-house gas emissions, renewable energy systems, whole-system design, economic systems and input-outpur techniques, system dynamics models, emergence and agent-based models. Class project requiring integration of environmental, economic and social systems using system dynamics and agent-based models. Senior Standing.
Effects, regulation, sources, and control of air pollution. Application of engineering calculations and models to estimate emissions, predict pollutant concentrations, and design pollution control equipment. Senior standing required. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisites.
Introduction to the problems, regulations and techniques associated with the management of solid and hazardous waste. Composition, volume and characterization of the wastes. Design of collection and disposal systems, including landfills, solidification/stabilization and incineration. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3104.
An introduction to the field of municipal engineering. Infrastructure, capital projects, financing, sustainability, disaster planning and response, and plan review for development projects. Senior standing required.
An introduction to the modern techniques for developing land while maintaining a focus on long-term sustainability. Topics include site layout, stormwater impact, air quality and microclimate, living resources, LEED and EarthCraft development standards. Pre-requisite: Senior Standing required
Overview of land development projects including construction practices, legal issues, and government policies. Feasibility study, engineering evaluation. Grading and roadway design, layout design of lots, buildings, streets, sewers, and stormwater control. Interactive graphics and automated drafting.
Advanced course in land development design focusing on site grading and parking, stormwater management, and erosion control. Reviews project design criteria and applicable municipal and state guidelines. Uses CAD software for design and deliverables. Senior/Graduate standing required. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisites.
Precipitation, evaporation, consumptive use, infiltration; stream flow, flood routing; statistical analysis of hydrologic data, flood and drought forecasting, risk analysis, subsurface flow, well hydraulics, introduction to urban drainage design. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite.
Fundamentals of groundwater hydrology; flow through porous media, both saturated and unsaturated; flow to wells in both confined and unconfined aquifers; seepage of groundwater to canals and field drains; analysis of aquifer test data to quantify flow and storage parameters; contaminants in groundwater, basic introduction to groundwater modeling. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3304.
Mechanics of open channel flow, including uniform flow, gradually varied flow, channel transitions, and unsteady flow.
Hydraulic analysis and design of engineering structures for water control, including reservoirs, dams, spillways, spilling basins, drainage structures, and hydraulic models. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3314.
Analysis of the water resources planning process and the institutional framework for water resources management. Criteria and procedures for evaluating management alternatives are examined, with emphasis on assessment of economic and environmental impacts. Senior standing required.
Basic wave mechanics principles, surf-zone processes, littoral and sediment processes, shoreline features, astronomical tides, coastal hazards, and functional design of coastal structures. Field trips. Pre: C- or better in 3304.
Coupled socio-hydrologic feedback loops and implications for water systems resilience. Urban water transitions theory and the evolution of water systems through time. Water productivity and the soft path for water. Ecosystem services. Urban water system challenges, including climate change, urbanization, equity and environmental justice, and water security. Centralized and distributed drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater treatment systems. Statistical analysis of urban water systems.
Analysis of statically indeterminate 2D and 3D beam, truss and frame structures by the force and displacement methods. Computer implementation of force method. Influence lines and approximate methods of analysis.
Masonry materials, material testing, material specifications. Structural behavior and design of masonry elements (walls, beams, and columns) and systems used in structures. Construction techniques and the details of masonry construction. Building codes relating to analysis and design of masonry structures. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisites 3424 and 3684.
Principles and techniques for characterizing earth materials (soil and rock) for civil engineering projects in various regional environments; with emphasis on the interdisciplinary approach to field exploration and site description through soil mechanics theory, geologic correlations, geophysical methods, in site testing and sampling. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3514.
Earth pressure theories and their applications to the design of retaining structures, anchors, and excavation bracing. Bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundations. Types and capacity of deep foundations. A grade of C- or better in pre-requisite 3514.
Application of geotechnical engineering principles in the design and construction of earth structures. Subsurface models, shear strength of soil, slope stability, earth fills, earth retention, ground improvement, sustainability considerations, geotechnical reporting. Team-based design project. C- or better in 3514.
Causes, mechanics, classifications, and forces associated with tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and landslides. Resistance evaluation for existing ground, facilities and structures. Hazard-resistant design of new facilities. Risk and reliability assessment and decision analysis. Strategies and designs for natural disaster risk mitigation. Emergency response for protection of life and property and restoration of lifelines. Includes an interdisciplinary team project. Prerequisite: Senior Standing Required
Geotechnical aspects of coastal and marine engineering. Introduction to the coastal zone as a working environment. In-situ geotechnical methods and complementary techniques for investigation. Survey strategies. Local field trips for demonstrating methods, practice and design. A grade of C- or better is required in prerequisite 3514.
Study of traffic and parking characteristics; application of traffic control devices; principles and techniques used to improve the efficiency and safety of traffic flow systems. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3604.
Introduction to the deformation, stress, and strength analysis of continuous-fiber-polymer-matrix laminated composites. Fabrication, micromechanics of stiffness and expansional coefficients, classical lamination theory (CLT). Environmentally induced stresses. Computerized implementation and design
Fundamental properties of portland cement concretes. Concrete mixture design procedures. Testing of fresh and hardened properties of concrete. Durability and degradation mechanisms. Condition assessments, forensic materials engineering, and repair strategies.
Transportation planning process; urban and regional studies, surveys, data analysis, model development and testing; transportation management, administration, finance, system evaluation, implementation, and integration. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3604.
Infrastructure components and assessment needs; physical and chemical properties of construction materials; deterioration causes, assessment methods, nondestructive evaluation techniques, infrastructure management systems, performance models, service-life-cycle estimates. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3684.
Functional design of highways; curves, intersections, interchanges, drainage, and other features involved in highway safety and traffic efficiency. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3604.
Principles underlying methods for the design of various elements of flexible and rigid pavements for highways and airports; climate and traffic effects; pavement management systems. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3684.
Airport planning and economic justification, site selection, configuration, development and design of terminal areas, demand forecasting, access, traffic control. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3604.
Basic principles associated with transportation safety related to humans, vehicles and infrastructure as well as principles of design for safety and practices of empirical evaluation of safety. Principles and practices of accident investigation and injury epidemiology as well as safeguards and control practices. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite.
Introduction to the operation of modal and intermodal freight facilities. Impact of goods movement on the multi-modal transportation system. Role of privately owned and operated goods movement on public sector transportation operations, management, and decision making. Communication of impacts.
An overview of civil engineering professional practice, including business etiquette, professional development, leadership, and lifelong learning. Emphasizes the importance of registration for civil engineers. Compares and contrasts common project delivery methods, processes, key players, and management topics for the design and construction industry. Incorporates analyses of legal and ethical aspects of civil engineering practice. Analyzes contemporary issues and public policies that impact the civil engineering profession, and the impacts of civil engineering solutions on society. Emphasizes effective written, oral, and visual professional communication for the civil engineering professional. A grade of C- or better in prerequisite. For Pathways Advanced Discourse credit, must complete combination of CEE 2804, CEE 3304, CEE 4804
Risk assessment and reliability analysis as applied to civil engineering applications. Identification and modeling of non-deterministic problems in civil engineering design and decision making. Application of probability and statistics to performance analysis. Development of probabilistic engineering safety assessments.
Basic processes in engineering failure investigations: response, data gathering, testing, modeling, and reporting. Origins of natural and man-made disasters, role of building codes and material specifications, standard of care, ethical standards and legal issues as related to forensic engineering.
Cyber-physical systems and remote sensing methods in civil engineering. Electrodynamics and fundamental physical operating principles. Sensing and sensor deployment strategies. Data acquisition and reduction. Signal and image processing techniques. Data interpretation, management, and curation.
Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM). Architectural modeling, custom parametric object creation, virtual structural modeling. Constructability and construction management analysis. Reality capturing technologies. Virtual reality and immersive virtual environments. Contemporary topics and new directions for BIM technologies. Pre: Senior Standing.
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