Civil Engineering BEng

Core modules:

Practical Application of Civil and Structural Engineering

Civil and Structural Engineering programmes provide their students with the knowledge and skills to shape the world. However, with this power, also comes huge responsibility. This module focuses on developing the attitudes and behaviours that engineers require to apply their new-found knowledge appropriately in the context of the 21st century.

The module will draw very heavily on a broad range of interactive projects and workshops, providing the context on which their other academic modules are founded. 

Short practical exercises will be used as the framework to introduce reflective practice, developing students' ability to solve engineering problems, and to also take ownership of their own educational development. Small groups projects will also provide a lens for students to start developing an awareness of the complex human relationships at the heart of any engineering project.

Through lectures and workshops students will be introduced to the historical context of their profession, and will debate the evolving ethical challenges facing modern civil and structural engineers.History will be used as the lens to explore: the moral basis for civil and structural engineering; the link between they physical world and evolving theoretical models; and engineers' relationship to risk.

The module will next explore the relationship between physical structures and the various theoretical mental models that engineers can use to describe and analyse them. Practical make-and-break exercises will explicitly expose the power, and limitations, of our theoretical methods, whilst site-visits will allow students to internalise the impact and scale of their design decisions.

The module will introduce students to the concept of systems thinking, initially in its broadest sense, and then considering infrastructure as part of complex environmental and societal systems. Students will then be introduced to the concept of risk, and understand how risk management underpins all engineering decision making.

Working in small-groups the students will conduct a project to develop a solution to a real-world civil or structural engineering challenge, consolidating their learning from this module, and providing practical application for their wider programme learning outcomes.

The module assessment will consist of mandatory non-graded activities, and graded work.

20 credits

Civil and Structural Engineering Mechanics

This module is delivered in both the Autumn and Spring Semesters. Teaching in the first semester is designed to provide a basis of knowledge and understanding of elastic structural analysis and will be applied to two key structural forms - trusses and beams. The focus of the second semester is on the analysis of stress, strain and elastic deformation of beams.

20 credits

Engineering Surveying

In this module you will learn basic engineering surveying skills and the role spatial data plays in civil engineering design and construction. You will gain hands-on experience in using different types of surveying equipment and in basic manipulation of spatial data. You'll gain key transferable skills in metrology and checking data accuracy.

10 credits

Hydraulic Principles and Flow in Pipes

This module aims to build a common understanding of the principles of fluid mechanics, progressing from statics such as pressure and force on objects, through properties and laws of hydro-dynamics including continuity, energy and momentum principles of fluid in motion, leading to the ability to understand and analyse fluid flows in pipes including simple networks and the operation of pumps. Overall, you will gain the essential understanding of fluid mechanics and application to pipe flows. This will be achieved through a series of lectures, building to practical real world examples, laboratory classes and tutorial sheets. Theory is reinforced through practical experimentation and problem solving.

20 credits

Soil Mechanics

This module is an introductory module to the use of soils in engineering practice. As soils are a naturally varying material, the creation of different soil types is first discussed giving the student a background in why soils differ. This then progresses into the engineering classification of soils followed by the design of simple geotechnical structures. These include retaining walls and earth embankments.

10 credits

Introduction to Structural Materials Engineering

This lecture course focusses on materials for structural applications and covers all the main classes of materials (ceramics, metals, polymers, natural materials and composites), describing the properties that they show, the root cause of their properties, the structure, and how we can affect this by processing to get the properties we want. The course will also introduce some ways that the best material for a purpose can be selected.

10 credits

Mathematics and Python Programming

This module aims to reinforce and extend students' previous knowledge of mathematics studied before university, and introduces the use of computer programming to solve engineering and mathematical problems. 

Mathematics is further taught to develop new basic mathematical techniques needed to support the engineering subjects taken at levels 1 and 2. It also provides a foundation for the level 2 mathematics courses in the department. Combined with the mathematics teaching, this module teaches the opensource programming language, Python, which can be used to efficiently solve a variety of practical scientific and numerical problems. 

A combination of formal lecture content, tutorials and assisted computer lab sessions, help the students learn and apply mathematical and programming theory. Practice problems are presented showing the links between mathematics and programming learning, to show how the skills learnt can solve practical problems of relevance to the students.

20 credits

Global Engineering Challenge Week

The Faculty-wide Global Engineering Challenge Week is a compulsory part of the first-year programme. The project has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills as well as widen their horizons as global citizens. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of 5-6, for a full week, all students in the Faculty choose from a number of projects arranged under a range of themes including Water, Waste Management, Energy and Digital with scenarios set in an overseas location facing economic challenge. Some projects are based on the Engineers Without Borders Engineering for people design challenge*.

*The EWB challenge provides students with the opportunity to learn about design, teamwork and communication through real, inspiring, sustainable and cross-cultural development projects identified by EWB with its community-based partner organisations.

Sustainable Design and Engineering Skills

This module is designed to ensure students have the skills to design solutions and assess options against sustainability criteria to make evidence based recommendations. Students will be able to look at the bigger picture of a projects impact on our complex systems and society.

10 credits

Core modules:

Open Channel Hydraulics

Open channel flows are common in Civil and Environmental Engineering, from rivers and sewers to culverts and treatment channels. Our ability to understand open channel flows allows us to manage these types of flow in urban and rural environments. This is relevant for a range of applications such as quantifying and remediating the risk of flooding, designing sustainable water infrastructure systems and understanding the transport of pollution within surface waters.

This module will equip students with the understanding and ability to analyse open channel flows. This will be achieved through lectures, laboratory classes and tutorial sheets, where theory is reinforced through practical experimentation and problem solving.

10 credits

Engineering - You're Hired

The Faculty-wide Engineering - You're Hired Week is a compulsory part of the second year programme, and the week has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of about six, students will work in interdisciplinary teams on a real world problem over an intensive week-long project. The projects are based on problems provided by industrial partners, and students will come up with ideas to solve them and proposals for a project to develop these ideas further.

Further Civil Engineering Mathematics and Computing

This module is part of a series of second-level modules designed for the particular group of engineers shown in brackets in the module title. Each module consolidates previous mathematical knowledge and new mathematical techniques relevant to the particular engineering discipline.

10 credits

Hydrology and Flooding

Introduction to the global water cycle, water security, water supply and clean water distribution systems. Develop concepts in hydrology: rainfall and design storms; climate change; the Unit Hydrograph approach and reservoir routing method. The module introduces the multiple causes of flooding, leading to a practical numerical modelling exercise to explore the effect of roughness estimates on predicted velocities and water levels and the impact of climate change. Evaluate interventions such as: upstream Natural Flood Management and flood gates or embankments.

10 credits

Materials for Structural Engineering

This module looks at the role of materials and materials properties used for structural design. The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures, on-line learning initiatives and group-based practicals.

The module aims to introduce you to a variety of materials used for structural applications. You will be exposed to materials selection, mechanics and physical principles responsible for specific materials being utilised to meet specific design requirements. A range of test methods for materials properties will be discussed, as well as, non-destructive methods used for assessing quality and the extent of defects in materials.

10 credits

Civil Engineering Challenges and Project Management

This module builds on the Y1 Practical Application of Civil and Structural Engineering to further develop the intellectual capabilities, professional skills and ethical attitudes required of civil engineers.

The module will involve a series of interactive challenge projects, workshops, and practical exercises, in which you will work in teams, drawing on project management techniques developed in the module and conceptual engineering knowledge developed in other modules to propose and design / develop solutions.  

You will develop your ability to analyse complex scenarios, recognising that environmental, commercial and societal contexts are the drivers for civil engineering projects.  You will use your engineering knowledge to identify and design conceptual solutions, understanding that engineering design decisions balance technical feasibility with the wider environmental, society and commercial contexts.  You will also be introduced to techniques for planning and managing construction projects and risk and you will apply these techniques for planning and managing safe, and successful delivery of a construction project. You will also investigate a variety of engineering scenarios / failures and discuss in terms of ethics and professional responsibilities of a civil / structural engineer.

You will develop a range of broader skills including ability to build and work collaboratively and inclusively in teams, monitoring and proactively managing progress, and ability to communicate in a variety of written formats and also through presentations.  The group challenge  projects will form the basis for reflection, recording and learning from your experience, and planning for future personal and professional development.

The module assessment will involve group reports and presentations, as well as an individual pass-fail quiz and a final individual reflective portfolio showing personal and professional development across the module.

20 credits

Structural Analysis

This module is designed to improve your knowledge understanding of how elastic and plastic methods of structural analysis can be applied to various structural forms. The module will be delivered via lectures, supported by problem-solving, and computer and laboratory classes. You will develop your ability to analyse structures under working and ultimate loads, by hand and via computer.

20 credits

Structural Engineering Design and Appraisal

This module will discuss the fundamental principles of structural engineering philosophy and design. The theories and concepts of analysis and design of structural elements will be presented for the most commonly used structural materials and discussed along with the more prescriptive design rules included in the relevant Eurocodes.

20 credits

Geotechnical Engineering 2

This module is aimed at extending your knowledge of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. The focus is on applying fundamental understanding of mechanics to geotechnical problem solving with an emphasis on fluid-soil and structure-soil interaction. The approach is designed to link soil mechanics theory (e.g. seepage, consolidation, bearing capacity, settlement) to practical application (e.g. deformation and failure of foundations and slopes) through the use of physical models, numerical models and case studies. The course will encompass lectures, tutorials, group work including laboratories, and directed and independent reading.

20 credits

Individual Project

MAC343 has 6 weeks of the spring semester allocated, and is specifically for BEng students. Students are allocated their dissertation topic and supervisor early in the autumn semester, and are encouraged to start working on the project (e.g. carrying out their literature review and refining the topic to be researched, as appropriate) as early as possible. This module is intended to enable participants to extend their knowledge and develop skills in investigation. In order to complete this module successfully, students will also need to develop ability to plan and manage their own progress. In addition, this module has been designed to help develop student's ability to communicate their work, in written and oral forms. Each student will be allocated an academic supervisor for this module. Students are expected to arrange meetings with their supervisor at regular intervals, for which they should produce agendas and meeting minutes.

30 credits

Integrated Design Project - Concept Design Stage

The Integrated Design Project - Concept Design Stage is a series of linked modules running for 14 weeks of the spring semester. The aim of these modules is to give you the opportunity to experience the engineering design process by working on proposals for redevelopment of a real brownfield site located in Sheffield.
At the start of this 5 week long module, known as Integrated Design Project - Concept Design Stage Part 1, you will take part in a master-plannning exercise, giving you the opportunity to develop various skills whilst working collaboratively with students from the University's School of Architecture.
You will build on the above master-plannning exercise in subsequent parts of the module/project, which involve engineering development of a scheme considering stakeholder requirements, through option identification and evaluation, to the production of design calculations and drawings. Accordingly, you will consider the overall concept/scheme design, where ability to consider and integrate a wide range of issues is more important than detailed design calculations.

20 credits

Advanced Structural Analysis

Advanced Structural Analysis aims to teach you the most modern theories suitable for performing the static assessment of structural members subjected to in-service multiaxial loading. Initially, this module focuses on the linear-elastic behaviour of structural members loaded in torsion as well as in bending. The fundamental equations modelling the behaviour of beams under the above loading conditions are derived by following rigorous mathematical procedures. The module examines also those equivalent stresses (such as von Mises, Tresca, etc.) commonly used in situation of practical interest do design structural members against complex systems of forces and moments. Finally, the problem of designing notched structural members against multiaxial static loading is addressed in great detail by considering both ductile and brittle materials.

10 credits

Civil Engineering Research Skills

This module introduces academic engineering research and associated skills to students. It provides an academic training basis for the independent research project and provides a means to complete the proposal for this piece of work. It helps students understand various methodologies they are exposed to in their course of study, develop a data analysis capability and develop the skills of reading and critiquing the original academic literature in civil engineering and allied disciplines. Such skills are also essential for undertaking high calibre consultancy work when employed by industry.

10 credits

Accounting and Law for Engineers

The module is designed to introduce engineering students to key areas of accounting and legal risk that engineers should be aware of in their working environment. The module will draw directly on practical issues of budgeting, assessing financial risks and making financial decisions in the context of engineering projects and/or product development. At the same time, the module will develop students' understanding of the legal aspects of entering into contracts for the development and delivery of engineering projects and products, and enhance their awareness of environmental regulation, liability for negligence, intellectual property rights and the importance of data protection. Through a series of parallel running lectures in the two disciplines, the module will provide a working knowledge of the two areas and how they impinge on engineering practice.

10 credits

Geotechnical Design

This module is designed to develop your understanding of the concepts behind geotechnical design and how safety and idealisations are built into design calculations to deal with the complexity of subsurface stratigraphy, groundwater, soil behaviour and modelling issues for both Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and Serviceability Limit State (SLS). Through lectures, tutorial sheets, software exercises, and a design project, you will develop your knowledge of design calculations for retaining structures, reinforced soil and foundations in the context of Eurocode 7. You will also develop your ability to use a range of state of the art engineering design concepts and tools.

10 credits

Integrated Design Project - International Report and Individual Portfolio

International/Global Context of Engineering' (5 credits)The CEO of your group has just been made aware of a project very similar to that in the CIV3201 module (Part 1 of the IDP) being planned in a specified location overseas (note that each group will be given a different location) and is considering submitting a tender for the design and construction works. If the tender is successful, it may lead to further opportunities for working on similar projects in the region.The CEO has therefore requested that you prepare a report, to be presented at the next board meeting, which discusses and critically evaluates the risks and opportunities of carrying out such projects. Your report will help the board to decide whether or not to submit a tender for the project.For this part of the project, you will work in the same groups as for Part 2 if you are a Y3 MEng student, or if a newly formed group if you are a BEng student. You will need to undertake research into conditions in the country specified, identifying the principal differences and similarities between working in the UK and overseas, thinking broadly about the conditions (environmental, political, cultural, social etc as well as technical issues) that could impact on the design or construction of the project. By evaluating the risks and opportunities, associated with these issues, you should be able to recommend what additional measures /considerations your company would have to take so they can make an informed and objective decision whether to tender.'Individual Reflection', ' Portfolio and Training Scheme Document' (5 credits). This part of the project should be carried out individually. The final stage in any project should be to review the process undertaken, identifying and evaluating successes (so they can be repeated) and failures (so improvements can be made), and noting requirements for further training and development. This process is also reflected in graduate training towards a professional qualification such as becoming a Chartered Engineer. This involves demonstrating achievement of levels of competence in a range of areas for development as a professional engineer, as well as planning your professional development.Therefore, at the end of this project, you should draw together reflections on your project and group work experience throughout the semester to develop a report and portfolio demonstrating your learning and achievements, relating this to achievement of at least 3 of the ICE member Attributes or IStructE Core Objectives or the Sheffield Graduate Award (SGA) scheme equivalent.

10 credits

Optional modules:

Advanced Structural Design and Appraisal

This module takes students through the structural design process, based around a case study of a real building.
The process initially looks at options for gravity load-bearing elements, (such as floor slabs, beams and columns) as well as options for lateral load resisting systems (such as reinforced concrete shear walls / cores and steel bracing frames), before carrying out analysis and design of the selected options.
The module also looks at key considerations such as fire, robustness and vibration.
This module is intended to prepare students for carrying out the analysis and design of structures in the 'Integrated Design Project' (IDP).

10 credits

Computational Engineering Mathematics

To provide the necessary mathematical framework to understand advanced computational methods for the solution of complex engineering problems. At the end of the course the student should: 1. understand and be able to derive the basic equations of continuum mechanics; 2. understand and be able to derive the basic equations of fluid mechanics; 3. have a basic understanding of how to use basic Finite Difference methods in the context of complex engineering problems.

10 credits

Urban Drainage Engineering

This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the fundamental concepts and processes associated with hydrology and urban drainage design, and to apply these concepts to a variety of drainage engineering problems. Through lectures, tutorials and individual literature and case study research, you will develop your knowledge of current and developing practice in urban drainage, including the increasingly important roles of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).

10 credits