CIVL1810: Engineering Construction and Surveying

This unit introduces students to the realities of on-site civil construction and develops a fundamental understanding of the construction materials, methods, and techniques that underpin civil engineering design. It complements the analytical knowledge gained in units such as Structural Mechanics and Soil Mechanics by showing how engineering concepts are applied during the delivery of infrastructure projects. Students are introduced to the principles of engineering construction, including the design, control, management, measurement and construction methods associated with excavation, embankments, earthworks, hauling and related operations. The unit also provides a conceptual introduction to building construction methods and materials, reinforced concrete, masonry, steel and timber, as well as the principles of drilling and blasting. The unit further introduces the fundamentals of engineering surveying and the critical role it plays in planning and delivering civil engineering projects. Students gain experience with traditional methods of measuring distance, angles and height; develop an understanding of three-dimensional mapping using electronic total stations and digital data capture; and explore the growing applications of GPS and GIS in modern practice. By the end, students will have developed foundational competency in earthworks engineering and an appreciation of the economic considerations that influence construction planning. Through case studies, they will explore the optimisation of construction systems and methods, including estimating project outputs, evaluating unit costs and assessing productivity, alongside the principles of vertical construction in reinforced concrete, steel and timber. Students will also design and implement mapping systems using both traditional and electronic field equipment supported by industry-standard software (AutoCAD and Revit).