The basic concepts and principles governing the mechanical behaviour of soil. Engineering geology, site investigation and soil classification. The principle of effective stress, permeability and seepage, and soil shear strength.
Aspects of elementary engineering surveying as used for gathering site information for the design and setting out of works. Land information systems, modern methods of gathering, processing and presenting information for engineering purposes.
Approaches to fluids: classification, dimensional analysis and similarity, integral and differential flow analysis; fluid properties; hydrostatics: pressure distribution in fluids, manometry, forces on plane and curved surfaces; conservation of mass; conservation of energy: Bernoulli equation, energy losses and gains, laminar and turbulent pipe friction losses, local losses, pipes in series and parallel, pipe networks, pumps, cavitation; conservation of momentum: Newton’s Second Law, dynamic forces, fluid transients, Joukowsky equation.
Introduction to Transportation Engineering (mobility for people and goods, sea, land and air transportation systems). Design and construction of longitudinal infrastructure (plans, longitudinal sections and cross sections, earthworks, quantities, mass haul). Transport geometric design (horizontal, vertical and cross sectional design). Geomatic surveying systems (levelling, theodolites, GPS, drones, digital topographical survey systems and remote sensing).
Structural forms and systems. Analysis of determinate systems, elasticity. Engineering beam theory, elasticity, failure theories. Introduction to structural design.
Introduction to structural design – philosophy, loads, codes; design of simple structural elements in various materials.
Principles of physical and structural geology. Elementary stratigraphy. Applied geomorphology. Geologic surveying and mapping. Elementary seismology; microzoning and seismotectonic hazard evaluation. Engineering properties, description and identification of geologic materials. General applications of geology to engineering. and Design 911
The basic concepts and principles governing the mechanical behaviour of soil, including phase relationships, permeability and seepage, the principle of effective stress, soil strength, compressibility and basic stability analysis.
Fluid properties and definitions. Hydrostatics and stability of floating bodies. Fluid flow, energy and continuity relationships. Viscosity. Force and momentum relationship. Dimensional analysis and similarity. Introduction to turbomachinery.
Properties and manufacturing of concrete, steel and timber structural products. Design principles and examples for concrete, steel and timber members.
Compaction, settlement and rate of consolidation. Stability analysis in geotechnical engineering, including slope stability, earth pressures on retaining structures and bearing capacity of shallow foundations. Environmental and sustainability considerations.
Design of foundations, both shallow and pile, for buildings and other structures. Assessment of foundation ultimate capacity and working load settlement. Site investigation methods, with particular emphasis on the use of penetrometer tests to estimate soil parameter values. Current foundation construction methods. Design of embedded retaining walls. Special aspects of house foundation design and construction. Observed foundation performance.
Engineering hydrology: Hydrologic processes, analysis of rainfall-runoff relationships, statistical analysis of hydrological data, groundwater flow. Open channel flow: energy and momentum, uniform flow and flow resistance, critical flow, specific energy and flow force, backwater analysis, channel transitions. Environmental and sustainability considerations.
Traffic engineering, transportation planning and road pavement design. Topics include the main transport planning and traffic design techniques, criteria and fundamentals used in transportation engineering practice, traffic studies, public transport and active modes and transport modelling (micro and macro simulation). Additionally, pavement design, surfacings, traffic loading, mechanistic approaches and rehabilitation of road pavements, and environmental and sustainability considerations, are included.
Fundamental understanding of the impact of climate change on the built environment and strategies, and design for adaptation. Topic areas include assessing climate change impacts, vulnerability studies, and climate change adaptation strategies, adaptation design and asset management for major infrastructure and infrastructure networks. Awareness and consideration of holistic adaptation strategies including indigenous knowledge perspectives and nature-based solutions.
The application of digital and automation technologies (such as building information modelling, virtual reality/ augmented reality, internet of things, laser scanning, drones, artificial intelligence, big data, robotics) in civil engineering and management.
Structural analysis of indeterminate structures. Moment- area method for deformations. Loading actions as per NZS 1170 and load collation. Design of structural members in timber portal frames.
Design of structures in reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and structural steel. Computer analysis of structures; use of a commercial analysis program. Design project.
Dynamics of single and multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Ground motion, response spectra, time-history and spectral modal analysis; introduction to seismic design.
Stability analysis in geotechnical engineering; slope stability, soil pressures on retaining structures, bearing capacity. Consolidation and settlement.
Shear strength of soil – triaxial testing, measurement of pore water pressures, and interpretation of test data. Effective and Design 912 and total stress paths for drained and undrained loading in laboratory tests and field applications. Consolidation. Application of elastic solutions in geomechanics. Geotechnical numerical modelling.
Pipe flow – fluid resistance, friction factor, simple pipe flow and minor losses, steady-state pipe flow and pipe networks. Open channel flow – energy and momentum, uniform flow and flow resistance, critical flow, specific energy and flow force, backwater analysis, channel transitions.
Laminar and turbulent flow. Ideal fluid flows. Boundary layer theory and separation, drag and lift. River morphology and flows. River pollution. Unsteady flow in channels.
Highway alignment geometrics (horizontal, vertical and cross sectional design). Basis of the main pavement design techniques, pavement materials, stabilisation, compaction and bituminous surfacings.
Planning for land transport facilities and urban development. Arrangement of street networks and environmental areas. Basic operational analyses at priority and signalised intersections for vehicles and pedestrians. Highway capacity analyses. Parking design. Introduction to transportation planning modelling.
Shear strength of soil – triaxial testing, measurement of pore water pressures, and interpretation of test data for use in analysis. Introduction to numerical modelling in geotechnical engineering. The use of traditional methods versus numerical modelling in design.
Advanced course on topics to be determined each year by the Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Observed behaviour of foundations during earthquakes. Site investigation and laboratory testing to estimate values for required soil parameters. Earthquake induced foundation actions. Shallow and deep foundations subject to earthquake excitation. Soil-foundation-structure- interaction. Force-based and displacement-based design. Earthquake induced earth pressures on stiff retaining structures. An independent foundation design project is required.
Application of different project management domains and principles in civil engineering projects, including the theory and practice of planning and control of civil engineering projects from inception to completion.
Advanced topics in project management are analysed such as: advanced scheduling techniques, integrated project delivery, lean construction, building-information modelling, negotiation techniques, dispute resolution and innovative project delivery models. Independent research is undertaken in an advanced project in project management.
Advanced topics in construction supply chain management such as construction logistics, buffer management, relational contracts and behavioural dimensions, analytical models for construction, information technologies and sustainable supply chains. Independent research is undertaken by developing individual research projects in which students study logistics and supply chain problems by analysing real production scenarios or the current literature available in this topic.
Advanced topics in structural dynamics, such as wave guide representation, holistic consideration of structural behaviour including soil, main and secondary structures interaction, nonlinearities of soil-foundation-structure systems including uplift, pile-soil separation, plastic hinge or pounding. The core skills are taught and accompanied by an individual project in which independent research is undertaken to solve a challenging structural dynamics problem.
Selected topics from recent developments in structural analysis and design, including an introduction to the advanced behaviour and design of thin-walled steel sections and composite components made from cold- formed sheet and light-weight fillers.
Continuation of the design and detailing of structural assemblages in structural steel, reinforced concrete, reinforced masonry and timber, including connections in steelwork, composite steel/concrete beams and reinforced masonry structures. Emphasis on good load and Design 913 paths, application of seismic design, techniques for the checking of existing structures and lessons learnt from failures. Introduction to the NZ Standard for light timber frame construction and concepts for light steel frame construction.
Techniques for the design of structures to resist seismic loading. Derivation of design actions, alternative structural systems for resisting these loads, design of structural components subject to cyclic inelastic action, detailing of members and joints to enhance earthquake resistance. Techniques of seismic isolation. Design project.
Design and detailing of prestressed and precast concrete components. Advanced mechanics of reinforced concrete members subject to axial, flexure, shear, and torsion actions. Design of state-of-art low-damage concrete structural systems. Includes an independent concrete design project and an independent research project on past failures of concrete structures.
A broad-based understanding of the critical elements of risk and risk management within the civil engineering industry. Risk analysis tools and techniques for the construction engineer, and risk response. Risk monitoring techniques, risk control and transference of risk methods. An independent project is undertaken in which students apply risk principles to civil engineering projects.
Advanced topics in timber design such as: shearwalls, diaphragms, special glulam beams, bolted connections, new fasteners, engineered wood products, laminated bridges, inspection of timber structures. Emphasis will be placed on latest international developments. The core skills are taught and accompanied by an individual project in which independent research is undertaken to solve a challenging timber connection problem.
Use of thin steel load bearing structural components in walls, floors and roofs. Behaviour of members and connections under the full range of structural actions. Theory and design application including the Direct Strength Method of design. Use of light gauge steel acting compositely with other materials such as concrete and structural foams.
Direct stiffness method applied to linear, nonlinear and stability analyses. Introduction to variational principles and finite element method. Projects in practical modelling of major structures such as bridges and multi-storey buildings. Use of commercial software.
Earthquakes and the effects on civil infrastructure. The passage of seismic waves from inception, propagation, arrival at site bedrock, site specific response, infrastructure response. Including engineering seismology, seismo- tectonic setting of NZ, probabilistic seismic hazard analyses, NZS 1170.5, infrastructure dynamics, base isolation, effects of site geology, geophysical and geotechnical site characterisation, concepts of soil-structure interaction, the Canterbury series of earthquakes.
Foundation performance requirements. Foundation types. Foundation design loads. Limit state design. Design of shallow foundations. Design of deep foundation. Case histories illustrating construction, performance and failure of foundations. Design and performance of gravity retaining structures, embedded retaining walls and reinforced earth walls.
Slope failure mechanisms, geological controls and classification. Shear strength of rock and soil materials. Laboratory testing of earth materials for slope stability. Limit equilibrium techniques, including analytical, numerical and graphical methods. Effects of water and earthquake on slope stability. Slope monitoring, stabilisation and remediation. Landslide risk management.
Advanced topics in soil behaviour including stress-strain- strength response of remoulded and natural geomaterials when subject to monotonic and cyclic loading; critical state soil mechanics; advanced soil testing; and partially saturated soils. Includes an independent research project related to an applied topic in soil behaviour.
Advanced topics in earthquake effects on geotechnical structures, including: dynamic properties of soils; earthquake-induced ground response; seismic stability of slopes, embankments; earth-retaining structures; soil liquefaction; ground deformations; remediation and mitigation techniques. Design applications and advanced methods of analysis with case history analyses of major earthquakes. An independent research project will be used to solve a challenging geotechnical earthquake engineering problem.
Introduction to fundamentals in soil and rock mechanics and their application to engineering projects. Discussion and Design 914 of natural hazards and their implications on infrastructure design. Practical exercises in field mapping, core logging, aerial photograph interpretation, and basic laboratory tests.
Dynamic behaviour of structures and the means of predicting their response to the effects of earthquakes. Fundamental principles of earthquake engineering, including the effects of structural properties, and the roles of ductility, damping and isolation in mitigating earthquake damage. An individual research project on the impact of earthquakes on civil infrastructure is undertaken.
Shear strength of soil – triaxial testing, measurement of pore water pressures, and interpretation of test data. Effective and total stress paths for drained and undrained loading in laboratory tests and field applications. Consolidation. Application of elastic solutions in geomechanics. Geotechnical numerical modelling. Includes a project.
Evaluate frameworks used in the humanitarian engineering field to assist with human crises, including shelter, standards, law, human rights, resilience, appropriate engineering. Rapid assessments, application of minimum international standards for engineering, engineered shelter solutions, water, sanitation and hygiene and the engineering management of humanitarian crises.
Risk and uncertainty in water resources systems; evaluation of alternatives in water resources; hydrologic modelling; hydraulic modelling; river basin modelling; water resources economics.
Deriving design conditions, wave pressures and forces, design of structures, beaches and control structures, introduction to port, introduction to coastal modelling.
Waves, wave theories, surf zone processes, sediment transport, dynamics of coastal systems.
Scales; flows; fluvial processes; mixing; ecohydraulics.
The planning, modelling, design and operation of current and future transport systems. Topics include transport models and their applications, Intelligent Transport Systems and emerging technologies, transport planning process and travel demand modelling. Transport models are developed to plan, design and manage transport networks based on fundamental modelling concepts, New Zealand specifications and international best practices.
Develop a sound understanding of safety and mobility of transport systems. Transport safety topics include safe systems, crash reduction studies, road safety audits and at-grade intersection geometric design, economic appraisal methods and transport infrastructure funding. Planning for transport mobility and sustainable transport systems, public transport systems, active modes and travel behaviour.
Computer simulation of coastal and wave processes. Introduces modelling software for coastal engineering, ranging from simplified wave propagation codes to sophisticated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers. The learning approach is mostly hands-on, building on information delivered in lectures to allow the student to gain practical knowledge of the software in computer laboratory sessions.
Advanced knowledge in Construction 4.0 and the deployment of related technologies (Internet of Things (IoT) smart construction sites, reality capture tools such as drones, 3D scanning, robotics, visualisation) in engineering and construction projects. Applications of technologies in addressing health and safety, productivity, efficiency and sustainability. Best practices of technology implementation in built environments. Independent research is undertaken in Construction 4.0.
Advanced course on topics to be determined each year by the Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The course will include the independent application of highly specialised knowledge and skills related to the study area.
Advanced ground improvement techniques including: densification, consolidation, preloading and surcharge, soil reinforcement, stabilisation and thermal ground improvement.
Comprehensive overview of road and rail bridge typologies, design philosophies, performance requirements in key areas of strength and serviceability, calculation methods to address these topics and the analysis and strengthening of existing bridges. Bridge technology used in New Zealand and associated legislative requirements.
Introduction to the main principles and tools of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Architecture- Engineering-Construction (AEC) industry. This course is suitable for different AEC professionals such as civil and structural engineers, architects, among others.
An advanced course on topics in earthquake engineering to be determined each year by the Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Principles of assessing the response of buildings to earthquakes and identification of vulnerabilities for different building types. Example buildings will be assessed using these advanced methodologies and independent research conducted on appropriate forms of retrofit.
Nonlinear behaviour of structures and the formulation of elements to model such behaviour; solution strategies; nonlinear material and section response; nonlinear dynamic analysis; nonlinear geometry; application of nonlinear analysis in engineering practice. Research and critically compare modeling approaches used for real buildings. Includes an independent research project involving nonlinear analysis of a real structure as a ‘blind prediction’.
The practical understanding of timber and its use in the construction industry. Design and detailing techniques for connections in timber structures, plywood structures, pole structures, timber floor systems, bridges, multi-storey buildings, formwork and falsework, arches and cable stayed systems.
Analysis of stress and strain in two and three dimensions, the idea of a constitutive law, elastic and plastic models for geomaterials. Numerical modelling of consolidation. Implementation of realistic models for soil and rock mass stress-strain-strength behaviour in numerical analysis software and evaluation of geotechnical software against known solutions.
Final year team exercise with students in multi-disciplinary civil and environmental roles integrating technical learning into realistic design outcomes. Comprehensive investigation of an open ended, complex, real or synthetic civil engineering problem with simulated professional design office constraints. Includes technical, economic, cultural, social, ethical, and environmental impact components to complete a scheme assessment report, incorporating safety in design concepts.
Selected topics from: traffic signal practice/safety audits, two way highway planning, arterial traffic management, modelling and simulation and traffic flow.
Provides an in-depth exploration of various components of the urban transportation planning process, with emphasis on theories on modelling. The principle behind the conventional four-stage transport planning model, namely, trip generation, trip distribution, modal split and trip assignment, is covered in detail.
Develops fundamental knowledge in the use of computer programming and data analytics to solve real-world infrastructure problems, such as reducing traffic congestion, predicting water usage and infrastructure failures. Group and independent projects are undertaken in which students study complex smart infrastructure analytics problems using real-world data.
Advanced planning, design, operation and safety management of predominantly two way two lane highways, including: passing and overtaking models analysis and treatments, collision modification and mitigation, roadway design, skid resistance, delineation, temporary traffic control, evaluation methods, and environmental management measures. An independently applied research project will use advanced analytical skills to critically evaluate factors which impact highway safety.
Advanced theories and techniques fundamental to the management of infrastructure assets, with a primary focus on Asset Management Plans. Covers the entire spectrum of infrastructure, including roads, water networks and buildings. A major independent project incorporates a literature review and selection, and then critical review, of an Asset Management Plan from industry.
Focuses on advanced topics in transportation asset management. Develops a critical awareness of the key issues encountered, including those related to the evaluation of performance; risk management; predictive modelling and calibration; prioritisation and optimisation; and life cycle analysis. The core skills are extended by an independent applied project in which students undertake to solve a complex transportation asset management problem.
Selected topics from: pavement design philosophy; stresses, strains and deflections in pavements; pavement material properties and characterisation; traffic loading and volume; pavement failure mechanisms; structural and functional assessment of pavements; empirical and and Design 916 mechanistic pavement design methods; pavement overlay design; asphalt mix design.
An advanced course in highway geometric design techniques. Through the use of an independent applied project, students will apply advanced theory, methods, processes and design tools to the safe design of highway geometric alignments that includes an understanding of human / driver behaviour characteristics.
Advanced specialist topics in transportation economics including economic analysis, the theory of demand and supply of transport, government intervention policies, and the theory of externalities and agglomeration. Students are required to undertake a major research project by analysing two major transportation infrastructure projects to determine the likely future social and real time benefits and dis-benefits which accrue to the wider community.
An advanced course on integrating land use planning and transport provisions, including planning for different land use trip types and parking, travel demand management techniques, and intelligent transport systems applications. An independent project applies this specialised knowledge towards planning, designing and managing transport infrastructure in a Territorial Local Authority (TLA) area.
Pedestrian planning and design; cycling facilities and planning; land use and trips; travel behaviour change and travel plans; integrated transport assessment; transport impact guidelines for site development.
A graduate course on a range of selected topics to be determined each year by the Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Students are required to submit a report on a topic in transportation assigned by the Head of Department.
Coverage of legislation, regulatory processes and best practice pertaining to the project lifecycle of civil engineering projects, including stakeholder analysis, feasibility and financial assessment, multi-criteria analysis, mana whenua, sustainable use of natural resources, health and safety, procurement, critical path programming, engineering contracts, contract administration and professional engineering ethics. Case studies are used to reinforce the practical application of theoretical ideas.
A selection from the following: reservoir design and optimisation, flood control and design of flood control structures, micro to large scale hydroelectric engineering, river engineering and sedimentation. A water resources engineering design project.
Fundamental theory of hydraulics and water quality in pipe networks, its implementation in software simulation tools and the application of models to the design and management of water distribution systems. Network theory, simulation practice, consumer and fire demand, water loss management, design, optimisation and master planning.
Students are required to submit a report on a topic assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Students are required to submit a report on a topic assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
The application of legal, cultural, social and ethical principles to problems in civil engineering and environmental engineering management. Examines the administration of national and international engineering contracts. Discusses statutes affecting engineering business. Investigates the implications of resource management and natural resource allocation legislation on engineering projects. Analyses processes for resolving engineering disputes.
Understanding topics necessary for effective construction management. Using a generic construction project life cycle, essential aspects of construction projects including the tendering process, planning, resource allocation, teamwork, site safety, and contract types are covered. Case studies are used to reinforce the application of theoretical ideas to the successful running of construction projects with considerations of cultural, social and ethical responsibilities.
Application of discrete-event simulation (DES) modelling and Design 917 to advanced planning and design construction operations and management of the construction supply chain. Critical assessment of the improvements in efficiency of planning methods and decisions patterns in construction management using DES. Individual and team research projects will apply advanced DES concepts and methods to complex, real-world construction projects.
Students are required to submit a report on a topic relevant to the specialisation, as assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Students are required to submit a thesis on a topic assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.