Civil Engineering Career Research Articles

Study Material on Construction Quality for the Civil Engineering Career

The objective of the work was to design a study material that would favor the learning process of the quality management system in construction in civil engineering, when verifying bibliographic insufficiencies that would facilitate it. Investigative methods of theoretical and empirical level were used that established premises for the elaboration of the same and that propitiated the necessary technical knowledge on the subject. The material was submitted to the criteria of specialists, who considered its elaboration very necessary and evaluated its structure and content as very adequate, responding to the determination of needs for which it was made.

Hidden Information in a Thesis Evaluation Rubric: A Civil Engineering case study

The objective of this article is to analyze the information provided by the rubric for evaluating a thesis for a Civil Engineering degree. For this, it selected forty-one thesis reports from 2018-2022 on the Civil Engineering career at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Ecuador). Surprisingly, the hidden information in the rubric was a bias from the thesis committee and the student's sex. The academic tool also showed limitations in its evaluation criteria, so it must be restructured or recreated. Administrative situations must be modified because is affecting the principle of the rubric. The procedure used can serve as a reference to evaluate other rubrics in similar areas of knowledge. This study shows the biases that can occur in the thesis evaluation tools and are still in use today.

Articulación entre Modelización y Espacios de Trabajo Matemático. Análisis de una Tarea bajo el ciclo de Blomhøj en Educación Superior

Background: The Mathematical Working Spaces (MWS) theoretical framework has developed a growing interest in how mathematical modelling is recognised, analysed, and articulated from its theoretical and empirical scopes. Given the articulations identified in the literature, it is interesting to determine whether new networks with the MWS provide powerful strategies for analysing mathematical modelling task resolution. Objective: to characterise the modelling activity from the network composed by the Blomhøj modelling cycle and the MWS in engineering students. Design: This work is a case study with a qualitative approach, which analyses the resolution of a modelling task through the proposed network. Setting and participants: The experimentation was carried out in an integral calculus course for a computer civil engineering career at a Chilean university. Modelling practices are not usual in this second-year subject, although enhancing their use in professional education is necessary. Data collection and analysis: We collected the written records of the students, selecting one to perform the in-depth analysis due to its high representativeness and clarity, as evidenced in the documents. Three steps were followed to characterise the modelling activity in the written record: description, analysis, and interpretation. Results: The Blomhøj modelling cycle might present connections with the MWS at the formulation of the problem and not only at the systematisation, which is a novelty in this field of research. Conclusions: A novel approach with which to develop the network between the MWS and modelling emerges, emphasising the investigation of mathematical problems using the student’s reality in higher education.

Trends in secondary education in the UK and what they mean for civil engineering

More UK secondary school children are studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects but this has had little effect on the numbers going into civil engineering careers. Marie Horton of EngineeringUK looks at the reasons why and what this means for the profession.

Diseño de la asignatura Práctica laboral dirección en la ejecución de obras, Plan de estudio E, Ingeniería Civil

La república de Cuba se encuentra inmerso en el perfeccionamiento de sistemas de dirección y la necesidad de un profundo proceso de revisión de lo que se aprende y enseña. Para ello se han elaborado planes de estudios potenciando la formación de profesionales, como es la conformación del Plan de estudio E de la carrera de ingeniería civil. En dicho plan se encuentra la asignatura Práctica Laboral de Dirección de la Ejecución de Obras que requiere la apropiación integrada de los contenidos y el desarrollo de las habilidades declaradas en el modelo del profesional. Es por ello que se propone realizar el diseño curricular de dicha asignatura que ayude al desarrollo de habilidades y valores del estudiante desde dicha perspectiva. Para ello se aplicaron métodos de investigación del nivel teórico, empírico y estadístico, que permitieron constatar la factibilidad de los aportes de la investigación a dicha asignatura.

La Representación Gráfica en la carrera de Ingeniería Civil de la Universidad de Holguín, Cuba

La responsabilidad de la formación de habilidades profesionales en expresión gráfica en los estudiantes de ingeniería, amerita que se empleen mecanismos y formas de expresión que constituyan una herramienta fundamental de apoyo a los equipos tecnológicos interdisciplinarios con los que actúan particularmente en el campo de las construcciones. Sin embargo, los cambios ocurridos en el entorno universitario con la aplicación de nuevos planes de estudio que fueron implementándose gradualmente, la eliminación de asignaturas, la reducción de las horas lectivas y la introducción de las nuevas tecnologías de la informática y las comunicaciones, así como la no incorporación en la literatura docente de las nuevas normas cubanas aprobadas y la especificidad de las bibliografías básicas existentes, han provocado dificultades en la interpretación, representación y solución de problemas gráficos. Es por ello que se elabora el programa de la asignatura Representación Gráfica de la carrera Ingeniería Civil, que permita brindar el sistema de conocimientos para que el estudiante forme hábitos y habilidades desarrollando las formas del pensamiento lógico y la imaginación espacial con el fin de que sean capaces de elaborar y dirigir proyectos en el ejercicio de su profesión.

Cambio in statu quo ante

It is common for young people who decide to venture into the Civil Engineering career have as their main objective “to win the course”, studying specifically to pass the subjects of the curriculum. For more than a decade, the author has implemented a learning methodology focused on the professional growth of the individual facing real situations that are part of the professional exercise that promotes the research and analysis of each of them.Additionally, this document considers the assessment of several engineers in training who have had the opportunity to participate in this type of learning.

Uso de jogo educacional na engenharia civil

Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar e discutir os resultados da inclusão de uma alternativa educacional ativa - o jogo de tabuleiro DIMENSIONE, criado pelas autoras – de modo a avaliar o seu impacto no processo de ensino e aprendizagem dos alunos da disciplina de Pavimentação do curso de engenharia civil da Universidade Federal de Alagoas. Os alunos utilizaram o jogo e o avaliaram com uso de questionário. Foi realizada uma análise sobre as respostas dos alunos que permitiu concluir que 63% destes observaram melhora nos aspectos motivação, experiência do usuário e conhecimento após utilizar o DIMENSIONE como complemento do aprendizado na disciplina de Pavimentação. Espera-se que este jogo seja implementado em mais universidades e possa ajudar a tornar mais eficiente e divertido o ensino do método de dimensionamento de pavimentos.

Educational strategy to favor attitudes towards statistics in engineering students

The increase in the need of teaching and learning of statistics leads to new research in this area. An exploratory study is presented, during the 2018-2019 school year, to analyze the attitudes towards the statistics, that students of the civil engineering career have at the University of Camagüey, Cuba. Based on experiences validated by the experts Estrada (2002, 2007) and Auzmendi (1992), the application of an educational strategy with three stages is proposed. It is based, applied and evaluated in the characterization of the second-year students of Civil Engineering and the diagnosis of their attitudes towards Statistics. The results show, that the implementation of this methodology, allowed to increase the positive attitude towards statistics and encourage better learning of the teaching process.

Exploring student disability and professional identity: navigating sociocultural expectations in U.S. undergraduate civil engineering programs

ABSTRACT National agencies throughout Australia and the United States (U.S.) have called for broadened participation in engineering, including participation by individuals with disabilities. However, studies demonstrate that students with disabilities are not effectively supported by university systems and cultures. This lack of support can shape how students form professional identities as they move through school and into careers. To better understand these experiences and create a more inclusive environment in engineering, we conducted a constructivist grounded theory exploration of professional identity formation in students who identify as having a disability as they study civil engineering and experience their first year of work. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 undergraduate civil engineering students across the U.S. and analysed them using grounded theory techniques. Navigating sociocultural expectations of disability emerged as one key theme, consisting of three strategy types: (1) neutrally satisfying expectations, (2) challenging expectations, and (3) aligning with expectations. Regardless of strategy, all participants navigated sociocultural expectations related to their studies and their disabilities. This theme highlights the ways sociocultural influences impact students’ navigation through their undergraduate civil engineering careers. These findings can be used to examine cultural barriers faced by students with disabilities to enhance their inclusion in engineering.

Editorial: 20th Biennial BDS Conference 2018 – Binnie Lecture: the role of inspection and monitoring in risk and asset management

My civil engineering career has been bookended by significant embankment dam and mine waste facility failures which have had severe consequences both for life and for the environment. Such dam incidents have driven my approach to design and construction over the last fifty years, and have influenced UK legislation as enacted in the aftermath of Aberfan in 1966, and European Directives following the tailings dam failures in Spain and Romania around 2000. This paper reflects on the impact of these dam failures and legislative changes, and demonstrates the absolute need to address risk and consequence, whether for a 1000 m3 silt lagoon or a 1 000 000 m3 water supply reservoir, regardless of the regulatory environment. The engineering approach to the reservoirs described, both mining- and water-related, has been determined by the need to develop a risk assessment and mitigation strategy in the form of a detailed risk register. Such a register is applicable throughout all stages of design and construction, enabling competent engineering of the structure and assisting third-party scrutiny and verification. It is concluded that a comprehensive independent inspection and monitoring system is essential in order to verify compliance with design function, construction specification and operating rules.

Emprendedorismo y educación universitaria. Caso: Facultad de Ingeniería

En el marco del proceso de insertar el Emprendedorismo y la Innovación Científica y Tecnológica en la enseñanza universitaria, se han realizado encuestas a profesores, alumnos y graduados de las carreras de Ingeniería Civil, Eléctrica y Mecánica de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la WF y a empresarios relacionados con la Facultad. Previamente se realizaron entrevistas a los responsables de cada carrera. El proceso de encuestas fue por correo electrónico y se llegaron a conclusiones que son de vital importancia para obtener la inserción de la temática en la currícula, excepto en el caso de los alumnos que fue presencial. La antigüedad de los profesores en la docencia fue muy importante para determinar su afinidad con el emprendedorismo, al igual que la metodología de las clases determina la capacidad creativa de los alumnos. Y la opinión de graduados y empresarios resulto fundamental para confirmar la importancia de esta temática.

Incidencia de la estrategia didáctica de resolución de problemas en el aprendizaje significativo de Matemática IV, Ingeniería Civil en la Universidad Privada de Tacna, 2014

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la incidencia de la aplicación de la estrategia de resolución de problemas en los niveles de logro de aprendizajes significativos en el curso de matemática IV, en la carrera profesional de Ingeniería Civil, en el semestre académico 2014-I en la Universidad Privada de Tacna. De tipo aplicada, con un diseño de investigación cuasi experimental. La población de estudio estuvo constituida por 467 estudiantes matriculados en los cursos de matemática del plan de estudios de la carrera profesional de Ingeniería Civil. La muestra estaba compuesta por 45 estudiantes distribuidos en dos grupos, uno de control y el otro experimental. Los grupos de estudiantes fueron tomados en forma no aleatoria, y los tamaños fueron de 19 y 26 estudiantes respectivamente. La técnica de recolección de datos fue el examen y encuesta, con pruebas de entrada y salida en ambos grupos, cuestionario de percepción de la aplicación de la estrategia. Los resultados demostraron que la aplicación de la estrategia de resolución de problemas, en el curso de matemática IV, permitió elevar el nivel de logro de los aprendizajes significativos, de insuficiente (100%) al nivel de logro de muy bueno (69%) y sobresaliente (15%), haciendo total de 84% mayor a muy bueno, en los estudiantes del cuarto ciclo de la carrera profesional de Ingeniería Civil. En conclusión, se logró comprobar que la aplicación de la estrategia de resolución de problemas, tiene alta incidencia en el resultado de los aprendizajes significativos, ello se evidencia en los resultados de la prueba de salida, en los estudiantes del grupo experimental en el curso de matemática IV, alcanzando el nivel de muy bueno.

Environmental Training of Students of the Civil Engineering Career The Universidad Técnica De Manabí

The Civil Engineering course teaches different subjects in its academic program, which has in their educational task to offer knowledge to students, their intervention in the environmental space, within the framework of their actions as future civil engineers. The objective of the research is to reflect on the knowledge acquired in the environmental training of students of the civil engineering career. For this purpose, the standardized survey technique was used with structured questions that collected the work of the educational program of the race and was applied to 75 students of the different levels. The result obtained allowed to know to what extent the environmental training of students, has repercussions on the preparation of future civil engineers, in addition to the degree of concern for environmental problems and the predisposition to work in order to reduce the impacts derived from the professional practice of The Civil Engineering, taking into account the implication of the sustainable development in the academic formation. During the investigation it was verified that students are aware of the importance of preservation and respect for nature through the use of clean energies, where they have expressed concern about contamination and depletion of natural resources. The results obtained can have a positive influence on the constructive future of the province, depending on the implementation of an appropriate sustainable development policy.

Aprendizaje basado en proyectos colaborativos de entornos de programación a partir de proyectos de ingeniería civil

The objective of this research is to present and support the implementation of a teaching methodology based on active learning in a programming course taught to students of the first year of the civil engineering career. The active learning techniques used are project-based learning and collaborative learning. The research methodology is the study of three cases. The application of this methodology is supported by the increase in the percentages of achievement of the learning results obtained by the students of the same course in which this methodology was implemented (academic year 2015), to the detriment of students where a traditional methodology of teaching was applied (academic year 2013-2014). To evaluate the achievement, formative and summative evaluations were used by the teaching staff (heteroevaluation), and a self-assessment was implemented at the end of the course as well. From the obtained results it is evident that, when applying an active methodology, the students increase their achievement in each learning result; they reduce the gap between their perception of what is learned and the evaluation of teachers; and they improve their attitudinal skills (self-learning, teamwork, development and presentation of reports), among other benefits.

Technical Universities for Civil Engineering Career in Republic of Poland

In the article the basics of the higher technical education system in Poland, in particular civil engineering, was presented. Scientific and professional degrees, educational programmes and grades were listed. Nevertheless the rankings useful for comparing universities were detailed. Due to them the students interested in the international exchange should have a better choice of the higher school.

Una aplicación didáctica de la modelización matemática: control de velocidad de vehículos en vías rurales

<p>En este artículo presentamos un modelo didáctico para el control de la velocidad de los vehículos en una carretera. Basado en supuestos empíricos, el modelo da una respuesta al problema de encontrar el mejor trazado de carretera desde el punto de vista del tiempo que se necesita para ir desde la cima de una colina a un cierto punto en el valle, respetando las limitaciones de velocidad necesarias. Así, construimos un modelo simple para representar la dependencia temporal del tráfico en una carretera como un ejercicio de modelización matemático para un nivel básico de una carrera de ingeniería civil.</p>

Civil engineering airman at increased risk for injuries and injury‐related musculoskeletal disorders

With the advent of electronic records, the opportunity to conduct research on workplace-related injuries and musculoskeletal disorders has increased dramatically. The purpose of this study was to examine the United States Air Force Civil Engineering career field to determine if they are negatively impacted by their work environment. Specifically, the objective of this study was to determine if enlisted Civil Engineering Airmen (n = 25,385) were at increased risk for injury or injury-related musculoskeletal disorders compared to enlisted Information Management/Communications Airmen (n = 28,947). Using an historical prospective design, electronic data were assembled and analyzed using Cox's proportional hazards modeling. Models were stratified by gender and adjusted for race/ethnicity, marital status, birth year, and deployment status. Male Civil Engineers were observed to be at greater risk for both inpatient injury-related musculoskeletal disorders (HR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.54-2.26) and injuries (HR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.48-2.11), while female Civil Engineers were more than double the risk for both inpatient injury-related musculoskeletal disorders (HR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.28-3.73) and injuries (HR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.27-3.88) compared to Information Management/Communications Airmen. Although analyses do not allow exploration of specific causes, they highlight the utility of using electronic data to identify occupations for further evaluation. Based on these results, additional resources were allocated to survey Civil Engineers on their physical work demands and job requirements to identify key problem areas for further study and mitigation.

Pre-16 school work experience and civil engineering careers

Most school pupils in Britain undertake a 1- or 2-week work experience placement before the age of 16 to introduce them to the world of work. Many civil engineering companies offer placements with the aim of encouraging young people into the profession. This paper reports on a study to assess the extent to which this experience influences subsequent educational and career choices in civil engineering. It concludes that good-quality civil engineering placements can be a powerful tool for recruiting future civil engineers.

Activities to Enhance Civil Engineering Recruitment and Coordination with Industry

With many transportation professionals soon reaching retirement age, the industry is facing challenges. A key component to the success of the profession is recruiting new employees with the technical and managerial skills to take on future challenges. This paper outlines how one civil engineering school addressed the challenge of declining enrollments by working cooperatively with industry to meet three goals: to increase the visibility of civil engineering as a career, to expand coordination with employers, and to enhance recruitment of students. To meet the goals, a number of strategies were pursued; these included expanding activities for freshmen, participating in K–12 outreach programs, revising the civil engineering career course, expanding the career fair to include a freshman showcase, facilitating civil engineering internships for freshmen, designating a single point source for industry communications, enhancing tools for coordination with employers, increasing opportunities for student employment, updating recruiting materials, using students and alumni as ambassadors, and fostering student interaction through activities. The recruiting activities discussed in this paper not only brought in new students but also fostered cooperation with industry and the engagement of existing students, which may contribute to enhanced retention. Many activities described in this paper can be implemented at other colleges, and some of the strategies identified are appropriate for employers seeking to enhance the effectiveness of their activities on campus.