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Applications of computer hardware and software in Civil Engineering

The document outlines various computer hardware and software used in civil engineering, highlighting their specific applications. Hardware such as plotters, video cards, and external hard drives facilitate design and storage, while software like Microsoft Excel, CAD, and RFEM assist in data analysis and structural design. Additionally, project management software is essential for organizing meetings and tasks within civil engineering projects.

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Yohan Lim
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5 views

Applications of computer hardware and software in Civil Engineering

The document outlines various computer hardware and software used in civil engineering, highlighting their specific applications. Hardware such as plotters, video cards, and external hard drives facilitate design and storage, while software like Microsoft Excel, CAD, and RFEM assist in data analysis and structural design. Additionally, project management software is essential for organizing meetings and tasks within civil engineering projects.

Uploaded by

Yohan Lim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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List of computer hardware and their applications in Civil Engineering

 Plotter

The plotter is used by civil engineers to print layouts and plans of buildings on A3 pages
or larger ones depending on the nature of the work.

Fig 1.1 Plotter.


 Video card

Video card, which is also called graphics card, is used to enhance the resolution of the
output image to the display. Then, better quality of image is obtained when designing
structures for buildings.

Fig 1.2 Graphics card.


 Pointing device

The mouse, which is the most common pointing devices, is essential for any civil
engineering work. It allows one to point and select features available on the screen.

Fig 1.3 Mouse.


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 External hard disk drive

This hardware will provide a large storage option and portable design. Therefore, large
amount of documents and programs can easily be transported and accessible after being
connected to a personal computer or a laptop.

Fig 1.4 External hard disc drive.

 Keyboard

Another common hardware is the keyboard which is used to input commands that maybe
shortcuts to features available in every programs. Typing reports is also a use of the
keyboard.

Fig 1.5 Keyboard.

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List of computer software and their applications in Civil Engineering

 Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is an important tool for civil engineer. It features calculation of data,
graphing tools, table drawing and a macro programming language. These facilitate the
work of engineers by easily providing graphs or charts for data analysis and evaluating
long calculations.

Fig 2.1 Microsoft Excel.

 Computer-aided design (CAD)

Computer-aided design is commonly used by civil engineer as it eases the creation and
modification of structures in two-dimension and three-dimension resulting in an
improvement in design and communication through drawings.

Fig 2.2 AutoCAD.

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 Project management software

Many meetings and appointments are involved in the work of civil engineers. So, these
events must be planned and organized accordingly and project management software,
such as Microsoft Project, is used for this purpose.

Fig 2.3 Project Management Software.

 RFEM

Civil engineers use this program, RFEM, for structural analysis and the design of
concrete, steel, timber, and other materials used in construction and it also displays the
3D image of structures and their behaviours to loadings.

Fig 2.4 RFEM showing a 3D building.

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 HEC-RAS

HEC-RAS is a program that models the water flow through a natural river or any other
channels. Civil engineers, involved in construction of dams, reservoirs or canals, will be
able to predict the flow of water and hence designing structures accordingly.

Fig 2.5 HEC-RAS showing the water flow in a channel.

Reference

 Google image for every figures,


https://www.google.mu/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ei=KtHvUq2uOOO84AT58oD4Cg&
ved=0CAMQqi4oAQ
 RFEM, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFEM
 HEC-RAS, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEC-RAS

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