1. Kathmandu University
School of Engineering
Department of Geomatics Engineering
Basic Civil Engineering (CEEG 201)
2nd
Year II Part
Prepared By:
Er. Rabindra Raj Nepal
2. Detail course content
1. Definition and overview of Civil Engineering and its relation to Geomatics Engineering
• Objectives and Principles of Civil Engineering and its impact on society and the environment
• History of Civil Engineering and its Landmarks
• Modern Trends in Civil Engineering
• Branches of Civil Engineering and their Classification
• Methods used in Civil engineering (Mathematical, Numerical, Physical Modeling Techniques)
2. Philosophy of history of Architectural designs
• Architectural Planning of Civil Structures
• Architectural Plans and Working Drawings
• Estimating, Costing, and Property Valuation
• Building Codes and Bylaws
3. Introduction to Concrete Technology
• Basic Structural Theory
• Introduction to Reinforced Concrete Technology: Design Principles, Design of simple Civil Structures like beams, columns,
slab, footing, etc.
4. Construction Materials
• Equipment and Quality test
• Construction Estimating and Tendering Process
• Construction Methods and Technologies
• Pre-construction Layout and Post- Construction
Subject: Basic Civil Engineering
Level: B.E. /2nd Year/2nd Semester
Course: CEEG 201
Course Credit: 3
3. 5. Monitoring Techniques
• Network planning and scheduling
6. Engineering Hydrology
• Precipitation, infiltration and evapotranspiration
• Methods of Prediction runoff and hydrographs
• Rainfall Runoff correlations
• Flow duration curve, mass curve
• Instrumentation for flow measurement and estimation
7. Design of Hydraulic structure
• Dams, weirs, intakes, canals, tunnels, river training structures
• Irrigation and Drainage Systems
8. Transport Engineering
• Introduction
• Geometric designs and layout of urban-rural roads, highways, and railway lines.
9. Route traversing
• Canal and transmission line traversing
• Right-of-way
• Underground cable laying, etc.
10. Bridge and Tunnels, Port and Airport Engineering
4. Tutorials: 8 assignments, and two internal evaluations
Reference Books:
S.N. Writer Book Title
1 A.K. Jain Reinforced Concrete, Limit State of Design
2 K. Subramaya Engineering Hydrology
3 M.S. Shetty Concrete Technology, Theory and Practice
4 S. Ramamrutham Basic Civil Engineering, 1st Edition, Dhanpat Rai Publishing Company
5 Dr. B. Sataya Narayan Construction Planning and Equipment
6 V.N. Vazirani and S.P. Chondala Construction Management and Accounts
7 V.N. Vazirani and S.P. Chondala Transportation Engineering, Khanna Publisher
8 S.B. Sehegal and K.I. Bhanot A Textbook on Highway Engineering and Airports
5. Chapter 1
Definition and Overview of Civil Engineering and its Relation to Geomatics Engineering
Engineers' Contribution:
•Engineers have shaped civilization more than any other profession.
•Their role is to develop technological applications to meet practical needs.
•Examples: Power systems, water wheels, artificial hearts, etc.
Engineering and Society:
•Engineering serves the essential needs of society.
•Engineers create systems that supply food, water, fuel, power, transportation, and
communication.
Misunderstood Role:
•Despite their contributions, the exact role of engineers is not always clearly understood.
6. What is Civil Engineering?
• Civil Engineering is the branch of
engineering focused on creating safe,
comfortable living conditions for
society/civil.
• Includes planning, designing, and
construction and maintenance of
building structures, and facilities,
such as roads, railroads, airports,
bridges, harbors, channels, dams,
irrigation projects, water and sewage
systems.
• Core Activities: Structural analysis,
project planning, and site
development.
7. Civil Engineering and its Relation to Geomatics
Engineering
Geomatics Engineering: Specializes in gathering, storing, processing, and delivering spatially
referenced information.
Core Activities: Surveying, mapping, geographic information systems (GIS), and remote sensing.
Relationship Between Civil Engineering and
Geomatics Engineering
•Data Collection: Geomatics engineers provide
accurate topographical data, elevation, and
boundaries through land surveys.
•Project Planning: Civil engineers use this
spatial data for the planning and design phases
of infrastructure projects.
•Accuracy in Design: Geomatics ensures that
structures are built in the correct location,
avoiding natural hazards like flood zones or
unstable ground.
Evolving Roles of Civil and Geomatics Engineering:
•New technologies and market forces are redefining
the roles of engineers (ASCE, 2025 Vision).
•Both civil and geomatics engineers face challenges
from these new technologies.
•Technological advances in geomatics (e.g., drones,
LiDAR, GPS) need to be integrated into civil
engineering work to maintain efficiency and
productivity.
•Geomatics has become indispensable in planning
and implementing civil engineering projects.
8. Objectives and Principle of Civil Engineering
Major Objectives
1. Infrastructure Development.
2. Public Safety.
3. Resource Management.
4. Environmental Protection
5. Socioeconomic Development.
6. Technological Innovation
7. Disaster Resilience
Core Civil Engineer Principle
1. Safety
•Design to ensure public and worker safety.
2. Sustainability
•Minimize environmental impact and resource use.
3. Functionality
•Ensure structures serve their purpose efficiently.
4. Feasibility
•Solutions must be practical and cost-effective.
5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
•Work with other fields like architecture and urban planning.
6. Ethical Responsibility
•Protect public welfare and uphold standards.
7. Innovation
•Use new technologies to improve projects.
9. Civil Engineering: Impact on Society & the Environment
Environmental Impact:
•Energy Efficiency: Construction
consumes 40% of global energy. Civil
engineers can improve energy
efficiency by using renewable energy,
upgrading machinery, and employing
efficient designs.
•Waste Reduction: The sector is
responsible for 50% of landfill waste.
Engineers can minimize waste
through careful planning, recycling,
and sustainable materials.
•Green Materials: Using renewable
resources like bamboo, hempcrete,
and reclaimed wood can reduce
environmental damage and save
costs.
Societal Impact:
•Infrastructure Development: Civil
engineers design and build critical
infrastructure (roads, bridges, water
systems) that supports economic growth
and societal well-being.
•Economic Growth: The construction sector
contributes 25% to GDP and provides 10%
of employment globally, creating jobs and
boosting economies.
•Climate Change Mitigation: By designing
energy-efficient buildings (e.g., nearly zero-
energy buildings), engineers reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, supporting a
sustainable future.
10. History of Civil Engineering and its Landmarks
ANCIENT BRIDGE OF SHADRAVAN; OLDEST BRIDGE IN
WORLD
The ancient bridge is located 300 m south weat od
Shustar in southern Khuzestan.
It is built on the main branch of Karun River and mow its
ruins are seen beside Azadegan Bridge
WORLDEST LARGEST BRIDGE : DANYANG-KUNSHAN
GRAND BRIDGE IN CHINA AS PART OF BEIJING SHANGAI
HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY
The bridge which opened in June 2011 spans102.4 miles
(165 Kilometers)
11. History of Civil Engineering and its Landmarks
• Throughout Ancienet and Medieval history most architectural and construction was
carried out by Artisans, Such as Stonemasons and Carpenters, rising the role of Master
Builder. Knowledge was returned in guilds and seldom supplanted by advances
structures, roads and infrastructure that existed were repetitive and increases in scale
were incremental.
• 4000-2000 BC earliest practices of civil engineering in ancient Egypt and ancient
Mesopotamia (Ancient Iraq) when human abandoned the nomadic way of living. It is
said that it is when human built a roof for a shelter.
• Nomadic means roaming about from place to place aimlessly, frequently or without
fixed pattern of movement.
• During this time. Transportation has become increasingly important leading to the
development of the wheels and sailing
12. • The construction of pyramids in Egypt (2700-2500 BC) were some of
the first instances of large structures constructions.
• Colessum(Rome).
• Great wall of China.
• Kings Historic and huge palaces all over the world.
• Taj mahal of India.
16. How the term Civil Engineering was First
Used?
• In 18th
century , the term Civil Engineering came into use to describe
engineering work that was performed by civilians for non military
purposes.
• That is why civil engineering has a very broad coverage, definition and
sub desciplines.
18. Modern Trend in Civil Engineering
1. Self-Healing Concrete
• Concrete with bacteria that repairs cracks automatically.
2. Thermal Bridging
• Reducing heat transfer through efficient insulation.
3. Glazing Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV)
• Building facades that generate electricity via solar panels.
4. Kinetic Footfall
• Capturing energy from footsteps to power buildings.
5. Kinetic Roads
• Harnessing kinetic energy from vehicle movement on highways.
6. 3D Modeling
• Smart city planning using CyberCity3D for precise 3D models.
7. Modular Construction
• Off-site construction with traditional materials and standards.
8. Asset Mapping
• Centralized data tracking for operational equipment in buildings.
19. 1. Sustainable Construction
With increasing awareness of environmental issues, engineers are prioritizing eco-
friendly materials and methods to reduce the environmental impact of construction
projects.
Key Trends:
• Green Building Materials: Using materials that are renewable, recyclable, or that
reduce carbon emissions (e.g., bamboo, recycled concrete, and low-carbon cement).
• Energy-Efficient Buildings: Designing structures that consume less energy by utilizing
natural light, insulation, and renewable energy sources like solar panels.
• Water Conservation: Implementing systems for water recycling, rainwater harvesting,
and greywater reuse to reduce water wastage in buildings and urban projects.
Example Projects:
• LEED-certified buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
• Carbon-neutral construction projects.
21. 2. Advance Building materials.
New materials are being developed to enhance the durability, strength, and sustainability
of structures. These materials are designed to improve performance while reducing
environmental impact.
Key Trends:
• Self-Healing Concrete: Concrete that can automatically repair cracks, reducing the need
for maintenance and increasing longevity.
• Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP): Used for reinforcing concrete structures to
improve strength without adding significant weight.
• Geopolymer Concrete: A more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional
concrete, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with cement production.
Example Applications:
• High-rise buildings using CFRP for structural reinforcement.
• Infrastructure like bridges utilizing self-healing concrete to increase durability.
25. 3. Smart Infrastructure and IoT Integration
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in civil engineering has led to the
development of "smart" infrastructure that can monitor and respond to real-time conditions.
Key Trends:
• Smart Sensors: Sensors embedded in structures (e.g., bridges, roads, tunnels) that monitor stress,
temperature, vibration, and other factors. This data is used to assess structural health and detect
potential failures early.
• Smart Cities: Urban areas that integrate IoT with infrastructure to improve energy use,
transportation systems, and public services.
• Automated Construction Equipment: Use of AI and IoT-enabled machinery for tasks like
excavation, grading, and monitoring construction progress.
Example Projects:
• Smart Roads: Roads that can report conditions like traffic congestion, accidents, or ice formation
in real time.
• Smart Buildings: Buildings equipped with energy-monitoring systems and automated climate
control to optimize energy use.
27. 4. Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is revolutionizing the way civil engineers design,
manage, and construct buildings. BIM allows engineers to create detailed 3D models of
structures that contain all relevant information, from materials to schedules, in a single
digital platform.
Key Benefits:
• Collaboration: BIM enables all project stakeholders (architects, engineers,
contractors) to collaborate more effectively by working on a shared platform.
• Clash Detection: Identifying potential conflicts in design (e.g., between structural
elements and plumbing) before construction begins, reducing errors and delays.
• Lifecycle Management: BIM is used not only in design and construction but also
throughout the building’s lifecycle for maintenance and renovation.
Example Projects:
• Major infrastructure projects like highways, airports, and skyscrapers increasingly
rely on BIM to optimize design and construction efficiency.
29. 5. Prefabrication and Modular Construction
Prefabrication involves manufacturing building components in a controlled factory
environment and then assembling them on-site. This method increases efficiency,
reduces construction time, and minimizes waste.
Key Trends:
• Modular Construction: Buildings are constructed in sections or modules off-site,
then transported and assembled on-site. This approach is faster and often more
sustainable.
• 3D Printing: 3D printing technology is being used to create building components, and
even entire structures, with precise accuracy and minimal material waste.
Example Applications:
• Modular housing projects that can be quickly assembled, particularly useful for
disaster recovery.
• 3D-printed homes and office buildings, which are emerging as a low-cost housing
solution.
31. 5. Sustainable Urban Planning
Sustainable urban planning focuses on creating cities that are environmentally friendly,
resource-efficient, and capable of supporting growing populations.
Key Trends:
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Designing urban areas around efficient public
transportation systems to reduce car usage and promote walkability.
• Green Spaces: Incorporating parks, green roofs, and urban forests to improve air
quality, reduce urban heat islands, and provide recreational areas.
• Waste Management: Implementing efficient waste management systems, including
recycling and composting, as part of urban infrastructure.
Example Projects:
• Sustainable cities like Masdar City in the UAE, designed to be low-carbon and energy-
efficient.
• Urban developments that integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar panels
and wind turbines.
33. Branches of Civil Engineering and their Classification
1. Construction Engineering
2. Structural Engineering
3. Geotechnical Engineering
4. Environmental Engineering
5. Transportation Engineering
6. Water resources Engineering
7. Surveying and Remote Sensing.
34. Construction Engineering
• Construction Engineer turns design
into reality.
• Management of construction
resources: labor, materials,
equipment, money and time.
• They apply their knowledge of
construction methods and
equipment, along with the
principles of financing, planning and
management, to turn the designs
into successful facilities.
35. Structural Engineering
• Design of new structures.
• Upgrading existing structures.
• Intelligent use of new technologies and materials to
control structure behavior.
• Structures includes buildings, bridges, offshore
platforms, transmission towers and other specialized
facilities.
• Analyze and design of structures that support their own
weight and the load they carry and resist extreme forces
for wind, earthquakes, bombings, temperature and
others.
• Structural Engineering develop the appropriate
combination of steel, concrete, timber, plastic and new
exotic materials
• Must also consider the economics, aesthetics and social
implications of their creations
36. Geotechnical Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering is concerned with
engineering behavior of earth materials.
• Develop projects below the ground. Eg: tunnels,
foundation, offshore platforms and containment
structures for solid and liquid wastes.
• Analyze the properties if soil and rock that
support and affect the behavior of these
structures.
• Evaluate potential settlements if buildings, the
stability of slopes and fills, seepage of ground
water and effects of earthquakes.
• Determine the best way to support a structure
in the ground.
• Take part in design and construction of dams,
embankments and retaining wall.
37. Environmental Engineering
• Resolve the problems of providing
safe drinking water, cleaning up
contaminated sites and hazardous
materials, disposing of waste water
and managing solid wastes.
• Translate physical chemical and
biological processes into system to
destroy the toxic substances,
remove pollutants from water,
reduce non-hazardous solid waste
volumes etc.
38. Transportation Engineering
• Planning, Designing, operation and
maintenance of safe and efficient
transportation systems.(eg.
Highway, railway, airports etc)
• Incorporating new technologies to
upgrade our transportation
capability by improving traffic
control and mass transit system.
39. Water Resource Engineering
• Deals with physical control of water
• Public water supply
• Flood control
• Irrigation, navigation etc
• Computer modelling of water flow
• Design, construct ad maintain
hydroelectric power facilities,
dams, pipelines, pumping stations
etc
40. Surveying and Remote Sensing
• Surveying is to determine the
positions of points on, above below
surface of the earth by means of
direct indirect measurements of
distances, elevations and directions
• Surveying has advanced from chain
surveying to remote sensing with
the advent of various electronic
sophisticated instruements.
41. Town Planning
• Town planning means planned and
controlled growth of town by
dividing the land use zones and
regulating building construction to
provide better environment for the
people of town.
42. Method used in Civil Engineering
• Forms the foundation of civil engineer for solving various structural,
geotechnical, hydraulic and transportation related problems.
• Methods involves formulation of physical problems into mathematical
equations, which can be solved analytically or numerically.
1. Mathematical Methods
43. Analytical Solutions
Analytical solutions use closed-form mathematical expressions to provide exact solutions to civil engineering
problems. These methods are often used for simplified cases where assumptions (like linearity, homogeneity,
etc.) can be applied. Some common applications include:
Beam Deflection Calculations: Using differential equations to determine the deflection of beams under
various loads.
Structural Analysis: Applying principles such as statics and dynamics to calculate forces, moments, and
displacements in structures.
Soil Settlement Calculations: Using consolidation theory to predict settlement in soils under load.
Fluid Mechanics Equations: Solving for flow rates, velocities, and pressures using Bernoulli’s equation,
continuity equation, and energy equation.
44. Optimization Techniques
Mathematical optimization is another essential tool in civil engineering used to determine the most efficient or
cost-effective solutions for engineering designs. This includes:
Linear Programming: Used for resource allocation problems in construction management.
Nonlinear Optimization: Applied to problems involving nonlinear relationships between variables, such as
optimizing the shape of a bridge or dam for stability and cost.
Dynamic Programming: Helps in solving sequential decision problems, often used in transportation
systems or project scheduling.
45. 2.Numerical Modeling
Numerical methods allow engineers to solve complex problems that cannot be addressed through analytical
methods, especially when the geometry, material properties, or boundary conditions are non-linear. These
methods approximate the solutions of governing differential equations using discretization techniques.
•Finite Element Method (FEM)
FEM is the most commonly used numerical method in civil engineering for analyzing complex structures. It
divides a large structure into smaller, finite elements, solving the governing equations over these elements and
assembling them into a global system.
Application: Used in structural analysis, geotechnical analysis, and fluid mechanics.
Key Advantages: Handles irregular geometries, supports nonlinear material behavior, and provides
detailed stress/strain distributions.
Software: ANSYS, SAP2000, and Abaqus are popular FEM software used in civil engineering.
46. Finite Difference Method (FDM)
FDM approximates the derivatives in the governing differential equations
with difference equations, enabling the solution of boundary and initial
value problems. It is widely used in:
Heat Transfer Problems: Solving transient heat conduction in
materials.
Fluid Flow Analysis: Simulating groundwater flow and solute
transport in porous media.
Structural Dynamics: Solving time-dependent dynamic problems like
earthquake response of buildings
Finite Volume Method (FVM)
FVM is often used in fluid mechanics and computational fluid
dynamics (CFD). It involves dividing the domain into control
volumes and solving the governing equations for each volume.
Application: Widely used in analyzing fluid flow around
structures like bridges or dams and in open channel flow
simulations.
Advantages: Conservation of mass, momentum, and energy
over each control volume ensures accurate physical
representation of flow problems.
48. Boundary Element Method (BEM)
BEM is another numerical method where only the boundary of the domain needs to be discretized, rather than
the entire domain like in FEM or FDM.
Application: Used in problems where the domain extends to infinity, such as seepage analysis or infinite
soil domain problems in geotechnical engineering.
Advantages: Reduces computational cost and is ideal for problems with simple boundary conditions but
complex domain behavior.
49. Physical Modeling
Physical modeling involves creating scaled-down versions of civil engineering structures or systems to study their behavior under various
conditions. These models are often used to validate numerical or mathematical solutions and to study phenomena that are difficult to capture
using other methods.
Wind Tunnels
Wind tunnels are used to simulate the effects of wind on structures like bridges, tall buildings, and towers. Engineers can study wind-induced
vibrations, pressures, and forces to ensure that structures can withstand high winds.
Application: Used in the design of high-rise buildings, long-span bridges, and roof structures.
Advantages: Provides real-world insights into fluid-structure interactions, reducing the likelihood of unforeseen wind-induced failures.
Hydraulic Models
Hydraulic models simulate the behavior of water in civil engineering projects such as dams, spillways, and river channels. Physical models
help in understanding water flow patterns, sediment transport, and the effects of floods.
Application: Commonly used in dam design, river engineering, and coastal protection projects.
Advantages: Allows for the study of complex hydraulic phenomena, such as turbulence and wave actions, which are difficult to predict
with numerical models.
51. Shake Tables
Shake tables are used to simulate the effects of earthquakes on structures. Scaled models of
buildings, bridges, or other structures are subjected to controlled seismic forces, allowing
engineers to study their response and improve design methods.
Application: Earthquake engineering, particularly in the design of earthquake-resistant
buildings.
Advantages: Offers real-time feedback on the dynamic performance of structures under
seismic loads, helping to refine designs for better safety.
Geotechnical Centrifuge
A geotechnical centrifuge is used to simulate the effects of gravity on soil-structure systems in a
scaled-down model. This is particularly useful for studying soil behavior under load, foundation
settlement, and slope stability.
Application: Used in geotechnical engineering to study foundation performance, landslide
mechanisms, and tunnel stability.
Advantages: Provides realistic simulation of soil-structure interaction under different
gravitational forces, allowing engineers to predict full-scale behavior.
52. Hybrid Approaches
In modern civil engineering practice, hybrid approaches are often used, where
numerical models are validated against physical models, and mathematical
methods are used for initial estimates and optimization. For example:
Structural Health Monitoring: Numerical models can simulate the
performance of structures under various conditions, but these models are
often validated using physical sensors placed on real structures.
Integrated Design: Engineers might use mathematical methods to optimize
the initial design of a structure, numerical methods for detailed analysis, and
physical models for final validation.
