Innovative Civil Engineering Applications
There have been numerous developments or technological innovations in the civil engineering field with the aim of enhancing the level of efficiency in interaction with nature. One of the common developments in the civil engineering is the development of Fiber-reinforced Concrete (FRC) that records high performances in the execution of its duty. The high performance of this technological innovation indicates an improvement in the war against earthquakes. The traditional technology comprises of discontinuous fibers that undergo extensive integration within the concrete. Expansion of the concrete in relation to tension, the fibers hold the concrete together thus offering support system. The level of support system within the concrete depends on the number of fibers present. The aim of this innovation is to reduce the extent of earthquakes that would result into destruction of properties such as buildings and other relevant structures. The innovation would enhance the strength of the buildings to withstand extreme effects of earthquakes (Innovation 36).
The other common innovation within the civil engineering field is the ability to enhance the durability and efficiency of the filtration membranes. The filtration membranes are crucial in the treatment of wastewater. The membranes result from the crystallization of the polymer solutions into formation of a membrane structure. The membranes tend to be hydrophobic and reduce the attraction of oils and protein elements that would clog the filter thus hindering its performance in the treatment of the wastewater. The new membrane is cost-effective in its application and maintenance. This involves the implementation of comb like polymer within the standard mixture. The teeth of the new device or comb like polymer are hydrophilic in nature as a result, efficient in the filtration process (Innovation 36).
Another innovation in the field of civil engineering entails the extraction of arsenic from the soil content. This involves the development of a plant known as the Chinese ladder brake that plays a critical role in the remediation of the arsenic soil contents. Arsenic lacks the ability to destroy the fern and so makes it stronger. The device thrives in adverse conditions. Arsenic contaminates soil when its usage entails the prevention of weeds and pests.
There have been developments in the geographic information systems applications, in the field of civil engineering. This reflects on the application of computer-aided cartography and geographic systems that enhance the process of creating accurate maps in relation to the demands of the project. Most disciplines adopt the use of geographic information systems (GIS) with the aim of maximizing the application of spatial data in the process of solving relevant problems. Traditionally, disciplines adopted the use of conventional computing to supplement the manual methods in offering appropriate solution to the problems. Application of the geographical information systems is widespread in the field of civil engineering since most of the platforms in this sector of engineering use the GIS settings. The penetration of GIS enables civil engineering to solve visualization tasks rather than design, analysis, and management aspects. The use of geographical information systems is prevalent in the transportation sector thus the ability to facilitate effective and efficient mobility during execution of the project. Implementation of geographical information systems reduces the cost of transportation during the project (Venigalla 375).
The traditional methods of teachings that have always dominated the civil engineering are nowadays outdated. Their use has led to a heated debate on whether they meet the required threshold for the appropriate teaching of civil engineering. The rising new knowledge and skills in the field of civil engineering have triggered the need for some innovation especially in bringing new methods of teaching. It is significant a teaching style that will sustain the relevance of civil engineering in the labor market. The determination of an active discipline depends on the size of the market it commands.
Reyes and Galvez assert that the new of methods of teaching will make the discipline fit the needs of the dynamic market (Reyes & Gálvez 29). This is the provision by the European Higher Education Area, which have enforced the participation of the students in the learning process. This will ensure that the students can apply what the knowledge they get from class in life situations. Civil engineering is a discipline, which involves much of practical that the subject student must always be aware of in the quest of perfection in the career. Further, Reyes and Galvez propose that a greater say set for the children will help in addressing the problems they may face in their future with the discipline. For instance, a successful innovation in Construction and Building Material at the Civil Engineering School of the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid constituted the establishment of the path that could improve the tradition teaching (Reyes & Gálvez 29).
The path involved the introduction of new active methodologies constituting group learning, inclusion of technologies and the use of continuous assessments. This acted as a drive towards ensuring that the students acquire skills that can enable them fit in the dynamic market. The market, nowadays, requires civil engineers who have incorporated new technology in their skills. The corporate learning also ensures that there is top-quality training for the students because they get to access their problems in the course of carrying their group works. The continuous assessment also ensures that the graduated student in Civil Engineering is viable for working in their career. This reduces the number of quacks since the continuous assessment provided by the teachers is always an evidence of the student’s maturity.
Reyes and Galvez (34) assert that incorporating new techniques as a substitute for the tradition techniques will offer many chances for students to acquire the required skills in reference to the dynamic market. The new techniques are also a source of motivation since they make the student be freer in the learning environment compared to the traditional methods. The figures show that there is 29% increase in the passing rates of the students because of the newly introduced methods of teaching (Reyes & Gálvez 30).
The community of engineering, with the inclusion of civil engineering, has the chance of ensuring that they have an upper hand in contributing towards economic development in the community. The committee has the obligation of incorporating development agenda so that they be relevant to the efforts of maintaining economic development. This will make civil engineering be one of those disciplines that the community looks forward to in rescuing them during economic regression (Zoë Bond 172). This is always the aim of every discipline so that it becomes acceptable in the society. Further, the community of civil engineering should also ensure that it has incorporated the element of environmental health since this is also significant for the society. Zoë Bond et al, analyses the limitations related to sustainable development and it effects on the projects scale and scope (Zoë Bond 172). This study is useful for the field of civil engineering since it helps in determining methods in which the involved subject can improve civil engineering towards the development of the society.
The authors discuss the chances of interfering (creative destruction) with the industry’s state in order to make successful industry. The destruction will involve the use of innovation to keep track of the challenges arising from the engineering management. This will lead to an engineering system that promotes society development through creating a range of products that would pose a challenge for the status quo in the industry. The industry is in dynamism status bringing the need for dynamism in the products and services offered by civil engineering (Zoë Bond 172). The authors offer several examples for example, procurement policy, contract pricing, prescriptive codes and public policy, which could help in innovation, in the civil engineering field. Industry collaboration both inter and intra will act as path towards increasing the sustainability in the field of civil engineering (Zoë Bond 172). This arises from the sharing of valuable information about the trends in the civil engineering field.
Page Summary
Civil engineering has recorded several developments in the previous and current centuries. This is possible through adoption of new techniques aiming to reduce the cost and enhance efficiency in the execution of the tasks. One of the many innovations in the field of civil engineering is the development of Fiber-reinforced Concrete that enhances protection during earthquakes and other relevant natural disasters. This relates to the release of tension of the concrete. This innovation focuses on the reduction of damages caused to the buildings and other property during the events of earthquakes. Another development in the civil engineering focuses on the improvement of the performance of filtration membranes with reference to the treatment of wastewater. This new development proves to be cost-effective in its implementation towards the achievement of the goals and objectives. It is also cheap to maintain filtration membrane hence reduction of resources implemented in the execution of its roles.
Another development in the field of civil engineering is the adoption of geographic information systems and applications. This development is applicable in most disciplines, in the fields of engineering. Application of this technology aims at solving emerging problems and challenges that relate to the study of spatial data in the context of geography. Penetration of the GIS focuses on offering the solution to the visualization tasks, design, and management issues. There has also been the transformation of methods of teaching resulting into replacement of the traditional forms of teaching of civil engineering. This is evident through adoption of recent teaching materials in illustration of new techniques and developments in the field of civil engineering. These new materials and technologies are crucial to effective and efficient illustration to enhance the understanding of the concepts of civil engineering.
Works Cited
“Innovation.” Civil Engineering (08857024) 71.5 (2001): 36. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Oct. 2012.
Venigalla, Mohan, and Michael Casey. “Innovations in Geographic Information Systems Applications for Civil Engineering.” Journal Of Computing In Civil Engineering 20.6 (2006): 375-376. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Oct. 2012.
Zoë Bond, et al. “Creative Destruction: Building Toward Sustainability.” Canadian Journal Of Civil Engineering 32.1 (2005): 170-180. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Oct. 2012.
Reyes, Encarnación, and Jaime C. Gálvez. “Introduction Of Innovations Into The Traditional Teaching Of Construction And Building Materials.” Journal Of Professional Issues In Engineering Education & Practice 137.1 (2011): 28-37. Academic Search Complete. Web.31 Oct. 2012.
