by Er. Bishwonath Paudel Civil engineers jobs are one of the world’s most important jobs: they build our quality of life. With creativity and technical skill, civil engineers plan, design, construct and operate the facilities essential to modern life, ranging from bridges and highway systems to water treatment plants and energy ­efficient buildings. Civil engineers are problem solvers, meeting the challenges of pollution, traffic congestion, drinking water, and energy needs, urban redevelopment, and community planning. Whatever area a civil engineer chooses, be it design, construction, research, planning, teaching, or management, civil engineering offers him a wide range of jobs for his career choices. MAJOR BRANCHES OF CIVIL ENGINEERING 1. STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Structural engineers face the challenge of designing structures that support their own weight and the loads they carry, and that resist extreme forces from wind, earthquakes, bombings, temperature, and others. Bridges, buildings, amusement park rides, and many other kinds of projects are included in this specialty. Structural engineers develop appropriate combinations of steel, concrete, timber, plastic, and new exotic materials. They also plan and design, and visit project sites to make sure work is done properly. 2. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING The skills of environmental engineers have become increasingly important as we protect our fragile resources. Environmental engineers translate physical, chemical, and biological processes into systems to destroy toxic substances, remove pollutants from water, reduce non-­hazardous solid waste volumes, eliminate contaminants from the air and develop groundwater supplies. Environmental engineers are called upon to resolve the problems of providing safe drinking water, cleaning up contaminated sites with hazardous materials, disposing of wastewater, and managing solid wastes. 3. GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING Geotechnical engineering is required in all aspects of civil engineering because most projects are supported by the ground. A geotechnical engineer may develop projects below the ground, such as tunnels, foundations and offshore platforms. They analyze the properties of soil and rock that support and affect the behavior of these structures. They evaluate potential settlements of buildings, the stability of slopes and fills, the seepage of groundwater, and the effects of earthquakes. They investigate rocks and soils at a project site and determine the best way to support a structure in the ground. They also take part in the design and construction of dams, embankments, and retaining walls. Have you read? Soil Mechanics: Effects of water on soil 4. WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING Water is essential to our lives, and water resources engineers deal with the physical control of water. They work with others to prevent floods, supply water for cities, industry, and agriculture, protect beaches or to manage and redirect rivers. They design, construct and maintain hydroelectric power facilities, canals, dams, pipelines, pumping stations, locks, seaport facilities and even water slides. Recommended: How to design a Surface Water Treatment Plant 5. TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING The quality of a community is directly related to the quality of its transportation system. Transportation engineers work to move people, goods, and materials safely and efficiently. They find ways to meet our ever-increasing travel needs on land, air, and sea. They design, construct and maintain all types of transportation facilities, including airports, highways, railroads, mass transit systems, and ports. An important part of transportation engineering is upgrading our transportation capability by improving traffic control and mass transit systems, and by introducing high-­speed trains, people movers, and other intermodal transportation methods. Recommended: AV's - Key ethical challenges in the adoption of new technologies in Transportation 6. CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING The construction phase of a project represents the first tangible result of a design. Using technical and management skills, construction engineers turn designs into reality ­ on time and within budget. They apply their knowledge of construction methods and equipment, along with the principles of financing, planning, and managing, to turn the designs of other engineers into successful facilities. Recommended for you: Cost, Time and Quality | The Golden Triangle in Construction 7. URBAN AND COMMUNITY PLANNING Urban and Community Planners are concerned with the full development of a community. They analyze a variety of information to coordinate projects, such as projecting street patterns, identifying park and recreation areas, and determining areas for industrial and residential growth. They employ their technical and people skills to coordinate with other authorities to integrate freeways, airports, and other related facilities. Check out more work by Er. Bishwonath Paudel

Structure Review The Glasgow Stock Exchange building is situated at the corner of Buchanan Street and of Nelson Mandela Place (known as St George’s Place before 1986). It’s a 4-story building of Venetian Gothic style constructed in 1875-77 by architect John Burnet and later expanded by his son John James Burnet. It is said that the architect was inspired by the London Law Courts, “this design exploits themes from Burge’s competition design for the London Law Courts” [1]. Through studying this building I’m trying to see how the wealth and economic growth of Glasgow were exhibited through architecture and if it is of the right nature to do so. The Glasgow Stock Exchange, which was founded in 1884, was one of five exchanges in Scotland, others being in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Greenock that would later become part of the Glasgow Stock Exchange which, later on, merged with the Scottish Stock Exchange and then into the London Stock Exchange. At its time Glasgow was the focus for the UK’s moneymakers, as being the financial center of the country. One glancing at this building can realize it is of a Gothic ethos, but it’s not of a simple Gothic style, is one of extravagance that displays wealth. Through its lancet and oculus windows, its ornamental details, and pinnacles. This style of Venetian Gothic originates from the climax of the Venetian republic, one of political and economic power. A period of expansion of trade, territorial expansion, industrial growth, and population growth. A rapid rise of prosperity for Venice in the 14th century. Quite similarly translated into a period of Glasgow, that you can see through the Glasgow Stock Exchange building in the 19th century. Glasgow experienced a population and economic growth, from a population of a quarter-million growing to over three quarters due to migration from the Highlands, Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe. As well as the Industrial Revolution, ranking Glasgow as one of the richest and finest cities in Europe as well as clamming the name as the Second City of the Empire, after London. Making this comparison of the Venetian Gothic style, which represents the pinnacle of Venetian wealth and influence in its time and seeing how this translation of Venetian Gothic in Glasgow shows the exact same in its own respectable time period. The ornaments of the building’s façade can tell us a lot about the status, purpose, and wealth of the building itself but also in a greater sense of the city in that time period. Ornaments in architecture have been seen, throughout history, as the key to the foundations of architecture [2]. Except for being an aesthetically beautiful detail to look at from a passer-by perspective, it also conveys vital political information of the purpose, the rank of the owner, or of the institution the building hosted. But also seen as operators and social communicators, creating signs of social distinction and wealth [3], mirroring societies structure and precious metals permanence. [1] Doak, A. M, Andrew McLaren Young, and David Walker. 1983. Glasgow At A Glance. London: Hale. [2] Picon, Antoine. 2013. Ornament. Chichester: Wiley. [3] Picon, Antoine. 2013. Ornament. Chichester: Wiley. The first ornament you see from a quick look at the Glasgow Stock Exchange is the 5 roundels with statues in them that depict some industries the Stock Exchange dealt with, such as mining, science, and engineering. That quickly identifies the main practices during the industrial period and being the main sources of innovation and wealth for the city. Following on to 3 Allegorical Statues representing industry, commerce, and agriculture that reinforce the idea of the building use and significance to the local economy, elevating its status and separating itself from the surrounding buildings giving it more significance in the urban landscape as well as having griffons at the top of the building that symbolize the protection of wealth. Following on the 4 figure statues of the capitals at Buchanan Street, they represent the 4 continents [4]. Keeping in mind all the statues were made by John Mossman, one of the main sculptors of the city at this time, making the construction costlier thus showing the excess wealth that was spent onto it, quoting Antoine Picon from Ornaments, “it can accrue and constitute a kind of heirloom, like jewels that literally are worth their weight in precious metals” [5]. On a more general note, observing other ornamental details such as the textured wall in the middle height of the building, as well as the details in the columns and even the roof, show to what extent the architecture of the building went to showcase the high budget and carelessness with money. That also reflects the importance of what the building was hosting to the economy of the city. Adding all those ornamental details on the façade of the Stock Exchange, which are truly small but vital details to a building, not only showcases the wealth the city has acquired in that period, but also creates social separation. In a period that societies across Europe were unable to agree on their fundamental values. An era in Glasgow of extreme wealth and innovation but also in contrast suffering from appalling social problems of poverty, crime, and disease for others. Even though there were attempts to introduce a new style of the industrial era by German architect Heinrich Hübsch in his 1828 essay titled In welchem Style sollen wir bauen? (In What Style Should We Build?) [6] which failed. The ornamentation on the building goes to such an extent to not only identify itself but to elevate it socially from the rest of the street. Lifting it to a level where people of a class and education can use it. The dilemma is, is it right to show off extravagant wealth through architecture when the broader society itself is suffering, and by doing that the social barrier broadens, creating a stricter classist hierarchy. [4]McKean, Charles, David Walker, and Frank Arneil Walker. 1989. Central Glasgow. Edinburgh: Mainstream. [5]Picon, Antoine. 2013. Ornament. Chichester: Wiley. [6]Hübsch, Heinrich. 1992. In What Style Should We Build? The German Debate On Architectural Style. Los Angeles: Getty Center for History of Art and the Humanities. References: ABACUS, Scott. 2021. "Theglasgowstory: The Glasgow Stock Exchange". Theglasgowstory.Com. https://www.theglasgowstory.com/image/?inum=TGSB00077 Arslan, Edoardo, and Anne Engel. 1971. [Venezia Gotica.] Gothic Architecture In Venice. Translated ... By Anne Engel. London: Phaidon. "BBC - History - Scottish History". 2014. Bbc.Co.Uk. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/victorian/trails_victorian_glasgow.shtml. Connell, Susan. 1982. [Rezension Von:] Howard, Deborah: The Architectural History Of Venice. - Batsford. Doak, A. M, Andrew McLaren Young, and David Walker. 1983. Glasgow At A Glance. London: Hale. "From Money To Mandela". 2021. Lost Glasgow. https://www.lostglasgow.scot/posts/from-money-to-mandela-290/ "Glasgow - Second City Of The Empire: Technology & Manufacturing, Cultural & Social Change - Clyde Waterfront Heritage". 2021. Clydewaterfront.Com. http://www.clydewaterfront.com/clyde-heritage/river-clyde/second-city-of-the-empire Gomme, A. H, and David Walker. 1987. Architecture Of Glasgow. London: Lund Humphries in association with the Glasgow Booksellers, J. Smith. Hübsch, Heinrich. 1992. In What Style Should We Build? The German Debate On Architectural Style. Los Angeles: Getty Center for History of Art and the Humanities. McKean, Charles, David Walker, and Frank Arneil Walker. 1989. Central Glasgow. Edinburgh: Mainstream. Picon, Antoine. 2013. Ornament. Chichester: Wiley. Smith, Ken. 2021. "Climbing The Ladder Of Success". Heraldscotland. https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/14227131.climbing-ladder-success/

Introduction Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth and is mainly found in water and organic compounds (Dawood, et al., 2020). With a high energy density of 33.3 kWh/kg and a low volumetric density of 0.09 kg/m3 at normal conditions (Ludwig Bölkow Systemtechnik, n.d.), hydrogen is considered to have a very high potential as an energy carrier due to its potential to be compressed into smaller, and more transportable, volumes. On top of this, hydrogen can be converted into electricity while only emitting heat and water vapor, thus no harmful by-products are produced (ADFC, n.d.). As such, hydrogen has the potential to play a major role in the movement towards a sustainable, net-zero future. The main concern and uncertainty with the mass adoption of hydrogen is its method of production. Currently, almost all hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels – 76% of which come from the steam reforming of natural gases and the remainder from the gasification of coal. In total, this produces around 830 MtCO2/annum (Cavana & Leone, 2021). Fortunately, technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CSS) and electrolyzers are expected to increase in usage due to their ability to lower the environmental impact of hydrogen production. However, as these technologies are still in their infant stage, the production costs are much higher than that of fossil fuel-based hydrogen therefore, the adoption of these technologies is not considered feasible until around 2030. There are various types of hydrogen classified by their method of production and distinguished by ‘color’. The main types of hydrogen under consideration are grey hydrogen, blue hydrogen, and green hydrogen. Each of which is discussed further below, along with an overview of hydrogen storage and transportation methods. Grey Hydrogen Generally, the term “grey hydrogen” is used to describe hydrogen produced from fossil fuels. The most common form of grey hydrogen is that which originates from natural gas and is extracted using processes such as ‘steam methane reforming (SMR) and ‘autothermal reforming’ (ATR). These processes extract hydrogen from hydrocarbons by splitting natural gases into hydrogen and CO2 (Petrofac, 2021). Steam Methane Reforming Focusing on SMR, hydrogen is extracted from methane as it reacts with high-temperature steam, at around 700-930 ℃ and pressures of around 3-25 bar, along with a catalyst (EIA, n.d.). The efficiency of SMR generally ranges between 65% and 85% and is thus in the higher range of most commercial hydrogen production technologies (Kayfeci, 2019). SMR is also the most widespread production process of grey hydrogen while also being the least expensive with cost estimates of around EUR 1.5/kg (Kalamara & Efstathiou, 2013; European Commission, 2020). However, this cost is expected to increase with the cost of natural gas and carbon tax. Typically, around 4.5 m3 of natural gas is required per kg of hydrogen produced (Milbrant & Mann, 2009). Grey hydrogen also comes with a major disadvantage of high carbon emissions; typically, around 9.3 kg of CO2 per kg of hydrogen is produced (Giovannini, 2020). It is thus an interest to transition the production of grey hydrogen to more environmentally friendly solutions such as green and blue hydrogen. Blue Hydrogen Blue hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, with the same production processes as grey hydrogen, but with the addition of carbon capture and storage (CCS) to offset the levels of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. It is not possible to capture all the carbon dioxide through CCS, therefore, blue hydrogen is referred to as a ‘low-carbon hydrogen’ alternative (National Grid, 2021a). Steam Methane Reforming and Carbon Capture and Storage Through CCS, CO2 emissions are captured and stored underground, often in salt caverns or depleted oil and gas reserves, rather than dispersed into the atmosphere (Hague, 2021). Typically, around 80-90% of the CO2 emissions can be captured, thus still emitting around 10-20%. Therefore, we can expect CO2 emissions of around 1.4 kg of CO2 per kg of blue hydrogen produced (Giovannini, 2020). This added CCS technology also introduces additional technical challenges as well as an increase in price with blue hydrogen cost estimates of around EUR 2/kg (Hague, 2021; European Commission, 2020). This cost includes the CAPEX, OPEX, carbon tax, and natural gas prices (Global CCS Institute, 2021) in which fuel is the largest cost component, accounting for 45-75% of production costs (KPMG, 2021). Similar cost estimates assume a natural gas price of around EUR 7/GJ (Glabal CSS Institute, 2021). As a result of increased natural gas prices and carbon taxes, the cost of blue hydrogen is expected to increase to EUR 2.35/kg in 2025 and to EUR 2.70/kg in 2035 (Deloitte, 2020). See Table 1 for a cost summary with the 2025 cost determined through extrapolation. Green Hydrogen Green hydrogen also referred to as renewable hydrogen (European Commission, 2020), is the cleanest form of hydrogen in which no greenhouse gases are emitted throughout the production process of electrolysis. This involves the splitting of water molecules into their constituent atoms of oxygen and hydrogen. For the process to be fully ‘green’, the electrolysis is powered by clean energy from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power (National Grid, 2021b). At present, only around 1% of all hydrogen production is in the form of green hydrogen (Giovannini, 2020). Electrolysis Electrolysis occurs inside an electrolyzer. This consists of an anode and cathode, separated by an electrolyte. These collect the individual elements through attraction whereby the positively charged hydrogen ions are attracted to the negatively charged cathode while the negatively charged oxygen ions are attracted to the positively charged anode (Bruce, et al., 2018), see Figure 1. Typically, around 9 liters of water and 48 kWh are required for every kg of green hydrogen produced. Therefore, it is important to have an appropriate water supply when deciding on the location of an electrolyzer as well as a supply of renewable energy. Furthermore, the purity of water is also important to minimize side reactions caused by ions found in naturally occurring water, such as salt (Bruce, et al., 2018; Antweiler, 2020). As such, the use of fresh water and seawater should be considered. There are various types of electrolyzers; examples of such technologies are polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, alkaline electrolyzers, and solid oxide electrolyzers. Each differs based on the electrolyte material and the type of reactions that occur (U.S. Department of Energy, 2021) while also providing different benefits and challenges. While both are mature technologies, studies indicate that the hydrogen industry will mostly depend on PEM electrolyzers over alkaline electrolyzers due to their compact design, high system efficiency, fast response times, dynamic operations, low temperatures, and their ability to produce ultrapure hydrogen at raised pressures of around 30-80 bar (Khan, et al., 2021). However, it should be noted that there are also new emerging electrolysis technologies such as solid oxide electrolyzers that could overtake the more established technologies with further development (Mathiesen, et al., 2013). Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysers PEM electrolyzers have a solid specialty plastic material for the electrolyte. Currently, the most advanced PEM electrolyzers can produce hydrogen at 400m3/h, however, further development of such technology is restricted by high manufacturing costs (Guo, et al., 2019). PEM electrolyzers do however have fast start-up times, minimal corrosion, simple maintenance, and few components (U.S. Department of Energy, 2021). Alkaline Electrolysers Alkaline electrolyzers use a liquid alkaline solution, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, as the electrolyte (Cummins, 2020). The technology behind alkaline electrolyzers is well established with low manufacturing costs. With a potential hydrogen production of 1000m3/h, these electrolyzers are suitable for large-scale hydrogen production. In contrast to the PEM electrolyzers, however, alkaline electrolyzers have a slow start-up, vulnerable to corrosion, complicated maintenance, and consist of many components (Guo, et al., 2019). Solid Oxide Electrolysers Solid oxide electrolyzers use a solid ceramic material as the electrolyte. Solid oxide electrolyzers operate at much higher temperatures, at around 700-800℃, while PEM electrolyzers operate at 80-90℃ and alkaline electrolyzers at up to 100℃ (Cummins., 2020; U.S. Department of Energy, 2021). Seawater Desalination Freshwater can be bought from suppliers however, the usage of seawater fed electrolysis a growing as it can be more efficient and appropriate depending on the potable water scarcity within the location of the plant. Representing around 96.5% of the water on Earth, seawater can be considered in abundance and particularly suitable for coastal regions. The purification and desalination of water can be achieved through various methods such as reverse osmosis, multi-stage flash distillation, electrodialysis, and multiple effect distillation (Ibrahim & Moussab, 2020; Khan, et al., 2021). Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) has undergone great technological advancements in the form of improved membrane technology, more efficient energy recovery devices, and process optimization that have resulted in lower energy, CAPEX, and OPEX requirements. Desalination plants can expect power consumption of about 3 kWh per m3 of desalinated water. The CAPEX of an SWRO plant varies depending on the technology, location, and plant size (Khan, et al., 2021). The CAPEX of various plant sizes is summarised in Table 2. The OPEX of an SWRO plant accounts for plant maintenance, labor, chemicals, and membrane exchange and equates to around EUR 0.23/(m3/annum) (Azinheira, et al., 2019). Based on the typical area requirement of 25 acres for a seawater desalination plant with a capacity of 100 million m3/annum (Einav, et al., 2002), the required land area can be considered at 0.01 km2/(10 million m3/annum). REFERENCES: ADFC (no date). Hydrogen Basics. [online] Available at: https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen_basics.html. [Accessed 20 October 2021]. Antweiler, W. (2020). What role does hydrogen have in the future of electric mobility? [online] Available at: https://wernerantweiler.ca/blog.php?item=2020-09-28. [Accessed 12 November 2021]. Azinheira, G., Segurado, R. & Costa, M. (2019). ‘Is Renewable Energy-Powered Desalination a Viable Solution for Water Stressed Regions? A Case Study in Algarve, Portugal’, Energies, Vol. 12, doi: 10.3390/en12244651. Bezdek, R. H. (2019). ‘The hydrogen economy and jobs of the future’, Renew. Energy Environ. Sustain., Volume 4, January 2019, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/rees/2018005. BNEF (2020). ‘Hydrogen Economy’ Offers Promising Path to Decarbonization. [online] Available at: https://about.bnef.com/blog/hydrogen-economy-offers-promising-path-to-decarbonization/. [Accessed 22 December 2021]. Bruce, S., Temminghodd, M, Hayward, J., Schmidt, E., Munnings, C., Palfreyman, D. & Hartley, P. 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(2009). ‘Hydrogen Resource Assessment – Hydrogen Potential from Coal, Natural Gas, Nuclear, and Hydro Power’, NREL, Technical Report, February 2009. National Grid (2021a). The hydrogen colour spectrum. [online] Available at: https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/hydrogen-colour-spectrum. [Accessed 09 October 2021]. National Grid (2021b). What is hydrogen? [online] Available at: https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-is-hydrogen. [Accessed 09 October 2021]. Petrofac (2021). The difference between green hydrogen and blue hydrogen. [online] Available at: https://www.petrofac.com/media/stories-and-opinion/the-difference-between-green-hydrogen-and-blue-hydrogen/. [Accessed 03 December 2021]. PwC (2021). The green hydrogen economy – Predicting the decarbonisation agenda of tomorrow. [online] Available at: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/energy-utilities-resources/future-energy/green-hydrogen-cost.html. [Accessed 22 December 2021]. Statkraft (2021). 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Insight from Civils.ai founder Stevan Lukic It might not be obvious, but 2022 has been a big year for the construction industry. Let’s take a look at five projects shaping up to change the construction industry at its core. 1. Tesla’s Optimus Project Elon Musk’s announcement late last year that Tesla is developing their first fully automated humanoid caught many by surprise. Even more so for the construction industry who in 2022 are realising that one of Elon’s primary commitments for this robot is to develop it to replace humans in tiring, repetitive, or high risk work. Construction projects tick all three of these boxes. Using the sensor and best in class AI technology developed for their cars, these robots are expected to be one of the smartest in the industry, with Boston Dynamics the only robotics company currently in direct competition. The most popular robot developed by Boston Dynamics, Spot, costs a hefty $70,000 meaning that there is a gap in the market for a low cost humanoid robot capable of replacing humans. The robot which is expected to stand at 173 centimetres tall and weigh 57 kilograms is designed to be physically weaker than an average human, however, use of these robots could drastically speed up the construction process, allowing for a tireless workforce capable of handling risky situations. 2. Civils.ai Artificial Intelligence and construction data Civil Engineers rely on accurate data to make their design predictions and assessments. To find this data most Engineer’s need to spend hours pouring through PDF’s and technical catalogues searching for references. Or resorting to Google search and not necessarily following the advice “don’t trust everything you read on the internet”. Accurate design and planning of construction projects are important. Finding cost, duration, programme, engineering properties and technical data is needed for Engineer’s to make the right decision. Civils.ai is an open-source Civil Engineering analysis and data provider. They are digitising construction information and providing calculators to solve a Civil Engineer’s most commonly occurring issues. With calculators for geotechnical analysis such as bored and driven pile design, bearing capacity and retaining wall design Civils.ai has Geotechnical Engineer’s well covered. Structural Engineers can perform frame analysis, steel section design and beam analysis. Tunnel Engineers can design tunnel linings and mining SCL design on the platform. Civils.ai provides free Civil Engineering design calculators and most of the code is open-source, with a community of Engineers from around the world working tirelessly to improve the platform. The end game for Civils.ai is to provide the first artificial intelligence solution to the construction industry on the database of construction information they are building, allowing for parametric design and Civil Engineering automation. 3. Internet of Things (IoT) Tracking materials and resources are being increasingly important in the construction industry and several startups and breaking through with new solutions. Solutions are emerging to monitor the health and stress levels of lone workers and notify site management of any potential incidents involving the worker and to call for emergency assistance. Other solutions are being created to provide a more complete overview of the supply chain, tracking items with QR codes linked to BIM repositories and RFID systems. Most IoT systems focus on tracking key metrics related to construction progress in terms of time, cost and resources and can provide meaningful insights into the status of a project. Traditionally this kind of tracking would require the management team to communicate with the many stakeholders involved in a project and try to assemble the information and make the correct decisions, with IoT solutions, this can be automated. 4. HILTI Exoskeletons The HILTI Exoskeleton is a fascinating piece of equipment. Costing only $1,599 it is regarded as the first affordable exoskeleton in the construction industry. The exoskeleton allows construction workers to perform overhead work for longer periods of time, complementing their range of anchors and fixing solutions, which are often installed, you guessed it, overhead. The exoskeleton is a game changer as previous exoskeletons have cost upwards of $100,000 making this a near 100x improvement. Direct comparisons with other exoskeletons such as the full body Sarcos Robotics’ Guardian XO are not entirely fair due to the significant difference in load bearing capacity, with the Guardian XO amplifying human strength by a whopping 20x and the Hilti exoskeleton providing a minor reduction in arm and shoulder fatigue whilst using their drilling equipment. The price tag for the Hilti exoskeleton is certainly amazing and shows that the use of exoskeletons in construction has a bright future. 5. Digital twins I will be totally honest, I hadn’t heard of the term ‘digital twin’ until a year ago. I commonly referred to any kind of 2D or 3D geospatial modeling as BIM. However digital twins are now the buzz and I’m happy to join the hype. The key element of a digital twin is that construction is only one element in the lifespan of a building. If a building takes 5 years to build but has a serviceability life of 150 years, our construction BIM model is covering only 3.3% of its existence. The key idea of digital twins is that creating an accurate and precise digital twin of a project during its inception can pay huge dividends later in the building's lifecycle. Incorporating data into the digital twin on component details and supply chain data can make finding a replacement part 10 years from now a piece of cake. Tracking building progress can also be simplified with a single source of truth for knowing which components are already installed, which are on their way, and where productivity is hitting snags Recommended: Dimensions of BIM explained (4D, 5D, 6D,7D) Insight from Civils.ai founder Stevan Lukic

by Er. Bishwonath Paudel Quick Take Civil engineers plan, design, construct, operate and maintain roads, bridges, dams, water supply schemes, sewerage systems, transportation, harbors, canals, dockyards, airports, railways, factories, and large buildings. Civil engineers may perform the following tasks: Investigate sites to work out the most suitable foundation for a proposed construction Research and advice on the best engineering solution to meet a client’s needs and budget Produce detailed designs and documentation for the construction and implementation of civil engineering projects Organize the delivery of materials, plant, and equipment needed for the construction project and supervise labor Develop detailed programs for the coordination of site activities Talk to other engineers, architects, landscape architects, and environmental scientists Assist government bodies in preparing yearly works programs within set budgets (e.g. for works on car parks, drainage, roads, aerodromes, or sewerage) Prepare engineering calculations required for the design of projects and supervise the drafting Operate computers to assist with the design of civil engineering projects Coordinate and direct research development and testing of materials, processes, or systems related to civil engineering works Research, advise on and plan the control and minimization of air, water, and solid waste pollution, and the management of water Supervise the testing and commissioning of completed works Analyze and interpret reports on loading, labor, productivity, quality, materials, and performance Analyze risks associated with natural disasters including wind, earthquake, fire, and floods, and design structures and services to meet appropriate standards Arrange for geological and geophysical investigations and carry out feasibility studies. Recommended to you: Career Advice: Do I need an engineering degree to be in engineering? Civil Engineer Career Path by Abdullah Ali Abbasi PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS: Able to identify, analyze and solve problems Good oral and written communication skills Aptitude for computing and design Practical and creative Able to work without supervision Able to work as part of a team Able to accept responsibility Willing to contribute and adhere to the safety requirements of the operation. PROUD TO BE A CIVIL ENGINEER? Yes or no comments down below This article is courtesy of Er. Bishwonath Paudel

Summary of the Project example: A project developer has established a special purpose company (SPC) to develop an onshore windfarm in Norway. The SPC has undertaken environmental studies to define the availability of the specific location wind resource, the geology of the site ground, access routes, and grid connection requirements. Read more about the Project Example details here: On-shore Wind farm Simple Cashflow Model Example in Norway What is the Internal Rate of Return (IRR)? The internal rate of return (IRR) is a metric used in financial analysis to estimate the profitability of potential investments. IRR is a discount rate that makes the net present value (NPV) of all cash flows equal to zero in a discounted cash flow analysis. IRR calculations rely on the same formula as NPV does. Keep in mind that IRR is not the actual dollar value of the project. It is the annual return that makes the NPV equal to zero. from Investopedia Enhancement of equity rate of return considered parameters As seen in Table 1, the loan grace period, gearing ratio, increase of PPA, and WTGs degradation factor were adjusted to potentially enhance the equity rate of return of the base model without compromising the bankability of the SPC. Financial parameters such as the grace period included a range of 2 to 4 years with the gearing ratio ranging from 75D/25E to 95D/5E. Technical parameters such as the WTG’s annual degradation factor ranged from 1.2% to 1.57% with the PPA ranging from the average value of 52.5 EUR/MWh (base model assumption) to the maximum value given of 60 EUR/MWh. Parameters of Equity IRR and minimum DSCR were assessed for every option with results shown in Figure 1. The enhancement of the Equity IRR of this example is based on the cash flow model below. Click the link to find out more and download for FREE the excel spreadsheet Enhancement of equity rate of return cash flow model results summary As seen in Figure 1, the equity IRR of all options has increased in a range of 2-18%. Option 3 has the highest Equity IRR with an increase of 18%. This could be justified due to the financial leverage of the high gearing ratio of 95D-5E. It could also be pointed out that a minimum DSCR of 1.25 suggests a strong bankable option. Nevertheless, it could be argued that when project finance is heavily dependent on debt, a change in loan interest rate could jeopardize the overall operations of the SPC. Comparing options 2 and 4, a difference of 4% on equity IRR and a more acceptable minimum DSCR (1.16 to 1.03) could be observed which suggests adjusting a lower WTG degradation factor and a higher PPA per year will improve shareholder profits. However, the degradation factor is a dependent variable on the cash flow of the project, as this is based solely on technology improvements in the industry and cannot be predicted. Overall, it could be seen that a grace period of 3 years (Option 1 and 3) has the best bankability for the project as well as having a minimum DSCR is an acceptable range. Furthermore, it should be also pointed out that the base model dividends to cash reserve ratio are at 90-10, which means increasing the dividends paid will subsequently increase shareholder’s return. However, by doing so, a higher risk is accrued if an unexpected maintenance cost is required. You may also find Useful: Wind Energy Overview 2022 Advantages and Disadvantages of an EPC Contractor in an SPC Green energy project (minority investor) Other parameters that affect the equity rate of return of the project It can be argued that a PPA agreement with the North Sea link could be arranged to provide energy to the UK at a higher price to increase revenues, however, recent market values suggest that the latest agreements of €48 (£41.61)/MWh, which is much lower than supplying energy to locals as assumed in the base model. Furthermore, a more in-depth debt sculpting could be carried out to reduce the interest payments and adjust the annual earnings and the DSCR to acceptable levels for the bankability of the project. Also, an increase in the year period of the cash flow will subsequently increase the equity return to investors as the loan is accounted for a 12-year tenor which is over in 14. A technical parameter that could also benefit the profitability is to maximize the efficiency of the farm by using higher capacity WTGs and standardizing proven design procedures to bring down the capital costs. Read more about the Cashflow Model here: On-shore Wind farm Simple Cashflow Model Example in Norway

What Uplift pressure means? An uplift pressure is any pressure exerted beneath a structure (e.g. A retaining wall) that has the potential to raise the structure higher relative to its surroundings. Most common uplift pressures come from water pressures present around the structure. Permitting flow through a permeable stratum will reduce the hydrostatic pressure in the water due to energy losses. However, some of this water will remain under any impermeable structure and produce forces vertically to the structure (see picture below). The excess pore water pressure remaining will produce an uplift beneath the structure and an uplift of the whole structure can occur. However, if the structure has sufficient deadweight or appropriate anchorage system ( Eurocode 7 check required) the uplift pressures will be balance and no failure will occur. How to calculate Uplift pressures. Calculating Uplift pressures is much easier than you thought Pore water pressure "u" is : u = γwH γw = Unit weight of water = 10 kN/m3 H = Height = in metres (m) Since pore water pressure acts equally in all directions ( hydrostatic pressure) uplift pressure equals the pore water pressure but at the underside of an impermeable structure. Uplift Water Pressure = Pore Water Pressure (kN/m2) Essential Books for Civil Engineering Students Amazon's Choice What does Eurocode 7 say about Uplift Pressure Failure Check? Example of a design for a Retaining Wall According to Eurocode 7 - BS EN 1997-1 (Part 1: General rules), at Section 6.5.2.1 Bearing Resistance: Where: Vd: Shall include the weight of the foundation, the weight of any backfill material and all earth pressures, either favourable or unfavourable. Rd: Soil Bearing Capacity calculated from the Geotechnical Investigation Report. You May Also Like: Concrete variable radius arch dam explained An arch dam is a concrete dam that is curved upstream in a plan. The arch dam is designed so that the force of the water against it. Advantages of the arch dame are... Read More...

Students from the European Union wishing to study in Britain from the 2021 academic year will have to pay higher fees because of Brexit, the UK government has confirmed. Until now, EU students shared the same status as their British counterparts and as such paid the same fees. They could also access UK government loans to pay those fees. Currently, British and EU nationals pay fees of up to £9,250 (€10,210) per year for an undergraduate degree. 👉 Visit Structures Insider's homepage for more stories.👈 As per Euronews: Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute think tank, described the government decision as "not a huge surprise". He also went to add: "Moreover, history suggests that the education on offer in our universities is something people are willing to pay for," he went on, calling for the government to nevertheless "adopt sensible post-Brexit migration rules". Currently, British and EU nationals pay fees of up to £9,250 (€10,210) per year for an undergraduate degree. The fees for international students vary from between £10,000 (€11,040) and £38,000 (€41,945) depending on the university and the degree. Nevertheless, EUROPE'S Universities offer one of the best courses for studying Civil Engineering. Here are a couple of the top of the top 1. TU Delft, The Netherlands 🇳🇱 Delft University of Technology (Dutch: Technische Universiteit Delft) also known as TU Delft, is the oldest and largest Dutch public technological university and it is located in Delft, Netherlands. It is consistently ranked as the best university in the Netherlands and as of 2020, it is ranked by QS World University Rankings among the top 15 engineering and technology universities in the world. The university has eight faculties and numerous research institutes, it has more than 19,000 students (undergraduate and postgraduate) and employs more than 2,900 scientists and 2,100 support and management staff. https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/programmes/bachelors/ct/bachelor-of-civil-engineering/ DEGREE INFO 📐🏗 Degree: BSc Civil Engineering Starts: September Study load: 180 EC, 36 months Working Language: Dutch Faculty: Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CEG) Form: Full time - on campus Tuition Fees: Dutch/EU students - € 2,143 Non-EU students - € 14,500 For Tuition fees more in-depth info: Read more here For Admission Requirments in-depth info click here FIELDS OF STUDY CAMPUS in Delft 2. The University of Pécs (PTE), Hungary 🇭🇺 The University of Pécs(PTE, Hungarian: Pécsi Tudományegyetem) is an institution of higher education in Hungary. Although the year 1367 appears in the seal of the university, it is not a successor of the medieval university founded in Pécs in 1367 by Louis I of Hungary. More than 20,000 students presently attend the University of Pécs, approximately 4,000 of whom are international students studying in English or Hungarian. DEGREE INFO 📐🏗 Degree: BSc Civil Engineering Starts: September Study load: 8 semesters Working Language: English or Hungarian Faculty: Department of Civil Engineering Form: Full time - on campus Tuition Fees: 3.400 USD (€ 3,012) per semester semester Total per year= $6,800 You can apply for this bachelor degree here For Admission Requirments in-depth info click here Course Overview This program is accredited by the Institute of Smart Technology and Engineering and meets the requirements to train innovative, up-to-date civil engineers who go on to design cities with structure. This wide-ranging scientific and engineering field covers large structures and constructions, building engineering, infrastructure management like bridges and highways, and municipal water and wastewater systems. Study of these fields comprises of learning classical engineering sciences such as mathematics, natural sciences and economics. In addition to engineering subjects, the program provides training in computers and communication skills. Here is the curriculum of the course : Source: PTE faculty of Engineering and Information Technology 3. Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania 🇱🇹 Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) is a public research university located in Kaunas, Lithuania initially established on January 27, 1920. With an increased rate of staffing and attendance, the school was instituted as the first independent higher education institution within Lithuania by the government on February 16, 1922. Renamed Vytautas Magnus in 1930, the university specialized in four areas: civil engineering, mechanics, electrical engineering, and chemical technology. KTU Vision Faculty is aiming to be an authority in Construction, engineering and architecture fields, offering top-quality studies and conducting first-rate research. KTU Mission To carry out Civil engineering and architecture studies based on research and innovation on an international level. To contribute to the achievement of country and region-specific objectives of the sustainable environment through scientific and advisory activities, to train highly skilled architects and construction engineers. DEGREE INFO 📐🏗 Degree: BSc Civil Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering Sciences) Starts: September Study load: 4 years (240ECTS) Working Language: English ( IELTS≥5.5, TOEFL≥75, CEFR≥B2, or equivalent) Faculty: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture Form: Full time - on campus Tuition Fees: €2,951 per year You can apply for this bachelor degree here For Admission Requirments in-depth info click here Top reasons to study at KTU: 1. Building Information Modelling (BIM), applied in the study process, equips the students with the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. 2. Wide range of industry partners provides the students hands-on experience in the class and on the site. The best students may be offered to be employed after successful practice. 3. Testing ideas and technological solutions at professionals’ competitions “Technorama”, “Smart City”, “Structum”. Source: fcea.ktu.edu Source: euronews Read more: 5 Structures you can't miss when visiting Madrid, Spain Planning a trip to Cologne? This is everything you need to know about Cologne Cathedral What's the most impressive ancient structure in the world?

by Civils.ai Constantly re-reading the new starter instructions, not being able to sleep the night before, wearing overly formal clothes for the first (and last) time to the office, feeling like every question you ask is stupid, and being walked around and introduced to everyone in the team. The first day of work for Civil Engineer’s is awkward, but exciting and is definitely a lasting memory. Here I will cover 5 things I wish I’d known as a new starter in the construction industry. 5. If you didn’t already take an internship then you could be in for a surprise. The truth is that most Civil Engineering degrees will give you a ‘foundation’ (excuse the pun) of knowledge. After you graduate, you will be able to understand the principles of Engineering and perhaps some general understanding of management and business. Unless you took an internship or worked on a construction site before you will not have experienced an angry Foreman asking why the steel beams which arrived on the site are 30cm too short, on a rainy Tuesday morning, whilst stood in a muddy field. Civil Engineer’s are generally the reliable, highly educated members of any construction project and you should expect to not always be sat in your comfortable office but being pulled into any duties where they need someone to be held accountable. The majority of Engineers working in the industry are not in design roles, in fact only around 4% of a project budget is usually spent on design and therefore you may draw upon your foundational knowledge developed at University from time to time but you may actually end up quite far removed from it. 4. You will usually be protected from the realities of the job, for a while. Within a month or two of working the job most graduates I meet start to seek more responsibility than they are given. It’s great to be ambitious. But the undeniable truth is that until they have worked for 2 or 3 years their understanding of the intricate relationships between the different parties working on construction projects still needs to be developed. Ego’s need to be massaged. Politics needs to be played. Mistakes can be costly. Managers are ultimately responsible for who they assign to projects and the varying levels of responsibility which are given. Most graduates don’t realize that managers are protecting them from the realities of the industry, not just for the good of the graduates but also because the manager will be held accountable if something goes wrong. 3. Finding technical references and past project references is really important. Nearly all Engineers you come across (with a few notable exceptions) will want you to find past examples of calculations and technical information to use on their new project. You will get asked, “where have you done this before?” The reason for this is simple, copy and paste with a little amendment is far easier than starting something from scratch. Although every once in a while you will work on something new and sometimes revolutionary, the reality is most work has already been done before in some form or another and it can be repurposed, saving time and project budget. Finding these references though can be a challenge, if you don’t have references yourself and no one in your department has any technical references then you will need to search online. Luckily civils.ai has a great source of information for Civil Engineers to use including geotechnical, structural, and tunneling open-source calculations. They are building a database of supplier technical data and digitized boreholes and making it all open and available to Engineers around the world. Read more about Career Advice here 2. Focus on building relationships Relationships are an almost unspoken key element of the industry. The construction industry is traditional. Quite often a problem can be resolved by a senior manager simply stating the same words a junior engineer has repeatedly been saying. This can be because of track record, a prior history of working together, and being old drinking buddies. Whatever the reason, relationships are key to resolving issues and being efficient. My advice to fresh graduates is to focus on making great relationships with your colleagues, especially those around your same level as one day you will be in higher positions in the industry, and your relationship could be incredibly valuable and help you sleep better at night if things are not going well on a project. Try joining an Engineering institution, or an Industry society, or simply attend conferences and network to really get ahead with this. 1. Most managers don’t want you to reinvent the wheel I made this mistake myself. Perhaps it’s from a childhood spent playing with lego too much and a vivid imagination. The first design handed to me was for a temporary works design of a basket for lifting specialist materials on site. Instead of trying to find a previous design of such baskets I decided to try and create my own revolutionary basket design, welded together with a wide range of different steel section sizes and types. I didn’t discuss it closely with my boss until nearing the end of the initial design process, with my intention being to impress him with my design skills. I think it’s safe to say he was quite horrified with my Frankenstein-like design and angry at me for wasting my time. He passed me an example design and said to amend it instead. It’s important to understand you may have ambitions to be the best Engineer ever to enter the industry but try to understand your manager's requirements first. Insight from Civils.ai founder Stevan Lukic

The Functional organization structure Source: PowerSlides This structure provides the framework for the activities of the organization and must harmonize with its goals and objectives. A functional structure is based on top-down hierarchy levels that include different departments that group individuals by specialization, common knowledge, and skills (indeed, 2021). Some advantages of functional structures are increased productivity and efficiency because specialist departments work independently of each other with minimal supervision which offers work to be completed faster (indeed, 2021). Specialist groups having common skills and knowledge creates an environment of clarity that allows the company to tap into high-level information related to a specific topic (MasterClass, 2022). Disadvantages of Functional Structure Furthermore, some disadvantages include the potential competition between departments in inter-department collaborations since each department has its own set of specific goals which sometimes results in the distortion of the company’s broader goals and objectives. It is the manager's responsibility to maintain a harmonious work environment which could be a difficult task as poor communication is present across functional areas (MasterClass, 2022). Decision-making is inefficient as formal approvals from management are required which in time-pressured situations may slow the delivery of a project (indeed, 2021). Recommended to you: Cost, Time and Quality | The Golden Triangle in Construction The Matrix organization structure Source: Asana The matrix structure allows the integration of various engineering specialist departments to work in a project lead environment through a two-way flow of authority and responsibility of project managers (horizontally) and specialist engineer managers (vertical direct chain of command). This structure provides a stable base for specialized activities and a permanent location for staff (Mullins, 2016), which allows for efficient use of resources and sharing of skills that reduce overhead costs and project time completion (Asana, 2021). Advantages of a Matrix Structure Compared to a hierarchical structure, a matrix has the pros of allowing free flow of information between departments which increases team productivity, offers greater security and project information control and gets the project done more effectively which was one of the issues identified in Arundel’s SWOT analysis (Asana, 2021) (Mullins, 2016). Disadvantages of a Matrix Structure Nevertheless, the matrix structure has some disadvantages. The structure can overcomplicate operations and be time-consuming as to who to report to due to the presence of two leaders (Asana, 2021) (Mullins, 2016). Divided loyalties and role conflicts can arise, if staff is brought into this structure at a later stage of their careers, which will potentially require supportive training programs to help staff develop their conflict resolution and teamwork skills (Senior & Swailes, 2016). It should be stated that developing an effective matrix organization takes time and patience to learn its new roles and behavior which makes it harder for the management to implement it (Kolodny, 1981). Hence, a potential phased transition period of organizational change should be curried out. Discover: Construction Finance at Coursera What you will learn: Construction Project Management introduces you to Project Initiation and Planning. Industry experts join Columbia University professor, Ibrahim Odeh, to give an overview of the construction industry. Professor Odeh teaches the fundamentals of the Project Development Cycle while guest lecturers discuss the Lean Project Delivery method and Lean Design Behaviors. Technological advances, such as Building Information Modeling, will be introduced with real-world examples of the uses of BIM during the Lifecycle of the Project. The course concludes with Professor Odeh discussing the importance of project planning and scheduling and an opportunity to develop a Work Breakdown Structure. Take the free Course Now BONUS information: Working Groups v Teams Source: Asana Groups and teams are essential features of any organisation. The understanding of both systems is vital for the success of a business. Groups A group is a collective of individuals that coordinate their efforts to share information and make decisions independently and have individual accountability towards the collective objective (Asana B, 2021) (Katzenbach & Smith, 1993). Groups are great for efficiency, career growth, specialization, and doing parallel work. However, groups lack team bonding and teamwork, communication efficiency, and lack organizational clarity. Teams Teams are defined by a shared purpose and responsibility of team members who are both individual and mutually accountable. Sharing of information and collective decision-making increases collective performance and promotes innovation (Katzenbach & Smith, 1993) (Asana B, 2021). Some of the advantages of teams are, improved productivity, quicker problem solving, and better communication. However, drawbacks are the reduction in efficiency and low individual growth as the collective is more important than the individual. A comparison of both groups and teams is illustrated below. REFERENCES Asana, 2021. What is a matrix organization and how does it work?. [Online] Available at: https://asana.com/resources/matrix-organization [Accessed 6 March 2022]. indeed.com, 2021. 4 Types of Organizational Structures. [Online] Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/functional-structure [Accessed 2 March 2022]. Kolodny, H. F., 1981. In: Managing in a Matrix. s.l.:Business horizons, pp. 17-24. Kreitner, R., Kinicki, A. & Buelens, M., 1999. Organizational Behaviour. In: f. E. edition, ed. s.l.:McGraw-Hill. masterClass.com, 2022. Functional Structure: 3 Characteristics of Functional Structure. [Online] Available at: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/functional-structure#3-key-characteristics-of-functional-structure [Accessed 6 March 2022]. MindTools, 2022. Herzberg's Motivators and Hygiene Factors Learn How to Motivate Your Team. [Online] Available at: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/herzberg-motivators-hygiene-factors.htm [Accessed 3 March 2022]. Mullins, L. J., 2016. Management and organisational behaviour. 11th ed. London: Pearson . OpenLearn, 2022. 3.5.2 Handy’s four types of organisational cultures. [Online] Available at: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/money-business/leadership-management/management-perspective-and-practice/content-section-3.5.2 [Accessed 12 March 2022]. Senior, B. & Swailes, S., 2016. Organizational Change. 5th Edition ed. s.l.:Pearson. Xiaoming, C. & Junchen, H., 2012. A Literature review on organisation culture and corporate performance. International Jourrnal of Business Administration, 3(2), pp. 28-37.

by Good Foundations Engineering Tutors In your later years of study, you will be performing project design tasks that simulate the work required of a practicing engineer. There are a number of resources available to help with these tasks that will also be useful in the years to come as a graduate engineer. Institution memberships (UK-based) A student membership in professional institutions is valuable to students for two reasons. Firstly a student membership entitles you to access resources useful to your studies including design guides and manuals. The Institution of Structural Engineers (IstructE) publishes a series of technical guidance notes that set out clearly how to perform design tasks such as designing steel and concrete elements to the Eurocodes. They also provide guidance on areas less well covered in university and likely useful for your design projects such as best practices for engineering drawings and typical construction methods. Secondly, a student membership of a professional institution is attractive to employers who will see it as a sign that you are dedicated to the profession, and already starting on the path to becoming a chartered engineer. When you graduate you are able to move along the pathway of the institutions to become a graduate member, before embarking on your development to become a fully chartered member. For the IstructE the final stage is a 1-day technical examination. Companies that value chartered engineers are more likely to be employers committed to technical excellence and ethical engineering practice. They are also more likely to support their young engineers to become chartered. Find out more about the IstructE membership here Structural Engineers Pocket Book The Structural Engineers Pocket Book is a valuable resource for practicing engineers and engineering students. Useful chapters cover: Design data: typical weights, typical loads Shortcut tools for structural analysis Timber/Masonry/Reinforced Concrete/Structural Steel/Composite Steel and Concrete/Structural Glass Sustainability The pocketbook is a useful resource to have handy for quick concept design stage calculations. It is available free to read online for members of the IstructE, or can be purchased online for approximately £20. Steelconstruction.info Steel construction info identifies itself as the free encyclopedia of UK steel construction information. There is a large amount of useful free information on the site including design guides produced by the Steel Construction Institute. Some useful free guides include: Design of Steel Portal Frame Buildings to Eurocode 3 Structural Robustness of Steel Framed Buildings Steel Building Design - Concise Eurocodes The Concise Eurocode document is particularly useful as it condenses and explains the lengthy and somewhat reader unfriendly Eurocode 3 into a more manageable document. There is also a link to the interactive ‘blue book'‘- an online resource that provides section property data is provided as well as tables of member resistances. Simple design tools are also provided that can be used to quickly assess the capacity of steel members. These tools are particularly useful for verifying hand calculations. You can access steelconstruction.info here. The Concrete Centre The Concrete Centre provides published guidance, seminars, courses, online resources, and industry research which is valuable to practicing engineers and students alike. Some of this guidance is free - some useful free publications include: How to design RC Flat Slabs using Finite Element Analysis Structural Design of concrete and masonry: A compendium of technical papers Multi-storey concrete car-parks The Concrete Centre also runs a program of free webinars that cover themes such as sustainability, best practice in design, and how-to guides. A range of case studies is also highlighted that will be of interest to students who are passionate about concrete design. They can also be used to give students ideas on companies to add to a shortlist of possible employers (especially if concrete design and technical excellence are priorities). The concrete centre can be accessed here. Note by Will Whiting. Will is an engineering tutor and founder of Good Foundations Engineering Tutors. Good Foundations connects engineering students with industry-experienced tutors, guiding and inspiring the next generation of engineers. Please visit the website for more information.

by 2050 Materials If you have ever been involved in a construction project from inception to completion, you probably heard the term “VE” tens, if not hundreds of times. On pretty much every project out there, of any size, a value engineering exercise has taken place in one form or another. Either formally through a team workshop, or over a phone call with the contractor. So what is the value engineering process? By definition, value is the ratio of function to cost. It can be increased by either reducing the cost or improving the function of a certain element, product, or service. It is a systemic team brainstorming approach, which allows for the discovery of better-performing alternatives. It generally involves 5 key phases: The information phase: Understanding the background and reasoning of the existing design, and why an alternative solution would meet the client’s objectives better while providing more value. The creative phase: A brainstorming session, or any of them. This is where the design team and other team members get creative and look at potential alternative ideas for the elements in the discussion. The analysis phase: This is the elimination process of impractical creative ideas. All remaining proposals worthy of further evaluation undergo further development, often focusing on other impacts beyond cost such as aesthetics or sustainability. The development phase: Here, the remaining ideas evolve into workable solutions, including an outline of pros and cons, sketches, detailed descriptions, cost-benefit analyses, and so on. The presentation phase: A detailed session including the final recommendation to the client for implementation approval. Recommended: ISO 1040 Life Cycle Assessment framework - Explained In construction, value engineering is a powerful tool for quality and cost improvements. It is a process where systems, logistics plans, design strategies, and building materials are reviewed, reassessed, and substituted to reduce capital costs, without negatively impacting functionality. It is all about looking at the bigger picture through a strong collective team effort while striving to maximize the quality and value of the project. Unfortunately, sustainability is still a secondary consideration in value engineering exercises today. At 2050 Materials, we are democratizing sustainability and enabling environmental impact considerations alongside cost for value engineering exercises, at any project stage. Who is involved and when? Value engineering feeds on collaboration, and it includes most of the project stakeholders throughout all project phases. At every project lifecycle stage, detailed input on value engineering decisions is required from team members with varying expertise and experience, such as: The client/owner/investor The architect The structural/services/sound/fire engineers The project manager The quantity surveyor The contractor, sub-contractors, and so on For example, in the early stages, any changes or improvements in value are highly dependent on the professional consultants and the design team. During the construction phase, however, the contractor needs to be heavily involved and provide advice on the feasibility of any proposed change, as well as the impact it may have on the program and cost. Value engineering can happen at any time during a project, but as you would imagine the benefits are greatest at the project inception or early design stages. The need for abortive works or delays can easily reach prohibitive levels for any VE consideration to be effective later on… If you want to be proactive and ahead of the game on your project, follow our LinkedIn page to stay up to date with our launch. It’s not all about programme and cost The construction sector is responsible for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Decarbonizing the sector is one of the most critical and effective actions on the global climate change mitigation agenda. Annual global emissions are projected to be 52–58Gt.CO2e by 2030, approximately double to what the planet needs in order to stay below 1.5˚C (ICE, 2021). Obviously, the need for change is real. Just like value engineering can be utilized to generate improvements between functionality and cost, it can also be used to enhance the sustainability performance of construction projects. In the face of the climate emergency, new regulations and sector targets (also see here) are coming into play, adding a new dimension to the value engineering process. The embodied carbon of construction materials can reach up to 50% of lifecycle emissions for the average building, yet project teams and clients tend to still view it as a “nice-to-have” consideration. According to a study conducted in Sydney, last April results indicated that by evaluating an alternative structural framing option made of timber during the VE exercise, embodied carbon was reduced by up to 26%, and even cost was reduced 5%. Timing is key. The UKGBC released the Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the built environment earlier this month, calling for investors and lenders to set embodied carbon targets in project briefs and project funding criteria. It also calls for carbon literacy improvements and more investment in training plans for project teams, both at an educational but also “standards and guidance” level. At the end of the day, carbon and circularity considerations in value engineering exercises must be comprehended, evaluated, and managed by project teams themselves. It’s not all about programme and cost, it’s time to change priorities. Clearly, the environmental benefits are massive when integrating sustainability metrics into value engineering exercises, but by implementing sustainable design practices on their projects, clients also “future-proof” their assets. They gain far greater marketing and competitive advantages integrated within their portfolio, due to societal benefits and compliance. How can you include sustainability in the VE process? Project teams need the appropriate tool that enables easy substantiation for the use of natural, low-carbon, and climate-neutral materials in lieu of conventional materials and methods. If you have a new project or an upcoming VE exercise on your existing project, reach out to us to find out how we can help you find, compare and justify truly sustainable products today.