END OF SEMESTER EXAMINATION

SEMESTER I, 2006/ 2007 SESSION

Answer Scheme AQS 4192

Civil Engineering Construction 2
Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental

Design
 International Islamic University
Malaysia
QUESTION 1(25 marks)

a) State the scope of civil engineering works on the development activities.

• The scope of Civil Engineering on the development activities are as-

1) This profession is concerned with the creation of systems of constructed
facilities, which play an important role in sound economic growth of society.
2) It is also concerned with the development of technologies to fight pollution of air,
water, and soil.
3) It is responsible for the design of foundations and superstructures of common
structures such as buildings, bridges, dams, tunnels, dockyard, river and flood
mitigation, highway, airport and railway, tunnel, as well as many unusual structures.
4) In addition, it is concerned with the engineering aspects of water resources;
transportation facilities; planning metropolitan areas, and conducting and managing
their public facilities.
5) Also dealing with environmental problems, it performs vital functions
6) It is responsible of designing, analysing and constructing structures traditional and
contemporary.

b) Describe the different types of rivers with their behaviour.

o Types of Rivers and characteristics

Rivers

On the basis of topography of river On the basis of flood

basin hydrographs
Rivers in hills Rivers alluvial
(upper plains, known as Flashy Virgin
reaches) rivers in flood
plains (lower
Rocky Boulder reaches)
River River Aggrading
stage stage

Degrading

Stable

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 Deltaic

 Behaviour of Rivers
Silt and sediment that flows in the river can mould the behaviour of the river. These are
main factors for the creation of numerous problems such as-

i) Increasing of flood levels;

ii) Silting of reservoir;
iii) Silting of irrigation and navigation channel;
iv) Meandering of rivers (it causes to leave their original courses, forces
them to flow along new courses and thus devastating vast areas of land
and affecting valuable and important structures nearby such as bridges,
highway and railway lines, etc.);
v) Splitting up of a river into a number of interlaced channel.

b) i) What is meant by river training?

ii) What are the different objectives served by it?

River training a wider aspect covers all those engineering works which are
constructed on a river, so as to guide and confine the flow to the river channel, and to
control and regulate the river bed configuration, thus ensuring safe and effective
disposal of floods and sediment loads.

Aim of the river training: Stabilizing and training the river along a certain alignment
with a suitable waterway is, therefore, the first and foremost aim of river training.

The river training works may serve the following objectives-

i) To prevent the river from changing its course and to avoid outflanking of structures
like bridges, weirs, aqueducts, etc.
ii) To prevent flooding of the surrounding countries by providing a safe passage for the
flood waters without overtopping the banks;
iii) To protect the river banks by deflecting the river away from the attacked banks;
iv) To ensure effective disposal of sediment load;
v) To provide minimum water depth required for navigation.

d) Explain the flood warning facilities with their importance.

Flood warning facilities

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Apart from improving the drainage system, facilities are in place to monitor the flow
conditions in major rivers and to provide flood warnings to nearby villagers.

• River gauges are installed in the main rivers to monitor and record
variations of water levels during heavy rains.
• Using computerized equipment, other departments are notified for
assistance.
• When water rises to certain levels, flood warnings will be issued to
villagers to take appropriate precautionary measures.
• Flood shelters are available for the use of villagers affected by heavy
rainstorms.

QUESTION 2(25 marks)

a) Describe the design principles of earth dam.

• Slopes of an earth dam is horizontal to vertical- 2: 1 and

usually 3: 1

• If the dam is on pervious materials foundation, it may be necessary to

increase the base width to reduce seepage.

• Earth dams can be built to almost any height and on foundations not strong
enough for concrete dams.

• Pervious materials are sand, gravel and clay.

• Impervious materials are as concrete and asphalt.

b) Describe how is a concrete dam constructed?

1) Materials: Where will the materials for the project come from?

2) Diversion: The water must be diverted from its normal course in order to build the dam.
Through the use of tunnel or cofferdam.

3) Foundation: The foundation must be stable and solid.

4) Forms: The size of the blocks is determined by things like how big the dam is or how far
the concrete must travel to get there. The blocks, called formwork, can be built from wood or
steel.

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5) Pouring: Concrete must be mixed at a mixing plant, either on-site or off the site, and then
transported to the formwork and poured into it.
6) Insulation: The finish both protects the dam from premature weathering and makes the
dam more aesthetically pleasing for the public

7) Additional structures: There may be additional structures to the main dam. A spillway
might be built to release excess water from the reservoir -- it is basically a path for the water
to go around the dam. Outlet works can also be built to regulate the release of water from
the dam. If the dam is to create hydroelectric power, the power plant must be built.

8) Maintenance: After a dam is constructed and in use, it must be monitored closely to

ensure that cracking, leakage, and erosion are kept to a minimum. Without careful
monitoring and consequently maintaining a dam, a preventable catastrophe may result

c) Identify the protecting criteria of water retaining structures.

Waterproofing products designed for protecting water-retaining structures for drinking water
applications need to meet additional requirements. These includes-

i) Safe for use in contact with drinking water

ii) High resistance to leaching (leaking)
iii) Protection from infection
iv) Resistant to attack from condensate
v) Smooth, easily cleaned surface

d) Explain the selection process of water proofing materials in water retaining

structures.

• The main function of water retaining structure is to protect the reserve water from
contamination or adverse effect of pollution which is used for the particular purpose
such as drinking, bathing, irrigation or aquatic culture, etc. For that reasons
cementitious waterproofing products are essentially needed to provide a number of
options for the waterproofing of water-retaining structures.

• The choice of water proofing system depends on a number factors such as

i) the type of water (e.g. potable water of effluent) to be retained;
ii) the construction type/ material used to build the structure;
iii) water proofing system;
iv) the web- site provides detail information about water-proofing system
(BS-8007).

QUESTION 3 (25 marks)

a) Discuss the necessity of earth retaining structures.

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 • the basic points

A structure that resists horizontal or lateral soil pressure an abrupt change in ground
elevation which is known as retaining structure or retaining wall.

Retaining walls are usually built to hold back soil mass. However, retaining walls can also be
constructed for aesthetic landscaping purposes.

• the purposes

i) Retaining structures are used in many design situations where instantaneously

changes in the ground slope.
ii) It is in along highway or railroads cuts and fills situation, in this case retaining structure
helps to reduce the cut and fills.
iii) Earth retaining structures are also used in the many other locations as well, such as
for bridge abutments, basement walls, and culverts.

• the forces that are involved with earth retaining structures.

The forces involved with retaining structures are as-

i) Gravity load: a) concrete and b) any soil on the top of footings;
ii) Lateral pressure from the soil, and
iii) Bearing resistance of the soil.

• There are several types of earth retaining structures:

i) Simple Gravity Wall;

ii) Semi gravity wall;
iii) Cantilever wall;
iv) Counter-fort wall;
v) Buttress wall and
vi) Tie- back wall

b) Identify the selection criteria of retaining structures.

i. Soil type;
ii. Retained height;
iii. Levels;
iv. Soil disturbances;
v. Soil boundary;
vi. Permeability requirements;
vii. Surface treatment;
viii. Aesthetic;
ix. Drainage;
x. Landscaping Potential;
xi. Access for construction;
xii. Cost;

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 c) Evaluate the application of retaining structures. (4 marks)

1) Retaining walls can be used on both cut and fill slopes along roads.
2) Used to physically separate roads from stream channels.

Indicators of earth retaining structures

a) Eroding or unstable slopes, or slopes with debris eroding continuously into

roads, ditches and streams, may benefit from retaining wall construction.

b) Large fractures forming along a cut or fill slope may indicate a potential future
slump or slide that will need reinforcement.

d) Identify the typical checklists for the bridge construction project in conjunction
with the development of a satellite city. (5
marks)

• the design of bridges requires the collection of extensive data and from this then
selection of possible action. A sensible work plan should be devised for the
organizing and operation of information throughout the project from conception to
completion. So checklists are varied from project to project, but a typical example
can made as the following.
• Feasibility Phase
• Assembly of design criteria
• Design Phase
• Construction Phase
• Performance Phase

QUESTION 4 (20 marks)

Identify the checklists for the construction of the following infrastructure elements.
a) Highway Bridge project over an aggrading river construction (with
an average current velocity of 20 m/ s and discharge of 43.9 m3/ s) to link
between two- satellite cities.
(9 marks)
The design of bridges requires the collection of extensive data and from this the selection of
possible options. Some checklists are given below- (checklist are varied with project to
project)

i. Feasibility phase

• Data collection
• Topographical and hydrographical survey
• Hydrological information

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 • Geological and geo-technical information
• Site investigation requirements for soil and rock evaluation
• Meteorological and aerodynamic data
• Assembly of basic criteria
• Likely budget

ii) Assembly of design criteria

• Data and properties on the materials to be used including steel, concrete, aluminium, timber,
masonry, etc.
• Foundation consideration
• Hydraulic consideration, flood, etc.
• Loading and design criteria
• Clearance height and width (such as for navigation and traffic)
• Criteria for gradients and alignment, etc.
• Hazards such as impact and accident, etc.
• Proximity to other engineering works
• Functional requirements
• Transportation and traffic planning
• Highway and or railway engineering aspects.
• Drainage requirements
• Provision for services (water, sewage, power, electricity, telephone, gas, communication
links)
• Design life and durability consideration

iii) Design Phase

• Choice of bridge;
• Detailed design of bridge including foundations, sub- structure and superstructure;
• Production of drawings and documentation, etc.
• Preparation of quality assurance plan;
• Estimation of cost and programme.

i) Construction Phase
• Contractual matters;
• Construction method;
• Budget and financial control;
• Quality control;
• Supervision of construction;
• Commissioning;

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 • Operating, inspection and maintenance schedule for each part of the work.

v) Performance phase
• Obligation of owner;
• Management of facility
• Inspection, maintenance and repair
• Rehabilitation and refurbishment requirements (change of loading, widening, change of use
and durability aspects)
• Decommissioning and demolition.

b) Highway: on the aspects of Geometry and traffic characteristics (6

marks)
i) The cross sections of a roadway or guide way is described by
its dimensions at a right angle to the direction of alignment, including the widths,
clearance, slopes and so, on ;
ii) Design controls and criteria for streets and highways- it
depends on some factors-
1. Classification of roadway;
2. Traffic volume and compositions;
3. Design speed and topography;
4. Cost and available funds;
5. Human sensory capacity;
6. Size and performance characteristics of the vehicles;
7. Safety considerations;
8. Social and environmental concerns.

c) Planning and design of air port

(4 marks)

The planning and design of an airport is complex and involves specialists in-

• airport planning;
• traffic forecasting;
• aeronautical ground lighting;
• telecommunications and navigational aids;

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 • air traffic control;
• baggage handling, and
• many other activities.

d) Design consideration of Railway

(4 marks)
1. Earthworks and drainage: a) Site investigation

b) Improvement of concepts through- (i) Cutting slopes; ii) Rock cuttings; iii) Soil
cuttings; (iv) Embankments; (a) slope angles; b) Rock-falls; c) Reinforced earth; d)
Trackbed designs; e) Drainage

2. Ballast- i) Track profile;

3. Sleepers- i) Timber sleepers and sleeper spacing; ii) Steel sleepers; iii) Concrete
sleepers;
4. Fastenings
5. Rails- i) rail failures;
6. Curved track
7. Welded track-
8. Switches and crossing- i) Switches; ii) Crossings; iii) leads
9. Slab track
10. Track maintenance and renewal
11. Railway structures- inspection and maintenance

e) Land reclamation for tunnel

(2 marks)
The elements of Systematic site investigation of tunnelling are as-
a) Geological data
b) Objects
i) To test geological data doubtful points.
ii) To explore particular areas of tunnelling difficulty
iii) To obtain information necessary to complement available
data on important aspects of geology and geo-hydrology.
iv) To obtain samples for testing and to undertake in- situ tests in
order to establish the suitability of ground for alternative methods of tunnelling.

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 v) To determine design and construction parameters

c) Means: A few large boreholes may

be justified for direct examination, in situ testing and for subsequent inspection by
tendering contractors and others.

QUESTION 5(25 marks)

a) Explain the factors that affect diver’s work in the underwater construction
work.
(5 marks)
b) What are the two (2) essential elements of economic tunnelling? (2marks)

Two essential elements to economic tunnelling are:

i) The tunnel must be considered (unless permanently unlined) as a
composite ground lining structure.
ii) The design of the permanent must be considered in association with the
methods of construction.

c) List the elements that need to be included in highway environmental appraisal report.
(5
marks)
The elements that need to be included in a highway environmental appraisal
report are as follows:
i) Traffic noise;
ii) Visual impact;
iii) Air pollution;
iv) Community severance;
v) Effects on agriculture;
vi) Heritage and conservation areas;
vii) Ecological impact;
viii) Disruption due to construction;
ix) Pedestrians and cyclist;
x) View from the road; and
xi) Driver stress.

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 d) List the process of cost evaluation for the construction of an international
airport.
(3 marks)
i) Details structural design and its optimisation process.
ii) Need assessment and transfer the needs into total cost (such as social cost, ability
to spent and long term benefit, etc.)
iii) Strategic point analysis

e) Discuss the different stages and factors affecting the construction techniques in
offshore construction system. (6 marks)

Selection of suitable techniques for fabrication and installation of offshore structures are
influenced by many factors which include:
a) Material (steel, concrete or hybrid structures, and other new materials);
b) Economic factors such as the need to bring the field to partial production early
and improve overall cash flow;
c) Cost;
d) Environmental conditions: sea states, wind, current;
e) Water depth;
f) Safety;
g) Constraints imposed by regulatory authorities, such as vessel operation
constraints, pollution control, navigation restrictions, etc.;
h) Existence of suitable fabrication yards/ dry docks with sufficient space and
load capacity and available draught in the waterways for transport of the structures; and
i) Socio- political factors which may influence selection of yards and even the
type and form of structures.

d) Discuss the Airport and railway site selection criteria (4 marks)

The essential factors to be considered in selection of an airport site include:

i) Passenger catchment area;

ii) Environment (Physical and Engineering);
iii) Economic appraisal;
iv) Financial appraisal;
v) Airspace;

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vi) Topography;
vii) Obstructions to aircraft operations;
viii) Meteorology;
ix) Construction problems;
x) Utility services.

END OF PAPER

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