The first president of Institution of Civil Engineers (Thomas Telford FRS)

 

Thomas Telford FRS, (9 August 1757 – 2 September 1834) was a Scottish Civil Engineer Architect and stonemason, and road, bridge and canal builder. After establishing himself as an engineer of road and canal projects in Shropshire, he designed numerous infrastructure projects in his native Scotland, as well as harbors and tunnels. Such was his reputation as a prolific designer of highways and related bridges, he was dubbed The Colossus of Roads (a pun on the Colossus of Rhodes), and reflecting his command of all types of civil engineering in the early 19^th century, he was elected as the first President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a post he held for 14 years until his death. Telford was born on 9 August 1757, at Glendenning a hill farm 3 miles east of Eskdalemuir Kirk, in the rural parish of Wester Kirk in Eskdale, Dumfrieddhire. His father john Telford a shepherd, died soon after Thomas was born. Thomas was raised in poverty by his mother Janet Jackson (died 1794).At the age of 14, he was apprenticed to a Stoneman, and some of his earliest work can still be seen on the bridge across the River Esk in Langholm in the Scottish borders.

The First University of Civil Engineering (ENPC)

 

Ecole national des Pont's ET chausses (ENPC)

Ecole des Pont's Paris Tech (originally called Ecole national des Pont's ET chausses or ENPC, also nicknamed Pont's) is a university level institution of higher education and research in the field of science, engineering and technology. Founded in 1747 by Daniel-Charles Trudaine, it is one of the oldest and one of the most prestigious French Grandes Ecoles. Historically, its primary mission has been to train engineering officials and civil engineers but the school now offers a wide ranging education including computer science, applied mathematics, civil engineering, mechanics, finance, economics, innovation, urban studies, environment and transport engineering. Ecole des Pont's is today largely international: 43% of its students obtain a double degree abroad, and 30% of an ingenieur cohort is foreign.

It is headquartered in Marne-la-Vallee (suburb of Paris), France, and is a founding member of Paris Tech (Paris Institute of Technology) and of the Paris School of Economics. The school is under the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy of France.   

History of civil engineer [{Chapter 3}]

 

Civil Engineering Education

The first private college to teach civil engineering in the United States was Norwich University, founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge. The first degree in civil engineering in the United States was awarded by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1835. The first such degree to be awarded to a woman was granted by Cornell University to Nora Stanton Blatch in 1905.In the UK during the early 19^th century, the division between civil engineering and military engineering (served by the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich), coupled with the demands of the Industrial Revolution, spawned new engineering education initiatives: the Class of Civil Engineering and Mining was founded at Kings College London in 1838, mainly as a response to the growth of the railway system and the need for more qualified engineers, the private College for Civil Engineers in Putney was established in 1839. And the UK first Chair of Engineering was established at the University of Glasgow in 1840.

Education

Civil engineers typically possess an academic degree in civil engineering. The length of study is three to five years, and the completed degree is designated as a bachelor of technology, or a bachelor of engineering. The curriculum generally includes classes in physics, mathematics, project management, design and specific topics in civil engineering. After taking basic courses in most sub-disciplines of civil engineering, they move on to specialize in one or more sub-disciplines at advances levels. While and undergraduate degree (BEng / BSc) normally provides successful students with industry-accredited qualification, some academic institutions offer post-graduate degree (MEng/MSc), which allow students to further specialize in their particular area of interest.

JOHN SMEATON FRS (8 June 1724 – 28 October 1792)

JOHN SMEATON FRS (8 June 1724 – 28 October 1792) was an English Civil Engineer responsible for the design of bridges, canals, harbors and lighthouse. He was also a capable mechanical engineer and an eminent physicist. Smeaton was the first self-proclaimed civil engineer and is often regarded as the father of civil engineering. He pioneered the use of hydraulic lime in concert, using pebbles and powdered bricks as aggregate. Smeaton was associated with the Lunar Society. Smeaton was born in born in Authored, Leeds, England. After studying at Leeds Grammar School he joined his father's law firm but left to become a mathematical instrument maker (working with Henry Hindley), developing, among other instruments, a pyrometer to study material expansion. In 1750, his premises were in the Great turnstile in Holborn. He was selected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1753 and in 1759 won the Copley Medal for his research into the mechanics of waterwheels and windmills. His 1759 paper "An Experimental Enquiry Concerning the Natural Powers of Water and Wind to Turn Mills and Other Machines Depending on Circular Motion addressed the relationship between pressures and velocity for objects moving in air.  

History of civil engineer(chapter 2)

 

Civil engineering Profession

Engineering has been aspect of life since the beginnings of human engineering. The earliest practice of civil engineering may have commenced between 4000 and 2000 BC in ancient Egypt the Indus valley. Civilization and Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq) when human started to abandon a nomadic existence creating a need for the construction of shelter during this time transportation became increasingly important leading to the development of the wheel and sailing until modern times there was no clear distinction between civil engineering and architecture and the term engineer and architect were mainly geographical variations referring to the same occupation, and often used interchangeably. The Construction of pyramids in Egypt were some of the first instances of large structure constructions other ancient historic civil engineering construction including the Qanat water management system (the oldest is older than 3000 yard and longer than 71km) the Parthenon by iktinos in ancient Greece the apian way by roman engineers the great wall of china by general meng tien under order from chin emperor shih huang ti and the stupas constructed in ancient Srilanka like the jetavanaramaya and the extensive irrigation works in Anuradhapura. The roman developed civil structures throughout their empire, including especially aqueducts, insulae, harbors, bridges, dams and road. In the 18^th century, the term civil engineering was coined to incorporate all things civilian as opposed to military engineering in 1747 the first institution for the teaching of civil engineering, the Ecole Nationaldes ponts ET chausses was established in France and more examples follow in other European countries like Spain. The First self-proclaimed civil engineer was john Smeaton, who constructed the Eddy stone Lighthouse. In 1771 Smeaton and some his colleagues formed the smeatonian society of civil engineers, a group of leaders of the profession who met informally over dinner. Though there was evidence of some technical meetings it was more than a social society.

In 1818 the institution if civil engineers was founded in London and in 1820 the eminent engineer Thomas Telford became its First president. The Institution received a Royal charter in 1828 formally recognizing civil engineering as a profession. Its charter defined civil engineering as: the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man as the means of production and of traffic in states, both for external and internal trade, as applied in the construction of roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, river navigation and docks for internal intercourse and exchange, and in the construction of ports, harbors, moles, breakwaters and lighthouse, and inn the art of navigation by artificial power for the purposes of commerce, and in the construction and application of machinery, and in the drainage of cities and towns.

The History of Civil Engineer

Civil engineering

Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage system, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways

Civil engineering is traditionally broken into a number of Sub-disciplines. It is considered the second oldest engineering discipline after military engineering and it is defined to distinguish non-military engineering from military engineering. Civil engineering can take place in the public sector from municipal public works department through the federal government agencies, and in the private sector from locally based firms to global fortune 500 companies

History

Civil engineering as a discipline.

Civil engineering is the applications of physical and scientific for solving the problems of society, and its history is intricately linked to advances in the understanding of physics and mathematics throughout history. Because civil engineering is a broad profession, including several specialized Sub-disciplines. Its history is linked to knowledge of structures, materials science, geography, geology soils, hydrology, environmental, science, mechanics, project management, and other fields, throughout ancient and medieval history most architectural design and construction was carried out by artisans, such as stonemasons and carpenters, rising to the role of master builder Knowledge was retained is guilds and seldom supplanted by advances, structures, roads and infrastructure that existed were repetitive, and increases in scale were incremental. One of the earliest examples of a scientific approach to physical and mathematical problems applicable to civil engineering is the work of Archimedes in the 3^rd century BC, Including Archimedes Principle, which underpins our understanding of buoyancy, and practical solutions such as Archimedes screw. Brahmagupta an in Indian mathematician, used arithmetic in the 7^th century AD, based on Hindu-Arabic numerals for excavation (volume) computations…        

Car safety

 

Car safety

Airbags (SRSs) save lives

The Airbag (SRS, Supplementary Restraint System) is a valuable supplement to the seat belt. Together with the seat belt, the airbag gives extra protection against injuries. Remember, however, a child riding in the front seat can be seriously injured or killed when an airbag comes out in a crash.

An airbag is not a soft, billowy pillow. To do its important job, an airbag comes out of the dashboard faster than the blink of an eye. A passenger must be at least 145 cm tall and be wearing a seat belt to travel safely where there is an airbag.

Accidents involving cyclists

 

Pedestrian crossing accidents

Common causes of pedestrian accidents are as follows:

Not noticing or ignoring the pedestrian on the other side of the crossing

Obstructed view of the driver, perhaps by the doorpost or blind spot of the car

Driving too fast

Neglecting to scan the road

Overtaking a vehicle that had stooped to allow a pedestrian to cross the street

Accidents involving cyclists

The followings are the common causes of the Cyclist-accidents:

Ignoring the cyclist

Misjudgment of the cyclist's speed and intention

Road Accidents

 

       Accident in the nights

           ·          Probable causes of accident in the dark:

           ·          Misjudging the speed and intention

           ·          Driving too fast

           ·          Not considering the limited ability to see in the dark

      Front to rear accidents

           ·          Rear-end collisions when the driver his vehicle too close to the vehicle in front, which causes      a danger to the drive and road users.

           ·          These incidents are common inside the city and usually happened because of suddenly stop of     some vehicles such as taxis or because the driver did not leave a safety distance.

           ·          Rear-end collisions are most common inside the city limits and amongst taxi drivers.

      Motorcycle accidents

      Common causes of accidents involving four-wheel vehicles and Motorcycles are:

           ·          Not seeing the motorcycle because it is smaller and often approaches at unexpected speeds

           ·        Neglecting to watch out for motorcycles creating their own lane between lines of other vehicles

Road Signs Boards (UAE)

 

The Obstruction Rule

 

The Obstruction Rule

In the event of a traffic jam, obstructing a crossroads or walkway is prohibited. This is known as the Obstruction Rule.

The Zipper Principle

Where two roads meet like T-junctions, it makes road sense to apply the zipper principle, where one car from each road moves ahead alternately.

This situation is very common during the rush hour, at road works, in traffic In cities or countries with public transport buses, buses leaving a bus stop have priority inside the city limits.

School Bus Rule

 

You must give way:

  

An obligation to give way requires you to give clear indication of your intention to give way to other vehicles by slowing down or stopping in plenty of time.

You must give way:

At uncontrolled pedestrian crossings where pedestrians have already stepped out or are just about to step on to the crossing.

As you turn onto the road from a parking lot, a gas station, a residential area, a pedestrian way, the hard shoulder or an off-road area.

This is known as the Exit or Entering Rule.

To traffic coming up from the left. Vehicles approaching a junction or crossroads from the left have priority.

This is known as the Left Hand Rule.

To oncoming traffic as you prepare to turn left and to all vehicles using the carriageway you will enter as you make the turn.

This is known as the Turning rule.

As instructed by traffic lights and traffic signs

Note: You must not attempt to pass through the crossing if by so doing you might obstruct, impede or endanger other road users.

Outside city limits

 

Outside city limits

Safety check before setting out

You must be able to carry out a systematic check of your car, taking into account the weather, your destination and the state of the road. The driver's manual will give you advice and instructions.

During the practical training, you will learn how to do a systematic check of your car.

watch your speed and keep your distance.

 

Dealing with the extreme summer weather (Heat and Sunshine) 

Constant sun in your eyes cab be exhausting on a long journey and may well affect your concentration. Even if you do not feel the need, the correct sunglasses can reduce the glare and keep your eyes efficient for longer. Avoid looking directly into the sun.

Take plenty of breaks and refreshment on a long trip. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway when you feel tired. Instead, use the service areas or get off the motorway.

Oil and water can make the hot surface of the road slippery and dangerous, particularly if there is a sudden rain shower after a long dry spell. Take extra care: watch your speed and keep your distance.

A large mid-day meal

 

A large mid-day meal

The hot summer temperatures tend to lower your energy, especially after a large midday meal when drowsiness may occur. If you have to drive after a large business lunch during the summer, take time to digest it or, if possible, sleep it off before starting on a long journey. If that is impractical be aware that your normal senses could be affected. Drive at a slower speed than normal and take extra care behind the wheel   

Camel and other animals on the Road

 

Animals are a constant hazard in rural areas. Most of the main highway have been fenced off to prevent camels from wandering onto the highways and causing accidents, especially at night.

However, in some rural areas camel still manage to stray onto the road. It is courtesy to other drivers to warm them of livestock on the road by using your hazard lights; this is one of the few acceptable uses of hazard lights in a moving vehicle.

When you see camels, sheep, goats or cows on the road, slow down right away to a slowly resume moving forward. Animals have no sense of the danger they present or of the risk of being hit by a moving vehicle, so be patient and negotiate the hazard carefully and safely.

Lack of attention, high speed: the causes of accidents involving animals are many and varied. A camel can easily rush out onto the road and collide with any unwary driver.

Dawn and dusk are the times when animals are the least visible and most likely to stray onto the road. Even if there is a protective fence or barrier along the side of the road, camels may still find their way through a gap. Where the fence ends, there is a real danger of livestock finding their way onto the road.

Small animals on the road can cause severe accidents, since drivers often overreact and slam on the brakes in a panic. To avoid injuring yourself or other road users, it may occasionally be necessary to run over.

Remember

When you see the camel warning sign, always watch the sides of the road and slow down.

Keep your field of vision broad and maintain a steady, slow pace.

To avoid a collision, stay behind a camel that has wandered on to the road.

Probable causes of accidents involving animals are as follows:

The driver was driving too fast.

The driver's range of observation was too narrow.

The driver neglected a warning sign.

The driver did not know when he/she could expect to find animals on the road.  

Here are some ways of reducing the chances of finding yourself in critical situation:

 

Here are some ways of reducing the chances of finding yourself in critical situation:

Always maintain good vision to the front and all around your vehicle.

Be alert and ready to respond to the unexpected.

Be secure in your mind by wearing your seat belt.

Regularly check your rear view and wing mirrors.

Look out for braking lights on vehicles directly in front of you and on vehicles even further ahead.

Keep an eye out for people crossing the road at official crossing places and when driving by school, shopping areas and other public gathering areas.

Maintain the proper distance from the vehicle in front of you.

Keep to your lane, except when overtaking, and do not weave from lane to lane.

On long journeys, take a break every now and then to get out and stretch your legs.

Do not look at maps or eat food while driving. Stop at a lay by and continue later.

Many Drivers do not approach driving as a serious exercise, as one that could result in someone getting gravely injured or even killed due to a lapse of concentration or a failure of driving technique.

Gulf Region, the weather is generally fine and hot

 

Driving in sunshine and hot weather

You're Vehicle

In the Gulf Region, the weather is generally fine and hot, but even this region has a range of weather conditions that will affect normal driving styles and techniques.

Different weather and road conditions can lead to a variety of different hazards, from season to season and from one region to another.

Problems vary widely, depending on the type of road and the amount of traffic passing through. This chapter deals with the main problems of driving under difficult conditions and the techniques of dealing with them safely.

Before you start your journey check the pressure in your tires. Do not check the pressure when you have been driving for a while, because tires will be warm and the reading will be inaccurate. Tires should be checked and adjusted before you start your journey, when they are 'cold'.

Keep the windscreen as clear as possible of water and grease marks. This helps to reduce glare. Check the level in the windscreen washer reservoir and top up if necessary. Using an additive may help to keep the windscreen clean.

Vision will be seriously impaired if your wipers are worn out or if your windscreen has collected a film of traffic dirt from the exhaust gases and other pollutants in and around the road.

Smoking deposits a thin film on the windows of the car, which reduces visibility and is often troublesome to the driver.

Basic positioning when turning right.....Read More

Left-Hand Traffic (UAE)........Read More 

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