Explore UCD

UCD Home >

CVEN40080

Academic Year 2026/2027

Hydraulic Engineering Design (CVEN40080)

Subject:
Civil Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Civil Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Fiachra O'Loughlin
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The Course covers the background and practical implementation of engineering design methods in the following five areas:
Hydrologic Design
Stormwater Drainage Design
River Engineering
Dam Ancillary Works
Coastal Engineering

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Understand the relationships between probability, risk and return period and their implications for design specifications
2. Calculate the required design flood peak for any given return period and storm duration.
3. Where appropriate, calculate the complete design hydrograph.
4. Calculate the appropriate dimensions of a culvert or bridge opening to pass safely the design flood within the allowable freeboard
5. Prescribe the most appropriate flood protection measures, either structural or non-structural, for a given situation.
6. Using a computer model, compute the performance of the hydraulic flood protection measures in terms of water levels, discharges and risk (return periods)
7. Calculate the appropriate dimensions for the spillway, chute and stilling basin of a dam
8. Specify appropriate dimensions for sea outfalls and risers.

Indicative Module Content:

Hydrologic Design:
• Causes of floods;
• Estimation of magnitudes and frequency of peak flows;
• Flood hydrographs;
• Designing for flood protection
Stormwater Drainage Design
• Urban development
• Urban drainage systems
• Planning and environmental requirements
• Design of Culverts
• Flood attenuation design (retention and detention basins)
• Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS)
River Engineering
• Computer modelling of floods in rivers
• Flood protection - hydraulic options
• Hydraulic structures
• Overbank flows
• Environmental considerations
Dam Ancillary Works
• Spillways
• Chutes
• Energy dissipation
Coastal Engineering
• Types of wave
• Wave breaking, runup
• Design of sea outfalls

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Expert

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Expert

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Competent

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Proficient

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Proficient

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 3

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 3

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 3

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 2
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

84
Lectures

36
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Group Work
Student Presentations
Seminar
Online Lectures

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Knowledge of Hydrology is recommended.

Learning Recommendations:

Knowledge of open channel flows theory is recommended.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
:
-

Additional Information:
not be be scheduled at same time as: CVEN40230 CVEN40570


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): Two hour in-person exam at end of trimester. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Individual Project: Individual Project where the students are required to build a hydraulic model for a given area and explore impacts of climate change and flood migitation measures and present their results. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on activities needed to complete the indivdual project will be provided through-out the trimester both individually and to the class as deemed necessary. Feedback on the final presentation and report will be through rubrics.

Name Role
Dr Fiachra O'Loughlin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor John O'Sullivan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.