CVEN40690 Civil Engineering Systems

Academic Year 2021/2022

A selection of topics under the following headings...

1. Introduction to Systems Analysis.

2. Decision makers and their objectives

3. Assessment criteria,

4. Generation of alternative solutions

5. Computer Modelling and Simulation.

6. Optimisation

7. Multi-criterion decision analysis (MCDA)

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the course a student will be able to;

1. Understand how broad engineering design decisions should be made
2. Appreciate the wide range of factors and of possible decision makers and stakeholders whose opinions influence a decision
3. Construct robust and appropriate criteria for assessing design alternatives
4. Construct extensive lists of possible alternative solutions for a given design problem
5. Construct and implement simple models of dynamical systems representing design alternatives from verbal descriptions to quantitative predictions of performance
6. Calculate optimal solutions to design optimisation problems using both linear and nonlinear methods as applicable
7. Choose and apply the appropriate multi-criteria decision method to select the best solutions in multi-criteria cases
8. Understand when the tools of systems analysis are appropriate and have the confidence to apply them.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30
Tutorial

4
Autonomous Student Learning

120
Total

154
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
active/task-based learning;
peer and group work;
lectures;
critical writing;
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Class Test: MCQ type test Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Examination: Exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

60
Assignment: Assignment 1 Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring 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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

de Neufville, Richard (1990) Applied Systems Analysis: Engineering Planning and Technology Management. McGraw-Hill, Inc; New York, New York, USA. 470 pp.
(see, https://web.mit.edu/ardent/www/ASA_Text/asa_Text_index.html)

Forrester, Jay W. (1968) Principles of Systems. (2nd ed.).
Waltham, MA: Pegasus Communications. 391 pp.

Benjamin, J.R. & Cornell, A.(1970). Probability, Statistics, and Decision for Civil Engineers. McGraw-Hill, New York, 704 pp.

Stark, R. M.; Nichols, R. L. (1972) Mathematical Foundations for Design: Civil Engineering Systems. McGraw-Hill, Burr Ridge, IL, U.S.A., 256 pp.

Rogers, M.G., Bruen, M. & Maystre, L-Y (1999), ELECTRE and Decision Support : Methods and Applications in Engineering and Infrastructure Investment.
Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 208 pp.
Name Role
Dr David AYALA CABRERA Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Michael Bruen Lecturer / Co-Lecturer