CVEN40710 Highway Engineering

Academic Year 2021/2022

Students will be introduced to concepts of pavement engineering and highway design. Bituminous mix characterisation, mix design and volumetric analysis will be a particular focus. Design approaches and developments in test methods will be discussed. Aspects of geometric design will be outlined and the important aspects of pavement evaluation and maintenance will be introduced.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate an understanding of pavement design, pavement evaluation and maintenance techniques.
2. Select appropriate test methods for the evaluation of highway materials.
3. Analyse and assess test results/data, formulating recommendation.
4. Design bituminous mixtures given aggregate gradations.
5. Solve problems relating to pavement engineering and highway design.

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1
Introduction to module
Highways agencies review assignment
Development of road network in Ireland & Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) roles and functions

Week 2
Specification, testing and control
Overview of bituminous mixtures
Bitument and bitumen testing

Week 3
Aggregates and aggregate testing
Bituminous mixes, including mix design, mix grading and volumetrics

Week 4
Bituminous mix testing
Group assignment details
Pavement design

Week 5
Pavement monitoring, management and evaluation
Group short report on mix research

Week 6
Asphalt manufacturing and laying
Factory production and control, and Type Testing
Groups short report on mix design approach

Week 7
Airfield pavements design practice

Week 8
Compaction
Road scheme design case study
Submission of group assignment

Week 9
Geometric design
Asphalt healing research and emerging technologies

Weeks 10 & 12
Review

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Specified Learning Activities

12
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

108
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Group work
Presentations
Lectures 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Level 4 standing in a Level 8 programme, or equivalent.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Written submission with interim presentations Week 8 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40
Examination: End of Trimester Examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

60

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?

Groups given feedback on group report Groups given feedback on presentations on mix research, and mix design approach, for group assignment

Highway Engineering: Pavements, Materials and Control of Quality
by Athanassios Nickolaides

Pavement Engineering, Principles and Practice
by Rajib B. Mallick & Tahar El-Korchi

Asphalts in Road Construction
edited by Robert N Hunter

Deterioration and Maintenance of Pavements
by Derek Pearson

Handbook of Road Technology Volumes 1 and 2
by M.G. Lay

Highway Engineering Handbook
by R. Brockenbrough and K. Boedecker

Geometric Design of Roads Handbook
by Keith M. Wolhunter

Traffic Engineering
by R. Roess, W. McShane & E. Prassas

The Shell Bitumen Handbook
published by Shell Bitumen U.K.
Name Role
Ms Maria Judge Tutor