Module 1 Civil - Historical and Societal Influences

Question 1

what is a suspension bridge?

Answer 1

A suspension bridge is a bridge, in which the weight of the deck is supported by the main cables that hang between tall towers. Smaller cables hang down from the main cables which hold up the deck. Suspension bridges can span longer distances than any other type of bridge.

Question 2

What is an arch bridge?

Answer 2

An arch bridge is a bridge that is shaped in an upward convex curved arch to sustain the vertical loads, it works by transferring its weight and other loads into a horizontal thrust restrained by the strong anchor points on either side.

the very first ever arch bridge created was the Mycenaean Arkadiko Bridge in Greece from around 1300 BC.

Question 3

Why was Cast Iron better than using stone?

Answer 3

Cast Iron allowed for a stronger material to be used while being lighter. The first use of this material was for a bridge about 70m long and built as if it was a wooden structure.

Question 4

What was a negative to using steel chains to support a bridge?

Answer 4

Using large steel chains in bridge designs became a problem as bridges started to get larger causing more chaines needed to support the bridge but the weight of the chains was too much to support it’s self.

Question 5

Describe two positive societal effects from the work of Civil Engineers.

Answer 5

Could be chosen from any of the below and expanded on:

• Population density allowing for large economic growth;
• More jobs coming from industrial projects;
• Higher education rates coming from a wealthier economy;
• Technological advancements progressing quicker from an increase in jobs;
• Newly designed sewage tunnels allow for more effective sewage treatment;
• Cable cars allow for faster, safer and more reliable methods of travel around the city;
• Cable cars cause the property values to rise in the slum neighbourhoods;
• Accelerated building time of housing structures allows for more housing in a quicker span of time.

Question 6

Describe two negative environmental effects from the work of Civil Engineers.

Answer 6

Could be chosen from any of the below and expanded on:

• Carbon dioxide emissions from building equipment;
• Smog pollution, leading to acid rain;
• Deforestation of natural landscapes, native vegetation and animal habitats;
• Carbon emissions causing global temperature rises;
• Destruction of natural aquifers when digging underground;
• Contamination of scarce water sources;
• Insufficient waste disposal methods.

Question 7

State two positive and negative impacts (can be environmental or societal) involved with the sewage treatment in New Mexico.

Answer 7

Can be chosen from any of the below:

Positive:

• Construction of sewage tunnel allows for more construction jobs;
• Proper sewage tunnels allow for effective sewage treatment;
• Effective filtration and disposal of littered rubbish;
• Proper sewage tunnels allow for more clean cities: less affected by the open sewage.

Negative:

• Destruction of natural aquifers by digging underground;
• Prior to the sewage treatment plant, insufficient waste disposal methods
• Contamination of scarce water supplies from the open sewage;
• Blocked sewage causes uncleanliness to the surrounding environments;
• Rubbish degradation in open sewage;
• Dangerous working environment in the open sewage.

Question 8

Describe three different Civil Engineering projects.

Answer 8

(In Progress)

Could be chosen from any of the below:

• Bridges (eg. Ironbridge, Menai Bridge, Niagara Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, etc.) and their respective technological advancements;
• Tunnels (eg. The Thames, Gotthard Base, etc.) and their respective technological advancements;
• Skyscrapers (eg.