THEODOLITES

The theodolite is the most precise instrument designed for the measurement of horizontal and vertical angles and has applicability in surveying such as laying off horizontal angles ,locating point line,prolonging survey lines,establishing grades,determining difference in elevation ,setting out curves etc.

TYPES OF THEODOLITES

TRANSIT THEODOLITE
A transit theodolite is one is which the line of sight can be reversed by revolving the telescope through 180 in the vertical plane .It is mainly used theodolite.

NON TRANSIT THEODOLITE
The non-transit theodolite are either plain theodolite or Y-theodolites in which the telescope cannot be transited and non-transit theodolites have now become obsolete.

THEODOLITE FUNDAMENTAL

The vertical axis is the axis about which the instrument can be rotated in horizontal plane.This is the axis about which the lower and upper plates rotate.

The horizontal or trunnion axis is the axis about which the telescope and the vertical circle rotate in vertical plane.

The line of sight or line of collimation is the line passing through the intersection of the horizontal &vertical cross hairs & the optical center of the object glass & its continuation.

Transiting, plunging or reversing is the process of turning the telescope in the vertical plane through 180 about the trunion axis.Since, the line of sight is reversed in this operation ,it is also known as plunging or reversing.

Swinging the telescope is the process of the telescope in horizontal plane .If the telescope is rotated in clockwise direction ,it is known as right swing.I f the telescope is rotated in anticlockwise direction ,it is known as left swing.

Face left observation:-If the face of the vertical circle is to the left observer,the observation of the angle is known as face left observation.

Face right observation:-If the face of the vertical circle is to the right of the observer,the observation is known as face right observation.

TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OF THEODOLITE

Setting over the station:-The operation of setting up includes:-
CENTERING:-Centering of the instrument over the station mark is done by a plumbob or by optical plummet.By moving the leg radially,the plumbob is shifted in the direction of leg &centering is done by moving the leg circumferentally till the plumbob hangs within 1cm horizontally of the station mark.

APPROXIMATE LEVELLING:-This is done with reference to small circular bubble provided in tribarch.

LEVELLING UP:- Accurate leveling is done with the help of foot screws with respect to the plate levels.The purpose of the leveling is to make the vertical axis truly vertical.

Levelling up by three foot screws:-
1.Turn the upper plate until the longitudinal axis of the plate level is roughly parallel to a line joining any two of the leveling screws.

2.Hold these two leveling screws & turn them uniformly until the bubble is central.

3.Turn the upper plate through 90 until the axis of the passes over the position of the third leveling screw.

4.Turn this leveling screw until the bubble is central.

5.Return the upper plate through 90 to its original position & repeat step2 till the bubble is centered.

6.Turn back again through 90 and repeat step 4.

7.Repeat steps 2&4 till the bubble is central in the both the positions.

8.Now rotate the instrument through180.The bubble will remain in the centre.Thus, the vertical axis becomes truly vertical.If not it, needs permanent adjustment.

ELLIMINATION OF PARALLAX

Parallax is a condition ,when the image formed by the objective is not in the plane of the crosshairs.
Parallax can be eliminated in two steps :-
1.By focusing the eye-piece:-To focus the eye-piece for distinct vision of the cross-hairs,point the telescope towards the sky &move eye-piece in or out till the cross-hairs are seen sharp &distinct.

2.By focusing the objective:-The tekescope is now directed towards the object to be sighted &the focusing screw is turned till the image appears clear & sharp.The image so formed is in the plane of crosshairs.

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING AND IT'S FUNDAMENTAL

Transportation engineering is the application of scientific principles to the safe and efficient movement of people and goods (transport). It is a sub-discipline of civil engineering.Transportation engineering is a major component of the civil engineering discipline. The importance of transportation engineering within the civil engineering profession can be judged by the number of divisions in ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) that are directly related to transportation. There are six such divisions (Aerospace; Air Transportation; Highway; Pipeline; Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean; and Urban Transportation) representing one-third of the total 18 technical divisions within the ASCE (1987).

The planning aspects of transport engineering relate to urban planning, and involve technical forecasting decisions and political factors. Technical forecasting of passenger travel usually involves an urban transportation planning model, requiring the estimation of trip generation (how many trips for what purpose), trip distribution (destination choice, where is the traveler going), mode choice (what mode is being taken), and route assignment (which streets or routes are being used). More sophisticated forecasting can include other aspects of traveler decisions, including auto ownership, trip chaining (the decision to link individual trips together in a tour) and the choice of residential or business location (known as land use forecasting). Passenger trips are the focus of transport engineering because they often represent the peak of demand on any transportation system.

A review of descriptions of the scope of various committees indicates that while facility planning and design continue to be the core of the transportationengineeringfield, such operations planning, logistics, network analysis, financing, and policy analysis are also important to civil engineers, particularly to those working in highway and urban transportation.

Transportation engineering, as practiced by civil engineers, primarily involves planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of transportation facilities. The facilities support air, highway, railroad, pipeline, water, and even space transportation. The design aspects of transport engineering include the sizing of transportation facilities (how many lanes or how much capacity the facility has), determining the materials and thickness used in pavement designing the geometry (vertical and horizontal alignment) of the roadway (or track).

Operations and management involve traffic engineering, so that vehicles move smoothly on the road or track. Older techniques include signs, signals, markings, and tolling. Newer technologies involve intelligent transportation systems, including advanced traveler information systems (such as variable message signs), advanced traffic control systems (such as ramp meters), and vehicle infrastructure integration. Human factors are an aspect of transport engineering, particularly concerning driver-vehicle interface and user interface of road signs, signals, and markings.

THE TRANSPORTATION PROFESSION

Transportation professionals are responsible for planning, designing, and operating streets and highways, transit systems, airports, railroads, ports, and harbors to provide for the safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods.

As a transportation professional you can work on a wide variety of projects, such as:

• investigating and minimizing the effects of new developments and proposed highway projects on air and noise pollution, wetlands, and other aspects of the environment, as well as socio-economic impacts
• implementing ways to relieve traffic congestion, such as bus/carpool lanes on roadways and encouraging the use of public transportation
• planning, designing and operating parking facilities for airports, shopping centers, recreational, industrial, office and residential developments
• preparing traffic impact studies for new developments and determining transportation improvements to mitigate the additional traffic
• planning, designing, and operating airports, railroads, ports, and harbors
• planning and designing pedestrian circulation systems at universities, malls, and other busy pedestrian areas to ensure safety
• designing and controlling a computerized traffic signal system to allow for efficient movement of traffic
• inventing ways to increase the capacity and safety of roadways through the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems

TRANSPORTATION CAREERS

Transportation professionals work in planning, design and construction, operations, and research, among many other fields.

Planning

As a transportation planner you will work with other transportation professionals, as well as people in technical vocations, neighborhood groups and public officials. Many projects require the preparation of environmental documents since the project's success may depend on minimizing the effects on air, water, noise and wildlife. Noise barriers, landscaping or special design considerations may be required. It is the planners responsibility to meet each challenge and to present a solution that both does the job and addresses the concerns of the public. You may be called upon to justify your plan to neighborhood groups, lawyers, business leaders, news media and elected officials.

Design and Construction

As a transportation designer, you may be challenged to build a bridge that is compatible with the surrounding landscaping, or to design a ramp for a busy existing interchange. The design phase relies greatly on computer technology, as do most transportation fields. Computers aid in actually drawing transportation facilities. With the use of the computer, the engineer can experiment with many different alternatives to determine the most efficient design with the least adverse impact and lowest cost.

If you like to work outdoors, you might prefer the construction phase. From a spectacular bridge project to a simple lane widening, the construction engineer is responsible for the final product . . . that it is built as designed and that the correct materials are used. The construction field is constantly changing with new methods being introduced on practically every project.

Operations

Transportation operations is another important field of the transportation profession. Traffic engineers are responsible for design, implementation and maintenance of traffic controls, signs and pavement markings. Traffic control is essential for safe travel on ordinary roads and construction work zones, detours, and for special events. Traffic engineers use computers to monitor the flow of traffic onto existing freeways, to control parking decks, analyze accident locations, determine roadway capacities, improve traffic flow at intersections, and coordinate the operation of traffic signals throughout a city. Traffic engineers must work with developers, planners and designers to meet the challenge of providing a safe and efficient transportation system. The field of operations also includes working with public transportation. Public transportation professionals are challenged to determine the routes and service frequency to meet the demand at the least cost.

Research

In the field of research you'll tackle the unknown. Maybe you'll develop a new computer program for an on-board automobile navigational system or discover new ways to design automated "smart" highways. You'll work on the latest technology and with top thinkers in the profession. You might be part of a team assigned to a large federal project or manage your own smaller study for a private concern - working today on the transportation systems of tomorrow.

EDUCATION

A good background in science and mathematics, the ability to communicate effectively through speaking and writing and a basic understanding of government are all beneficial first steps in becoming a transportation professional.

Transportation professionals should prepare for their careers through college education. Many transportation professionals are enrolled in engineering programs, primarily civil, electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering. However, due to the diverse nature of the transportation profession, many transportation professionals have a background in planning, science, environmental planning, computers, and a number of other fields. Transportation courses may include transportation planning, traffic engineering, railroad engineering, highway design, airport design and related courses such as computer science, statistics, urban planning, geography, economics, business management and public administration.

Transportation engineering skills may also be obtained through employment and through numerous training conferences and short courses on various transportation engineering aspects offered by employers, universities and professional engineering societies.

Not all transportation careers require a four year college degree. There is a need for draftspersons, surveyors, computer programmers, sign makers and installers, traffic signal THE TRANSPORTATION PROFESSION

Transportation professionals are responsible for planning, designing, and operating streets and highways, transit systems, airports, railroads, ports, and harbors to provide for the safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods.

As a transportation professional you can work on a wide variety of projects, such as:

* investigating and minimizing the effects of new developments and proposed highway projects on air and noise pollution, wetlands, and other aspects of the environment, as well as socio-economic impacts
* implementing ways to relieve traffic congestion, such as bus/carpool lanes on roadways and encouraging the use of public transportation
* planning, designing and operating parking facilities for airports, shopping centers, recreational, industrial, office and residential developments
* preparing traffic impact studies for new developments and determining transportation improvements to mitigate the additional traffic
* planning, designing, and operating airports, railroads, ports, and harbors
* planning and designing pedestrian circulation systems at universities, malls, and other busy pedestrian areas to ensure safety
* designing and controlling a computerized traffic signal system to allow for efficient movement of traffic
* inventing ways to increase the capacity and safety of roadways through the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems

TRANSPORTATION CAREERS

Transportation professionals work in planning, design and construction, operations, and research, among many other fields.

Planning

As a transportation planner you will work with other transportation professionals, as well as people in technical vocations, neighborhood groups and public officials. Many projects require the preparation of environmental documents since the project's success may depend on minimizing the effects on air, water, noise and wildlife. Noise barriers, landscaping or special design considerations may be required. It is the planners responsibility to meet each challenge and to present a solution that both does the job and addresses the concerns of the public. You may be called upon to justify your plan to neighborhood groups, lawyers, business leaders, news media and elected officials.

Design and Construction

As a transportation designer, you may be challenged to build a bridge that is compatible with the surrounding landscaping, or to design a ramp for a busy existing interchange. The design phase relies greatly on computer technology, as do most transportation fields. Computers aid in actually drawing transportation facilities. With the use of the computer, the engineer can experiment with many different alternatives to determine the most efficient design with the least adverse impact and lowest cost.

If you like to work outdoors, you might prefer the construction phase. From a spectacular bridge project to a simple lane widening, the construction engineer is responsible for the final product . . . that it is built as designed and that the correct materials are used. The construction field is constantly changing with new methods being introduced on practically every project.

Operations

Transportation operations is another important field of the transportation profession. Traffic engineers are responsible for design, implementation and maintenance of traffic controls, signs and pavement markings. Traffic control is essential for safe travel on ordinary roads and construction work zones, detours, and for special events. Traffic engineers use computers to monitor the flow of traffic onto existing freeways, to control parking decks, analyze accident locations, determine roadway capacities, improve traffic flow at intersections, and coordinate the operation of traffic signals throughout a city. Traffic engineers must work with developers, planners and designers to meet the challenge of providing a safe and efficient transportation system. The field of operations also includes working with public transportation. Public transportation professionals are challenged to determine the routes and service frequency to meet the demand at the least cost.

Research

In the field of research you'll tackle the unknown. Maybe you'll develop a new computer program for an on-board automobile navigational system or discover new ways to design automated "smart" highways. You'll work on the latest technology and with top thinkers in the profession. You might be part of a team assigned to a large federal project or manage your own smaller study for a private concern - working today on the transportation systems of tomorrow.

EDUCATION

A good background in science and mathematics, the ability to communicate effectively through speaking and writing and a basic understanding of government are all beneficial first steps in becoming a transportation professional.

Transportation professionals should prepare for their careers through college education. Many transportation professionals are enrolled in engineering programs, primarily civil, electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering. However, due to the diverse nature of the transportation profession, many transportation professionals have a background in planning, science, environmental planning, computers, and a number of other fields. Transportation courses may include transportation planning, traffic engineering, railroad engineering, highway design, airport design and related courses such as computer science, statistics, urban planning, geography, economics, business management and public administration.

Transportation engineering skills may also be obtained through employment and through numerous training conferences and short courses on various transportation engineering aspects offered by employers, universities and professional engineering societies.

Not all transportation careers require a four year college degree. There is a need for draftspersons, surveyors, computer programmers, sign makers and installers, traffic signal technicians and construction inspectors.

PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS

Most transportation engineers are employed by local, state or federal agencies, or by private consulting firms. Many are engaged in teaching and research at colleges and universities. Job opportunities are often publicized through engineering-oriented publications such as ITE Journal, a magazine published monthly by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. In addition, most universities have job-placement programs to help their graduating students find employment. technicians and construction inspectors.

PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS

Most transportation engineers are employed by local, state or federal agencies, or by private consulting firms. Many are engaged in teaching and research at colleges and universities. Job opportunities are often publicized through engineering-oriented publications such as ITE Journal, a magazine published monthly by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. In addition, most universities have job-placement programs to help their graduating students find employment.

SUMMARISATION OF ENGINEERING

Engineering is the discipline, art and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize solutions to the needs of society.

The American Engineers' Council for Professional Development (ECPD, the predecessor of ABET) has defined "engineering" as:

The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions; all as respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety to life and property.

History

The concept of engineering has existed since ancient times as humans devised fundamental inventions such as the pulley, lever, and wheel. Each of these inventions is consistent with the modern definition of engineering, exploiting basic mechanical principles to develop useful tools and objects.

The term engineering itself has a much more recent etymology, deriving from the word engineer, which itself dates back to 1325, when an engine’er

(literally, one who operates an engine) originally referred to “a constructor of military engines.” In t

his context, now obsolete, an “engine

” referred to a military machine, i.e., a mechanical contraption used in war (for example, a catapult). Notable excep

tions of the obsolete usage which have survived to the present day are military engineering corps, e.g., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The word “engine” itself is of even older origin,

ultimately deriving from the Latin ingenium (c. 1250), meaning “innate quality, especially mental power, hence a clever invention.”Later, as the design of civilian structures such as bridges and buildings matured as a technical discipline, the term civil engineering^[4] entered the lexicon as a way to distinguish between those specializing in the construction of such non-military projects and those involved in the older discipline of military engineering.

One who practices engineering is called an engineer, and those licensed to do so may have more formal designations such as Professional Engineer, Chartered Engineer, IncorporatedEngineer, or European Engineer. The broad discipline of engineering encompasses a range of more specialized subdisciplines, each with a more specific emphasis on certain fields of application and particular areas of technology.

Methodology

Engineers apply the sciences of physics and mathematics to find suitable solutions to problems or to make improvements to the status quo. More than ever, engineers are now required to have knowledge of relevant sciences for their design projects, as a result, they keep on learning new material throughout their career.

If multiple options exist, engineers weigh different design choices on their merits and choose the solution that best matches the requirements. The crucial and unique task of the engineer is to identify, understand, and interpret the constraints on a design i n order to produce a successful result. It is usually not enough to build a technically success ful product; it must also meet further requirements.Constraints may include available resources, physical, imaginative or technical limitations, flexibility for future modifications and additions, and other factors, such as requirements for cost, safety, marketability, productibility, and serviceability. By understanding the constraints, engineers derive specifications for the limits within which a viable object or system may be produced and operated.

Problem solving

Engineers use their knowledge of science, mathematics, and appropriate experience to find suitable solutions to a problem. Engineering is considered a branch of applied mathematics and science. Creating an appropriate mathematical model of a problem allows them to analyze it (sometimes definitively), and to test potential solutions.

Usually multiple reasonable solutions exist, so engineers must evaluate the different design choices on their merits and choose the solution that best meets their requirements. Genrich Altshuller, after gathering statistics on a large number of patents, suggested that compromises are at the heart of "low-level" engineering designs, while at a higher level the best design is one which eliminates the core contradiction causing the problem.

Engineers typically attempt to predict how well their designs will perform to their specifications prior to full-scale production. They use, among other things: prototypes, scale models, simulations, destructive tests, nondestructive tests, and stress tests. Testing ensures that products will perform as expected.Engineers as professionals take seriously theirresponsibility to produce designs that willperform as expected and will not cause unintended harm to the public at large. Engineers typically include a factor of safety in their designs to reduce the risk of unexpected failure. However, the greater the safety factor, the less efficient the design may be.

The study of failed products is known as forensic engineering, and can help the product designer in evaluating his or her design in the light of real conditions. The discipline is of greatest value after disasters, such as bridge collapses, when careful analysis is needed to establish the cause or causes of the failure.

Specialization

There are seven major disciplines within civil engineering that are closely interrelated:

Structural

As a structural engineer, you will face the challenge of designing structures that support their own weight and the loads they carry, and that resist wind, temperature, earthquake, and many other forces. Bridges, buildings,offshore structures, space platforms, amusement park rides, and many other kinds of projects are included within this exciting discipline. You will develop the appropriate combination of steel, concrete, timber, plastic, and new exotic materials. You will do the planning and design, a s well as visit the project site to make sure the work is done properly.

Environmental

The skills of environmental engineers are bec oming increasingly important as we attempt to protect the fragile resources of our planet. Environmental engineers translate physical, chemical, and biological processes into systems to destroy toxic substances, remove pollutants from water, reduce non-hazardous solid waste volumes, eliminate contaminates from the air, and develop groundwater supplies. In this field, you may be called upon to resolve issues of providing safe drinking water, cleaning up sites contaminated with hazardous materials, disposing of wastewater, and managing solid wastes.

Geotechnical
Geotechnical engineering is required in all aspects of civil engineering, because most projects
are supported by the ground. As a geotechnical engineer, you might develop pr ojects below ground, such as tunnels, foundations, and offshore platforms. You will analyze the properties of soil and rock that support and affect the behavior of these structures. You may evaluate the pot ential settlements of buildings, the stability of slopes and fills, the seepage of ground water and the effects of earthquakes. You will investigate the rocks and soils at a p roject site and determine the best way to support a structure in the ground. You may also take part in the design and construction of dams, embankments, and retaining walls.

Water Resources

Water is essential to our lives, and as a water resources engineer, you will deal with issues concerning the quality and quantity of water. You will work to prev ent floods, to supply
water for cities, industry, and irrigation, to treat wastewater, to protect beaches, or to manage and redirect rivers. You might be involved in the design, construction, or maintenance of
hydroelectric power facilities, canals, dams, pipelines, pumping stations , locks, or seaport facilities.

Transportation
Because the quality of a community I directly related to the quality of its transportation system,
your function as a transportation engineer will be to move people, good, and materials safely and efficiently. Your challenge will be to find ways to meet our ever-increasing travel needs on land, air, and sea. You will design, construct, and maintain all types of transportation facilities, including highways, railroads, airfield s, and ports. An important part of transportation
engineering is to upgrade our transportation capability by improving traffic control and mass transit systems, and by introducing high-speed trains, people movers, and other new transportation methods.

Construction

As a construction engineer, you are the builder of our future. The constru ction phase of a project represents the first tangible result of design. Using your technical and management skills will allow you to turn designs into reality – on time and within budget. You will a pply your knowledge of construction methods and equipment, along with the principles of financing, planning, and managing, to turn the designs of other engineers into s uccessful projects.

Urban Planning
As a professional in this area, you will be concerned with the entire development of a community. Analyzing a variety of information will help you coordinate projects, su ch as projecting street patters, identifying park and recreation areas, and determining areas f o r industrial and residential growth. To ensure ready access to your community, coordination with other authorities may be required to integrate freeways, airports, and other related facilities. Successful coordination of a project will require you to be people-oriented as well as technically knowledgeable.

Employment
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, civil engineers hold about 256,000 jobs. This represents 17% of the 1.5 million jobs held by engineers in the U.S. Employment opportunities for civil engineers exist all over the world. Civil engineers are needed everywhere to plan, design, construct, operate, improve, and renovate the projects essential to modern comfort and growth. Where you work makes a big difference to your career. The key to making a success of a
foreign assignment is being prepared, considering all the issues, and having a clear picture of the benefits.

Globalization
While there are abundant opportunities to work internationally as a civil engineer, it takes some
special preparation to do well abroad. Speaking more than one language is a major factor.
Being able to adapt to new conditions rapidly is another. Although the international workforce
is becoming more mobile every day, traditionally big engineering firms tend to send
experienced senior level staff on international assignments. Studying abroad is one way to
investigate how interested you are in working internationally. Some form of international work
or study experience is a strong credential for a young civil engineer. Even if you do not want to
work in other countries on a regular basis, understanding engineering from a global
perspective will enhance your ability to complete domestically in what is, increasingly, a world
market.

Career Path Forecast
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, civil engineers are expected to experience 18 percent employment growth during the projections decade of
2006-2016. This is faster than the average for all occupations. Spurred by general population growth and the related need to improve the Nation’s infrastructure, more civil engineers will be needed to design and construct or expand transportation, water supply, and pollution control systems and buildings and building complexes. They also will be needed to repair or replace existing roads, bridges, and other public structures. Because construction industries and architectural, engineering and related services employ many civil engineers, employment opportunities will vary by geographic area and may decrease during economic slowdowns, when construction is often curtailed.

THE CATHOLIC COLLEGE OF AMERICA FOR ENGINEERING

Introduction

In past years, civil engineers focused on design and construction of new facilities, such as buildings, bridges and highways, water treatment and environmental facilities, foundations and tunnels. Today's civil engineer not only has to design new facilities but must also analyze the effects of deterioration on infrastructure elements, consider system interdependencies and evaluate life-cycle impacts while also considering environmental and economic sustainability within the context of society. Civil engineers must be equipped with in-depth knowledge of traditional, fundamental principals and new technologies in order to address the complex, interdisciplinary problems faced within society. The undergraduate program at

CUA gives the students the necessary background to success within this new context and to become the future leaders of the profession.

The Catholic University of America is student-oriented and multi-faceted research University. The Department of Civil Engineering is a select group of students and faculty who are dedicated to work together to build a sustainable future through the development of our civil infrastructure and the betterment of our global environment. We have a faculty who are dedicated to excellence in undergraduate teaching and are at the forefront of engineering research. Being in the Nation's capital, we have, also in our faculty, a group of world-class professional experts in engineering, law, business, who bring practice into the classroom.

Mission of the Civil Engineering Program

The mission of the Department of Civil Engineering is to provide a balanced education to students, strong in scientific, engineering, humanistic, and social bases, so that they may attain a leadership role in their profession and "use their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment" (Code of Ethics, America Society of Civil Engineers).

Disciplines and Degree Programs:

The major disciplines in civil engineering are: structures, water resources, transportation, construction management, materials, geotechnics, and environmental engineering. The Department of Civil Engineering offers graduate and undergraduate programs leading to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.), Master of Civil Engineering (M.C.E.), Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.), and Bachelor of Civil Engineering (B.C.E.) with broad coverage of these areas of study. Discover the CUA Advantage or Contact Us for Additional Information.

Academics

The Catholic University of America combines a rich tradition of Catholic spirituality with a proven record of academic excellence. Founded as a graduate research center, today CUA also features a strong undergraduate program based in the liberal arts. In addition, CUA offers educational opportunities for high-school and non-traditional students looking to continue their education part time.

CUA grants undergraduate degrees in 72 programs, master's degrees in 103 programs, and doctoral or terminal degrees in 66 programs. CUA's graduate programs in philosophy and social work are among the oldest in the United States and the university features the only schools of library science and music in Washington, D.C.

Research

Originally founded as a graduate institution, The Catholic University of America has continued its emphasis on original research. Today, it is designated doctoral-research extensive by the Carnegie Foundation. Opportunities abound for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting edge research projects in every program of study.

• 

  Associate Provost for Research

  Official Web site, offices, staff and contact information for the Associate Provost for Research.

• 

  Research Administration

  Resources for proposals, awards, funding, budget and other aspects of managing research projects.

• 

  Institutes and Research Centers

  List of Catholic University research centers and affiliated programs hosted or supported in part by CUA.

• 

  Libraries

  Homepage for university libraries and access to online catalogs and databases.

ENGINEERING APPLICATION IN THE SEX

Each year the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is the center of electronics world as the latest electronic toys are rolled out. For years the Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE) has been held at the same time and with the introduction the world’s first sex robot doll - the two events overlapped more than ever.

Roxxxy TrueCompanion, the sexy bot, is a completely anatomically correct and customizable companion (from features to hair color) that exhibits different personalities and responds to touch. True Companion claims that the robot can be a life partner or mate for those who can’t find or don’t want the real thing. According to True Companion’s Web site, Roxxxy “can carry on a discussion and expresses her love to you and be your loving friend. She can talk to you, listen to you and feel your touch.”

True Companion claims that this was a 2 1/2 year project that cost around 1 million dollars and the robot itself will cost from $7,000 to $9,000 USD. The male version, Rocky TrueCompanion, available as a gay robot or a heterosexual robot is currently being developed.

When creator Douglas Hines demonstrated Rxxy, he joked that the demo might have been more appropriate for the adjacent Consumer Electronics Show. "She has a computer, she has IO boards, she has servos, she has a battery pack, she has an accelerometer, she has touch sensors and pressure sensors throughout her body," Hines said. "She's anatomically consistent with a real person. She has three inputs so what you could think of with a woman, she could do."

Depending on your mood, you can assign the robot different personalities such as Frigid Farrah or Mature Martha, who will respond differently based on the personality you choose. For example, if you hold Mature Martha’s hand, she may say “I love holding hands,” whereas if you touch Frigid Farrah she may say “What are you going to do with that hand?”

Douglas Hines caused an uproar of disbelief and excitement in January when he unveiled Roxxxy, “the world’s first sex robot,” at the Las Vegas’ Adult Entertainment Expo.The robot boasts artificial intelligence, speech recognition technology and a bevy of recorded phrases, making it able to, on some levels, converse with her mate. She also has a personality-changer, an Internet connection to receive software and dialog updates, all for a price between $7,000 to $9,000.

Discovery News Tech: Why did you develop Roxxxy?
Douglas Hines: We came up with the concept of using a robot to help care for -- not to replace a nurse -- but help people who need extra care at home: invalids, Alzheimer’s patients, etc. It might not be cost-effective or practical to have a nurse full-time with the patient. But the robot would allow interaction with the patient as well as the technology to connect remotely and talk and care as needed. Because Medicare wouldn’t reimburse for the cost of it and because of concerns from a liability and insurance standpoint, we tabled that idea for the time being. But that’s actually catching on now too, so we’re really excited about all the momentum that’s being developed.

DNT: Why the switch from healthcare to sex?
DH: It was through necessity and opportunity. We have lots of patents around this technology and trade secrets. We’d also invested a large amount of time, energy and money. We basically looked for another marketplace for the product. We looked for opportunities with areas that needed a niche or were lacking innovation or real development, and we saw this as an opportunity to really stand out. There hasn’t been much innovation in the adult arena. There was a real opportunity to apply this technology into a new industry and breathe a lot of new life into it and create opportunity and a lot of added value.

DNT: How long did it take to fully develop the project?
DH: It was just myself back in 1993, when I developed a prototype using similar technology. But since 2000, this has been an ongoing project. The past three years have been focused on the adult community. It’s been a long road of refining.

DNT: Were you expecting such a frenzied reaction at the Adult Entertainment Expo?
DH: Not at all. But we’d done a tremendous amount of market research beforehand. We like to take calculated risks and not blind risks. We knew she would be received well. We spoke to two of the largest adult entertainment companies and knew this would be very big. We knew there was a market need and there was a niche we could fulfill, so we were excited. But we had no idea it would be so big, especially with [the Consumer Electronics Show] down the street. It was pleasurable to be able to talk to the technical people and other engineers. We had a lot of people come over from CES to see Roxxxy.

DNT: You’ve got more than 4,000 pre-orders. When are you planning to ship these?
DH: Everything is custom, so it could take two to three months depending on the specifications. We can customize hair color, skin type, breast size and other things. We have people requesting very custom orders. We’re working off of photos and video to reproduce the likeness of a woman for one project. We’re also speaking with one of the entertainment outlets to do a specialized robot for them. But for typical ones, two to three months is the time line.

DNT: Where are the robots produced?
DH: We have a company in India that’s the software side. Most of the tech stuff happens in India. Manufacturing happens in the U.S

DNT: One feature that stands out is the recorded dialog.
DH: The artificial intelligence is the underpinning of the whole project. I’ve done a lot of artificial intelligence research, and one of the primary patents around that technology is information matching. Everyone’s familiar with these dating services where you fill out a questionnaire and everyone says the same thing, like they like to walk on the beach. We developed data mining based on what your interests are. There’s a very large form customers fill out: what your interests are, what your likes and dislikes are. That form is used to generate the personality for Roxxxy that matches yours. That’s one of the most unique parts of it. The robotics is great, but the artificial intelligence by itself, which was carried over from the healthcare model, is a significant portion of the project.

DNT: Can you talk about Roxxxy’s ability to change her demeanor from shy to wild, etc.?
DH: That came out of testing. We have a very large group of testers that have a variety of interests. We don’t want to pigeonhole people, but people fell into a few different categories. We want the audience to be able to interact with Roxxxy without having to worry about the ins and out, and we want them to be able to do that without worrying about the different personalities. What we came up with is a template of different personality profiles. Those are actual profiles that are stored as catchy names, but reflect people who are shy [Frigid Farrah], naive [Young Yoko], wild [Wild Wendy], experienced [Mature Martha] and adventurous [S&M Susan]. You just need to tell Roxxxy to use that personality and she’ll react accordingly. Roxxxy will always have her original, out-of-the-box personality and the five other built-in options, but people have the ability to create and modify their own online.

DNT: Has there been any backlash to your invention?
DH: Well, we did have a death threat. I don’t like to talk about it, but we had someone who was going to “take care” of us and this new product at the trade show. My wife was more concerned than I was. But anytime anything new is introduced that’s a major step in a new direction, people are intimidated. I understand that. That’s the only backlash. It’s so new and so exciting that it’s going to take time for it to be adopted and mainstream. I definitely think it will be mainstream. This will be the future of robotics. It’s going to take time for people to understand it. It’s part of the process we need to do, to explain how this works to people so they’re not intimidated.

URBAN PLANNING AND IT'S NECESSITY IN NEPAL

Urban planning is a mixture of science and art. It encompasses many different disciplines and brings them all under a single umbrella. The simplest definition of urban planning is that it is the organization of all elements of a town or other urban environment. However, when one thinks about all the elements that make up a town, urban planning suddenly seems complicated - and it is.

Real urban planning is a relatively new concept. It gained popularity beginning in the mid-to-late 19th century, when it became obvious that there should be some kind of plan or larger goals for the growth of big cities like New York and Philadelphia. Before this time, cities very often grew as they had need, and the surrounding land was just swallowed up. London, Paris, Tokyo - none of these world cities had much urban planning, and even now, the addresses and streets in their older sections can be confusing even to natives.

Urban planning also became popular because of the growing need to get factory workers into healthier housing, rather than stuffing them into fire-trap tenements. With the advent of unions, workers had advocates to help lobby for better housing. Hence, "mill villages" and "steel villages" sprang up in larger cities.

Nowadays, urban planning takes all aspects of a city into consideration. It includes plans for safety, aesthetics and common sense placement of everything from houses to factories. Parents wouldn't want their children's playground next to the water treatment plant, for instance, and urban planning helps eliminate such problems. Goals for attractive architecture for city buildings are put into place and pleasing green spaces are planned. Good urban planning gets schools into the neighborhoods where they are needed most, places hospitals in centralized locations, allows for growth and plans highways accordingly.

Perhaps good urban planning is most evident in good highway planning in a city. Anticipating growth and traffic needs for a big city is crucial. Urban planners must consider how future growth will affect traffic flow and try to eliminate trouble spots before they become a problem. Even placing sewer systems and drainage systems is a necessary element of urban planning, albeit a less glamorous one. Urban planners must consider geography, the water table and numerous other elements of a city's landscape in order to properly plan for this necessity.

NECESSITY OF URBAN PLANNING IN NEPAL

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to it's unique geographical position and altitude variation.The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth,MT EVEREST at 8,848meters,all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from sub-tropical to Arctic.

An estimated 15 % of Nepal's population lives in its 58 municipalities. Although this is a small urban population, some of Nepal's towns are growing at annual rates of 5 to 7 %, with new residents looking for income opportunities, security, housing, education, and health services. Nepal's neighbouring countries show urbanisation rates between 30 - 40 %, indicating the nexus between urbanisation and development.

At the moment, Nepal's governance is in a transitional phase as people hope for peace and democratic rights that will bring new opportunities. While there are huge challenges to balance development in social, economic and regional terms, economic growth will result in continuing urbanisation. There are public and private choices to be taken which will influence the pace and face of Nepal's urban future. The challenge of shaping tomorrow's towns will continue.

BUILDING SURVEYING TECHNIQUE

Building surveying is one of the widest areas of surveying practice. Chartered building surveyors are involved in all aspects of property and construction from supervising large mixed use developments to planning domestic extensions. This varied workload can include everything from the conservation and restoration of historic buildings to contemporary new developments.

Building surveyors work in most real estate markets including residential, commercial, retail, industrial, leisure, education and health. Consequently there are a wide variety of opportunities for chartered building surveyors to work in both the commercial, private, and public sectors. Some chartered building surveyors work for property owning clients and contractors as well as in a number of specialist niche areas such as insurance, rights to light, party wall matters etc.

As well as strong technical skills, building surveyors need to have strong people skills and the highest levels of integrity. Clients, whether a large corporation or a individual member of the public, need to have the utmost confidence in the impartial advice given by chartered building surveyors.

Chartered building surveyors are clearly differentiated from the rest of their market by their enhanced technical knowledge and professional standards. Achieving the chartered status will enhance your professional status with employers and clients alike leading to more and varied employment opportunities.

BUILDING SURVEYING APC(ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE)

Building surveyors provide professional technical advice on land, property and construction for commercial companies and consultants, central and local government, and private individuals.
Whichever sector they work in, building surveyors’ knowledge and understanding of construction technology and building pathology means they are ideally equipped to provide a wide range of services including the following:

• Managing design and construction
• Undertaking building surveys and measured surveys
• Analysing design and building defects
• Preparing strategies for asset management
and property maintenance
• Preparing insurance valuations and claims
• Preparing strategic property advice covering land ownership,
lease conditions, boundaries, title matters (including
easements, licences and covenants etc), and landlord
and tenant legislation
• Project management and development monitoring
• Miscellaneous services including accessibility and energy
audits, specialist surveys (asbestos, damp etc), conservation
advice and sustainability advice.


Building surveying ATC(ASSESSMENT OF TECHNICAL COMPETENCE)

Candidates pursuing the ATC will be involved in similar types of activities to those on the APC, but the ATC places more emphasis on achieving level two, rather than level three, in the
competencies. The building surveying ATC also demands a smaller range of competencies than the APC and is suitable for candidates working within a technical role.

Candidates who successfully complete the building surveying ATC will be awarded the TechRICS qualification.

SURVEYING A ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTAL

Surveying or land surveying is the technique and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them. These points are usually on the surface of the Earth, and they are often used to establish land maps and boundaries for ownership or governmental purposes.

To accomplish their objective, surveyors use elements of geometry, engineering, trigonometry, mathematics, physics, and law.

An alternative definition, per the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM), is the science and art of making all essential measurements to determine the relative position of points and/or physical and cultural details above, on, or beneath the surface of the Earth, and to depict them in a usable form, or to establish the position of points and/or details.

Furthermore, as alluded to above, a particular type of surveying known as "land surveying" (also per ACSM) is the detailed study or inspection, as by gathering information through observations, measurements in the field, questionnaires, or research of legal instruments, and data analysis in the support of planning, designing, and establishing of property boundaries. It involves the re-establishment of cadastral surveys and land boundaries based on documents of record and historical evidence, as well as certifying surveys (as required by statute or local ordinance) of subdivision plats/maps, registered land surveys, judicial surveys, and space delineation. Land surveying can include associated services such as mapping and related data accumulation, construction layout surveys, precision measurements of length, angle, elevation, area, and volume, as well as horizontal and vertical control surveys, and the analysis and utilization of land survey data.

Surveying has been an essential element in the development of the human environment since the beginning of recorded history (about 5,000 years ago). It is required in the planning and execution of nearly every form of construction. Its most familiar modern uses are in the fields of transport, building and construction, communications, mapping, and the definition of legal boundaries for land ownership.

Surveying techniques

Historically, distances were measured using a variety of means, such as with chains having links of a known length, for instance a Gunter's chain, or measuring tapes made of steel or invar. To measure horizontal distances, these chains or tapes were pulled taut according to temperature, to reduce sagging and slack. Additionally, attempts to hold the measuring instrument level would be made. In instances of measuring up a slope, the surveyor might have to "break" (break chain) the measurement- use an increment less than the total length of the chain.

Historically, horizontal angles were measured using a compass, which would provide a magnetic bearing, from which deflections could be measured. This type of instrument was later improved, with more carefully scribed discs providing better angular resolution, as well as through mounting telescopes with reticles for more-precise sighting atop the disc (see theodolite). Additionally, levels and calibrated circles allowing measurement of vertical angles were added, along with verniers for measurement to a fraction of a degree—such as with a turn-of-the-century transit.

The simplest method for measuring height is with an altimeter — basically a barometer — using air pressure as an indication of height. But surveying requires greater precision. A variety of means, such as precise levels (also known as differential leveling), have been developed to do this. With precise leveling, a series of measurements between two points are taken using an instrument and a measuring rod. Differentials in height between the measurements are added and subtracted in a series to derive the net difference in elevation between the two endpoints of the series. With the advent of the Global Positioning System (GPS), elevation can also be derived with sophisticated satellite receivers, but usually with somewhat less accuracy than with traditional precise leveling. However, the accuracies may be similar if the traditional leveling would have to be run over a long distance.

Triangulation is another method of horizontal location made almost obsolete by GPS. With the triangulation method, distances, elevations and directions between objects at great distance from one another can be determined. Since the early days of surveying, this was the primary method of determining accurate positions of objects for topographic maps of large areas. A surveyor first needs to know the horizontal distance between two of the objects. Then the height, distances and angular position of other objects can be derived, as long as they are visible from one of the original objects. High-accuracy transits or theodolites were used for this work, and angles between objects were measured repeatedly for increased accuracy.

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Geo Fennel FET 500 Builders Optical Theodolite Geo Fennel FET 500 Builders Optical Theodolite A range of versatile easy to use electronic theodolites to suit all applications from construction to surveying. Construction theodolite – the versatile starter model for many applications. Features: - Built-in optical plummet - Telescopic bubble - Circle orientation device - Available in 400 gon or 360° Specs: Magnification - 20 x Objective aperture - 30 mm Shortest focussing distance - 1,2 m Direct reading -...

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ENGINEERING APPLICATION,A MOBILE

DEFINITION

A mobile phone is an electronic device used for full duplex two-way radio telecommunications over a cellular network of base stations known as cell sites. Mobile phones differ from cordless telephones, which only offer telephone service within limited range through a single base station attached to a fixed land line, for example within a home or an office.

A mobile phone allows its user to make and receive telephone calls to and from the public telephone network which includes other mobiles and fixed line phones across the world. It does this by connecting to a cellular network owned by a mobile network operator.

HISTORY

Radiophones have a long and varied history going back to Reginald Fessenden's invention and shore-to-ship demonstration of radio telephony, through the Second World War with military use of radio telephony links and civil services in the 1950s, while hand-held mobile radio devices have been available since 1973.

The first mobile telephone call made from a car occurred in St. Louis, Missouri, USA on June 17, 1946, but the system was impractical from what is considered a portable handset today. The equipment weighed 80 lbs, and the AT&T service, basically a massive party line, cost $30 USD per month (equal to $334.15 today) plus 30 to 40 cents per local call, equal to $3.34 to $4.46 today.

In 1960, the world’s first partly automatic car phone system, Mobile System A (MTA), was launched in Sweden. MTA phones were composed of vacuum tubes and relays, and had a weight of 40 kg. In 1962, a more modern version called Mobile System B (MTB) was launched, which was a push-button telephone, and which used transistors in order to enhance the telephone’s calling capacity and improve its operational reliability. In 1971 the MTD version was launched, opening for several different brands of equipment and gaining commercial success.

Martin Cooper, a Motorola researcher and executive is considered to be the inventor of the first practical mobile phone for hand-held use in a non-vehicle setting, after a long race against Bell Labs for the first portable mobile phone. Using a modern, if somewhat heavy portable handset, Cooper made the first call on a hand-held mobile phone on April 3, 1973 to his rival, Dr. Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs.

The first commercially automated cellular network (the 1G generation) was launched in Japan by NTT in 1979, initially in the metropolitan area of Tokyo. Within five years, the NTT network had been expanded to cover the whole population of Japan and became the first nation-wide 1G network. In 1981, this was followed by the simultaneous launch of the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) system in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. NMT was the first mobile phone network featuring international roaming. The first 1G network launched in the USA was Chicago based Ameritech in 1983 using the Motorola DynaTAC mobile phone. Several countries then followed in the early 1980s including the UK, Mexico and Canada.

The first "modern" network technology on digital 2G (second generation) cellular technology was launched by Radiolinja (now part of Elisa Group) in 1991 in Finland on the GSM standard which also marked the introduction of competition in mobile telecoms when Radiolinja challenged incumbent Telecom Finland (now part of TeliaSonera) who ran a 1G NMT network.

In 2001 the first commercial launch of 3G (Third Generation) was again in Japan by NTT DoCoMo on the WCDMA standard.

One of the newest 3G technologies to be implemented is High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA). It is an enhanced 3G (third generation) mobile telephony communications protocol in the High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) family, also coined 3.5G, 3G+ or turbo 3G, which allows networks based on Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) to have higher data transfer speeds and capacity.

MODERN MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY

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