Science Infoblog

According to Wikipedia Civil Engineering is a discipline that deals with the design construction and maintainance of structures like bridges, roads,  canals dams and buildings.

The World Trade Centre consisted of 7 buildings on a 16 acre Plaza in lower Manhattan. 19 terrorists hijacked four aircraft on the morning of September 11 2001. The hijackers crashed two planes the Trade Centre towers which collapsed within 2 hours. A third aircraft crashed into the Pentagon building in Arlington,Virginia and the last one nose dived into a field near Shanksville in Pensylvania.

Just why the “twin towers” collapsed has been the subject of various conspiracy theories:

• controlled demolition rather than structural weakening due to fire
• the Pentagon was hit by a missile
• the hijacked planes were replaced by planes carrying explosives

Eight years on and even after thorough scientific investigation the myths continue to grow in sophistication. Apparently nano-thermite particles (ask any 6th form chemist about factors controlling reaction rates and what highly exothermic means) have been found in the rubble of Ground Zero by a Danish professor. Nano-thermite is a highly reactive compound used by the US Department of Defence. It is also used to lainch rockets.

Civil engineers are skilled in the use of science and mathematics to build structures that don’t fall over. The Auckland Harbour Bridge needed extra capacity hence the addition of nippon clipons in 1965. The two-lane box girder sections added on each side of the bridge doubled the traffic lanes to eight. Structures must be  maintained and cracks discovered in 1987 and cracks/material fatigue found  in 2006 could not be ignored. Generally engineers get it right and we trust their safety margins. Currently vehicles are restricted to weights of 13 tonnes or less after further concerns that a traffic jam stopping flow on the bridge could cause the clip-ons to unclip.

Similarly we don’t expect the sky tower to blow over in high winds although the revolving restaurant at the top is sometimes closed in storms as the swaying motion causes soup to slurp over diners’ bowls. Swaying is good as far as engineers are concerned. The alternative, snapping to release strain is not a popular choice!

Civil engineers can use science and mathematics skills to determine the likely causes when buildings and other structures do fail catostrophically.

Purdue University worked with the American Society of Civil Engineers to produce an analysysis of the most likely chain of events leading to the collapse of the twin towers eight years ago. This involved thorough mathematical and computer modelling of the forces involved using the original building blueprints. Data defining the properties of the construction materials were also fed into the calculations.

Structural weakening due to fire is the only credible scientific theory explaining the collapse of the twin towers.

Civil Engineering at the Univerity of Auckland:

Civil Engineering is a four year course requiring good seventh form grades.

from the student handbook:

• to gain admission to University of Auckland you must gain the university Entrance Standard and be selected into a programme.
• You will be allocated a ranked score based on your best credits at level 3 or higher.
• A maximum of 5 approved subjects weighted by the level of achievement attained in each set of credits.
• If you achieve fewer than 80 credits at level 3 the ranking will be based on those credits you have achieved over a maximum of 5 approved subjects at level 3 weighted by the level of achievement.
• The approved subjects are determined by NZQA and are available at www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea
• You are are strongly advised to take achievemnt standards as preparation for University study.
• The guaranteed admission score for BE(Hons) in 2009 is 240 with a minimum of 18 credits at Level 3 in Maths with calculus and Physics.
• The rank score is calculated by awarding 4 point for Excellence, 3 for Merit and 2 for Achieved for up up to 24 credits in each approved subect at level 3 over the last two years.
• The maximum possible score is 320

NOTE……NOTE…….. The importance of mathematics in the study of science at University

Are you interested in any of the following careers:

• Stock Agent
• Agriculture Mechanic
• Sheep/Beef Farmer
• Fertiliser Consultant
• Shearer

 Do you have the ability and interest to follow a particular career in the agricultural industry?
This programme offers to link senior secondary students to young Industry Mentors already working in a career that you might wish to check out. This may lead to work experience opportunities e.g. Gateway.
The help you will receive will differ from normal careers programmes. You must be willing to actively participate in communication with your Industry Mentor via their preferred medium e.g. text, phone, email, Face Book, Bebo.

Check out information with the Careers Department in the first instance but look at the links below.

In2 the Field Guidelines.

Student Application Form.

Angela Hart the Futureintech facilitator for Central and West Auckland visited the School this week with a team of young engineers to talk to year 11 science students about geological sciences.

Ana Petaia is an engineering Geologist. Ana reckons Geology is a great career for girls because she gets the boys to do all the heavy rock lifting while she has a coffee. No two days are the same and there is no fixed routine in her life. She does consultancy work as well.

Amelia Fillion has travelled extensively and is currently a Senior Civil Engineer. She is tunneling through hillsides making motorways and supervising other major projects at the moment. She is also studying for further qualifications. You never stop learning!

James Beaumont is a Project Geotechnical engineer. He has been working in Tonga recently building a new jetty for large cruise ships. He brought core drilling samples to the seminar. Maths is very important to scientists. James pointed out that “it is the language we use to describe how things work in our everyday lives.

The team stressed the importance of considering subject choice carefully. The careers department can assist you here. Go and talk to them!

Engineering is fun………but first you need to work hard towards level 1 science.

Futureintech will return to school shortly to address sixth form chemistry students.