HOT TRENDS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
ADNAN
MANZOOR, CIVIL 1ST SEMESTER
Civil
engineering is already in its phase of revolution adapting new technologies
like suspension systems to build bridges and GPS to plot new roads, concept of
plastic roads, etc. But its major domains continue to be hottest areas of
research. These are as:-
1) SELF
HEALING CONCRETE: Cracks in concrete are a common phenomenon
due to the relatively low tensile strength. Durability of concrete is impaired
by these cracks since they provide an easy pathway for the transportation of
liquids and gases that potentially contain harmful substances. Since, the cost involved for maintenance and
repair of concrete is usually high, this research focuses on the development of
self healing concrete. It would contribute to a longer service life of concrete
structures and would make the material not only durable but also sustainable.
2) MECHANICS
OF MATERIALS: From past two to three decades there has been a total
revolution in the structure and design. This has been possible only due to the
new emergent materials coming into force. These materials can be grown instead
of being built. They possess properties that react to certain conditions. While
some of these are still in their early developmental phase, others are being
utilized now- a-days widely. But the matter of interest remains their
appropriate use e.g. : Topological Insulators (recently discovered class of
materials that are insulating in their interior but have conducting surface
states which astonishes modern science about their applications).
3) ACCELERATED
BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION (ABC): ABC is a
paradigm shift in the project planning and procurement approach where the need
to minimize impacts which occur due to onsite construction activities. It is
basically a bridge construction technique that uses innovative planning,
design, materials and construction methods in a safe and cost effective manner
to reduce the onsite construction time and traffic impacts. Every year more
than 25% bridges of a nation require rehabilitation, repairing or total
replacement. However the problems that occur from onsite construction can have
significant social impacts to mobility and safety. In many cases the direct and
indirect cost of traffic detours that result from the loss of a bridge during construction,
can exceed the actual cost of structure itself.
4) ADVANCED MAPPING: Civil engineering seems ripe with applications for
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which can aid in scanning and mapping worksites
as needed to capture the photos and
videos for promotional purposes. UAVs are easy to program to fly multiple times
around the same worksite which will be able to capture a variety of images and
videos while the project is completed and that will enable us to manage project
progress quite nicely and accurately. UAVs will also revolutionize civil engineering
through the use of photo scanning technique.
5) 3D
PRINTING: It is also gaining a lot of ground not
just among hobbyists but also in business. 3D printing offers benefits for both
design and construction essentially trying the two processes together. With 3D
printing, it is easy to design custom construction supplies and then, build
them using any kind of material imaginable. Dutch construction company Heijmans- most well-known for its “smart highway” and its glowing
bicycle paths has created world’s first 3D printed bridge.
6) PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE: Pre-stressed is a technique to overcome the
weakness of concrete during tension. In pre-stressing, the tendons are stressed
along the axis and the cement is charged later, when the tendons are released
the bottom is compressed and counter balances the compression at the top part
of the beam. This characteristic of pre-stressed concrete allows preset
engineering stresses to counter act stresses that occur during loads.
7) KINETIC ROADS: Italian startup underground power is
exploring the potential of kinetic energy in roadways. It has developed a technology
called lybra, a tyre like rubber paving that converts the kinetic
energy produced by moving vehicles into electrical energy. Developed in the corporation
with the polytechnic university of Milan, lybra operates on the principle that
a braking car dissipates kinetic energy. The cutting edge technology is able to
collect and convert this energy into electrical energy and pass it to the
electricity grid. In addition to improving road safety it upgrades and promotes
the sustainability of road traffic.
To cut the long story short, we can say that in general there are
many innovations happening now a day in civil engineering. To name a few other
fields which are currently trending all over the globe are soil reinforcement
and geo-synthesis, environmental engineering and water management, damage and
fracture mechanics, etc. Hopefully this everlasting quest of a civil engineer
to serve mankind won’t destroy the environment.
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