Пособия / Л.П. Даниленко, Ю.Ю. Сильман TECHNICAL ENGLISH FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS AND STRUCTURAL DESIGNERS

estimation of loading;

analysis for the various load cases and combinations of loads and identification of the most severe design actions;

design of the foundations, structural frames, elements and connections;

preparation of the final arrangement and detail drawings.

The materials list, bill of quantities and specification covering welding, fabrication, erection, corrosion and fire protection may then be prepared. Finally the estimation and tender documents can be finalized for submission* to contractors.

Structural designers use knowledge of structural mechanics and design, computer science, materials, geotechnics, and combine it with their practical experience toproduce a satisfactory design. The structural designers take advice from specialists, handbooks and computer software to help them making decisions and to carry out a complex analysis and design calculations.

Notes:

preliminary design – подготовительный/черновой проект detailed design – подробный/детальный проект arrangement – расположение, размещение

submission – предоставление

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EXERCISES

Ex. 1. Give the English for:

Знания по информатике, математике и строительной механике; проектировщик; выполнение сложных расчетов; безопасное и экономичное сооружение; подготовительный проект; подробный (детальный) план; выбор строительных материалов; расчет нагрузки; фундамент и каркас здания; предварительная смета строительных работ; оценка тендерной документации; принятие важных решений.

Ex. 2. Fill in the gaps to complete the following sentences.

1.Structural designers’ main duty is to prepare the design and drawings for a … and … structure.

2.The first step in the designing process is …

3.The estimation and tender documents at the final step are submitted to…

4.To produce a proper design a structural engineer needs practical… and knowledge in…

5.… help structural designers to make correct decisions and carry out complex analysis and calculations.

Ex. 3. Without consulting the text 3 write down:

the role of a structural engineer in the construction process

main steps of a designing process

4 parts of a detailed design.

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Task. Read and translate the text using the dictionary.

TEXT 4. CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, INNOVATION AND

PLANNING

Conceptual design* in the structural engineering sense* is the function of choosing a suitable form or a system to bring the architectural solution* into being. Ideally, conceptual design should result from a team effort, where architects, structural engineers and service engineers contribute to the final solution. Modern architectural practices take this multidisciplinaryapproach.The architectural decisions are based on functional, aesthetic,

environmental and economic considerations. For example, for an industrial plant it is the functional requirement*, whereas for an exhibition building it is the aesthetic aspect.

Novelty and innovation are always desirable. Architects, engineers and builders always use existingforms of construction, available materials and the state of knowledge at the time. Often it is not a new solution that is required, but the correct choice and use of a well proved existing structural system that gives the best answer.

Planning may be described as the practical expression of conceptual design. The various proposals must be transformed from ideas and stretches* into drawings consisting of plans and to give a realistic impression of the finished structure.

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Computer drafting software is now available to make this work much quicker than the older manual methods. Threedimensional computer simulation (3D-simulation) with views possible from all directions gives great assistance in the decision-making* process. A scale model of the complete project is often made to show clearly the finished form. The preparation and presentation of planning proposals are very important because the final approval for a scheme is often given by non-technical people such as financiers.

The engineer must also consider construction in any of the major materials – masonry, concrete, steel or timber, or again in some combination of these materials for structures, and then make the appropriate selection. A list of factors that should be considered at the conceptual and planning stage includes:

location of the structure and environmental conditions;

site and foundation conditions;

weather conditions during construction;

availability of materials;

transportofmaterialsandfabricatedelementstoasite;

availability and quality of labour for construction;

degree of supervision needed for construction;

measures needed to give protection against corrosion and fire;

possibility of accidental damage;

maintenance required after completion;

possibility of demolition in the future.

The final decision on the form and type of structure and construction method depends on many factors and cost must be taken into consideration as well, because cost often remains the most important.

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conceptual design – предварительный проект sense – смысл, понятие, значение decision-making – принятие решения solution – решение

functional requirement – требование функциональности stretch – набросок (зд.)

EXERCISES

Ex. 1. Match English and Russian equivalents.

Ex. 2. Answer the following questions.

1.What does the term “conceptual design” mean?

2.What specialists should be involved in the process of producing the ideal design?

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3.Is multidisciplinary approach used in modern practice?

4.Is innovation in construction always necessary?

5.What innovation has come to replace designers’ manual work? Does itimprove thiswork, makingit easier and faster?

6.What factors should be considered by designers at the stage of planning?

7.Does the cost of construction play an important role?

Task. Give the written translation of the text.

TEXT 5. AIMS AND FACTORS CONSIDERED

IN DESIGNING

The aim of the design choice is to find the most economical solution that meets the requirements for the given structure. Factors to be taken into account include:

materials to be used;

manufacture and type of joining*;

method of erection of the framework* to be used;

type of floors, walls, cladding* and finishes;

installation of ventilating/heatingfacilities*, lifts, water supply systems, electrical wiringetc.;

corrosion and fire protection required;

operating and maintenance* costs.

Aesthetic considerations are important in many cases and the choice of design may not always be based on cost alone.

Each of the structures can be erected using a variety of materials, structural forms or systems. Materials are discussed

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first and then a general classification of structures is set out. All steel structures must rest on concrete foundations and concrete shear walls* are commonly used to stabilize multi-storey buildings.

Notes:

framework – опалубка cladding – облицовка facilities – оборудование

maintenance – техническоеобслуживание, профилактический ремонт

joining – соединение, сборка, монтаж shear wall – стена жесткости

EXERCISES

Ex. 1. Look throughthe text andexpress its mainidea. Ex. 2. Give the definitions of the following terms:

Ex. 3. Comment in English on the following issues:

the essence of choice when designing a structure;

the factors to be considered when choosing a design;

the importance of cost and aesthetic aspect.

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Task. Read and translate the text using the dictionary.

TEXT 6. INTEGRATION OF COST,

QUALITY AND TIME

Building system integration* is the act of creating a whole functioning building which contains and includes building systems in various combinations. The various criteria including energy conservation, functional suitability, strength and stability, durability, fire safety, weather conditions, visual /acoustical comfort, economic efficiency, quality and time of erection should be integrated when designing and erecting a building.

The triangle involves cost, quality and time and this is the client who defines the priority depending on his purposes. For buildings related to commerce such as shopping complexes time is usually the top priority to start construction before certain seasons, or in certain cases, to reduce financing bills, etc. With a limited budget, cost may be the top priority. Quality may be emphasized in cases where the building itself is monumental in terms of height, architecture and appearance. It is important that economic buildings do not necessarily mean unsafe buildings. Through proper design, management and execution, an economic building can provide the required standard at the lowest cost.

With buildings getting taller, integration between various aspects in physiology, psychology, sociology, economics, as well as the available technology is needed. A building needs to perform* the functions of building enclosure* against environmental degradation because of moisture, temperature, air movement, radiation, chemical and biological attack or environmental disasters such as fire or flood. It also needs to

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provide interior requirements and the elemental parameters of comfort for people. To achieve good results it is necessary to combine all participants involved in the building process from architects, designers, engineers, building professionals, manufactures to workmen on the site.

Notes:

integration – объединение, интеграция, целостность to perform – выполнять

enclosure – ограждение

EXERCISES

Ex. 1. Make up the sentences using the words given below.

1.Time, and, involves, cost, the, quality, triangle.

2.Priority, commercial, such as, centers, the, sometimes, top, buildings, for, shopping, is, time.

3.Budget, the, limited, becomes, top, with, a, cost, priority.

4.Important, for, quality, very, buildings, is, monumental.

5.Management, proper, when, required, execution, an, meets, and, design, are, economic, standards, building.

6.Natural, safe, should, temperature, a, protect, and, building, from, disasters, radiation.

Ex. 2. Ask your group-mates the following questions.

1.How can you define the term “Buildingsystem integration”?

2.What are the main criteria considered when designing and erecting a building?

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3.What are the three major factors involved in the triangle?

4.Can quality become the top priority? Give an example of such structure.

5.Can cost play the main role?

6.Is time involved in the combination of the main factors? When time is the top priority?

7.Are low-cost constructions always unsafe?

8.What requirements should be considered to make a building cheap but safe?

9.What specialists are responsible for the safety and quality of a construction?

10.What natural negative factors and disasters should a safe building be protected from?

Task. Scan the text to get the full idea of it.

TEXT 7. 3D-MODELING AND DESIGNING BUILDINGS

3-dimensional graphics (from English “3 Dimensions of an image”) is the section of computer graphics, a set of methods

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