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University Bulletin: Graduate Programs The George Washington University  

 
   
 

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Professors M.I. Haque, K.H. Digges (Research), A. Eskandarian, K. Roddis (Chair), M.T. Manzari, R. Riffat, S. Lerman

Associate Professors C.D. Kan (Research), P.F. Silva, S.S. Badie

Assistant Professors D. Marzougui (Research), S.H. Hamdar, T. Li

Professorial Lecturers B. Whang, M.O. Critchfield, C. Smith, G.C. Everstine

See the School of Engineering and Applied Science for programs leading to the master's, professional, and doctoral degrees. The department also offers graduate certificate programs in environmental engineering, geoenvironmental engineering, structural engineering, and transportation engineering.

The green leaf indicates that the course addresses environmental, social or economic sustainability.
6101 Numerical Methods in Engineering (3)

Eskandarian and Staff

 

Eigenvalue problems. Numerical solution of systems of equations and ordinary differential equations. Solution techniques for elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic partial differential equations. Numerical methods for solving finite element equations. Introduction to solution of fluid-flow problems. Prerequisite: CE 2210. (Fall)

6102

Application of Probability Methods in Civil Engineering (3)

Silva and Staff

 

Uncertainty in real-world information; basic probability concepts and models; random variables; useful probability distributions, statistical estimation of distribution parameters from observed data; empirical determination of distribution models; testing hypothesis; regression and correlation analyses; decision theory. Prerequisite: ApSc 3115. (Spring, even years)

6201 Advanced Strength of Materials (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Deflection of beams using singular functions, unsymmetrical bending of beams, beams on elastic foundation. Beam-column problems, shear center for thin-walled beam cross sections, curved beams. Applications of energy methods, torsion, basic equations for theory of elasticity, thin- and thick-walled cylinders, stress concentration, and failure criteria. Prerequisite: CE 2220. (Spring)

6202 Methods of Structural Analysis (3)

Badie and Staff

 

Modern methods of analysis of statically indeterminate structures, matrix analysis based on flexibility, stiffness, energy and variational methods, substructuring techniques; consideration of plastic collapse of structures; introduction to the finite element method. Prerequisite: CE 3240. (Fall)

6203

Reliability Analysis of Engineering Structures (3)

Silva and Staff

 

Probability theory, theory of structural reliability, probabilistic analysis of strength and loads, risk and reliability function, empirical distribution, probability plot. The design service life, method of perturbation, Monte Carlo simulation. Fatigue and fracture, proof testing, inspection and repair-replacement maintenance. Prerequisite: ApSc 3115. (Fall, odd years)

6204 Analysis of Plates and Shells (3)

Haque and Staff

 

Bending and stretching of thin elastic plates under loading with various boundary conditions, continuous plates and plates on elastic foundations, theory of folded-plate structures. Theory of curved surfaces; general linear bending theory and its simplification to membrane theory; bending stresses in shells of revolution, shallow-shell theory. (Spring, odd years)

6205 Theory of Structural Stability (3)

Haque, Manzari

 

General criteria for stability, buckling of elastic and inelastic columns and frames, torsional and lateral buckling, variational methods. Buckling of plates and shells under static loads, stability of stiffened structures, effect of imperfections and boundary conditions. (Fall)

6206 Continuum Mechanics (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Introduction to the mechanics of continuous media. Tensor calculus; kinematics; stress and stress rate, conservation of mass, conservation of linear and angular momentum, energy balance, second law of thermodynamics; constitutive theory; linear and nonlinear elasticity, newtonian fluids, micropolar elasticity. (Fall, even years)

6207 Theory of Elasticity (3)

Manzari, Lee

 

Introduction to Cartesian tensors; deformation, stress, constitutive relations for linear elasticity; formulation of boundary value problems, variational principles, torsion and bending of prismatial rods, plane problems. Same as MAE 6207. Prerequisite: approval of department. (Spring)

6208 Plasticity (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Introduction to the continuum theory of plastic deformation. Physical basis of rate-independent plasticity. Concepts of yield, strain hardening and softening, reverse yield, and cyclic plasticity. Constitutive equations describing plastic deformation. Prerequisite: CE 6201 or 6206. (As arranged)

6209 Mechanics of Composite Materials (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Stress-strain relationship for orthotropic materials, invariant properties of an orthotropic lamina, biaxial strength theory for an orthotropic lamina. Mechanics of materials approach to stiffness, elasticity approach to stiffness. Classical lamination theory, strength of laminates. Statistical theory of fatigue damage. Same as MAE 6233. Prerequisite: CE 3240. (Spring, odd years)

6210

Introduction to Finite Element Analysis (3)

Haque and Staff

 

Calculus of variations. Variational formulation of the finite element method. Weighted residual techniques. Computer implementation of the finite element method. Application to problems in heat transfer, stress analysis, fluid flow, and structural analysis. Prerequisite: proficiency in one computer language. (Fall)

6301

Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures (3)

Badie and Staff

 

Structural behavior of reinforced concrete structures, ultimate strength and deformation characteristics; design of structural components including beams, columns, floor slabs, deep beams, corbels, and composite slab/beam systems. Prerequisite: CE 3310. (Fall)

6302 Prestressed Concrete Structures (3)

Badie and Staff

 

Structural behavior and failure modes of prestressed concrete structures; design in prestressed concrete, including long-span structures, bridges, and precast systems. Prerequisite: CE 3310. (Spring)

6310

Advanced Reinforced Concrete Structures (3)

Badie and Staff

 

Conception, analysis, and design of low-rise and high-rise buildings by ultimate-strength methods, precast systems, progressive collapse, earthquake considerations, domes, folded plates, shell-type structures, and special topics. Prerequisite: CE 6301. (As arranged)

6311 Bridge Design (3)

Badie and Staff

 

Application of basic design procedures for reinforced and prestressed concrete bridges, according to AASHTO bridge specifications. Various types of concrete bridges, design superstructure bridge elements (deck slab, girders, bearing pads), and development of superstructure/substructure details. Prerequisite: CE 6302. (As arranged)

6320 Design of Metal Structures (3)

Roddis and Staff

 

Structural behavior of metal structures and composite girders. Conception, analysis, and design of low-rise and high-rise buildings by elastic and inelastic methods. Earthquake considerations and special topics. Prerequisite: CE 4320. (Spring)

6321 Advanced Metal Structures (3)

Roddis and Staff

 

Conception and design of advanced structural components and systems, hysteretic behavior, plastic design principles, box-type girders, cable systems, and unique structural systems. Prerequisite: CE 6320. (As arranged)

6340 Structural Dynamics (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Vibration of continuous systems: membranes, beam plates, and shells; approximate methods of vibration analysis; methods of integral transform; analysis of nonlinear systems; wave propagation. Prerequisite: approval of department. (Fall, odd years)

6341 Random Vibration of Structures (3)

Staff

 

Introduction to random processes, responses of linear structures to stationary and nonstationary random inputs. Structural responses to earthquakes, waves, boundary-layer turbulences, wind loads, etc. Failure analysis of structures under random loads. Prerequisite: MAE 6257. (Spring, even years)

6342

Structural Design to Resist Natural Hazards (3)

Silva and Staff

 

Prediction of forces due to earthquakes and strong winds; generalized codes; pseudostatic methods for preliminary design; codes based on spectra, energy absorption and ductility; influence of foundations; ground failures; static and aeroelastic effects of strong winds. Design project. Prerequisite: CE 3240, 4340. (Spring)

6350 Introduction to Biomechanics (3)

Eskandarian, Kan

 

Fundamentals of continuum mechanics as they apply to biological materials: concepts of stress, strain, and equilibrium; elastic and viscoelastic properties of solids; physiological fluid mechanics and bioheat and mass transfer. Fundamentals of solid mechanics of soft tissues and bone structures. Development of computer models and applications. Prerequisite: CE 2220. (Spring)

6401 Fundamentals of Soil Behavior (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Soil mineralogy, clay-water-electrolyte systems, soil composition, fabric, structure, volume change behavior, permeability, coupled phenomena, in-situ evaluation of soil behavior. Prerequisite: CE 4410. (Fall, even years)

6402 Theoretical Soil Mechanics (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Porous media, stress-strain behavior of soil skeleton, elastic and elastoplastic models for soil behavior, critical state concept, cam clay, strength of soils, stress-dilatancy, stress paths. (Fall, odd years)

6403 Geotechnical Engineering (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Principles of soil mechanics applied to the analysis and design of mat foundations, pile foundations, retaining structures including sheeting and bracing systems, and waterfront structures. Foundation on difficult soils and reinforced earth structures. Prerequisite: CE 4410. (Spring)

6404 Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Ground motion, wave propagation, foundation isolation, site response analysis, seismic stability of retaining structures, soil structure interaction. Prerequisite: graduate standing. (As arranged)

6405 Rock Engineering (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Classification and properties of rock; nature of rock masses and rock discontinuities; field exploration; methods of excavation; design and applications to foundation slopes, tunnels, and chambers in rock. Prerequisite: CE 4410. (As arranged)

6501 Environmental Chemistry (3)

Riffat and Staff

 

Principles of chemistry of natural waters, water supplies, wastewaters, hazardous wastes. Stoichiometry, equilibrium, solubility, kinetics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, analytical techniques. Examples from water/wastewater practice to illustrate applications. (Fall)

6502 Advanced Sanitary Engineering Design (3)

Riffat and Staff

 

Elements of design including basic parameters and hydraulic requirements. Layout and design of water supply and wastewater systems, pumping stations, and treatment plants. Plant expansions and modifications. Prerequisite: CE 4530. (Spring)

6503

Principles of Environmental Engineering (3)

Riffat and Staff

 

Basic concepts of water, air, and terrestrial environments and interrelationships among them. Principles of environmental chemistry and microbiology. Assessment of environmental quality and impacts. Environment and health. Water and wastewater systems. Legal and regulatory controls. (Fall)

6504

Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes (3)

Riffat and Staff

 

Theory and application of commonly used processes. Sedimentation, coagulation, filtration, disinfection, gas transfer, activated sludge, trickling filters, oxidation ponds, sorption, and sludge stabilization and disposal. Process combinations to produce treatment systems. Prerequisite: CE 6503. (Spring)

6505 Environmental Impact Assessment (3)

Riffat and Staff

 

Public policy and legislation on environmental quality. Methods for assessing impacts of engineering projects. Technology for assessing impacts on air, water, and land environments, applied to transportation facilities, water and wastewater facilities, industrial and community development. (Fall)

6506

Microbiology for Environmental Engineers (3)

Riffat and Staff

 

Principles of microbiology and applications to lakes, streams, hazardous wastes, and biological treatment systems. Methods for evaluating impacts of wastewaters and hazardous wastes on ecological systems. Concepts of limnology, including limiting of nutrients and control of nuisance growths. (Spring, even years)

6507 Advanced Treatment Processes (3)

Riffat and Staff

 

Principles and applications of advanced treatment systems for water, wastewater, and hazardous wastes, including: biological nutrient removal, oxidation-reduction processes, stripping, sorption, membrane processes, chemical precipitation, others. Prerequisite: CE 6504. (Fall, even years)

6508 Industrial Waste Treatment (3)

Riffat and Staff

 

Types of industries, waste sources. Characteristics, measurements, and evaluation. Minimization and reuse. Treatment process selection, development, and design. Regulations, permits, standards, monitoring, and pretreatment. (Fall)

6509 Introduction to Hazardous Wastes (3)

Riffat and Staff

 

Regulations, including RCRA and Superfund. Transport and fate of hazardous substances. Elements of environmental toxicology, risk assessment, and hazard ranking. Monitoring, data collection, and evaluation. Waste minimization. Case histories. (Spring)

6601 Open Channel Flow (3)

Staff

 

Types and regimes of flow; energy and momentum principles, uniform flow, gradually varied flow, spatially and rapidly varied flow. Flow in nonprismatic channels. Unsteady flow; dam break problem, flood routing. Prerequisite: CE 3610 or equivalent. (Fall)

6602 Hydraulic Engineering (3)

Haque and Staff

 

Hydraulic design of conveyance, regulating, and measurement structures. Design for spillways, energy dissipators, inlet and outlet works related to dams. Forces on hydraulic structure and stability analysis. Hydraulic turbines and pumps. Design considerations for flow through pipes. Transients and cavitation. Prerequisite: CE 3610. (As arranged)

6603 Design of Dams (3)

Staff

 

Project planning and investigations. Types of dams; design of earth-rock fill dams; stability analysis, foundation treatment, wind-wave protection. Construction methods for dams. Reservoir sedimentation. Safety inspection of dams. Prerequisite: CE 3610. (As arranged)

6604 Advanced Hydrology (3)

Staff

 

Precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration. Soil physics; stream flow, drainage basins, hydrograph analysis, and stream-flow routing. Design criteria, flood frequency statistics and analysis, flood forecasting and control, water-supply forecasting. Prerequisite: CE 4620. (As arranged)

6605 Groundwater and Seepage (3)

Haque and Staff

 

Permeability theory of groundwater flow, flow nets, analogs, computer solutions; applications to engineering problems such as excavation dewatering, flow through dams, stabilization of earth slopes. Prerequisite: approval of department. (Spring)

6606 Mechanics of Water Waves (3)

Haque and Staff

 

Irrotational theory for deep- and shallow-water waves, reflexion, refraction, diffraction, attenuation. Water waves of finite amplitude: shallow-water theory, tides, bores, long-waves theory, conoidal and solitary waves. Wave generation by wind. Wave breaking and reflexion. Prerequisite: ApSc 6213 and permission of instructor. (As arranged)

6607 Water Resources Planning and Control (3)

Staff

 

The parameters of water resources planning and control, economics of water resources and related natural resources, economics of water-quality control, physical parameters of water resource development, water resources law. Prerequisite: approval of department. (As arranged)

6608 Hydraulic Modeling (3)

Staff

 

Dimensional analysis and similitude. Types of models-physical, mathematical. Distortions in physical models. Erodible bed models. Prerequisite: CE 3610. (As arranged)

6609

Numerical Methods in Environmental and Water Resources (3)

Staff

 

Use of microcomputers in water resources. Elements of finite difference schemes, basic operations, convergence, stability, and consistency. Nonuniform flow and error analysis; unsteady laminar flow; diffusion problems; unsteady flow in open channels; water hammer, seepage flow, and diffusion-dispersion problems. Prerequisite: approval of department. (Spring)

6610 Pollution Transport System (3)

Staff

 

Distribution of pollutants in natural waters and atmosphere, diffusive and advective transport, mathematics for stream pollutant deoxygenation rates, groundwater pollution transport, sediment transport, thermal transport, numerical simulation of pollutant transports in streams and estuaries. Prerequisite: CE 3610, MAE 2131. (As arranged)

6701 Analytical Mechanics (3)

Eskandarian and Staff

 

Fundamental principles, particle and rigid-body dynamics, generalized coordinates, variational principles and Lagrange's equations, nonholonomic systems, Hamilton's equations, theory of small oscillations. (Fall)

6702 Vehicle Dynamics (3)

Eskandarian and Staff

 

Engineering principles and analytical methods explaining the performance of an automotive vehicle. Basic mechanics governing vehicle dynamic performance in longitudinal, ride, and handling modes. Engineering analysis techniques applied to basic systems and subsystems to derive the governing equations. Prerequisite or corequisite: CE 6701. (Spring, even years)

6703

Vehicle Standards and Crash Test Analysis (3)

Digges and Staff

 

Safety mandates and comparison of motor vehicles based on U.S. and European safety standards. Characteristics of dummies and mechanical devices specified for crash testing. U.S. national accident and injury data; calculation of benefits of safety measures. (Fall)

6704 Crash Investigation and Analysis (3)

Digges and Staff

 

Crash reconstruction methods for systematic investigation of vehicle crashes. Analysis of vehicle safety systems and their effectiveness; computer simulation and analysis of crash data; sensitivity of analytical techniques; case investigations. (Spring)

6705

Nonlinear Finite Element Modeling and Simulation (3)

Eskandarian and Staff

 

Rigid and flexible body methods for modeling crashes. Application of dynamic nonlinear finite element methods with contact algorithms for modeling crash phenomena. Modeling and simulation of vehicles, airbags, safety restraining systems, and highway barriers. (Spring)

6706 Pavement and Runway Design (3)

Manzari and Staff

 

Pavement types, wheel-load characteristics; stresses in pavements and subgrades; empirical methods of design of flexible and rigid highway and airfield pavements; general principles of runway design. (Spring, odd years)

6707

Systems Dynamics Modeling and Control (3)

Eskandarian and Staff

 

Introduction of concepts in control theory and applications to solve problems in civil and transportation engineering dealing with single-input/single-output and multi-input/multi-output systems. Review of classical control theory in the frequency and time domain, state-space analysis, system optimization, and non-linear control. (Fall)

6721

Traffic Engineering and Highway Safety (3)

Eskandarian, Hamdar

 

Roadway traffic capacity and network performance measures; steady and unsteady traffic flow phenomena; traffic control signalization theory and practical implementation; monitoring techniques, instruments, and data processing for highway safety. Traffic related highway safety design concepts. (Fall)

6722 Intelligent Transportation Systems (3)

Eskandarian and Staff

 

Commands, controls and communications in modern multimodal transportation; infrastructure/highway and vehicle automation, advanced traffic management, vehicle control and safety systems; information, data, and sensory requirements; practical applications and projects. (Spring)

6800 Special Topics (1 to 6)

Staff

 

Topic to be announced in the Schedule of Classes.

6801

Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Internship (1)

Staff

 

For graduate students in the department. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: required courses in the area of focus and department approval. Additional prerequisites may be required for a specific internship as determined by the research supervisor.

6808 Research (arr.)

Staff

 

Basic research projects, as arranged. May be repeated for credit.

6998-99 Thesis Research (3-3)

Staff

8320 Theory of Elasticity II (3)

Lee, Manzari

 

Application of integral transform and analytic function theory to solution of plane problems; elastic wave propagation. Three-dimensional elasto-statics. Prerequisite: ApSc 6211; CE 6207. (As arranged)

8321 Nonlinear Mechanics of Continua (3)

Lee, Manzari

 

Polar decomposition, invariance, isotropy, representation theorems for invariants and isotropic tensor functions. Deformation, kinematics, stress, balance principles. Principles for constitutive relations. Applications to nonlinear elasticity and non-Newtonian fluids. Prerequisite: CE 6206. (As arranged)

8330 Advanced Finite Element Analysis (3)

Manzari, Lee

 

Review of variational formulation of the finite element method. Formulation of various continuum and structural elements. Application to static and dynamic problems in elasticity, plasticity, large deflection, and instability in plates and shells. Recent developments in finite element methods. Same as MAE 6288. Prerequisite: CE 6206, 6210; or MAE 6210, 6286. (As arranged)

8350 Sedimentation Engineering (3)

Staff

 

Problems of erosion and sedimentation. Properties of sediment. Initiation of motion. Suspension of sediment and sediment discharge theories. Sedimentation measurements. Economic and legal aspects. Prerequisite: CE 6601 or approval of department. (As arranged)

8351 Mechanics of Alluvial Channels (3)

Staff

 

Physical processes in drainage basins and channels. Channel forms and bed forms. Hydraulics and sediment transport in alluvial channels. Design of stable channels. Qualitative and quantitative response of rivers. Channel stabilization, navigation channels. Case studies including environmental impacts. Prerequisite: CE 6601 or approval of department. (As arranged)

8352 Advanced Hydraulics (3)

Staff

 

Theory of unsteady flow. Diffusion and dispersion through pipes and open channels. Numerical solutions using finite element and finite difference methods. Prerequisite: CE 6601 or approval of department. (As arranged)

8370

Intelligent Systems Theory and Applications (3)

Eskandarian and Staff

 

Overview of artificial intelligence, neural networks, genetic algorithms, fuzzy systems, and hybrid intelligent systems and their integration with other information processing methods. Intelligent systems applications; examples are drawn from ITS and traffic engineering, vehicle safety, remote sensing, and structural design optimization. Prerequisite: CE 6707. (As arranged)

8380 Advanced Biomechanics (3)

Staff

 

Historical overview of biomechanics and biomaterials. Fundamental concepts in mechanics as applied to the treatment of biological systems. Approaches to the mechanical analysis of the human structure under physiological and non-physiological loading conditions. Constitutive laws for biological materials. Finite element applications. Prerequisite: CE 6206 or 6350. (As arranged)

8998 Advanced Reading and Research (arr.)

Staff

 

Limited to students preparing for the Doctor of Philosophy qualifying examination. May be repeated for credit.

8999 Dissertation Research (arr.)

Staff

 

Limited to Doctor of Philosophy candidates. May be repeated for credit.

 

The George Washington University

© 2012 University Bulletin
The George Washington University All rights reserved.

Information in this bulletin is generally accurate as of fall 2011. The University reserves the right to change courses, programs, fees, and the academic calendar, or to make other changes deemed necessary or desirable, giving advance notice of change when possible.