This course involves a design project or feasibility study performed in small groups, currently based around an options appraisal exercise for a Severn Tidal Barrage. Each group must consider: alternative barrage alignments; alternative modes of operation of the barrage; design of barrage components (turbines, generators, sluices, caissons, embankments, ship locks, fish passes); optimisation of turbine characteristics; calculation of energy outputs and water levels; costing; optimisation of barrage location and turbine numbers; other positive and negative impacts on sustainability, economics, and socio-politics (carbon savings/consumption, water quality, sediment movements, changes to ecosystems, fish populations, bird populations, flooding, shipping, leisure and amenity activities, employment).

1 afternoon per week throughout Semester 1 and the first six weeks of Semester 2.

Civil Design Project M (ENG5283)

None

80% Project Report

20% Oral Presentation

The aims of this course are to:

■ set students the challenge of tackling a feasibility study and optimisation exercise for a large multi-disciplinary project;

■ require students to apply knowledge and techniques from their civil engineering courses but also to seek out and apply new knowledge;

■ encourage initiative and a professional approach to problem-solving and reporting.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ work in a group to tackle open-ended problems;

■ plan and undertake a design or feasibility study of a large multi-disciplinary project involving a wide range of technical issues and also broader sustainability, economic and socio-political issues;

■ undertake critical appraisal of alternative options;

■ present the outcomes of their work both orally and in writing in a professional manner.