Week 4 Overview  (September 16-18)

Introduction to topographic modeling and contour lines

By the end of Week 4, students should be able to:

• Recognize features of a topographic model
• Compute grid spacing for surveying elevation points
• Compute the location of contour lines from elevation data using linear interpolation
• Graph elevation data using an Excel spreadsheet

Instructions:

1. Hand in HWK #2. Problems 1 and 2 should be done on engineering paper, following the Homework format.
   Problems 3 and 4 should be completed in an Excel spreadsheet and uploaded to the Dropbox, following the Excel format.
   All files are due in the Canvas dropbox by 1 p.m. on 9/16/25
2. Review HWK #2 (solution)
3. Review the video: introduction to topographic modeling (slides)
4. Review the video: delineation of contour lines using linear interpolation (slides)
5. Download the contour line example problems
6. After you have attempted problems, review the video solution for Problem 1 & Problem 2 (posted after class)
7. Work on HWK #3 (video to HWK #3)
   Part 1 should be done on engineering paper, following the Homework format, and Part 2 should be in an
   Excel spreadsheet and uploaded to Canvas using the Excel format. All files are due by 1 p.m. on 9/23/25

 

Week 3 Overview (September 9-11)

Introduction to measuring the change in elevation and Excel spreadsheet calculations

By the end of Week 3, students should be able to:

• Recognize the standard abbreviation of units
• Determine the change in elevation between two points
• Compute the change in elevation from field data using an Excel spreadsheet

Instructions:

1. Hand in HWK #1 in class by 1 p.m. on 9/9/25
2. Review the solution to HWK #1 (posted after the due date)
3. Review the video: standard abbreviation of units (web page)
4. Review the video: introduction to differential leveling (slides)
5. Download the leveling example problems
6. After you have attempted the problems, review the video of the solution (posted after class)
7. Work on HWK #2 (see video on using Excel to solve Parts 3 and 4)
   Problems 1 and 2 should be done on engineering paper, following the Homework format. Problems 3 and 4 should be done in an Excel spreadsheet and uploaded to the dropbox following the Excel format. All files are due in the Canvas class dropbox by 1 p.m. on 9/16/25

  

Week 2 Overview (September 2-4)

Introduction to the proper use of significant figures and estimating error in measuring distance

By the end of Week 2, students should be able to:

• Recognize the origins of measuring distance
• Determine the correct number of significant figures for measurements in calculations
• Compute an estimate of the error for repeated measurements of a single quantity
• Compute an estimate of the error for a series of unrepeated measurements

Instructions:

1. Distance measurement - review the video and slides
2. Download the distance example problems
3. Work example problems on Top Hat
4. After you have attempted the TopHat problems, review the solutions (posted after class).
5. Significant figures - review video and slides
6. Estimating errors in distance measurements - review video and slides
7. Work example problems on Top Hat
8. After you have attempted the TopHat problems, review the solutions (posted after class).
9. Start work on HWK #1
   Your solution to the problems should be on engineering paper and follow the Homework Format, and
   hand in your work in class at 1 p.m. on 9/9/25

 

Week 1 Overview (August 26-28)

Introduction to civil engineering and CIVL 1101

By the end of Week 1, students should be able to:

• Describe the different disciplines of civil engineering
• Find the class website (www.ce.memphis.edu/1101)
• Recognize how your grade in CIVL 1101 will be computed
• Recognize the origins of land surveying

Instructions:

1. Review classroom presentations:
   1. What is Civil Engineering? (Part 1 & Part 2)
   2. MemFix4 video
   3. I-40 Bridge repair video
   4. ERIC building video Part 1
   5. ERIC building video Part 2
   6. King's Crossing Bridge video
      
      
2. What is CIVL 1101? (slides)
3. Review the video: A tour of www.ce.memphis.edu/1101
4. Review the video: Introduction to land surveying (slides)  
5. Lab #1 - Ball drop results (to be posted)