Vias de Comunicação I

Topography and Technical Drawing.

An expositive and inquisitive approach is used during the presentationof the different concepts in the Theoretical-Practical classes and several application exercises are discussed. The students carry out a practical group work, essentially of practical application of the studied subjects, which consists on defining the horizontal and vertical alignments of a small road, taking into account a set of typical conditions in these questions. A methodology of self-learning and communication will be followed, as well as monitoring of students, through clarifying theoretical doubts, solving exercises and monitoring the carrying out of practical work.

Goals: Study of the main characteristics and constraints of roads and railways as civil engineering works, with a special focus on the geometry of the layout; Generic Skills: Application of knowledge and understanding; Judgement and decision-making; Communication; Self-learning; Specific Competencies: Knowledge and understanding in the field of activities related to the design of land transport infrastructures, in their various components, in particular road and rail transport infrastructures; ability to analyse the interdependence of the geometric definition of these infrastructures with aspects related to economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Specific features of road and rail transport: road vs. rail;
National and European road and rail planning;
Main elements of road and rail transport infrastructure;
Geometric definition: horizontal alignment layout, longitudinal profile and cross-sections;
Determining the geometric layout based on a wide range of criteria, addressing issues commonly encountered when establishing geometric characteristics;
Traffic analysis and forecasting and assessment of road traffic conditions;
Assessment of the volumes of earth to be moved in order to determine the earthworks to be carried out, from the perspective of road or rail infrastructure construction;

NAO