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;

The knowledge assessment will be based on two components: (i) a practical work; (ii)  final exam.

 
 (i) Concerning the practical work:

It will be held in groups of (up to) 2 students and must be delivered by the date specified in the instructions, and must be debated orally. The score achieved [TP] will have a weight of 40% in the Final Grade [NF]. Failure to complete the work implies Non-Admission to exam.  Students who cannot complete this assignment in a group will do the assignment individually in order to be admitted to the exam. The scores of this component, obtained in the two academic years prior to the present one, are valid, if the students declare it in due time.

 (ii) Concerning the exam:

In each of the periods, established for this purpose (according to the school calendar), a written exam will be held, covering the totality of the subject taught, which will have a theoretical component and a practical component (Et and Ep grades), requiring a minimum grade of 30% in each of these components. The exam grade [NE] will be calculated by: NE=(Et + Ep)/2.

If NE<42.5%, (corresponding to 8.5 points, out of 20), then the Final Grade [NF], will be given by NF=NE;

If NE≥42.5%, but the minimums are not reached for one or both of the components, then NF=42.5%;

If NE≥42.5%, respecting the minimums in both components, then NE will have a weight of 60% in the Final Grade [NF], and if NF=40%×TP+60%×NE≥47.5%, (corresponding to 9.5 points, in 20), the student passes the curricular unit.

(Halfway through the semester, on a date to be announced in the first week of classes, a test will be proposed concerning the practical material covered up to that point. The grade for this test may, if the student so wishes, correspond to half of the Ep grade mentioned above, in which case the exam will only cover a reduced version of that part, referring to the material not yet assessed, with half the duration of the full version).

Final grades above 16 points, out of 20, must be defended orally (being optional, non-attendance results in a Final Grade of 16 points).

The reference material allowed in the practical parts of any written test or exam consists of the JAE Layout Standard and the formulas&tables of the curricular unit.

NAO