Engineering Systems

Recommended Prerequisites

Linear Algebra and Analytic Geometry.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical lectures, with the help of audiovisual media, where concepts, principles and theories are presented in detail. Practical exercises that meet all the needs of students are solved, with guidelines provided.

For evaluation the student can choose:

• Continuous evaluation with midterm exam (70%) and three individual practical assignments solved in class during the term (30%);

• Final exam (100%).

Learning Outcomes

Objectives: to encourage the development of systemic perspective for intelligent planning and management of large-scale civil and environmental engineering systems; to provide students with scientific methodologies and quantitative tools of great value for decision-making and rational resource use in civil and environmental engineering.

Competencies:

• to acquire sensitivity for the need of rationality in resource use;

• to know how to use scientific methods for decision aiding;

• to know how to formulate some formal models (mathematic models,network based,etc.) and apply algorithms for obtaining solutions in optimization problems in several fields (planning, design, construction, maintenance of engineering systems);

• to apply critical reasoning in the interpretation of reality through formal models;

• to know how to develop some sensitivity analysis;

• to understand the conflicts that usually exist among multiple criteria and the need for searching compromise solutions.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction

• Decision support methodological approaches; resource optimization in civil and environmental engineering.

• Operations Research: history, methodology and applications.

2. Linear Programming

• Mathematical modelling: formulation; graphical and algebraic resolution (Simplex).

• Transportation problems; model formulation and dedicated algorithms.

• Integer and mixed programming – computational complexity; the Branch-and-Bound method.

3. Networks and some dedicated algorithms: shortest path, minimal spanning tree, maximum flow.

4. Multiple criteria decision aid; basic approaches.

5. Applications in civil and environmental engineering for the different topics covered.     

Head Lecturer(s)

João Manuel Coutinho Rodrigues

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment
Resolution Problems: 30.0%
Frequency: 70.0%

Final assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

[1] Coutinho-Rodrigues, J. - Aplicações da Teoria de Sistemas - 7ª edição, Ediliber, Coimbra,2018

[2] Carter M.; Price C.; Rabadi G. - Operations Research: A Practical Introduction, 2nd Ed., CRC Press, 2018.

[2] Guerreiro, J.; Magalhães, A.; Ramalhete, M. - Programação Linear, vol 1 e 2, McGraw-Hill,1995.

[3] Hillier, F.; Lieberman, G. - Introduction to Operations Research, McGraw-Hill,2015.

[4] Labi, S. - Introduction To Civil Engineering Systems, Wiley,2012.

[5] Ossenbruggen, P. - Systems Analysis for Civil Engineers: Technological and Economic Factors in Design, Wiley,1984.

[6] Revelle, C.; Whitlatch, E.; Wright, J. - Civil and Environmental Systems Engineering, 2nd ed., Prentice Hall, 2004.

[7] Revelle, C.; McGarity, A. - Design and Operation of Civil and Environmental Engineering Systems, Wiley, 1997.

[8] Tavares, L.; Oliveira, R.; Themido, I.; Correia, F. - Investigação Operacional, Ed. McGraw-Hill Portugal Lda,1996.

[9] Templeman, A. - Civil Engineering Systems, Macmillan,1982.