Civil Engineering for Non-Civil Engineers
Fee: $2,345 / Online / Dec 2 - 4, 2026 / Course Code: 17-1214-ONL26
OVERVIEW
Please note, This instructor-led course has specific dates and times:
This course is held online over 3 days on the following schedule (All times in Eastern Time Zone): 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (Will include the usual breaks) Special Features & Requirements Participants should possess basic knowledge of materials, mechanics, and civil engineering concepts. A hand-held calculator is recommended for completing exercises and practicing problem-solving tasks effectively. Please note that it is a requirement for all attendees to sign a "Confidentiality Agreement" prior to receiving the course notes for this online offering.
After participating in this course, you will be able to:
- Analyze and apply fundamental principles of civil engineering to diverse projects.
- Integrate materials and mechanics concepts into practical civil engineering applications.
- Evaluate structural designs and select optimal solutions for temporary and permanent structures.
- Diagnose common engineering challenges in pavements, bridges, and reinforced concrete structures, proposing effective solutions.
- Assess and prioritize the maintenance and repair needs of aging civil infrastructure.
Description
Engineering professionals involved in civil construction and infrastructure projects must understand fundamental civil engineering concepts. This course provides a practical foundation by exploring materials, mechanics, and construction methods in diverse applications. Participants will gain insights into designing and assessing pavements, bridges, and reinforced concrete structures while understanding the principles of prestressed and fibre-reinforced composites. Workshops and real-world problem-solving exercises ensure participants can confidently apply their knowledge in the field.
The curriculum includes discussions on temporary structures, formwork systems, and the critical aspects of pavement design and construction. Attendees will explore advanced techniques like non-destructive testing and condition assessment of bridges and aging structures, ensuring a comprehensive infrastructure evaluation and maintenance approach. Additional topics include damage mechanisms in concrete structures and innovative repair techniques, empowering participants to address infrastructure challenges effectively.
By completing this course, participants will acquire the skills to bridge gaps in knowledge, making them valuable contributors to civil engineering projects. Whether improving existing infrastructure or designing new systems, this course equips professionals with the tools to succeed in a rapidly evolving field.
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for a broad audience, including architects, plant engineers, and non-civil engineers from mechanical, electrical, mining, chemical, and agricultural backgrounds. It is also suitable for fabricators, manufacturers of civil systems, general contractors, and property managers. Professionals like municipal building officials, building inspectors, field review personnel, and directors of physical plants will benefit greatly from this course.
Additionally, project engineers, facility managers, and anyone seeking to expand their understanding of civil engineering fundamentals will find this course highly valuable. Whether transitioning into civil engineering roles or enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, attendees will leave equipped with essential knowledge and practical skills to excel in the industry.
Special Features & Requirements
Participants should possess basic knowledge of materials, mechanics, and civil engineering concepts. A hand-held calculator is recommended for completing exercises and practicing problem-solving tasks effectively.
SYLLABUS
Day I
Welcome, Introduction, Workshop Preview, Learning Outcomes, and Assessment Method
Civil Engineering Disciplines
- Structural engineering
- Geotechnical engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Water resources engineering
- Transportation engineering
- Construction engineering
- Geomatics and surveying engineering
- Urban planning
- Other related disciplines
Section and Structural Properties
- Stress-strain behaviour
- Stiffness
- Section Properties
- Strength and factors of safety
- The concept of limit state design
Loads, Mechanics, Stress and Strain
- Loads and equilibrium
- Determinate and indeterminate structures
- Axial loading
- Bending
- Torsion
- Shear
- Combined loading
Day II
Civil Engineering Construction Materials
- Cement and concrete
- Aggregates
- Mineral and chemical admixtures
- Concrete mixtures and proportioning
- Asphalt cement and concrete
- Wood and timber
- Steel
- Fiber-reinforced composites
Roads and Pavements
- Pavement design principles
- Traffic data for road design
- Soil data for pavement design
- Weather data for pavement design
- Design of flexible pavements
- Design of rigid pavements
Foundations
- Different types of foundations
- Basic Concept of Foundation Design
- Shallow foundations
- Foundation under machines
- Pile foundations
Day III
Temporary Structures and Formwork
- Shoring and scaffolding
- Formwork systems
- Formwork for columns
- Formwork for slabs and beams
- Formwork for bridges
Structural Design
- Design codes and standards
- Reinforced concrete design
- Slabs
- Beams
- Columns
- Shear walls
- Footings
- Retaining walls
- Prestressed concrete
Non-Destructive Testing and Condition Assessment
- Ultrasonic transmission
- Impact echo
- Infrared thermography
- Ground penetrating radar
- Corrosion NDT techniques
Damage Mechanisms of Concrete Structures and Repair Techniques
- Corrosion
- Freeze-thaw damage
- Sulfate attack on concrete
- Alkali aggregate reactivity damage
- Fire damage
- Surface repair techniques
- Structural strengthening techniques
Questions and Answers, Feedback on Achievement of Learning Outcomes
INSTRUCTOR
Dean, College of Engineering and Physic — University of Guelph
Guelph, ON
Dean, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Moncef received his BASc from Laval University, MASc from Sherbrooke University, and Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, all in civil engineering. He is currently dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Guelph. He was previously professor and chair of the Department of Civil Engineering at McMaster University and professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Western University, where he also served as associate director for Environmental Research Western.
His industrial experience includes serving as technical manager for three different companies. He was licensed as a professional engineer in British Columbia in 1998 and in Ontario in 1999. He is the past chair of the ACI committee 555 on recycled materials, past chair of the CSCE sub-committee on cement and concrete, past chair of the CSCE Materials and Mechanics Division, is deputy chair of the RILEM committee on concrete data science, and was co-chair of the Infrastructure Division of NSERC’s Discovery Grant Committee 1509. He has provided consulting services for some world landmark projects, including some of the world's tallest buildings, the world’s largest airport, the world’s most venerated pedestrian bridge, and the world’s deepest and second-largest water treatment plant.
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