CE1ESE: Empirical Studies and Site Engineering

Module code: CE1ESE

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Mate Janos Lorincz , email: m.lorincz@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Timothy Lees, email: t.j.lees@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the principles of construction engineering methods, experimental design, measurement and technical report writing. This module is designed to develop student’s capacity ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical and  physical applications within the construction management and engineering field. Additionally, the module emphasizes the critical evaluation of empirical knowledge, supporting students to assess the strengths and limitations of experimental data This approach prepares students for professional practice by promoting analytical thinking, problem-solving skills and a rigorous approach to evidence-based decision-making in engineering contexts.

In the first part of the module (during the first semester), students are introduced to the fundamentals of levelling and setting out, gaining hands-on experience with surveying instruments such as the level and total station. They will learn how to accurately set out a building based on a construction drawing, a critical skill in delivering precisely engineered, sustainable developments aligned with a net zero carbon future.

In the second part of the module (during the second semester), students will explore advanced techniques for measuring building performance characteristics, including thermal comfort, energy efficiency and material properties. They will also utilize specialized software programs to analyze and test the structural integrity and environmental impact of construction materials. These skills are essential for developing innovative solutions that contribute to the decarbonization of the built environment and support the transition towards sustainable, low-carbon construction practices.

The Module Lead at the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Malaysia is Dr Sivaraman Kuppusamy (s.kuppusamy@reading.edu.my).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Conduct a levelling practical, including checks and associated survey drawings.
2. Conduct an angular measurement practical, including checks and associated survey drawings.
3. Conduct laboratory experiments to measure the structural performance of materials.
4. Learn to write a well-structured, unambiguous, succinct technical report.
5. Gain understanding of the role of construction engineering in achieving net-zero goals.

Module content

The first part (first semester) of the module is focused on:

Introduction to Surveying and Measurement

• Overview of terminology, applications and accuracy requirements
• Units of measurement and different surveying methods
• Data recording, error checks, surveys, and drawing interpretation
• Demonstration of equipment, including an initial student familiarization session

Levelling Techniques

• Lecture on the principles of levelling
• Practical familiarization with levelling equipment
• Fieldwork exercises to apply levelling techniques in real-world scenarios,

Setting Out and Angular Measurement

• Lecture on setting out principles and angular measurement
• Hands-on familiarization with instruments such as the total station
• Fieldwork exercises to practice angular measurement and precise setting out aligning with the goals of sustainable, net-zero building design

The second part of the module focuses on three key experiments, each designed to provide students with hands-on experience in evaluating the performance of materials, measuring indoor environmental factors and using digital tools and software for surveying and data analysis.

Experiments

1. Mechanics
   • Exploration of mechanical principles related to load-bearing.
   • Investigation into the strength of different construction materials.
   • Emphasis on how mechanical behaviour impacts the energy efficiency and structural integrity of buildings, contributing to the goal of net-zero construction.
2. Thermal Comfort
   • Measurement of indoor environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and airflow to assess thermal comfort in buildings.
3. Digital Surveying
   • Use of digital tools and software to perform precise surveying and data analysis for building assessments.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching in this module will be by means of lectures and tutorials. These sessions will be complemented by guided independent study.

Independent study hours needed depend on the learning style of each individual. The following guide for independent study hours is just an example.

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 41 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs