FRESHMAN ENGINEERING DESIGN

This engineering case study is designed for first year engineering students in an appropriate freshman engineering design course. The case study is in the environmental field and is appropriate for students in all engineering disciplines. The case study is designed to expose engineering students to the design process at an understandable level appropriate to their level of technical sophistication. In a study, the design process is illustrated through the siting of a facility. The facility in this study can be a landfill, or a wastewater treatment plant, or a manufacturing facility using hazardous materials.

The students will be provided with the following information:

1. USGS Quadrangle maps,
2. Soil Survey information prepared by Soil Conservation Service,
3. Types and quantities of materials used and wastes generated/processed by the facility, and
4. Processes used and land requirement.

The responsibility of the student teams includes the followings:

Select a site within the area specified by the instructor for the industry described in this course. Student should recognize that there is no perfect solution:

    *    Minimize the resultant cost of the facility.

    *    Minimize the environmental consequences of the site selected.

    *    The site selected should match the land area.

    *    Consideration of access to facilities and impact of transportation of hazardous materials.

    *    Availability of public utilities (power sources, water supply, waste treatment, etc.) in             the areas of facilities.

    *    Evaluate the risk if chemical leaks and reaches the residential community.

Evaluate the possible paths of pollution migration.

Write a report justifying the recommended site selection and comparing to at least two other possible sites in the specified region.

Each team presents a report to entire class and faculty instructor(s) as well as other department faculty. Other teams should challenge the presenting team in a professional manner.

Select three possible sites in the area of the study to be evaluated for their appropriateness as locations for a hazardous material manufacturing facility

Review the packet distributed by the instructor on the as background for the study.

Technical Information

Based upon the information provided in each study, each team is required to estimate the size of the area required for the project.

Economics

1. Minimize cost of facility construction and general maintenance.
2. Minimize cost of substances/wastes handling, transportation, storage, and treatment.
3. Cost comparison of the three sites selected.

Social - Political Issues

1. Review the site under consideration by the team for historic and archeological values. A review of the literature and visit to the local/regional historic preservation societies can be helpful in this regard.
2. Determine the route(s) to be taken by the trucks in transporting raw materials /products/waste to and from the site. Characterize the impacts the community along the route(s) to be used. This would include the proximity to school, parks, residences, sensitive receptors, etc.

Environmental Issues

1. Utilizing the literature, determine the area of influence of the selected sites with regard to air emission, odor, etc. Utilizing these values and prevalent wind direction and magnitude in your area, determine the residences and facilities that will be impacted for the three sites under your review.
2. Review the local literature (US Dept. of Agriculture - Soil Service Maps) to determine if the sites contain lands with high water tables. If so determine if this may impact site selection.
3. Determine if any of your sites are in close proximity to local floodplains or wetlands. Consult local Flood Insurance Studies and national Wetland Inventory Maps.
4. Review topography at the sites reviewed with respect to impact on the plant design and operation.
5. Review sites with regard to habitat for threatened and endangered species. State and federal fish and game agencies can be of help in providing information in this area.
6. Determine the impacts of the plant on the aesthetics of the site and suggest possible improvement.

1. The students need to learn that there is no perfect or correct solution to a design project. All sites have positive and negative impacts associated with their selection. Some sites have impacts that are so severe that they automatically cause their immediate rejection, e.g. if the site is located in a floodplane.
2. Each team conducts a field recon of the project area and selects three sites for their detailed study. Along with the recon, a photographic-video record is made for discussion with the instructor.
3. Starting from the sixth week, the instructors will meet individually with each group to assess their progress. Their project schedule is measured according to their schedule. Work turned in from the previous week is evaluated and returned to the teams.
4. Each team turns in a written report and orally presents the results of their study. During the presentation, the other teams challenge the conclusions drawn in a professional manner.
5. Grading will be based on class attendance and participation, assignments, oral presentation, and written report.
6. The final engineering report shall include, but not limited, the following: Title Page, Table of Contents and List of Illustrations, Introduction, Scope of Work, Design Criteria (site selection consideration in terms of environmental restrictions,political constrains, and economic aspects), Conclusions and Recommendations, Appendices (supporting computations, documents, location map, soil map, etc.). The report must present its technical contents in a clear, direct, organized, and understandable manner. Technical competency and completeness should be demonstrated, and the specific format and presentation should be selected to best convey to the reader what is being recommended, and how and why these decision were reached. The report must be 8 1/2 x 11" in size. All plans must be folded to 8 1/2 x 11" size.
7. Students are encouraged to use computer application programs for computations and reports (word processor, spread sheet, etc.). A diskette with all computations and reports should be handed in with the final report.
8. The work required to successfully to complete the course requirements is demanding and unlike other courses to which you have been exposed in the past. A balanced effort is required throughout the semester since it is impossible to perform the required work in one or two weeks.
   

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