Table of Contents

1.0. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 2

1.1. Introduction to Computer Hardware ............................................................................... 3

1.2. Introduction to Microsoft Packages ................................................................................ 4

1.3. Microsoft Excel ............................................................................................................... 5

1.4. Gantt Chart ...................................................................................................................... 6

1.5. Microsoft PowerPoint ..................................................................................................... 7

1.6. Microsoft Outlook ........................................................................................................... 8

1.7. Microsoft Project ............................................................................................................ 9

1.8. Finite Element Analysis ................................................................................................ 11

1.9. Networking and Communication .................................................................................. 12

1.10. Introduction to MATLAB ......................................................................................... 13

1.11. Conclusion................................................................................................................. 14

1.12. References ................................................................................................................. 15

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1.0. Introduction

A reflective portfolio is a set of writings that outline the understandings and experiences the
student has gained from practical assignments. It is usually used to evaluate the student’s
engagement with their fieldwork, and their potential to use theoretical knowledge in an
applied setting. A reflective portfolio is different from a traditional assignment, as it allows
students to consider their own learning process, whereas traditional academic projects expect
students to be objective and impersonal. A reflective portfolio requests students to accent
their own personal perspective, opinions and feelings. It provides a sincere summary of the
work undertaken and the skill sets that were developed. This reflective portfolio provides an
overview on the topic discussed during the second semester of the module CIVE1007Y –
Professional Skills. It allows students to enhance a critical awareness of their own skill
development, which helps them to recognize their strengths and weaknesses. It also
inculcates conviction in the student as they discover how to relate their theoretical knowledge
to practical situation. Though this type of portfolio, students meditate on their thoughts,
feelings and insights that they acquired over the course of their programme.

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1.1. Introduction to Computer Hardware

On the first week, we have discussed on hardware used in a computer system. The Central
Processing Unit (CPU) and the related microchips, and micro-circuits, were elaborated. The
peripherals of the computer, consisting of the keyboard, the mouse and the other devices,
were also introduced. Then, the basic computer operation was mentioned such as the input
device, output device, memory, control, processor and network card. Examples were given
for each of the categories and a brief explanation was stated. The lecturer had given to us an
activity in which we had to distinguish from a list of computer devices between input device
and output device. These were basic knowledge about the different constituents of a
computer. It was a little boring since I already learned that in secondary level.

Afterwards, the topic about input/output (I/O) devices was advanced. I/O devices are used for
the communication between the computer and the outside world. Basic input/output system
(BIOS) was also mentioned and its function in the computer was explained. However, this
part of the lecture was interesting though it was explained briefly.

Furthermore, an assignment, which is about the application of computer hardware and

software in civil engineering, was given to us. I was searching for different hardware and
software, five of each, used by civil engineers and a brief description about how they
contribute in the civil engineering field was given for each of them. The different hardware
used by civil engineers was quite easy to identify compared to the different software used.
The software was interesting since I have learned interesting programs that are used and their
use in the field.

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1.2. Introduction to Microsoft Packages

The lecture was about the introduction of Microsoft Office, which consists of Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Outlook and MS Project, and a review on Microsoft Word.

A quick overview of the Microsoft packages and their purposes were discussed. For instance,
Microsoft Word is used for word processing which eases and improves the writing of
documents. Also, Excel is a spread sheet application and it features calculation, graphing
tools, pivot tables and a macro programming language. For Microsoft PowerPoint, it is used
during presentation with its slide-based presentation program. As for Outlook, which is a
personal information manager, it is mainly used as an e-mail application and it also includes a
calendar, task manager, contact manager and note taking. Finally, MS Project was stated to
be a project management software program which is designed to assist a project manager in
developing a plan, assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress, managing the budget and
analysing workloads. The illustration of the packages was simple and, for Word, Excel and
PowerPoint, I already know the features whereas, for the others, it was captivating because
these programs were newly introduced to me. The MS Project was the most fascinating since
I have never seen the program before that day.

Since, in the first semester of the module, we have been using Microsoft Word for our given
assignments, the lecturer has made a quick overview of the program. Font, paragraphing,
styles and other features were elaborated. For example, explanation on how to change font
and style or how to make a table of contents was done. Therefore, the description was
elementary and it was quite tedious as I already knew how to use the basic feature of the
application.

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1.3. Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a very useful program for data management and processing. The lecture
was very interactive as the lecturer was sharing her knowledge on Excel and we were
responding whether we knew or not. The class was very active and more enjoyable though
most of the features were already known. It was because we have been used Microsoft Excel
for the data manipulation and presentation in our practical reports. The lecturer has done a
quick description of the toolbars and the different type of chart and their features such as font,
line chart, scatter chart and pie chart. Also, the use of formula was introduced and various
type of formula, such as for mode, median and percentile, was given and during data
calculation, if either column, row or both need to be keep constant so a dollar sign is put in
front of either the alphabet, the number or both respectively. The formula of pi, which is
=pi(), were mentioned. Moreover, format painter was mentioned and its feature is that it
copies all the properties of a cell over others. Furthermore, print area is a feature that allows
the user to select the area to be printed and page break preview stops the sheet where the print
will stop. The last part was a new learning and it would facilitate my work on Excel if I use
those features.

Additionally, an assignment was given to us. It was on the number of killed pedestrians in a
developed country during 2012 in motor vehicle accident. The aim was to process a table of
data and present the data on graphs which need to be given a probable reason for these values
obtained. The appropriate chart was to be chosen in order to represent the processed data and
the reasons have been provided for each case that was stated. This assignment allows us to
make data processing and presenting while allowing us to use our logic to yield to a possible
reason for the results of the process data.

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1.4. Gantt Chart

The Gantt chart is used to illustrate a project schedule. Gantt charts illustrate the start and
finishing dates of the elements of a project. In Excel, the Gantt chart is made by using a type
of bar chart. In the chart, the work is planned, managed and scheduled. The lecture was
captivating and the lecturer had provided us an example of the approximate time taken for
each task on a construction site.

Furthermore, we were assigned a group work in which the Gantt chart of a construction of a 6
storey block of 3 bedroom flats in a well sought-after area. The maximum time of the
building was 8 months and the starting date was the 01 March 2014. Each stages of the
construction were put in a table and a Gantt chart was performed. For the durations of each
elements of the construction project, an explanation was required. For instance, the time
taken for the foundation to be finished, the duration for the excavation, casting of the binding
layer, stripping foundation and wall forms, setting the column foundations, reinforcements
and formworks, pouring concrete for foundation and finally the curing of the concrete raft
were taken into account and a reasonable duration was 21 days. This exercise was very
interesting since it gave us an overview of the work of a project manager and also a general
idea was acquired about how long each stage of the construction which takes place for a 6
storey building. Moreover, we were able to make contact with some civil engineers that
provided us with the estimated duration for the elements of the construction.

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1.5. Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is a program used in presentation due to its slide-based presentation

feature. During the first semester of this module, we had already conducted a presentation for
all of us. Hence, the lecturer has been undertaking an activity which was the pros and cons of
the university life. Firstly, a brainstorming was performed in order to have a rough collective
of pros and cons for this theme. Then, the introduction of the theme was done by making a
brief description of the university and its environment. The pros and cons were arranged in a
specific order for the audience and each point mentioned was elaborated. Nevertheless, the
arrangement and classification of the advantages and disadvantages of the university life
depends on the type of audience. For instance, if the presentation is targeted to future
students, the slides would consists mainly of the benefits of the university life compared to
the drawbacks that would be barely be mentioned. Consequently, for an audience composed
of lecturers, slides, which contain topics on the lecturers or some academic issues, should be
avoided. For example, if the slides contain issues like criticizing a specific lecturer or the
system of the university, it will affect the mood of the audience and the presentation would
not be a failure.

Eventually, the points can be classified into groups for an easier understanding for the
audience. The classification for university life could be leisure, social life, academic, freedom
and travelling. The audience would apprehend the orientation and factors of the topic with
more ease. Afterwards, a conclusion was indicated and it can be made by typing a quick
summary of the all presentation.

On that lecture, the class was very lively since everyone was participating and it was really
enjoyable. Nothing new was actually learned but a very good interaction between the lecturer
and the student was established.

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1.6. Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager. It is often used as an email application

and it can be used as a stand-alone application or with the use of the server of Microsoft,
multiple users from the same organization can have a shared mailbox and calendar. This
program also includes task manager, contact manager and note-taking.

The calendar is a very useful tool. By using this feature, it allows the setting up of the
meetings with others, keeping track with both work and appointment and modifying
appointments. The occurrence of an appointment can be adjusted to the desired setting and
the termination of the series of appointment can also be done. Reminders can also be made
for important events and dates. Moreover, there is a feature for contacts that is available.
Also, tasks can be set up in Outlook. The calendar has a default setting that can be altered
using the display options.

Additionally, meeting can be organised using the program. Scheduling assistant is another
feature that allows the user to invite groups of people to meetings and events without having
to email them individually and the appointment would appear on the calendar of the receiver.
If the latter accepts the invitation, then the program would automatically mark the time as
busy on the calendar. When away from the office, a feature allows the transfer of someone’s
email from his mailbox to his superior. This feature can be really useful when an urgent email
has be received and the person is away then the mail goes to the superior who would be able
to take the according response to the email.

Hence, this software is a powerful tool that permits the management of personal information.
For professionals, who receive many emails and have busy agenda, this program can be of
help when managing all this amount of data. This lecture has given to us an overview of the
features and the use of Microsoft Outlook. It was interesting on how one can create meetings
and the appearance of the event of the calendar of the other persons invited.

8
1.7. Microsoft Project

In this topic, Microsoft Project is an essential application for the project manager who is
responsible for the planning, managing and analysing the workload of a construction project.
The program is used for a more professional way of presenting the workload on a Gantt chart
compared on Excel.

In the lecture, the fundamentals of the Microsoft Project was introduced in which the menu
item, timeline of the Gantt chart, and the tasks and Gantt chart. Then, the templates for
different types of project were shown briefly. The lecturer had also illustrated an example on
the appearance of the tasks and Gantt chart after the planning of the events. With the
completed Gantt chart, the network diagram view can be used in order to obtain a general
view of the flow and connection of the work more easily. The tasks can be entered by using
the information forms. Subsequently, the resource sheet view, which presents a list of
resources and their type, was mentioned and displayed. The other features such as the
resource usage view and the resource graph view were exhibited which are used for the
planning and manipulation of resources during the whole project. The timeline of the Gantt
chart can also be altering depending on the total duration of the project.

Afterwards, the lecturer explained on how to define activities in a new project. First of all, the
starting date must be input and all the required tasks are also input. Then, the work is grouped
in phase such as, for the group setting out, there are sub-tasks consisting of performing
reconnaissance, establishing control, rough grade site and erecting the building batter board
and layout building. After planning for all the activities, milestones must be added which are
significant events that are put at the end of the stages to mark the completion of a work phase.
Milestones may also signify an important decision which outline and affect the future of the
project. The program recognizes them by putting the duration of the task zero. Furthermore,
the sequence of activities can be altered. There are 4 types of dependency which are finish-to-
start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish. The dependency can be defined in the
predecessors column and finish-to-start is the default setting.

Additionally, the resources definition and allocation were elaborated. Resources allocation
involves the determination of the type of resources, amount of resources to be used and
availability of the resources to perform the project activities. It can be used to closely
coordinate the Cost Estimating process. Its objective is to optimize resources in order to have

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a continuous and consistent use of the minimum number of resources. Resources consist of 3
types: limited availability, unlimited availability and fixed outcome. Work can be classified
in the limited availability and humans are the resources. The work resources must be levelled
to avoid over-allocation. Material is considered to be the unlimited availability which can be
allocated to a task without limit. Hence, they do not have to be levelled. Fixed outcome is
associated with cost and it is defined when a resource is allocated to a task.

Next, the group, who had done the assignment on the Gantt chart, had to do the same thing
but this time, the work was performed on MS project and we must paid more attention to
resources definition and allocation, and milestones. However, only limited availability
resources and their fixed outcomes were to be taken into account, that is, the planning and
management of the different workers and their salary on the construction site. After the tasks
were all defined, classified and the dependencies of each task were finished, then milestones
must be put at the end of each important completion of a major task. Then, the resources need
to be tackled by utilizing the resource sheet to specify the different workers and their salary.
Now, back to the Gantt chart view, each event was allocated with the worker required for the
job and after assigning all the jobs, there was over-allocation of resources. It meant that the
employees cannot complete all the tasks given to them in the work time. Hence, modification
must be done so that all the labourers were able to finish the work during working hours.

This group work was interesting since it had given us the opportunity to manipulate this
program. We were able to make a Gantt chart with a reasonable estimation of the duration of
the construction of the 6 storey building and the resources were allocated in such a way to
avoid over-allocation of resources. It had given us an overview of how a project is managed
by a project manager. We also learned the different stage of the construction of a high-rise
building and their duration for each one.

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1.8. Finite Element Analysis

Finite element analysis (FEM) is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions to
boundary value problems for differential equations. It uses the calculus of variations to
minimize the error function and produce a stable solution. FEA consists of a computer model
of a material or design that is stressed and analysed for specific results. It also provides
accurate representation of complex geometry, inclusion of dissimilar material properties, an
easy representation of the total solution and the capturing of local effects.

Later, Abaqus was mentioned. It is a software suite for finite element analysis and computer-
aided engineering. The product is popular due to the wide material modelling capability and
the program’s ability to be customized. Moreover, abaqus yields a good collection of physical
capabilities making it attractive for production-level simulations where multiple fields need
to be coupled. For instance, in the civil engineering field, such software can be of great aid in
structural analysis and design in order to simulate the behaviour of the member of the
structure.

Thus, the lecturer had performed a demonstration of the use of the program and it was very
fascinating. The presentation was a simple cube but different loads, like uniaxial tension
loading, uniaxial compressive loading and biaxial loading, were applied and the respective
behaviours were witnessed. The stresses were easily recognized due to the colour change
representing the type of stress and the intensity of the colour represents the intensity of the
stresses.

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1.9. Networking and Communication

Telecommunication is communication at far distance by technological means. Early

telecommunication technologies included visual signals such as smoke signals and signal
flags. Audio messages are examples of pre-modern telecommunications like coded drumbeats
and lung-blown horns. Electrical and electromagnetic telecommunication technologies
include telegraph, microwave transmission and other means. Data communications involve
transmission of signals which are encoded, interfaced and other processes and networking is
the topology and architectural used to interconnect devices forming a network of
communication systems.

Nowadays, the network trend is an integrated system consisting of microcontrollers,

networking and wireless. Communication systems transfer information between two or more
systems through some media, namely, computers, cell phones and humans. The signals that
are used to transmit data can be analogue or digital. Analogue signal are continuous electrical
waves whereas digital signals are individual electrical impulses which are can bits. These
signals are sent and received by the use of transmitters and receivers respectively. The basic
components are the communication technologies, communication devices, communication
channels and communication software. The data to be sent is firstly encoded into a signal and
then is sent through the transmission system. When it arrived to its destination the signal is
decoded and the receiver received the sent information. Moreover, there are also wireless
transmission media which uses electromagnetic waves.

Network is a collection of computers and devices connected together which is used to transfer
data, share resources and other features. There are two types of network coverage: local area
network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN). LAN is a group of computers connected
together in a building or a campus while WAN is a network that covers a board area. A little
was talked on the cellular network and their different classes.

This lecturer was quite fast since these were the basis of the networking and communication.
Most of the content of the presentation were learned in secondary level. Most of the examples
were straight-forward and the slide were easy to understand.

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1.10. Introduction to MATLAB

MATLAB is a numerical computing environment and a fourth-generation programming

language. Developed by MathWorks, MATLAB enables matrix manipulation, plotting of
functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces and interfacing
with programs written in other languages.

MATLAB is a very important tool since it allows quick and easy coding in a very high-level
language. MATLAB is a widely used program such as economists, mathematicians and
engineers. It provides high quality graphics and visualization facilities which is very useful.
This program has rich data types like complex numbers and three-dimensional matrix and
their files are completely portable across a wide range of platforms. Moreover, this
application can made over different types of chart and graph. Two-dimensional graphs as
well as three dimensional graphs can be done.

The lecture was light and the subject was interesting since it is a program that engineers used
in order to complete complex calculation rapidly. However it was a very brief description of
MATLAB.

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1.11. Conclusion

In the light of the topic discussed, all these software are to be used in the civil in engineering
field and all their future had already been pointed out. Of all the topics, some were already
been taught in colleges and some were new which were interesting. This was giving an
excitation of using this program in our career. However, the programs such as MATLAB was
describe briefly and the lecturer had not demonstrated how it works. During this semester, the
communication among members of the same group and a brief planning of a 6 storey
building were also learned.

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1.12. References

 Dr Jaylina Rana, 2014. Lectures Notes

 Higher Education Academy, 2009. Portfolios. Available:
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/hlst/resources/a-zdirectory/portfolios. Last Accessed 16
April, 2014.
 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis. Available:
http://www.sv.vt.edu/classes/MSE2094_NoteBook/97ClassProj/num/widas/history.ht
ml. Last Accessed 23 April 2014.
 MathWorks. MATLAB. Available: http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/.
Last Accessed 23 April, 2014.
 Southampton Solent University, 2013. Reflective Thinking and Learning. Available:
http://mycourse.solent.ac.uk/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=2732#ch1103. Last
Accessed 16 April, 2014.

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