Tuesday, January 20

Civil Engineer and Civil Engineering Jobs (local and abroad)

Dee Williams Says:


Our client has an immediate need for a Supervisor, Civil/Structural Design in the Washington, DC area ($74,404 - $124,007).

1. Degree in civil engineering, preferably with a major in structural or geotechnical engineering.
2. Design and analysis experience in structural and/or geotechnical aspects of water and/or sewer
3. Experience in assessing practical field problems associated with water/wastewater and demonstrated ability to come up with technically sound and practical solutions.
4. Experience supervising engineers.
5. Ability to communicate clearly and get along with people.

Send resumes to:jobs@strategicpioneers.com if you are interested.

Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

source: http://civilengineerblog.com/civil-engineer-civil-engineering-jobs/


US Job Listings click here.


Philippines:



Federal Builders Inc. Date posted: 20 Jan 09

Career Level Middle
Qualification Degree
Yr(s) Exp N/A
Job Category Architectural Services, Engineering - Civil / Structural, Engineering - Others
Job Location NCR - San Juan City
Salary Not Specified / Negotiable
Job Type Full Time, Permanent
to apply, click here.



LBP Service Corporation Date posted: 21 Jan 09

Applicants must be a graduate of BS Civil Engineering preferably a Board Passer.

Applicants may either be Male or Female not more than 30 y/o

Applicants must be willing to work in Paranaque City or in Malate, Manila.

to apply, click here.



Woodfields, Consultants, Inc. Date posted: 21 Jan 09

  • Must be licensed
  • With at least 3 years experience in Engineering - Building/Construction/Civil/Structural/Water Supply
  • With exposure in costing and estimates
  • Computer literate, knowledgeable in Autocad and Windows
  • With good oral and written communication skills
  • Must be honest, hardworking, self-driven and can work with less supervision

We offer competitive packages and challenging work environment that encourages professional development and growth.

For interested applicants, please send resume with 2x2 picture at email address:

mortega@wci.com.ph or aramos@wci.com.ph

attention to: Ms. Analyn D. Ramos, HR Assistant

Our website: www.wci.com.ph


Inter-University Seminar on Transportation and the Environment 15 December 2008, Sulo Hotel, Diliman, Quezon City

Activity Report of DOST-JSPS Core University Program on 
Environmental Engineering Research Group 2 
(Urban Infrastructure Development and Environmental Management)


The Inter-University Seminar on Transportation and the Environment was organized by the DOST-JSPS Core University Program on Environmental Engineering Research Group 2 (Urban Infrastructure Development and Environmental Management) with the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The objectives of the seminar are: a) to understand the current research topics related to transportation and environment that are being investigated by undergraduate and graduate students in the different universities; and, b) exchange of information and views regarding the researches on transportation and environment and validation of the research direction of Research Group 2 under the JSPS Core University Program on Environmental Engineering.

A total of 18 research outputs/topics were presented by undergraduate and graduate students from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), University of the Philippines at Los BaƱos (UPLB), De La Salle University (DLSU) Manila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Manila and Mapua Institute of Technology (Mapua Tech) Manila. A total of 62 faculty members, research and extension staff, graduate and undergraduate students participated in the whole-day seminar.

To read more about this article, click here.

source:

UP National Center for Transportation Studies

Saturday, January 17

MAGLEV or Magnetic Levitation Trains

MAGLEV, or magnetic levitation, is a system of transportation that suspends, guides and (usually) propels vehicles, predominantly trains, using magnetic forces. This method has the potential to be faster, quieter and smoother than wheeled mass transit systems. The technology has the potential to exceed 4000 mph (6437 km/h) if deployed in an evacuated tunnel.[1]



Power and energy usage

Power for maglev trains is used to accelerate the train, and may be produced when the train slowed ("regenerative braking"), it is also usually used to make the train fly, and to stabilise the flight of the train, for air conditioning, heating, lighting and other miscellaneous systems. Power is also needed to force the train through the air ("air drag").

At low speeds the levitation power can be significant, but at high speeds, the total time spent levitating to travel each mile is greatly reduced, giving reduced energy use per mile, but the air drag energy increases as a square law on speed, and hence at high speed dominates. [3]

The following figures show how maglev trains work. [2]


The highest recorded speed of a maglev train is 581 km/h (361 mph), achieved in Japan in 2003, 6 km/h faster than the conventional TGV speed record. [3]



Technology

The term "maglev" refers not only to the vehicles, but to the railway system as well, specifically designed for magnetic levitation and propulsion. All operational implementations of maglev technology have had minimal overlap with wheeled train technology and have not been compatible with conventional rail tracks. Because they cannot share existing infrastructure, these maglev systems must be designed as complete transportation systems. The Applied Levitation SPM Maglev system is inter-operable with steel rail tracks and would permit maglev vehicles and conventional trains to operate at the same time on the same right of way.

There are three primary types of maglev technology:
a. electromagnetic suspension (EMS) uses the attractive magnetic force of a magnet beneath a rail to lift the train up.
b. electrodynamic suspension (EDS) uses a repulsive force between two magnetic fields to push the train away from the rail.
c. stabilized permanent magnet suspension (SPM) uses opposing arrays of permanent magnets to levitate the train above the rail.

Another experimental technology, which was designed, proven mathematically, peer reviewed, and patented, but is yet to be built, is the magnetodynamic suspension (MDS), which uses the attractive magnetic force of a permanent magnet array near a steel track to lift the train and hold it in place.

Maglev vs. conventional trains

Major comparative differences between the two technologies lie in backward-compatibility, rolling resistance, weight, noise, design constraints, and control systems.

Backwards Compatibility. Maglev trains currently in operation are not compatible with conventional track, and therefore require all new infrastructure for their entire route. By contrast conventional high speed trains such as the TGV are able to run at reduced speeds on existing rail infrastructure, thus reducing expenditure where new infrastructure would be particularly expensive (such as the final approaches to city terminals), or on extensions where traffic does not justify new infrastructure.

Efficiency. Due to the lack of physical contact between the track and the vehicle, maglev trains experience no rolling resistance, leaving only air resistance and electromagnetic drag, potentially improving power efficiency.[4]

Weight. The weight of the large electromagnets in many EMS and EDS designs is a major design issue. A very strong magnetic field is required to levitate a massive train. For this reason one research path is using superconductors to improve the efficiency of the electromagnets, and the energy cost of maintaining the field.

Noise. Because the major source of noise of a maglev train comes from displaced air, maglev trains produce less noise than a conventional train at equivalent speeds. However, the psychoacoustic profile of the maglev may reduce this benefit: A study concluded that maglev noise should be rated like road traffic while conventional trains have a 5-10 dB "bonus" as they are found less annoying at the same loudness level.[5][6]

Design Comparisons. Braking and overhead wire wear have caused problems for the Fastech 360 railed Shinkansen. Maglev would eliminate these issues. Magnet reliability at higher temperatures is a countervailing comparative disadvantage (see suspension types), but new alloys and manufacturing techniques have resulted in magnets that maintain their levitational force at higher temperatures.

As with many technologies, advances in linear motor design have addressed the limitations noted in early maglev systems. As linear motors must fit within or straddle their track over the full length of the train, track design for some EDS and EMS maglev systems is challenging for anything other than point-to-point services. Curves must be gentle, while switches are very long and need care to avoid breaks in current. An SPM maglev system, in which the vehicle permanently levitated over the tracks, can instantaneously switch tracks using electronic controls, with no moving parts in the track. A prototype SPM maglev train has also navigated curves with radius equal to the length of the train itself, which indciates that a full-scale train should be able to navigate curves with the same or narrower radius as a conventional train.

Control Systems. EMS Maglev needs very fast-responding control systems to maintain a stable height above the track; this needs careful design in the event of a failure in order to avoid crashing into the track during a power fluctuation. Other maglev systems do not necessarily have this problem. For example, SPM maglev systems have a stable levitation gap of several centimeters. [3]

Existing Maglev Systems

  • Transrapid, (German maglev company)
  • JR-Maglev MLX01 (Yamanashi, Japan)
  • Linimo (Tobu Kyuryo Line, Japan)
  • Shanghai Maglev Train (China)

Sources:

1. http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2004-04/trans-atlantic-maglev

2. Encarta Encyclopedia

3. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglev_train)

4. Transrapid claims to use a quarter less power at 200 km/h than the ICE train

5 . Vos, Joos (April 2004). "Annoyance caused by the sounds of a magnetic levitation train". The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 115 (4): pp 1597–1608. doi:10.1121/1.1650330. Retrieved on 17 January 2009.

6. Gharabegian, Areq (November 2000). "Maglev—A super fast train". The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 108 (5): p 2527. Retrieved on17 January 2009.

Friday, January 9

Traffic Management

"Traffic management is a term used to embody the activities undertaken by a highway transportation agency to improve roadway system safety, efficiency, and effectiveness for both providers and consumers of transportation services. There are two distinct types of traffic management. The first one utilizes traditional traffic engineering tools or simple devices to regulate or control traffic. The second relies more on advanced technology through the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)." (Sigua, 2008)

In the Philippines, there are several government agencies which deal with traffic management. These agencies include the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Traffic Engine­ering Center, Philip­pine Na­tional Police-Traffic Management Group, and the Land Transportation Office. According to Lidasan as mentioned in a news report, poor coordination among government agencies occur since their functions and responsibilities often overlap. Moreover, even if policy making and implementation or enforcement are assigned to specific agencies, these organizations usually disregard or bypass one another in the performance of their functions. The following paragraphs further identify the key roles of the different agencies for an effective traffic management.

MMDA’s role is primarily to coordinate and integrate the efforts of local governments and the central government in drawing up policies and plans and implementing transport projects within Metro Manila. The responsibility for road construction and maintenance is divided between DPWH for national roads and LGUs for local roads. The DPWH Traffic Engineering Center has taken the responsibility for road planning that requires traffic engineering. DOTC is in charge of regulating vehicle fleet and driver licensing through its Land Transportation Office. The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board regulates public transport services and fares. DOTC also plans the extensions to Metro Manila’s rail systems through the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Philippine National Railways.

Responsibilities for traffic management, however, should not just be relied upon the government agencies but a collaborative effort among the policy makers, implementors as well as the ordinary people - even children in grade school to senior citizens. Every citizen has to be educated about r
oad traffic safety rules and signs. Rep. Narciso D. Santiago III has filed House Bill 4745 which aims to have a separate subject integrated in the grade school and high school curricula that includes the teaching of road traffic safety rules and signs since young people are the easiest to train.



Sources:
  • Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering, Sigua, R., University of the Philippines Press 2008
  • Institutional bottleneck slows down response to traffic problem. November 12, 2002. Manila Times (http://www.manilatimes.net/others/special/2002/nov/12/20021112spe1.html)
  • Road traffic safety rules and signs to be taught in school. August 17, 2008. (http://www.gov.ph/news/default.asp?i=21908)

Friday, January 2

Free Graduate Study in Europe

It is true that you can get an online degree from an accredited university, or from an online degree accredited university. Now days, there are so many legitimate and reliable online university studies . But there are online college degree institutions that are only out to take your money and give you a worthless piece of paper. Browse through this sites for the best accredited online degree from the best reputation universities in Europe. The following list links you to engineering and technology courses sponsored by the in demand scholarship, ERASMUS MUNDUS.

Erasmus Mundus

Selected projects - Engineering, technology

(Source: http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/mundus/projects/engi_en.html)


* AMASE - Joint European Masters Programme in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
* ATOSIM - Atomic Scale Modelling of Physical, Chemical and Biomolecular Systems
* Comem Erasmus Mundus MSc - Coastal and Marine Engineering and Management
* EMARO - European Master in Advanced Robotics
* EMIN - Economics and Management of Network Industries
* EMM-Nano - Erasmus Mundus Master of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
* EMMEP - Erasmus Mundus Minerals and Environmental Programme
* EMMME - Erasmus Mundus Master of Mechnical Engineering
* EMMS - Joint European Masters Programme in Materials Science
* Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Photonics
* EU4M - European Union Master's Course in Mechatronic and Micro-mechatronic Systems
* EuMAS - European Masters Course in Aeronautics and Space Technology
* EURHEO: European Masters in Engineering Rheology
* EURO-AQUAE - Euro Hydro-Informatics and Water Management
* FUSION-EP European Master in Nuclear Fusion Science and Engineering Physics
* GIM - MSc in Global Innovation Management
* IMMSSET - International Master in Materials and Sensors Systems for Environmental Technologies
* International Master "Vintage" : Vine, Wine and Terroir Management
* JEMES - Joint European Master Programme in Environmental Studies
* MaMaSELF - Master of Materials Science exploiting European Large Scale Facilities
* Master of Science in Computational Mechanics
* MATHMODS - Mathematical Modelling in Engineering: Theory, Numerics, Applications
* MEEES - Master's in Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology
* MERIT - European Master of Research on Information and Communication Technologies
* M.E.S.C. - Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion
* ME3 - European joint Masters in Management and Engineering of Environment and Energy
* MONABIPHOT - Molecular nano- and bio-photonics for telecommunications and biotechnologies
* NordSecMob - Masters programme in Security and Mobile Computing
* OPSCITECH - Optics in Science and Technology
* SAMHC - Advanced Masters in Structural Analysis of Monuments and Historical Constructions
* SEFOTECH.nut - European MSc in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition
* SpaceMaster - Joint European Master in Space Science and Technology
* VIBOT - European Master in Vision and Robotics