Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1872-1873 [PAGE 35]

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School of Civil Engineering.

Projects a n d Vacation M e m o i r s .

35

During the Spring Term of the second year, an accurate Topographical Survey of a locality is made by the Class, with reference to the execution of a Project in Railroad Engineering, which is then given to the Class for consideration and discussion, but which is executed in the Fall Term of the next year. The Plane-table is used as in the U. S. Surveys. The Project consists of: Memoirs, Location, Drawings and Estimates. The Memoir will propose a location for a Railroad to fulfill certain exact requirements, and will state the reasons for the choice with the necessary calculations and estimates. It will be presented at the opening of the Fall Term. Different memoirs will be compared, and one or two routes decided upon for the class to work up. The Location will consist in running the line over the routes decided upon, with all the necessary measurements and calculations for establishing the grade, setting slope stakes, determining the amount of earth-work, designing the buildings, bridges, culverts, etc. The Drawings will "include : Alignment, Profile, Plans, and Sections. The Estimates will give the cost of ground, earth-work, structures, rolling stock, etc. ; expenses of operating the line, and estimated income. A Memoir will also be required at the opening of the fourth year upon an allowed subject, and a Project in Engineering construction will be executed during the year. See also "Thesis," page 28. APPARATUS. The School is provided with both English and American Instruments for the different branches of Engineering Practice, and for the Astronomical work of Higher Surveying. It has numerous models for illustration of its specialities and access to the Cabinets of the other Schools. To facilitate the practice in Trigonometrical and Land Surveying, it has a specially prepared area, in which the difficulties of plain surveying are presented to the beginner as he is able to meet them, and where he is taught practical methods of overcoming them. This area is subdivided by a large number of lines, the positions of which are accurately known, but not by the student. He is then required to determine the positions of the "corners" by various methods, and to calculate the enclosed areas. Other problems are given in determining inaccessible distances, passing obstacles, avoiding local attraction, etc., for which the ground is prepared. The number of divisions is so large that no two students need have the same problem, and so accurately laid out that the correctness of the student's work can at once be determined. Some expensive and accurate instruments are being added to the Cabinet, which are being made by the Instrument Maker of the U. S. Surveys. These are the first of a complete set of Geodetic and Astronomical Instruments, which, with a few stations, will make possible practical instruction in Geodesy. An Astronomical Observatory for meridian observations, and of suitable size for the Practical Exercises in Astronomy, has been erected and is in use. An equatorial telescope has also been mounted for the use of the students. A set of Smithsonian Meteorological instruments has been procured and placed in positions for making observations. Since January 1st, 1873, these have been regularly made and recorded by Students J. A. Ockerson and S. J. Russel. A summary is published each month and the whole series will be carefully preserved and continued for future publication.