MICROCOMPUTERS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

Abstract

The speed and capacity of microcomputers, coupled with their portability and inexpensiveness, make microcomputers attractive to the engineer. Microcomputers have the greatest potential for civil engineering projects being undertaken by individuals and small firms and for projects of a more modest size. In these situations mainframe computer processing has not been feasible because of costs and inconvenient access methods. Microcomputers can be used even for large engineering firms and large projects because they can support cheaper and more efficient communications, and they can provide graphics, spread sheets, and other utilities that are not available in the mainframe environment. Virtually every area of civil engineering can profit from the use of a microcomputer. Standard utility programs alone can provide extensive and useful capabilities. In addition, a number of applications packages are becoming available to support specific civil engineering activities. Computer-aided design (CAD) and critical path method (CPM) systems are useful in most engineering operations, irrespective of the specific application. Some examples of application-specific software include various coordinate geometry systems for roadway and site layout, earthwork programs that calculate cut, fill, and slope stability, and structural design programs that handle simple beam design and member selection, plane frame and grillage analysis, and two-dimensional stress and truss analyses. In addition, hydraulics analysis and pavement design programs are available, as well as systems for evaluating existing pavement conditions and for assisting in establishing the priority order of maintenance measures.