UNIT 1 Slovak University of Technology and the …7 UNIT 1 Slovak University of Technology and the Study of Engineering 1. Match the words with their meanings 1. department a. the

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UNIT 1

Slovak University of Technology and the Study of Engineering

1. Match the words with their meanings

1. department a. the head of a university, a college, etc. 2. dean b. an institution of higher learning, conducting teaching and

research at undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels 3. rector c. pertaining to an advanced institution of learning 4. faculty d. one of the sections of a university or faculty dealing with a

particular field of knowledge 5. engineering e. a governing, advisory, or disciplinary body 6. senate f. teaching and administrative force of a university; a group 7. university g. the science of making practical application of the

knowledge of pure sciences such as physics, chemistry, etc. 8. academic h. the head of a university faculty

2. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Correct false answers.

1. There are five faculties at the Slovak University of Technology. 2. Environmental Engineering can be studied at the Faculty of Civil Engineering. 3. The Technical University was established after World War II. 4. Each faculty has its own Academic Senate. 5. After passing entry exams, Bachelors of Science can start doctoral study. 6. Part-time doctoral study usually takes 5 years.

3. Now read the text and check your answers. Part 1 The Slovak University of Technology is located in Bratislava. The Technical University was originally founded in Košice in 1937, but it began its first academic year at a temporary location in Martin in 1938, where it was renamed the Slovak Technical University. In 1939, it moved to Bratislava, where 5 branches and 8 institutes were established. In 1951, the branches were renamed faculties and their institutes renamed departments. Presently, there are seven faculties at the Slovak University of Technology: Faculty of Civil Engineering Faculty of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Information Technology Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology Faculty of Architecture Faculty of Materials Science and Technology

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The head of the Slovak University of Technology is the Rector, who is supported by the Scientific Board, Administrative Board, Academic Senate and Rector’s Advisory Board. There are four Vice-Rectors, who control different fields of the university’s activities. They are responsible for Science and Research, Education, International Cooperation, and Investments and Development, respectively. The university also has a bursar, who is a kind of university treasurer. He is responsible for the university’s accounts and balancing the budget. The Deans are the heads of the faculties. A faculty and its management are supported and controlled by bodies such as the Scientific Board, the Academic Senate and the Dean’s Advisory Board. The Vice-Deans and the Secretary of the Faculty also belong to the faculty management. Both the university and faculties have special purpose facilities. Students who enroll in the University begin the Bachelor’s study, which usually lasts three or four years. When they complete the Bachelor’s study, they can continue with the Master’s study, which normally takes two years. Successful Masters of Science (M.Sc.) can enter the doctoral study either full-time (3 years) or part-time (5 years) to achieve a PhD. degree. The Faculty of Civil Engineering presently has eight Bachelor’s study programs that students can choose: Building Structures and Architecture Civil and Transportation Engineering Water Resources Management and Hydraulic Structures Geodesy and Cartography Building Technology and Management Environmental Engineering Mathematical and Computational Modeling Civil Engineering (in English) In the Master’s study programs students can specialize and choose from the following: Architecture and Building Structures Buildings and Environment Building Services Civil Engineering Structures Transportation Structures Sanitary Engineering Hydraulic Engineering Land and Water Resources Management Hydraulic Structures and Water Management Building Technology Building Materials and Prefabrication Geodesy and Cartography Landscape Engineering Building Structures Civil Engineering in Urban Areas Economics and Building Industry Management Mathematical and Computational Modeling Building Constructions and Architecture Technology of Building Environment Structures and Environment

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Civil Engineering (in English) Over the years, some vital changes have been made in the programs, as they should reflect the current demands of professionals in the building industry and civil engineering in general. 4. Answer the following questions:

1. Do the university authorities supervise the faculty authorities? 2. Who belongs to the faculty authorities? 3. Is there a bursar at a faculty? What do you think his task is? 4. How many years do the doctoral studies take? 5. What specialization do you have to choose if you are interested in bridge building or

highway building? 6. What do you have to study if you want to be a surveyor? 7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying part-time?

5. Discussion Why did you choose to study at the Faculty of Civil Engineering? What subject are you mainly interested in? Is study at the Faculty of Civil Engineering difficult? Which are the most difficult subjects? Do you think you have to be intelligent and talented for this type of study? What do you want to do in the future? Do you think there is a big demand for civil engineering professionals? Part 2

Engineering and Civil Engineering Engineering is often defined as the practical application of the findings of certain theoretical sciences for the benefit of mankind. Many early branches of engineering, however, were not based on science but on empirical information, that is, information that depended on observation and experience rather than theoretical knowledge. The word “engineer” is used in two ways in English. One usage refers to a professional engineer who has a university degree and an education in mathematics, science, and one of the engineering specialties. An engineer must be prepared to undergo a continual process of education and also have to consider the financial aspects of projects. An engineer, however, is also used to refer to a person who operates and maintains an engine or machine. Engineers in this sense are essentially technicians rather than professional engineers. Civil engineering deals with the design and construction of structures that are intended to be stationary. In practice, this definition includes buildings and houses, dams, tunnels, bridges, canals, sanitation systems and the stationary parts of transportation systems – highways, airports, port facilities and roadbeds for railroads. Civil engineering offers a particular challenge because almost every structure that is designed and built is unique. One structure rarely duplicates another exactly - with the exception of the concrete panel blocks of flats built during the communist era. Even when structures seem to be identical, site requirements or other factors generally result in modifications. Large structures like dams, bridges, or tunnels may differ substantially from previous structures. The civil engineer must therefore always be ready and willing to meet new challenges.

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Among the subdivisions of civil engineering are structural engineering, which deals with permanent structures; hydraulic engineering, which deals with the flow of water; environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, urban planning, etc. 1. Comprehension check

1. Many early branches of engineering were based a) on science only b) on empirical information c) on theoretical knowledge

2. The word engineer refers to a) a professional engineer only b) a technician only c) both professional engineers and technicians 3. Civil engineers deal with a) machines and their uses

b) processes involving reactions among elements c) the design and construction of structures 4. One structure a) always b) rarely c) never duplicates another exactly

5. Civil engineers have to consider a) financial aspects of projects b) the flow of water c) the force of gravity

6. Empirical information is based on a) theoretical knowledge b) observation and experience c) mathematical calculations 2. Match the correct synonyms 1. structure a. use, function 2. empirical b. static, fixed 3. design c. building, construction 4. stationary d. surveillance, watch 5. observation e. teaching, instruction 6. experience f. based on experience or observation 7. education g. practice, know-how 8. application h. plan, drawing 3. Fill in the proper preposition 1. Presently, there are seven faculties ___ the Slovak University ___ Technology. 2. A university is an institution ___ higher learning, conducting research ___ graduate, and

postgraduate levels. 3. Students who enroll ___ the university begin the Bachelor’s study which usually lasts

three or four years. 4. The Rector is supported ___ the Scientific Board, Administrative Board and other bodies. 5. Engineering is the application ___ science ___ the needs ___ humanity. 6. Engineering is concerned ___ the implementation ___ a solution ___ a practical problem.

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7. Scientists work ___ science; engineers work ___ technology. 8. Most civil engineering today deals ___ roads, structures, water supply, sewer, flood

control, or traffic.

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Vocabulary budget rozpočet bursar kvestor control, v. riadiť, kontrolovať dean dekan degree akademická hodnosť, stupeň, miera department,n. katedra, oddelenie, ministerstvo (USA) differ, v. (from) líšiť sa, rozlišovať enroll, AM., enrol, BR. prihlásiť sa, zapísať sa, prijať do entry exam vstupná skúška environmental, a. týkajúci sa životného prostredia establish, v. založiť, zriadiť, uviesť do chodu facility zariadenie faculty fakulta flood záplava, povodeň flow tok, prúd, prúdenie found, v. založiť, zriadiť, položiť základy head predstavený, vedúci, hlava, výška (v hydraulike) head, v. viesť, byť na čele intend, v. zamýšľať, mať v úmysle maintain, v. udržiavať mankind ľudstvo observation pozorovanie pass an exam, v. zložiť skúšku purpose účel, cieľ, zámer rector rektor reflect, v. odrážať, vyjadrovať, zobrazovať, odzrkadľovať rename, v. premenovať requirement požiadavka research výskum roadbed spodok vozovky sanitary engineering zdravotné inžinierstvo secretary tajomník, tajomníčka, sekretárka sewer kanál, stoka, odvodňovacia priekopa site miesto, stavebná plocha, stavebná parcela solution riešenie, výsledok, roztok special purpose facility účelové zariadenie subdivision sekcia supply zásobovanie, dodávka, prísun support, v. podporovať, pomáhať surveyor zememerač, expert, znalec traffic verejná doprava, premávka treasurer pokladník, minister financií university univerzita vice-dean prodekan

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UNIT 2

Civil Engineering – Study and Careers Reading skills: Skimming and Scanning Both skimming and scanning are specific reading techniques necessary for quick and efficient reading. When skimming, we go through the reading material quickly in order to get the gist of it, to know how it is organized, or to get an idea of the tone or the intention of the writer. When scanning, we only try to locate specific information and often we do not even follow the linearity of the passage to do so. We simply let our eyes wander over the text until we find what we are looking for, whether it is a name, a date, or a less specific piece of information. This is the way we look through a telephone book. Yet it is usual to make use of these two activities together when reading a given text. For instance, we may well skim through an article first just to know whether it is worth reading. Then we read it through more carefully because we have decided that it is of interest. It is also possible afterwards to scan the same article in order to note down a figure or a name which we particularly want to remember. 1. Skim the following article and say what you think the article is talking about. 2. Scan the following text and find a sentence discussing the necessity of a good command

of a foreign language. A professional engineer must have a specialized university education. Many government jurisdictions also have licensing procedures, which require engineering graduates to pass an examination before they can actively start on their careers. At a university, mathematics, descriptive geometry, physics, and structural mechanics are strongly emphasized throughout the engineering curriculum, but particularly in the first two or three years. Mathematics is very important in all branches of engineering, so it is greatly stressed. However, future civil engineers should be able to gather, classify and use numerical data. This means statistical mathematics and the theory of probability are also important. Because a great deal of calculation is involved in solving problems of design and construction, computer programming is included in almost all engineering curricula. Computers can solve many problems involving calculations with greater speed and accuracy, but they are useless unless they are given clear and accurate instructions and information, which means a good program, is necessary. In spite of the heavy emphasis on technical subjects in an engineering curriculum, the current trend is to require students to also take courses in the social sciences and language arts. An engineer needs a sufficient command of his/her own language to be able to prepare reports that are clear and persuasive. As a result of globalization many engineers also work for

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foreign-run companies and need to know other languages. An engineer engaged in research will need to be able to write up his or her findings for scientific publications. They are also supposed to take part in scientific conferences and give speeches, all in a foreign language. The Master’s program includes subjects within the student’s field of specialization. For a student who is preparing to become a civil engineer, these specialized courses may deal with such subjects as geodetic surveying, building services or hydraulics. In the science-oriented society of today, people who have technical training are in demand. A civil engineer may work in research, design, construction supervision, maintenance, or even in sales or management. Young engineers may choose to go into environmental or sanitary engineering, may choose construction firms specializing in highway work, or may prefer to work with one of the government agencies that deal with water resources. The choice is large and varied. Civil engineers work on many different kinds of structures, so it is normal practice for an engineer to specialize in just one kind. In the process of designing buildings, engineers often work as consultants to architectural or construction firms. Large projects like water supply systems, dams or bridges generally employ several engineers whose work should be coordinated by a systems engineer. As construction is a complicated process, it involves scheduling the work and utilizing the equipment and materials so that costs are kept as low as possible. Many civil engineers therefore specialize in the construction phase and others in maintenance of the completed structure. Some engineers also work in sales. Companies that supply products and equipment for construction often employ civil engineers as part of their sales staff. Civil engineers often head construction companies or are part of their management. They must have administrative as well as technical skills. As a matter of fact, there are unlimited opportunities for civil engineers to find an interesting and fulfilling job.

3. Scan the above text and match the underlined words with their equivalents in this

exercise. Some of them are used in plural form in the text.

training - _______________ present - _______________ stress - _______________ conclusions - _______________ plan - ________________ lecture - _______________ program - ________________ control - _______________ precise - ________________ expense - _______________

4. Fill in the proper expressions. Choose from the following words. You do not have to use them all. (engaged, head, stressed, process, constructions, costs, accurate, present, take part, training, emphasized, expenses, current, scheduling, structures, findings, involved, speeches, education, lectures)

1. Mathematics is greatly ____________ in all branches of engineering. 2. Construction is a complicated ____________ that involves ___________ the work. 3. Construction companies try to keep their __________ as low as possible.

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4. Civil engineers work on many different kinds of _____________ , so they have to specialize in just one field.

5. Calculations involved in solving problems of design and construction have to be _____________.

6. Civil engineers often _________ construction companies or are part of their _____________.

7. Our _____________ science-oriented society requires people who have technical _____________.

8. Researchers are supposed to _________ ________ in scientific conferences and give __________ in foreign language.

9. An engineer ____________ in research should be able to write up his ____________ for scientific publications.

5. Answer the following questions:

1. Which subjects are strongly emphasized throughout the engineering curriculum? 2. Why is mathematics heavily stressed in all branches of civil engineering? 3. What is the role of computers in engineering studies? 4. What other subjects are important for a future civil engineer? 5. Why do future civil engineers have to learn foreign languages? 6. What kinds of subjects are included in the last two years of an engineering program? 7. Why are people with technical training in demand? 8. What are some opportunities for civil engineers? 9. Why do construction companies employ civil engineers?

6. Discuss:

Why do you think a good command of language – both the mother tongue and a foreign language, is important for a civil engineer? Can you use a computer proficiently? What kind of programs do you usually use? Do you think mathematics is as important as stated in the above article? Briefly say what the career opportunities in civil engineering are. What would you like to do after finishing your studies?

7. Write down a brief summary of the text on civil engineering careers. 8. You want to promote the profession of civil engineer. Prepare in writing a presentation

(about 100 words) of the study and profession for secondary school students.

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Vocabulary deal, n. množstvo, značné množstvo, veľa deal, v. (with) jednať, pojednávať, obchodovať demand požiadavka, dopyt desirable žiadúci, vhodný efficient, a. účinný, výkonný, efektívny emphasis, n. dôraz emphasize, v. zdôrazniť engage, v. zapájať sa, zapodievať sa, viazať sa, zamestnať equipment vybavenie, zariadenie, výstroj expense výdavok, výdaj, náklady, útraty finding nález, výsledok skúmania, závery for instance napríklad gather, v. zhromaždiť, hromadiť gist podstata, hlavná myšlienka, jadro veci graduate absolvent vysokej školy hydraulics hydraulika intention zámer involve, v. zahrnúť, týkať sa jurisdiction jurisdikcia, súdna právomoc license, v. licence, AM povoliť, dať povolenie, oprávnenie linearity riadkovanie look for, v. hľadať maintenance údržba opportunity možnosť particularly, adv. najmä, špeciálne passage časť, úryvok, pasáž persuasive presvedčivý probability pravdepodobnosť promote, v. propagovať, robiť reklamu, povýšiť (v práci) sale, n. predaj, výpredaj scan, v. prezerať, prehliadať, hľadať, zbežne prečítať schedule program, zoznam, tabuľka, harmonogram skim, v. prelistovať, zbežne prečítať, zbežne prezrieť speed rýchlosť speech reč, prednáška staff zamestnanci, personál stress, n. dôraz, napätie, tlak stress, v. zdôrazniť, vyzdvihnúť, podčiarknuť structural mechanics stavebná mechanika subject predmet (školský) sufficient dostatočný supervision dohľad, dozor, kontrola, riadenie unless ak nie..., pokiaľ nie..., s výnimkou, že... utilize, v. použiť, využiť, zužitkovať, upotrebiť

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UNIT 3

Shapes, Measurements and Numbers Mathematics, geometry and the properties of building materials are an integral part of civil engineering studies. Designers draw shapes and patterns to create a project; other civil engineering specialists calculate the correct proportions of the designed structure. There are also specialists who decide which building materials can be used, taking into consideration their properties. Shapes There are various shapes of lines, two-dimensional figures and three-dimensional figures. Lines can be straight, curved, bent, horizontal, vertical, parallel, tapering, diagonal, zigzag, inclined, sloping, and oblique in shape. Two-dimensional figures are shaped like a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a semi-circle, pentagon, hexagon or octagon. A rectangle has four right angles. The opposite sides are parallel and of equal length. The adjacent lines are perpendicular and their length is different. A circle is cut in half by its diameter. Its two halves can be called semi-circles. The radius of a circle is the distance from its center to the circumference. Three-dimensional figures are shaped like a cube, a rectangular prism, a triangular prism, a sphere, a hemisphere, a pyramid, a cone, a cylinder or a spiral. The cross-section of a cube is square in shape. It is shaped like a square. The cross-section of a cone is circular in shape. It is shaped like a circle. The longitudinal section of a cylinder is rectangular in shape. It is shaped like a rectangle. The longitudinal section of a cone is triangular in shape. It is shaped like a triangle. 1. Draw the following shapes, then check with your partner. NOUN ADJECTIVE NOUN ADJECTIVE square square cube cubic rectangle rectangular prism prismatic triangle triangular sphere spherical circle circular hemisphere hemispherical semi-circle semi-circular pyramid pyramidal pentagon pentagonal cone conical octagon octagonal cylinder cylindrical trapezium, trapezoid

trapezoidal ellipsoid ellipsoidal

rhombus rhombic spiral spiral 2. Answer the following questions:

1. What is this building shaped like? 2. What is the Slovak Radio building shaped like?

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3. Have you ever seen a mosque? What is the dome of a classical mosque shaped like? What are minarets shaped like?

4. What are volcanoes shaped like? 5. What is the shape of a tennis court? 6. What are some shapes of swimming pools? 7. What is the cross-section of a pyramid in shape? 8. What is the longitudinal section of a triangular prism in shape? 9. What are the formula for calculation of the circumference of a circle and the formula

for its surface area? Measurements A room has three spatial dimensions: length, height and width. These dimensions are measured in millimeters or meters. The volume of a room equals the length times the height times the width. Volume is measured in cubic meters (m3). The area of the surface of a room is measured in square meters (m2). The perimeter is measured in meters or millimeters. 3. A classroom has a width of approximately 5 meters and a length of approximately 6

meters. It is about 5 meters wide and 6 meters long. The height of the classroom is 2,700 millimeters. It is 2 meters, 70 centimeters high. Answer the following questions: 1. What is the area of the classroom? 2. What is the volume of the classroom? 3. What is the perimeter of the classroom? 4. What is the standard floor-to-ceiling height? 5. What is the most common width of a doorway? 6. What is the standard doorway height in our country? 7. What are they shaped like? 8. What is the approximate width and height of the windows in this classroom? 9. What are the windows shaped like? 10. How can you calculate their approximate area?

Units of Measurement

Unit symbol SI unit Unit symbol SI unit lx °C/ ºF kg J s

lux degree Celsius/ Fahrenheit kilogram joule second

kg/m3

N/m2 dB A m3

kilogram per cubic meter Newton per square meterdecibel ampere cubic meter

4. Say which unit is used to measure these dimensions:

a) mass, b) density – mass per cubic meter, c) noise level, d) stress – force per square meter, e) illumination – light falling on surface, f) time, g) electric current, h) temperature, i) heat, j) volume

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5. In which areas of our life do we use the above dimensions and units? Why are they important?

6. Complete the sentences: a) The weather forecast gives the temperature in___________. b) The maximum __________ in a reinforced concrete slab is 5x106 N/m2. c) The noise level in a disco is measured in ______________. d) The __________ in the room is measured in lux. e) The __________ of concrete is measured in kg/m3. f) Batteries have a standard charge __________ , which is measured in mA. g) Power-saving light bulbs need less electricity, but emit more _________. h) Our body creates _______ from the energy in food, which is measured in joules. Numbers, arithmetic operations and how we read them Odd numbers 1, 3, 5, 7 Even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8 Prime numbers 2, 3, 5, 7 Vulgar fractions ¼ ½ ¾ one-quarter, one-half, three fourths (quarters) Decimal fractions 11.8 eleven point eight (decimal fractions are separated by

a point) Powers 42 73 84 four squared, seven cubed, eight to the fourth power Roots 2√9 3√27 the square root of nine, the cube root of twenty seven Percentages 28% twenty-eight per cent Parameters 30 m x 20 m thirty meters by twenty meters Long integers 2,582,934 two million, five hundred eighty-two thousand,

nine hundred thirty four Temperature 31°C thirty-one degrees Celsius/Centigrade Note: In English, you write a point (.) not a comma (,) in decimal numbers. You say the numbers after the point separately, for example, 48.52 is forty-eight point five two. Mathematic operations + addition 3 + 5 = 8 (three plus five equals/is eight) - subtraction 12 – 2 = 10 (twelve minus two equals ten) x multiplication 4 x 3 = 12 (four times/multiplied by three equals twelve) : division 16 : 8 = 2 (sixteen divided by eight equals two) 7. Match the numbers in the box with the words below.

♦ 50 m x 20 m ♦ 3² ♦ - 5ºC ♦ ¼ ♦ 9³ ♦ 42.9% ♦ 3,295 ♦ 2/3 ♦ ²√ 16 ♦ 12.62

a) minus five degrees Celsius f) forty-two point nine percent b) fifty meters by twenty meters g) two thirds c) twelve point six two h) the square root of sixteen d) three squared i) one quarter e) three thousand two hundred and ninety-five j) nine cubed

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8. Did you know? a) The Great Wall of China is over 2,000 km long, 3.5 m high, and 4.5 m wide at the top. b) The first Egyptian pyramid is over 140 m high. One of the largest pyramids is made of

enormous stone blocks which weigh up to 200 tonnes each. Change the sentences in a) and b) so that you use nouns instead of adjectives to give measurements and proportions. 9. Extend your general knowledge. An economic miracle with many causes The figures recording Ireland’s transition from Europe’s worst to its best-performing economy is remarkable. In 1987 Irish GDP per person was 69% of the EU average (adjusted to EU 15); by 2003, it had reached 136%. Unemployment fell from 17% in 1987 to 4% in 2003; and government debt shrank from 112% of GDP to 33%. Annual GDP growth in the decade of the 1990s averaged a ‘tigerish’ 6.9%. Perhaps even more impressive, after a downward blip coinciding with the American and, especially, the information-technology (IT) slowdowns in 2001-02, the economy is bouncing back: growth both this year and next is expected to be around 4-5%.

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Vocabulary addition sčítanie adjacent vedľajší, priľahlý adjust upraviť, prispôsobiť angle uhol approximately približne average priemer, priemerný bent naklonený, zakrivený blip náznak, prejav čoho bounce poskočiť, odraziť sa broadcast rozhlasový bulb žiarovka calculate vypočítať charge elektrický náboj circle kruh circumference obvod coincide, v. zhodovať sa, udiať sa v rovnakom čase concrete betón cone kužeľ cross-section priečny rez cube kocka curved (line) krivka, oblúkový cylinder valec debt dlh decimal fraction desatinné čísla density hustota diagonal priečny, diagonálny diameter priemer division delenie draw, v. kresliť electric current elektrický prúd ellipsoid elipsoid emit vydávať, vyžarovať equal, v. rovnať sa even number párne číslo figure obrazec, tvar, cifra formula vzorec GDP – gross domestic product HDP – hrubý domáci produkt growth rast heat teplo hemisphere pologuľa hexagon šesťuholník illumination osvetlenie, intenzita osvetlenia inclined šikmý, klopený integer celé číslo line čiara longitudinal section pozdĺžny rez mass hmotnosť measure, v. merať

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minaret minaret mosque mešita multiplication násobenie oblique šikmý, naklonený octagon osemuholník odd number nepárne číslo pattern vzor, vzorec, model pentagon päťuholník perimeter obvod perpendicular kolmý power (mat.) mocnina prime number prvočíslo prism hranol property vlastnosť, majetok pyramid ihlan radius, pl. radii polomer reach dosiahnuť rectangle obdĺžnik rectangular prism štvorboký hranol reinforced vystužený remarkable pozoruhodný rhombus kosoštvorec root (mat.) odmocina semi-circle polkruh shape tvar shrink, shrank, shrunk zmenšiť sa, scvrknúť sa slab doska sloping zvažujúci sa sphere guľa spiral špirála square štvorec straight priamy, rovný subtraction odčítanie surface area obsah, plocha tapering zbiehajúci sa do špičky, hrotu trapezoid lichobežník triangle trojuholník triangular prism trojboký hranol volcano vulkán, sopka volume objem vulgar fraction zlomky

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UNIT 4

Properties of Materials Materials we can see around us, and those used in civil engineering, have various properties. When we touch them, we can feel if they are smooth or rough. When we take a nail and try to scratch the material, we can find out if it is soft or hard. We can take some material in our hands; we realize then that materials are either heavy or light. We can throw them away, and we can see if they break, i.e., they are brittle; or they don’t, which means the material is tough. Some materials are flexible such as plastics, other are rigid as, for example, cast iron or stone. We also have to mention plasticity and elasticity. Rubber is an elastic material and clay is a plastic material. We find out when we apply force to plastic and elastic materials, they will behave differently. Another important property for use in the building industry is combustibility. Materials can be combustible or non-combustible. We can also say that materials are flammable or non-flammable. Fire resistant material will not burn in the process of combustion. In the building industry we also need materials that are transparent, for example, windowpanes, or opaque materials, such as wood, brick, stone, etc. We also have materials that are translucent like some plastics or stained glass. Other important properties are corrosion resistance, which means that materials are resistant against rust, and conductivity, which means that materials are good or poor conductors of electric current or heat. For building structures it is important to know if the material is permeable or impermeable, as the builders don’t want moisture or water vapour to pass inside the building. Noun Adjective Examples of Materials weight light, heavy aluminum, lead, copper flexibility flexible plastics rigidity rigid stone, cast iron combustibility combustible, flammable wood, plastics fire resistance non-combustible, non-

flammable clay, glass

transparency transparent water, glass, some plastics opacity opaque stone, wood corrosion resistance

corrosion resistant, not corrosion resistant

zinc, chromium, tin cast iron

conductor, conductivity

good conductor, poor conductor

silver, rubber

elasticity elastic rubber plasticity plastic copper, clay softness soft chalk, bitumen hardness hard glass, steel brittleness brittle, fragile glass, porcelain toughness tough rubber, stone smoothness smooth glass, plastics roughness rough sandpaper

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1. Match the adjectives with their meanings. 1) plastic a) a surface which is not smooth 2) opaque b) clear enough for light to pass through but not completely

clear 3) combustible c) stiff, hard, and difficult to bend or move 4) transparent d) can be bent into any shape and will keep that shape 5) rigid e) hard and can easily break into pieces 6) elastic f) able to burn easily 7) brittle g) clear and thin enough to see things through 8) rough h) glass or liquid, etc. that is difficult to see through 9) translucent i) able to stretch or bend and then return to its original shape 2. Complete the sentences with the proper words. Choose from the words shown in the

box.

elastic, good conductors, tough, durable, smooth, rigid, hard, rust, rough 1) Industrial diamonds are used for cutting tools because they are _________ and

___________. 2) Before painting, remove all traces of _________. 3) You want the dough to be _________ and __________. 4) Metals are ________ ___________ of electricity. 5) The stone wall had a ________ surface. 6) The door is made from galvanised steel with a __________ frame. 7) The tool is made from a very ________ and resilient material. 3. 1) Explain the difference between transparency and translucency.

2) What is the difference between elastic and plastic materials? How do they behave when we apply force to them?

4. What are the opposite meanings of these adjectives?

flexible ____________ transparent _____________ soft ____________ heavy _____________ rough ____________ combustible _____________ brittle ____________ permeable _____________

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5. By adding the suffixes (-ness, -ity, -ility, -cy) make nouns of these adjectives.

elastic _____________ fragile _____________ soft _____________ transparent _____________ flexible _____________ brittle _____________ rough _____________ plastic _____________ combustible _____________ tough _____________

rigid _____________

A concrete noun is a noun that refers to an object that you can see or touch rather than to an idea or feeling. An abstract noun is a noun that refers to a quality, idea, or feeling rather than a person, animal, place, or thing.

Are the nouns you made concrete or abstract? Make some more abstract nouns from these adjectives: dense, hard, smooth, sad, serious, incredible, eligible, translucent ... Supply some more.

6. Make sentences about four properties of materials from this table: Steel Stone Glass wool Brick

has the property of

good sound insulation good thermal insulation high compressive strength high tensile strength

This means

it can resist high compressive forces. it can resist high tensile forces. it does not transmit heat easily it does not transmit sound easily.

7. Answer the following questions:

1. Why is glass used for windowpanes? 2. Why is glass wool used in roof structures to keep heat in the attic? 3. Why is some steel covered with a thin layer of zinc? 4. Why are some metal sheets formed into a corrugated shape? 5. Why is concrete used for the columns of a building structure?

8. Complete the sentences with the correct properties:

1. Various coatings are applied to protect iron from chemical reaction. This means that iron becomes ______________.

2. A wooden house burnt down, but the windows remained undamaged, i.e., wood is __________ and glass is ____________.

3. We need a special drill to make a hole in a concrete wall. This means concrete is ___________.

4. Car windshields are made of glass rather than steel, because glass is _________, whereas steel is ____________.

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5. Electric repairmen use leather gloves, because leather is __________. 6. Concrete panels are lifted by a crane, which means that a concrete panel is _________. 7. Vertical blinds are used in modern offices to prevent sunrays from penetrating into the

room, i.e., blinds are _____________. 9. What are the properties of the following materials?

concrete, wood, rubber, glass, stone, plastics, lead, clay, chalk, sandpaper.

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Vocabulary attic podkrovie, povala blind roleta brittle krehký coating náter, povlak, obal, poťah column stĺp combustible horľavý compressive stlačujúci, tlakový corrosion korózia, hrdzavenie corrugated vlnitý crane žeriav drill vŕtačka elastic pružný, elastický flammable, inflammable zápalný, horľavý, zapaľujúci sa flexible pružný fragile krehký, slabý, nepevný hard tvrdý heavy ťažký hole diera insulation izolácia layer vrstva leather koža light ľahký moisture vlhkosť (zo zrazenej pary) opaque nepriehľadný, nepriesvitný penetrate vniknúť permeable priepustný plastic plastický resistant odolný, vzdorný, vzdorujúci rigid tuhý, pevný, nepoddajný roof strecha rough drsný rust hrdza sheet plech, plát, fólia, plachta, hárok smooth hladký soft mäkký strength sila, pevnosť tensile ťahový, ťažný tough tuhý, tvrdý, pevný translucent priesvitný transmit prenášať, prepúšťať transparent priehľadný vapour para, výpar, opar windowpane okenná tabuľa windshield, windscreen predné okno motorového vozidla

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UNIT 5

Building Materials Part 1 1. Skim the whole unit for the main points and the overall aim. Building materials are materials from which building components are made. The history of building materials extends back to the time when prehistoric man abandoned his caves and started to build shelters. In hot climates people traditionally used cane and leaves, vines, bamboo, and palm fronds for buildings. However, these materials have a relatively short life span because they deteriorate rapidly and are highly combustible. In some countries both hardwood and softwood were and are still used as building materials. Soil is one of the most widely used traditional building materials. Because mud has less strength than most construction materials, mud walls are built thicker. Mud bricks are brittle and do not withstand tension well. The use of building materials differs according to the climatic zones, tradition and economic situation of the particular country. Progress in science and technology and the invention of new substances also have significantly influenced the use of building materials. The most widely used building materials throughout the world are stones, bricks, cement, mortar and concrete. 2. a) What heading could be given to the above text?

b) Are there any words describing properties or qualities? If so, extract them and try to find their antonyms (opposites).

3. Translate the words in the box. Use the dictionary/vocabulary. Then read the text.

mortar, lime, shrinkage, acid, sheath, joint, matrix, to amalgamate, moulding, cornice, corbel, crevice, void

Mortar is a composite material made by mixing lime, sand and water or cement, sand and water. Lime and cement are the binding materials in mortar. The sand prevents shrinkage and cracks in setting and gives strength to the mortar. Mortar absorbs carbon dioxide gradually from the atmosphere and hardens into a solid mass. The required properties of good mortar are: it should have easy workability; it should be hard and durable when set and cured; it should have a reasonable setting power to ensure the speed of construction. Mortar should bind bricks or stones and form watertight joints. It should also develop sufficient strength against crushing. When mortar is used in plastering work, it should protect the masonry joints by forming an impermeable sheath. Different mortars are used for different purposes in civil engineering constructions owing to their plasticity, workability, binding and setting properties. Mortar is used:

1. to form a soft and even bed for bricks and stones in masonry work

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2. to bind bricks or stones together into a solid mass 3. to hide the open joints of brickwork and stonework and to provide a hard, smooth and

impermeable covering for walls and roofs 4. to provide a matrix for broken bricks or stone chips to be bound into a solid mass in

preparation for concrete 5. for moulding purposes in cornices, corbels, sunshades, etc. 6. for various types of painting work to protect the joints of bricks or stones 7. to fill up any voids detected afterwards in a structure and to repair cracks and crevices

in old brick-rock or stonework. 8. for various ornamental works to improve the general appearance of a building or

similar structures. 4. Fill in the gaps using proper words.

a) Mortar is a composite material made by mixing _________ , __________ and ___________, or ____________, ____________, and __________ .

b) Lime and cement are the ______________________ in mortar. c) Sand prevents _______________ and ___________ in setting and gives __________

to the mortar. d) Mortar ____________ carbon dioxide gradually from the atmosphere and __________

into a solid mass. e) The required properties of good mortar are ______________, _____________,

_____________, _______________, ________________ .

5. Complete the text with the missing expressions.

Mortar a)_______ _______ easy workability; it b)_______ _______ hard and durable when set and cured; it c)________ _______ a reasonable setting power to ensure the speed of the construction. Mortar d)_______ _______ bricks or stones and d)_______ watertight joints. It e)________ also e)________ sufficient strength against crushing. When mortar is used in plastering work, it f)________ _________ the masonry joints by forming an impermeable sheath.

6. Make a list of the expressions that you filled-in in the above text.

We use ‘should + verb’ when we want to express that something must be done or we expect something to happen. Apply this interpretation to the above sentences. Why didn’t we use ‘must’?

7. Answer the following questions:

a) What materials is mortar made of? b) Why is sand an important substance in mortar? c) What happens to mortar when it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? d) What are the properties of good mortar? e) What is mortar used for?

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8. Is Portland cement a brand or type of cement? Portland cement is a finely ground material consisting primarily of compounds of lime, silica, aluminium, and iron. When mixed with water, it forms a paste, which hardens and binds the aggregates (such as sand, gravel, or crushed rock) to form a hard durable mass called concrete. The father of the modern Portland cement industry was an Englishman named Joseph Aspdin. He patented a process for the improved manufacture of cement. The process consisted of heating a mixture of limestone and clay and then crushing and grinding the resulting product to a fine powder. He called this powder Portland cement, because it produced a yellowish-grey concrete that resembled stone quarried on the Isle of Portland, England. 9. Describe the process of Portland cement production. Which verbs are of key importance

in the description? Part 2 1. Give each paragraph an appropriate headline according to their topic. Another building material that plays a key role in building materials is concrete. 1________________ Concrete in its simplest form is a mixture of cement paste and aggregates. The paste, composed of Portland cement and water, coats the surface of fine and coarse aggregates. Stone chips, gravel or broken brick bats are called coarse aggregates; sand is a fine aggregate; and cement is the binding material. The paste binds the aggregates together. Through a chemical reaction called hydration, the cement paste hardens and gains strength to form a rock-like mass. Within this process lies the key to a remarkable feature of concrete: it is plastic and malleable when newly mixed, but strong and durable when hardened. 2_________________ Concrete is the material with which beautiful structures like skyscrapers, vaults, domes, shells, bridges and various architectural compositions can be built. Concrete is extensively used in the construction of buildings, bridges, dams, weirs, barrages, dry-docks, retaining walls, tanks and reservoirs, water towers, chimneys, bins and silos, runways, road pavements, railway sleepers and various water structures. Pre-stressed concrete construction is a bold step in concrete construction, and shell structures speak of the latest development of concrete technology. 3__________________ Concrete, in general, can be classified broadly into two classes: plain concrete and reinforced concrete. Plain concrete may be either lime concrete (a mixture of the correct proportions of lime, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate) or cement concrete (a mixture of cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate). Reinforced concrete is cement concrete reinforced with some foreign materials like, e.g., steel rods, to take a tensile load. 4__________________ There are also some special types of concrete: air-entrained concrete1, high-early-strength concrete, lightweight concrete, etc.

1 Concrete that has been mixed with an admixture that causes tiny bubbles of air to be held in the mixture as the

concrete sets.

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5___________________ Air-entrained concrete is formed by using either air-entrained Portland cement or air-entraining admixtures. This concrete has high resistance to the wetting and drying of salt solutions as well as to severe frost action. The cohesiveness and workability of this concrete are greater that those of normal concrete. Also, this concrete has fewer tendencies to segregate. 6_________________ Using high-early-strength cement2 may produce high-early-strength concrete. Sometimes calcium chloride is used as an accelerating admixture to the Portland cement concrete with a view to increase the rate of developing early strength in concrete. It is often used for cementing in cold weather. 7__________________ Lightweight concrete can be prepared by using admixtures or lightweight aggregates. Admixtures cause swelling of the mixture and the concrete produced becomes light in weight. Ordinary concrete has bulk density 2,300 to 2,400 kg/m3. The bulk density of lightweight concrete is about 800 kg/m3. It is obvious that the strength of lightweight concrete is less than that of normal concrete. This type of concrete may be used for flooring, roof tiles and inaccessible roofs. 8___________________ Lightweight aggregates used in preparation of lightweight concrete are, for example, expanded blast furnace slag, pumice, vermiculite and burnt clay. Sometimes, fine sand is also used. Lightweight aggregates are porous and absorptive. So they should be thoroughly wetted prior to their use. 9___________________ The strength and properties of concrete depend on the following factors: Quality of binding material and aggregates; size, grading and proportioning of ingredients; water-cement ratio and consistency; method of measuring and mixing adopted; method of placing and consolidation of concrete; site condition and temperature; and method of curing. The process of supplying water to concrete after casting is called ‘curing’. The strength of concrete increases considerably by the gradual chemical action of cement in setting and for which after casting, concrete demands water to attain its strength. When the initial setting of concrete is completed, it should be kept moist at least for four weeks. It should be tested for crushing after 28 days of curing. The design of most concrete structures is done on the basis of 28 days’ strength. It has been observed that even after a month, concrete attains strength gradually with age. However, no appreciable change in strength occurs beyond one year. 2. Make two graphic descriptions of: a) the process of producing concrete

b) the classes and types of concrete

3. Now explain the process of the production of concrete. 4. Characterize the classes and types of concrete and the differences between them. 5. Answer the following questions:

a) What is the difference between cement and concrete? b) Explain the difference between concrete and mortar. c) What raw materials is Portland cement made from? d) Explain what is meant by hydration.

2 Cement that has strength early in the hardening process.

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e) Which is the correct terminology: a cement sidewalk or a concrete sidewalk?

6. State at least 5 properties of concrete and tell what factors play an important role in the properties of concrete. How do the materials used for the production of concrete influence its properties?

7. What structures can be built of concrete? Give at least 8 examples. 8. Complete the table:

VERB NOUN

mix _________ bind _________ react _________ hydrate _________ construct _________ develop _________ reinforce _________ weigh _________ resist _________ freeze __________ prepare __________ complete __________ increase __________ The form of a verb ending in –ing (e.g. writing, arguing) is sometimes called

a) a present participle, when it is used like a verb or an adjective, or b) a gerund, when it is used more like a noun.

Example: a) I sat smoking and wondering what to do. (present participle) ... retaining wall ... (adjective) b) Smoking is bad for you. (gerund) 9. a) As –ing forms used like a noun (gerund), are typical of technical texts, please scan

the above article and find as many examples as possible: e.g. formed by using, the wetting and drying of salt solutions, .......

b) In a few sentences a present participle is used as an adjective. Find them. c) Write 3 sentences of your own using these words. 10. Did you know? In the year 2004 at the National Building Museum in Washington the Hungarian architect Aron Losonczi demonstrated a new version of concrete called LiTraCon (light-transmitting concrete), which is made by adding glass or plastic fibers to the usual blend of gravel, sand, cement and water. A LiTraCon wall, though sturdy, is as translucent as an oilskin lampshade. Shadows seep through from one side to the other, even if the slab is of prison-grade thickness. Translucent concrete is tough enough for most large-scale constructions, but the glass or plastic fibers make it too expensive.

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Vocabulary abandon, v. opustiť, zanechať, vzdať sa čoho acid kyselina admixture prísada, prímes aggregate plnivo, kamenivo, štrkopiesok air-entrained concrete prevzdušnený betón amalgamate, v. spájať sa, splynúť, zlučovať sa, fúzovať attain, v. dosiahnuť, dostať sa (kam) barrage priehrada, hrádza bat úlomok tehly, krátka, useknutá tehla bed základ, podklad, dno bin nádoba na odpadky bind, v. spájať, zviazať, spojiť maltou, tmeliť blend zmes bold výrazný, smelý, trúfalý brand značka, druh calcium chloride chlorid vápenatý cane trstina, rákosie carbonic acid kyselina uhličitá cast, v. liať, odliať cave jaskyňa coat, v. potiahnuť, pokryť, obaliť, omietnuť, natrieť cohesiveness súdržnosť compound zlúčenina, zmes, zloženina consistency, consistence tuhosť, pevnosť, hustota consolidation spevnenie, zhustenie, stuhnutie corbel sedlo, konzola, podkladová doska cornice rímsa, ozdobná rímsa, snehový previs crack, n.,v. prasklina, puklina; prasknúť, puknúť crevice puklina, štrbina, trhlina crush, v. rozdrviť, rozbiť, zničiť crushed rock drvené kamenivo cure, v. vytvrďovať, ošetrovať (betón), vulkanizovať deteriorate zhoršiť sa, skaziť sa dome kupola, klenba, dóm (zast.) dry-dock suchý dok expanded blast furnace slag expandovaná, ľahčená vysokopecná troska flooring podlahová plocha, podlaha, podlahovina frond vejárovitý list (napr. papraď) grading nivelizácia, vyrovnávanie, stupňovanie gravel štrk (ťažený) grind, ground, ground, v. mlieť, zomlieť high-early-strength concrete betón s vysokou počiatočnou pevnosťou hydration hydratácia inaccessible neprístupný, nedostupný joint spoj, miesto pripojenia lightweight concrete ľahčený betón lime, limestone vápno, vápenec load zaťaženie, náklad

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malleable tvárny, pružný, kujný masonry murivo, kladenie muriva, murárska práca matrix, pl. matrices základová pôda, lôžko, matica (mat.) mortar malta, omietka moulding formovanie, debnenie, tvarovanie mud blato, bahno oilskin olejované nepremokavé plátno plastering omietanie, omietka, malta, sadrovanie pre-stressed concrete predpätý betón pumice pemza quarry, v. lámať, ťažiť, dobývať railway sleeper železničný pražec retaining wall podporný múr rod prút, tyč seep prenikať, presakovať, vsakovať segregate oddeľovať sa severe tvrdý, namáhavý, náročný sheath ochranný obal, plášť, kamenný breh, hrádza shell vonkajšia výmurovka, obklad shelter prístrešok shrinkage zmršťovanie, strata objemu silica kremeň, kysličník kremičitý soil pôda, zem, zemina span rozpätie, rozsah sturdy pevný, odolný, húževnatý swell, swelled, swollen, v. zväčšiť objem, napuchnúť, nabobtnať tile dlaždica, obkladačka, strešná krytina vault klenba, tunelová klenba vermiculite vermikulit (nerast) vine vínna réva void dutina, medzera, prázdný priestor weir priepad, hať