BSc.

Degree Arba Minch University

Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY

Engineering Faculty
Civil Engineering Department

Study Programme for the Degree of Bachelor Science in

Civil Engineering

2007/08

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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

1. Introduction

1.1 Background of the Civil Engineering Department

Arba Minch water technology institute was first established in 1986 G.C with the
general objectives of promoting the advancement of water resources development
and environmental protection. The institute expanded its scope to other engineering
fields and founded Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering departments in
1997 G.C.
The present new curriculum is streamlined to be with the new education policy being
implemented by the ministry of Education according to the new policy students from
high school, who have completed 10 plus 2 years of preparatory and have passed the
entrance exams are directly admitted to the civil engineering department, thereby
reducing the study duration to only 4 years.
1.2 General Objectives of the Civil Engineering Department
The primary objective of the department is to train civil engineers, who easily adjust
themselves to the varying needs of potential employers and be involved in
productive civil engineering practice early on in their career following graduation.
Moreover, it undertakes research activities in line with the university program and
provides consultancy services to public and private organizations.
1.3 Specific Objectives of the Civil Engineering Department
The specific objectives of the civil engineering department are:
1. To train civil engineers who are capable of planning infrastructure development
and handling the design and construction of a wide range of civil engineering
projects, such as buildings, bridges, roads, water treatment plants, supply systems
irrigation schemes etc.
2. To undertake relevant research in line with the university program.
3. To provide consultancy services to governmental and non-governmental
organizations
4. To strive to achieve self-reliance in teaching and research by strengthening
existing programs and opening new graduate programs.
5. To contribute to the advancement of science and technology through research.

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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

2. Programs of the Civil Engineering Department

The department provides training for undergraduate studies leading to a B.Sc.

degree. Moreover, the Department provides training in advanced diploma in Civil
Engineering
2.1 Curriculum
This curriculum is aimed primarily at training engineers required for building and
developing the cities and towns of the future, though the skills imparted will also
enable the graduates to work in all other fields of civil engineering. It will produce
well qualified engineers knowledgeable in the core engineering science areas of
structural, geotechnical and hydraulic engineering. At the same time those graduates
will also have knowledge of civil engineering infrastructure as a resource and as a
service, ensuring that they can be actively engaged in the planning, development and
management of civil engineering infrastructure projects.
2.2 Graduate profile
Upon successful completion of the B.Sc. program, the graduates of the Civil
Engineering Department will have acquired all the necessary skills and level of
maturity to enable them shoulder various responsibilities such as:
 Planning of infrastructure development
 Design of buildings, bridges, roads, dams, canals, and other similar structures.
 Supervision of construction works as site engineers thereby taking the
responsibility of implementing various projects. These include buildings, bridges,
roads, irrigation and water supply schemes. Hydropower development, urban
drainage, etc.
 Planning and management of water resources rural water supply and sanitation
schemes.
2.3 Program Requirements
Admissions to all regular undergraduate programs are processed through the
Ministry of Education (MoE) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. This
is currently true for all public Higher Education Institutes across the whole nation.
Admissions to the continuing education program (CEP) are processed through the
Faculty’s registrar office based on the criteria set by Arba Minch University.
2.4 Admission Requirements
Students who have successfully completed the 10 plus 2 years preparatory and have
passed the entrance exam could apply for admission to the civil engineering
department. In view of the high number of applicants, admission to the department is
rather competitive at the moment.
2.5 Graduation Requirements
Students must take and pass all the required courses to satisfy the requirements for
graduation. The total credit hours required for graduation with the degrees of
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) are 146/144.

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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

2.6 Degree Nomenclature

Degree of Bachelor of Science (In civil engineering)
2.7 Teaching-Learning Methods and Materials
The mode of instruction is mainly by lecturing, holding tutorial sessions, conducting
laboratory demonstrations and field practice.
2.8 Resource Profile
The staff profile of the civil engineering department is as follows: 4 Ph.Ds
(expatriates), 2 trainees towards Ph.D degree, 7 M.Scs (3 expatiates & 4 locals)., 7
trainees towards M.Sc. and 7 B.Sc. There are also 6 technical assistants.
The department has laboratories of soils testing, materials testing and surveying.
The Civil Engineering Department is headed by the department chairman and
supported by the staff meeting, Examination Review committee, department

Graduate committee and department research and publications committee. The

committees are chaired by the department head.
2.9 Maintaining Quality Of Program
To maintain the quality of the program, it is important to keep the admission
requirements up to the standard. This is achieved by strictly following the guidelines
for admission to the Civil Engineering Department, which is in line with the general
university requirement.

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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

3. Selection and Sequencing of Courses

3.1 Course list
The courses offered in the civil engineering department ate classified as major,
supportive or general education courses as shown below:
1. General Education

Credit hrs
S.No Course code Courses title
Lect. Lab/tut Cr. hrs
1 FLEN 207 Sophomore English 3 0 3
2 CivEt 101 Civic and ethical education 2 0 2
3 CivEt 101 Civic and ethical education 2 0 2
4 Econ 101 Introduction to Economics 3 0 3
Total 10

2. Supportive courses

Credit hrs
S.No. Course code Courses title
Lect. Lab/tut Cr. hrs
1 Math 235 Applied Mathematics IB 3 3 4
2 Math 236 Applied Mathematics IIB 3 3 4
3 Math 337 Applied Mathematics IIIB 3 3 4
4 ME 201 Technical drawing 2 3 3
5 ME 210 Engineering Mechanics II 2 3 3
(Dynamics)
6 Geol 301 Engineering Geology 1 3 2
7 Stat 203 Probability and Statistics 1 3 2
8 Comp 207 Computer Programming 1 3 2
9 Math 330 Numerical Methods 2 3 3
10 Flen 401 Technical report writing 1 0 1
11 EE 303 Basic electricity 1 3 2
12 EE 302 Electrical installation 1 3 2
Total 34

3. Electives courses

Credit Hrs
S.No Course code Course Title
Lect. Lab/tut Cr. Hrs
1 ENE 544* Environmental impact assessment 2 0 2
2 CE 552* Theory of Structures III 2 3 3
3 CE 554* Reinforced Concrete Structure III 1 3 2
4 CE 556* Structural Design 2 3 3
5 HE 532* Water Resource Planning and 2 3 3
Management
6 HE 564* Hydropower Development 1 3 2

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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

4. Major Courses

Credit Hrs
S.No Course code Course Title Lec Lab/tut Cr. Hrs
t.
1 CE 201 Engineering Mechanics I (static) 2 3 3
2 CE 202 Strength of Materials I 2 3 3
3 CE 231 Surveying I 2 3 3
4 CE 232 Surveying II 2 3 3
5 CE 301 Strength of Materials II 2 3 3
6 CE 311 Construction Materials 2 3 3
7 CE 312 Building Construction 2 3 3
8 CE 322 Soil Mechanics I 2 3 3
9 CE 352 Theory of Structures I 2 3 3
10 CE 411 Fundamentals of Architecture 1 3 2
11 CE 413 Construction equipment 2 0 2
12 CE 421 Soil Mechanics II 2 3 3
13 CE 422 Foundation Engineering I 2 3 3
14 CE 431 Transport Engineering 2 3 3
15 CE 432 Highway Engineering I 2 3 3
16 CE 434 Surveying Field Practice 0 3 1
17 CE 451 Reinforced Concrete Structures I 2 3 3
18 CE 452 Reinforced Concrete Structures II 2 3 3
19 CE 453 Theory of Structures II 2 3 3
20 CE 454 Field Practice (Practical Attachment) 0 6 2
21 CE 502 Final Year Project 0 12 4
22 CE 511 Contract Spesification and Quantity Survey 2 2 2
23 CE 512 Construction Management 3 0 3
24 CE 521 Foundation Engineering II 2 3 3
25 CE 531 Highway Engineering II 2 3 3
26 CE 551 Fundamentals of Bridge Design 2 3 3
27 CE 553 Steel & Timber Structures 2 3 3
28 CE 556 Structural Design 2 3 3
29 WRE 362 Engineering Hydrology 2 3 3
30 ENE 441 Water Supply & Urban drainage 2 3 3
31 ENE 442 Water Treatment 2 3 3
32 ENE 542 Sewage Treatment 2 3 3
33 ENE 544* Environmental Impact Assessment 2 0 2
34 HE 230 Hydraulics I 2 3 3
35 HE 333 Hydraulics II 2 3 3
36 HE 334 Open Channel Hydraulics 2 3 3
37 HE 462 Hydraulic Structures I 2 3 3
38 HE 532 Water Resource Planning & Management 2 3 3
39 HE 535 Engineering Economics 2 0 2
40 HE 561 Hydraulics Structures II 2 3 3
41 IE 462 Irrigation Engineering 1 3 2
Total 116

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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

3.2 Sequencing (B. Sc. Program)

All courses from the new curricula for which course equivalencies are given in the Appendix will
be offered at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year levels as shown below.

First Year

First Semester

S.No. Course Code Course Name Lecture Tut/Lab Credit hrs

1 CE 201 Engineering Mechanics I (static) 2 3 3
2 Math 235 Applied Mathematics IB 3 3 4
3 ME 201 Technical Drawing 2 3 3
4 Flen 202 Sophomore English 3 0 3
5 CivEt 101 Civic and Ethical Education 2 0 2
6 ME 205 General Workshop practice 0 3 1
7 CE 231 Surveying I 2 3 3
14 15 19
Second Semester

S.No. Course Code Course Name Lecture Tut/Lab Credit hrs

1 ME 210 Engineering Mechanics II (Dynamics) 2 3 3
2 Math 236 Applied Mathematics IIB 4 3 4
3 CE 202 Strength of Materials I 2 3 3
4 CE 232 Surveying II 2 3 3
5 HE 230 Hydraulics I 2 3 3
6 Stat 203 Probability and Statistics 1 3 2
7 CivEt 102 Civic & Ethical education II 2 0 2
15 18 20

Second Year

First Semester

S.No. Course Code Course Name Lecture Tut/Lab Credit hrs

1 Geol 301 Engineering Geology 1 3 2
2 Comp 207 Computer Programming 1 3 2
3 EE 413 Basic Electricity 1 3 2
4 CE 301 Strength of Materials II 2 3 3
5 HE 333 Hydraulics II 2 3 3
6 CE 311 Construction Materials 2 3 3
7 Math 337 Applied Mathematics IIIB 3 3 4
8 CE 434 Surveying Field Practice 0 3 1
12 24 20
Second Semester

S.No. Course Code Course Name Lecture Tut/Lab Credit hrs

1 Math 330 Numerical Methods 2 3 3
2 CE 312 Building Construction 2 3 3
3 CE 322 Soil Mechanics I 2 3 3
4 HE 334 Open Channel Hydraulics 2 3 3
5 CE 352 Theory of Structures I 2 3 3
6 WRE 362 Engineering Hydrology 2 3 3
7 Econ 101 Introduction to Economics 3 0 3
15 18 21

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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

Third Year

First Semester

S.No. Course Code Course Name Lecture Tut/Lab Credit hrs

1 CE 411 Fundamentals of Architecture 1 3 2
2 CE 421 Soil Mechanics II 2 3 3
3 CE 431 Transport Engineering 2 3 3
4 ENE 441 Water Supply & Urban drainage 2 3 3
5 CE 453 Theory of Structures II 2 3 3
6 CE 451 Reinforced Concrete Structures I 2 3 3
7 CE 413 Construction equipment 2 0 2
8 FLEN 403 Technical Report Writing 1 0 1
14 18 20
Second semester

S.No. Course Code Course Name Lecture Tut/Lab Credit hrs

1 CE 422 Foundation Engineering I 2 3 3
2 CE 432 Highway Engineering I 2 3 3
Field Practice (Practical
3 CE 454 0 6 2
Attachment)
4 ENE 442 Water Treatment 2 3 3
5 CE 452 Reinforced Concrete Structures II 2 3 3
6 HE 462 Hydraulic Structures I 2 3 3
7 IE 462 Irrigation Engineering 1 3 2
8 EE 304 Electrical installation 1 3 2
12 27 21

Fourth Year

First Semester

S.No. Course Code Course Name Lecture Tut/Lab Credit hrs

1 CE 556 Structural Design 2 3 3
Contract Specification and
2 CE 511 1 3 2
Quantity Survey
3 CE 521 Foundation Engineering II 2 3 3
4 CE 531 Highway Engineering II 2 3 3
5 CE 551 Fundamentals of Bridge Design 2 3 3
6 CE 553 Steel & Timber Structures 2 3 3
7 HE 561 Hydraulics Structures II 2 3 3
13 21 20
Second Semester

S.No. Course Code Course Name Lecture Tut/Lab Credit hrs

1 CE 502 Final year Project 0 12 4
2 CE 512 Construction Management 3 0 3
3 ENE 542 Sewage Treatment 2 3 3
4 ENE 544* Environmental Impact Assessment 2 0 2
5 HE 535 Engineering Economics 2 0 2
Water Resource Planning &
6 HE 532 2 3 3
Management
11 18 17

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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty

4. Course Descriptions (B.Sc. Program)

CE 201 – Engineering Mechanics I (Static) [3] 1) Properties of fluids

Prerequisites:
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Resultants of coplanar and non –
coplanar force systems
2) Equations of equilibrium for coplanar
and non- coplanar force systems
3) Equilibrium of simple structures:
trusses, beams, frames and machines
4) Axial force, shear force and bending
moment diagrams for beams and simple
frames
5) Properties of surfaces: centroid,
moment and product of inertia of bodies
and areas
6) Static friction
CE 202 – Strength of Materials I [3]
Prerequisites:
CE 201 and Math 235
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
 Mechanical properties of materials,
Stress and strains: Types of stresses and
strains
 Classification of load carrying
members
 Hook's law and basic elastic theory
 Theory of bending: shear force and
bending moment in beams; shear force
and bending moment diagrams; bending
and shear stresses
 Torsion
 Compound Stresses in members
under axial load combined with bending
 Plane stresses and strains
 Riveted, bolted and welded joints
and connections
HE 230 – Hydraulics I [3]
Prerequisite:
CE 201 and Math 235
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
10
2) Hydrostatics: Euler’s basic equation,
relative equilibrium Manometer
Hydrostatic forces on plane and curved
surfaces.
3) Tensile stress in pipes
4) Buoyancy and stability of floating
bodies
5) Kinematics of fluid flow
6) Flow net analysis
7) Continuity and Bernoulli’s equations;
Impulse and momentum principle and
its applications
8) Boundary layer theory: concepts,
growth, energy and momentum
thickness, and laminar sub- layer
Stat 203- Probability and statistics [2]
Prerequisite:
Math 235
Teaching Method:
1 hr Lect, 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Introduction to probability theory
Random variables and random
distribution
2) Discrete and continuous density
functions
3) Bivarate distribution
4) Introduction to statistics
5) Frequency distributions Measures of
central distribution and dispersion
6) Regression and correlation coefficients
Comp 207 – Computer programming [2]
Prerequisite:
Teaching Method:
1 hr Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Introduction to computers; hardware,
software,
2) Number representation in computers:
fixed and floating – point numbers.
3) Fundamental programming concepts:
program organization modularity in
programming, algorithms, flow charts.
4) Data types: intrinsic and user- defined
data types, variables, initialization,
assignment, statements, and control
BSc. Degree
Civil Engineering
statements, loops Input and output
statements; files for input and output.
5) Intrinsic and user-defined subprograms
possible language: FORTRAN (latest
version) or C.
CE 201 – Strength of Materials II [3]
Prerequisites:
CE 202
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
 Deflection: direct integration;
moment-area method; conjugate beam
method; unit load method and
Castigliano's theorem.
 Statically indeterminate problems:
methods of superposition; the three
moment equation.
 Mohr’s Circle, Axially and
eccentrically loaded columns.
 Energy methods: strain energy for
axial, shearing and flexural stresses;
deflection by energy method and virtual
work method.
 Cylinders subjected to internal and
external pressures.
 Influence lines for determinate and
indeterminate structures.
Math 330- Numerical Methods [3]
Prerequisite:
Comp 207
Teaching Method:
2 hr Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Fundamentals of numerical methods:
recursion formulas, iteration Errors in
machine computation
2) Roots of equations: bracketing methods
and open methods.
3) Systems of linear algebraic equations:
direct and iterative methods; Systems of
non-linear equations
4) Interpolation and approximation; Least-
squares regression; Linear, polynomial
and multiple regression
5) Numerical differentiation
integration; Finite difference
approximation to derivatives,
Richardson extrapolation; Numerical
solution of Ordinary Differential
Equations
Arba Minch University
Engineering Faculty
CE 311 – Construction Materials [3]
Prerquisite:
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs lab/tut
Contents:
1) Classification of construction materials
2) Mechanical properties of construction
materials: nature and performance of
materials under load
3) Cementing materials: production and
use of lime, gypsum and cement; types
and properties of cement
4) Mortar
5) Concrete: concrete making materials,
mix design, fresh and hardened concrete
properties, curing techniques; concrete
admixtures
6) Metals in constructions; properties of
steel and aluminum alloys
7) Timber and timber products
8) Clay and clay products
9) Building blocks and masonary stones
CE 312 – Building Construction
Prerequisite:
CE 311
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs lab/tut
Contents:
1) Building classification
2) Functional planning of buildings
3) Building drawings
4) Soils investigations & Foundations
5) Walls; Floors; Stair-cases
6) Doors and Windows; Roofs; Arches
and Lintels
7) Finishing
8) Sanitary systems
9) Timber
10) Reinforced concrete and Steel framed
Structures
11) Prefabricated building systems
12) Shell and Dome structures
13) Damp-prevention
14) Scaffolding and formwork
CE 322 – Soil Mechanics I [3]
and
Prerequisite:
CE 201 and HE 230
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs lab/tut
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BSc. Degree
Civil Engineering
1) Introductions: definitions, soil
formations, common soil types.
2) Simple soil properties and soil
classifications: weight – volume
relationships, grain size distribution,
and soil consistency.
3) Engineering soil classifications soil
water and seepage: soil water
permeability flow nets, seepage,
pressures and forces in soil water.
4) Compressibility and consolidation of
soils: general measurement
compressibility, consolidation of soils.
5) Stress distribution in soils and
settlement analysis: stress distribution
under own weight of soils and different
loading conditions, elastic and
consolidation settlement.
6) Laboratory tests: specific gravity
determination, grain size analysis,
consistency tests, permeability tests,
and consolidation tests.
CE 331 –Surveying I [3]
Prerequisite:
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
Introduction to surveying types of survey
and systems of referenced. Measurement of
horizontal and vertical angles. Leveling
optical distance measurement.
Electromagnetic distance measurement.
Total station survey Traverses.
Triangulation Theory of errors basic
principle of adjustment. Filed practice.
CE 332 Surveying II [3]
Prerequisite:
CE 331
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Contour lines and Digital Terrain Model
2) Engineering Surveys and setting out
3) GPS surveying, topographic Surveys
and Mapping
4) Principles of Photogrametry
5) GIS Introduction to Remote Sensing
6) Field practice
CE 351 Theory of Structures I [3 ]
Prerequisite:
Arba Minch University
Engineering Faculty
CE 202
Teaching Method:
2 hrsLect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Statical determinacy and stability of
structures
2) Loads on structures: dead, live, impact,
wind, seismic and other loads; Graphic
statics
3) Influence lines for determinate
structures
of 4) Deflection of structures; method of
virtual work, graphical multiplication
Castiliano’s theorem, Maxwell – Betti
law of reciprocal deflections, Method of
consistent deformations
5) Indeterminate structures; classification
of indeterminacy and methods of
analysis; Classical methods of analysis;
the general method for indeterminate
structures, least work, column analogy
CE 352- Theory of Structures II
Prerequisite:
CE 351
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Kinematics indeterminacy of structures:
Slope deflection for prismatic and non-
prismatic members; Cross and Kani
method of moment distribution
2) Influence lines for indeterminate
structures: Beams, grid frames and
arches
3) Introduction to matrix methods of
structural analysis: Force and
Displacement, Flexibility and Stiffness
method
HE 337- Hydraulics II [3]
Prerequisite:
HE 230
Teaching Method:
2hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Open channel flow; definition, elements
of flow, computation
2) Energy and momentum principles in
open channel flow: specific energy and
specific force, critical flow, channel
transitions, hydraulic jump
3) Hydraulic models: dimensional analysis
and hydraulic similitude, methods of
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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty
investigation on scale models, model 3) Selection of technical subject and
building feasibility exercise
4) Closed –conduit flow: head loss 4) Gathering material and techniques of
equation energy and pressure grade arranging subject matter in its full form
lines, limner flow in pipes Network and Write-up
design and analysis 5) Oral presentation of project outcome and
5) Hydraulic machines: pumps and public speaking
turbines- types, velocity triangles, work
CE 411 - Fundamentals of Architecture [2]
done efficiency, specific speed, and
performance characteristics pump – Prerequisite:
pipe systems; Introduction to water ME 201
hammer analysis Teaching Method:
WRE 362 - Engineering Hydrology 1 hr Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
Prerequisite: 1) Definition: space and function
2) Construction and structure as related to
HE 230 & Stat 203
architecture
Teaching Method: 3) Aesthetics, Climate and site conditions
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut 4) Architectural drawings
Contents: 5) Structural drawings and Reinforcement
1) Basic hydrological concepts: the scheduling
hydrologic cycle Precipitation 6) Sanitary drawing
2) Evaporation and sediment stream flow: 7) Electrical installation drawing
factors affecting measurement. Arial CE 412 - Construction Equipment
rainfall estimation
3) Intensity-Duration-Frequency curves, Prerequisite:
and runoff: stage-discharge relations, Teaching Method:
rating curves; Hydrographs, Unit 2 hrs Lect.
hydrographs, S-hydrographs, Synthetic Contents:
UH, flow-duration curves; Processing 1) Types of construction equipment;
of hydrological data, frequency analysis Compressors and pumps; Equipment for
of floods earth work: Trenching, dredging and
4) Flood routing through reservoirs and tunneling equipment, Power excavators
river channels; Spillway design flood and cranes; Foundation equipment;
estimation Concreting equipment; Compactors and
5) Estimation of reservoir capacity, paving equipment; Aggregate
Groundwater occurrence and production equipment
movement, Darcy's law, determination 2) Choosing construction equipment;
of ground water flow parameters, construction equipment schedule
hydraulics of wells 3) Management of construction
equipment: Finance, maintenance,
FLEN 401 - Technical Report Writing [1]
safety
Prerequisite: CE 421 - Soil Mechanics II [3]
FLEN 207
Teaching Method: Prerequisite:
Lect. 1 hr. CE 222
Contents: Teaching Method:
1) Historical development, General features 2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
of a report, Types a report with Contents:
illustrations 1) Shear strength of soils: shear resistance
2) Communication channels, Technical of soils, stress at a point and Mohr
reporting as a specialized branch of stress circle, shear characteristics of
communication soils, Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria,
shear tests
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BSc. Degree
Civil Engineering
2) Contact pressure distribution:
theoretical and approximate contact
pressure distribution
3) Bearing capacity of soils: general
determination of bearing capacity of
soils using different methods
4) Lateral earth pressure: lateral earth
pressure problems, earth pressure
theories
5) Slope stability problems: slope
movements, slope stability analysis
6) Laboratory tests direct shear test,
triaxial compression test, and
unconfined compression
CE 422 - Foundation Engineering I
Prerequisite:
CE 421 and CE 451
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Site exploration: purpose, plan and
methods of soil explorations, evaluation
of field tests data
2) Types of foundations and their selection
3) Introduction to Ethiopia standards and
other standards in foundations area
4) Design of shallow foundations: isolated
or spread footings combined footings,
strap or cantilevered footings, mat
foundations, eccentrically and inclined
loaded foundations
5) Analysis and design of retaining
structures: conventional retaining walls
CE 431- Transport Engineering [3]
Prerequisite:
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect. , 3 hrs lab/tut
Contents:
1) Introduction to transport systems:
Highways, railways, and waterways.
Driver pedestrian, vehicle, and road
characteristics
2) Traffic engineering studies: spot speed
studies, volume studies, travel time and
delay studies, parking studies and road
traffic safety
3) Fundamental principles of traffic flow:
traffic flow elements, and flow-density
relationships
4) Traffic-control devices and systems:
traffic signs, pavement markings and
islands, and traffic signals
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Arba Minch University
Engineering Faculty
5) Highway capacity: level of service,
capacity of highways, and intersections
6) Transport planning: elements of
transport planning, urban transport
planning, and evaluating transport
alternatives
CE 432 - Highway Engineering I [3]
Prerequisite:
CE 332, and CE 431
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Highway route selection: factors to be
considered in highway route selection,
steps in highway route surveys
2) Functional classification systems of
highways
3) Geometric design of highways: Design
controls and criteria; Highway cross-
section elements - lane and shoulders,
sidewalks, medians, and pedestrian
crossings
4) Elements of geometric design - sight
distance, horizontal alignment, design
of circular and transition curves,
vertical alignment, grade selection and
design of vertical curves, combinations
of horizontal and vertical alignment
5) Design of intersections interchanges
6) Drainage and drainage structures:
surface and subsurface drainage, design
of side ditches and culverts
7) Earthwork quantities and mass-haul
diagram.
CE 334–Surveying Field Practice [1]
Prerequisite:
CE 332
Teaching Method:
Contents:
 A supervised field practice involving
topographical survey, mapping and data
interpretations will be conducted during
the first two weeks of 3rd year summer
break.
ENE 341 – Water Supply and Urban Drainage
[3]
Prerequisite:
HE 237
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs lab./tut
Contents:
BSc. Degree
Civil Engineering
1) Demand for Water: Quantity of Water
for different uses
2) Sources of water, Surface water
abstraction, Design of wells
3) Collection and distribution of water:
types of water intakes, distribution
systems, service reservoirs; Pipelines
and appurtenances, pumping
4) Plumbing Water supply and drainage of
buildings
5) Quantity of Sanitary sewage, Quantity
of storm water and urban drainage
6) Hydraulics of sewers, Design of sewer
systems, Sewage popes and
appurtenances, Loads on buried pipes
7) Organization and Administration of
water supply and sewer projects
ENE 442 – Water Treatment [3]
Prerequisite:
ENE 341
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab./tut
Contents:
1) Water quality: impurities of water,
Physical, chemical and biological
examination of water
2) Drinking waters standards, Water
quality and health, Conventional
methods of water treatment:
sedimentation: coagulation/flocculation,
filtration, disinfections
3) Industrial water quality requirements:
water softening, Iron and Manganese
removal, water conditioning
4) Advances in water treatment: roughing,
multi stage filtration
CE 451 – Reinforced Concrete Structures I [3]
Prerequisite:
CE 352
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs. lab/tut
Contents:
1) Mechanics of reinforced concrete, Limit
State Design (LSD) method, Ethiopian
Building Code Standards 2(EBCS 2)
2) Strength and mechanical properties of
concrete and reinforcing steel,
Rectangular and T – beams under
flexure, Doubly reinforced beams
3) Detailing of flexural reinforcement,
Design ‘aids ‘Shear in beams – truss
model, Bond, anchorage and
development length, Effect of shear
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Arba Minch University
Engineering Faculty
forces on bar and location of bar cut off
points
4) Detailing of shear reinforcement,
Serviceability – elastic analysis of beam
sections, cracking, moment – curvature
relationship, deflections
CE 452 – Reinforced Concrete Structures II [3]
Prerequisite:
CE 451
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Design of Continuous beams
2) Design of One – way solid and ribbed
slabs, design of slabs for concentrated
forces, moment redistribution
3) Design of Two-way systems – two-way
beam supported slabs
4) Design of Flat slabs
5) Torsion
6) Short columns – combined axial force
and binding, interaction diagrams,
biaxial bending. Design aids, slender
columns
CE 454 - Field practice (practical attachment)
[2]
Contents:
 Students will be sent to various
project sites or organizations for
practical training at the end of the
seventh semester for two months time.
They are expected to submit a sound
report about their experience at the
beginning of the Ninth semester.
Furthermore, students are expected to
present their findings in a seminar.
CE 462 – Open Channel Hydraulics [3]
Prerequisite:
HE 337
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Flow computations: critical flow,
uniform flow
2) Gradually varied flow: differential
equations of gradually varied flow;
gradually varied flow profiles,
computations of gradually varied flow
3) Rapidly varied flow: flow
characteristics, flow over spillways, and
flow under gates
BSc. Degree
Civil Engineering
4) Hydraulic jump and its use as energy
dissipater
5) Sediment transport and design of stable
channels: sediment transport in open
channels, hydraulic properties of
sediments, and mode of sediment
transport, design of stable channels.
HE 362– Hydraulic Structure I [3]
Prerequisite:
HE 337, WRE 362 and CE 421
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect, 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Classification of hydraulic structures,
Location and selection of appropriate
type of dam and spillway, Data
collection, Foundations of dams and
their treatment
2) Design and stability analysis of dams:
gravity dams, earth dams, and rock-fill
dams, Principles of design of arch and
buttress dams
3) Design and hydraulic calculation of
spillways: ogee spillway, siphon
spillway, shaft spillway and side
channel spillway, Spillway crest gates,
Terminal structures, Outlet and intake
structures
4) Methods of stream diversion during
construction
CE 502 – Final year project [4]
 An independent applied research project
related to the field of specialization will
be conducted by a group of students and
a common project report will be
submitted to the department. The
project subjects can be initiated by the
students or selected from the topics
furnished by the academic staff
members and supervised by the staff
member(s) of the Institute
CE 411 – Contract Specifications and Quantity
Survey [2]
Prerequisite:
Teaching Method:
1 hr Lect, 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) The law of contract as applied to civil
engineering constructions
16
Arba Minch University
Engineering Faculty
2) Types of Civil Engineering construction
contracts; Contract documents;
Conditions of contract; Administration
of contract, settlement of claims,
Bidding theory
3) Preparation of tender, Tender appraisal,
Types of specifications, Specification
writing
4) Quantity surveying: material take off
preparation and writing of bill of
quantities
5) Project cost estimation; site supervision;
measurement and value of work
CE 412 – Construction Management [3]
Prerequisite:
Teaching Method:
Lect. 3 hrs.
Contents:
1) Construction in the national economy;
Parties in construction industry;
Construction and consulting
organizations
2) Design and construction procedure of
public projects; Preparation of TOR
3) Project management and planning
techniques; Financial project appraisal
and cash-flow analysis; Personnel
management; Site organizations
4) Insurance in construction industry
CE 421– Foundation Engineering II [3]
Prerequisite:
CE 322
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect, 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Pile foundations: classification,
properties, pole capacity, negative skin
friction, pile group, pile caps, batter
piles, laterally loaded plies;
2) Introduction to poled raft foundations.
3) Cofferdams and caissons (short
exposure).
4) Introduction to foundations of
expansive soils: characteristics of
expansive soils, physical properties of
expansive soils, mechanisms of
swelling, methods of preventing heave
damage, investigation of cracked
buildings in expansive soil areas and the
remedial measures.
5) Environmental issues in soil mechanics
and foundation areas: interference of
BSc. Degree
Civil Engineering
retaining structures on
environments, effects of borrow and fill
sites on the environment, effects of
sanitary fill sites on the environment.
CE 531– Highway Engineering II [3]
Prerequisite:
CE 432 and CE 421
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect, 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Pavement structures: types of pavement
and basic design data, Stresses in
pavements, Traffic loading and axle
load survey
2) Pavement materials: Sub grade soils
special soil tests for pavement design,
improvements of soils; Aggregate types
and processing, aggregate properties
and tests; Bituminous materials and
their properties; and Bituminous
mixtures
3) Structural design of pavements: Design
of flexible pavements; introduction to
design of rigid pavements
4) Highway construction: Earthwork
operations and equipment; Sub-bases,
bases, and low-cost surfaces; and High-
type bituminous pavements
5) Highway maintenance and
rehabilitation: Pavement condition
survey; Maintenance of road surfaces,
roadsides, drainage structures, traffic
control and safety devices; and
Pavement rehabilitation
6) Labour based method of road
construction and maintenance
ENE 442 – Sewage Treatment [3]
Prerequisite:
ENE 442
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect, 3 hrs Lab/tut.
Contents:
1) Wastewater characteristics:
Examination of Wastewater, Wastewater
treatment objectives and methods
2) Design of facilities for physical,
chemical and Biological treatment
processes
3) Effluent disposal and water pollution
control, sludge treatment and disposal
methods
Arba Minch University
Engineering Faculty
the 4) On-site sanitation systems: design,
construction and performance of pot
latrines, septic tanks
ENE 544 – Environmental Impact Assessment
(2)
Prerequisite:
Teaching Method:
Lect. 2 hrs.
Contents:
1) Major environmental problems and
their relation to human activity and
development, Aspects of environmental
policies and legislation
2) Sources and courses of water, land,
food, and air pollution and their control
3) Urbanization and its impact on the
environment, Issues and strategies of
environmental protection
4) Quantities and composition of soil
wastes, Methods of solid waste
treatment (land filling, incineration,
composting, etc.), Handling of
hazardous waste, Aspects of solid waste
management, Environmental impact
assessment
CE 551 – Fundamentals of Bridge Design [3]
Prerequisite:
CE 352 and CE 452
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect, 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Data collection, site selection and span
determination for bridges
2) Types of bridges: Reinforced concrete
(slab, girder, frame), arch, cable stayed
and suspension, Selection of bridge
type, Geometry of bridges (length,
cross-section)
3) Bridge Loading, AASHTO standard
4) Design of Reinforced Concrete and
Steel girder bridges, Bearings and
railings
5) Culverts and low level water crossings
CE 552 – Theory of Structures III [3] (Elective)
Prerequisite:
CE 252
Teaching Method:
2 hrs Lect, 3 hrs.Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Fundamental principles of matrix
methods of structural analysis
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BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty
2) Energy concepts, Flexibility method: Lect. 2 hrs. , 3 hrs. Lab/tut
Basic concepts, flexibility of prismatic Contents:
members, system flexibility, and 1) Wind loads, earthquake loads, Ethiopian
solution procedure Building Code Standards for wind and
3) Stiffness method: Basic concepts, earthquake loads
stiffness of prismatic members, axis 2) Lateral load-resisting systems in
transformation and system stiffness, buildings
direct stiffness method, Non-prismatic 3) Stable arrangement of structural
members, Curved members, Elastic systems and distribution of lateral loads
supports, Oblique supports, 4) Plastic analysis for framed structures
Discontinuities in members, Offset (plastic hinge and plastic zone theory)
connection 5) Simple strip method for slabs
6) Composite steel /concrete structures.
CE 553 – Steel and Timber Structures [3] Introduction to elastic stability theory
Prerequisite: HE 56-Hydraulic Structures II [2]
CE 252
Teaching Method: Prerequisite:
2 hrs Lect, 3 hrs Lab/tut HE 433
Contents: Teaching Method:
1) Mechanical properties of structural 2 hrs Lect, 3 hrs. Lab/tut
steel, Structural shapes, The welding Contents:
process, Structural bolts 1. River Morphology: cross-sectional
2) Ethiopian Building Code Standards for index, meandering index, development
design of steel structures process of alluvial streams, self
3) Tension and compression members, adjustment of cross sections, alluvial
beams and columns cones and fans, stream delta, stream
4) Plate girders, Beam columns, Structural confluence, meandering and braided
connections, Design of built up steel stream,
members 2. Design of riverbanks and bed erosion
5) Physical and mechanical properties of protection works: drops, bottom sills,
timber, Ethiopian Building Code groins, or spurs, ripraps, revetments,
Standards for design of timber gabions, and nature protection (planting
of vegetation).
CE 434-Reinforced Concrete Structures III [2] 3. Flood protection methods: dykes, flood
(Elective)
diversion structures, storage ponds, etc.
Prerequisite: 4. Diversion structures: types of diversion
CE 352 structures, design of diversion weirs and
Teaching Method: barrages.
1hr Lect, 3 hrs. Lab/tut 5. Seepage: critical exit gradient, Lane’s
Contents: theory of weighted creep length, kosla’s
1) Special structural elements – hatched theory of seepage, flow nets, causes of
beams, deep beams, curved beams, failure by piping and uplift, safety
walls and corbels, against uplift and piping.
2) Introduction to yield line theory for 6. Silt exclusion devices silt excluder, silt
slabs, ejector
3) Introduction to pre stressed concrete ENE 562-Water Resource Planning and
and water retaining structures, Bunkers Development [3] (Elective)
and silos.
Prerequisite:
CE 556-Structural Design [3] (Elective) WRE 362 and ENE 441
Teaching Method:
Prerequisite:
2 hrs Lect, 3 hrs Lab/tut
CE 352 and CE 252
Contents:
Teaching Method:
1) Assessment of surface and sub-surface
water resources and their development:
18
BSc. Degree Arba Minch University
Civil Engineering Engineering Faculty
potential: quantity, quality, spatial and HE 564 - Hydropower Development [2]
temporal distribution. (Elective)
2) Concepts of integrated river basin
Prerequisite:
management and basin master plan,
HE 434
Planning of water resources projects:
Teaching Method:
technical Economics, Environmental,
1 hr Lect., 3 hrs. Lab/tut
legal and social aspects, Single and
Contents:
multi-purpose projects.
1) Water as a source of energy, Estimation
3) Sustainability of water resources
of waterpower potential: flow duration
development, Planning and operation
curves
tools: optimization methods linear
2) Electrical loads on turbines: load curve,
programming (simplex method),
load factor, firm and secondary power
dynamic programming, deterministic
3) Classification of hydroelectric power
models of watershed hydrology,
plants: run –of – river, storage and
Introduction to and their use in the
pumped storage plants, Design of power
planning and design of water resources
intakes, canals, tunnels, for bay, surge
projects, Project formulation:
tanks, penstocks
reconnaissance, pre-feasibility, and
4) Layout of powerhouse and accessories:
feasibility studies, final design.
cavitations requirements
4) Trans-boundary water issues: water
5) Draft tube, electro mechanical
sharing, Environmental impact
equipment
assessment.
6) Planning and design of small
IE 563 –Irrigation Engineering [2] hydropower plants

Prerequisite:
WRE 362 and HE 334
Teaching Method:
1 hr Lect., 3 hrs Lab/tut
Contents:
1) Feasibility studies of irrigation projects.
2) Soil-plant-Water relationship: soil-water
potential, moisture stress of plants, soil
moisture and plant growth, crop-water
requirement
3) Land grading and field layout: land
grading, survey and design,
construction procedures and equipment,
contour bench leveling
4) Water application techniques: border,
furrow, sprinkler, drip and check-basin
irrigation methods, and irrigation
efficiency
5) Salt problems in irrigation agriculture:
saline and alkaline soils, quality of
irrigation water, water logging and land
reclamation process
6) Water conveyance and control:
irrigation distribution systems, methods
of water measurement and related
hydraulic structures
7) Design and construction of subsurface
drainage: rain materials and layout, filer
design
8) Operation of irrigation systems:
irrigation frequency
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5. Appendix

Course Codes & Numbers

Course coding and numbering employs two-letter initials followed by a three-digit

number.
A general course coding and numbering is of the form – CE XYZ-, where:
 CE indicates that it is a major course in the Civil Engineering curriculum.
 “ X ” is the year in which the course is given, and is 1,2,3 or 4
 “ Y ” represents a field of specialization within civil engineering to which the course
is closely related.
 X=0 when the course is a basic civil engineering course
 X=1 when the course is closely related to Construction Management & Technology
 X=2 when the course is closely related to Geo techniques
 X=3 when the course is closely related to Highway Engineering
 X=4 when the course is closely related to Sanitary Engineering
 X=5 when the course is closely related to Structural Engineering
 X=6 when the course is closely related to Water Resources and Hydraulic
Engineering.
 “ Z “ is and odd number if the course is given in the first semester and an even
number if the course is given in the second semester.

Example:
A course with the coding CE 351 is a Civil Engineering course related to Structural
Engineering and it is normally given in the first semester of the third year.

Service Courses to other departments

Credit hrs
Course code Course name L L/T Cr
CE 121 Engineering Mechanics (static & dynamic) 2 3 3
CE 130 Strength of material I 2 3 3
CE 233 Strength of material II 2 3 3
CE 132 Construction material 1 3 2
CE 230 Building construction 1 3 2
CE 234 Theory of structures 2 3 3
CE Reinforced concrete I 2 3 3
CE Reinforced concrete II 2 3 3
CE 336 Foundation Engineering( For Irrigation) 2 3 3
CE 338 Foundation Engineering ( For Hydraulics) 3 3 4
CE 435 Construction equipment and methods 2 3 3