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How do we responsibly and ethically use Ai?

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How do we responsibly and ethically use Ai?

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The ethics of Ai use must be understood to get the most out of Ai for learning purposes. Ethics can be divided into three categories: academic honesty, data privacy, and bias. Most students will be aware that models like ChatGPT, whilst valuable as an aid to learning, should not be used to do your work for you. The reasoning for this is not just due to the risk of plagiarism but also academic honesty. Ai might help now, but overreliance on it can damage performance when it cannot be used. This will not only be unfair to your learning, but abusing the models will be unfair to others who are not using them, for example, in a group project. Therefore, a balance between the amount of human work versus machine work and the line between an aid to learning and doing the work for you must be kept in mind.

It is also essential to know what data and how these Ai models are using the data you input. As previously mentioned, models train input data continuously, so users should avoid sharing sensitive information. The data the models train from can recommend information that does not represent all viewpoints, is incomplete, or is biased. Users should be critical and double-check the outputs of these models.

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Terrain: Soft, waterlogged ground with existing drainage channels

Task: Construct temporary haul roads to transport restoration materials across 800m of wetland area

Constraints:

Max 3 machinery

Ground bearing capacity limited to prevent sinking

Must maintain existing water flow patterns

All equipment must be removable without permanent ground damage

Hints:

Choose machinery that can handle soft ground conditions while efficiently moving large volumes of fill material. Consider machinery that won't get stuck and can work in wet conditions.

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Soft, waterlogged ground with existing drainage channels across 800m of wetland

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1) Wheeled Tractor

Why?

2) Self-Propelled Wheeled Scraper

Why?

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Scenario 5: Emergency Flood Barrier Construction

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Scenario 5: Emergency Flood Barrier Construction

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Terrain: Flat agricultural land adjacent to rising river, with soft clay soil that becomes slippery when wet

Task: Construct 1.2km emergency flood embankment (3m high, 8m base width) within 48 hours to protect nearby residential area

Constraints:

Max 4 machinery (due to equipment availability during emergency)

Continuous 24-hour operation required

Material must be sourced from adjacent fields (no external borrow pits available)

Weather forecast shows intermittent rain during construction period

Hints:

Select machinery that can work efficiently in wet conditions while moving large volumes quickly. Consider machinery reliability for continuous operation and ability to work on soft, slippery surfaces.

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Terrain: Compact clay, urban area with underground utilities nearby

Task: Excavate for an underpass below an existing road

Constraints:

Must avoid vibration (residential buildings)

Only operate during night shifts (10 PM to 6 AM)

Noise limit: 70 dB

Hints: Prioritize precision and minimal disturbance—ideal for evaluating specialized machinery like silent hydraulic cutters.

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Scenario 2: Hilltop Wind Farm Access Roads

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Scenario 2: Hilltop Wind Farm Access Roads

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Terrain: Steep slopes with rocky patches

Task: Create stable access roads for turbine installation

Constraints:

Max 4 machinery

No blasting allowed (protected natural reserve)

Must reduce slope to ≤10% for vehicle access

Hints: Choose machinery for both cutting and filling while preserving the environment

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Scenario 2: Hilltop Wind Farm Access Roads

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Terrain:
Steep slope with mixed soil—loose topsoil and compacted clay along the hillside with patches of loose soil and uneven ridgelines

Task:
Excavate and prepare a stable 2-lane mountain road with cut-and-fill along the slope

Constraints:

Narrow working space restricts machinery movement

Fill material must come from on-site excavation

No blasting allowed (environmentally protected zone)

Road must support light vehicles within 3 weeks

Hints:
Choose machines suited for precision excavation and slope safety, and material relocation using compact, high-mobility machinery.

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Terrain:
Undulating farmland with scattered mature trees and stone boundaries

Task:
Level a 2-hectare site for temporary event facilities while preserving all existing trees and stone walls

Constraints:

Max 3 machinery

Zero damage to trees (root protection zones must be observed)

Stone boundaries must remain intact

Hints:
Select machinery for precision earthwork that can operate in confined spaces between obstacles. Consider only machinery suitable for bulk earthmoving.

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Throw your dice at Lecturer's station for a scenario

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Throw your dice at Lecturer's station for a scenario

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Create a virtual lottery bowl and use it for drawing one lot after the other. You decide the text for each lot, or whether you want them to be numbered.

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Scenario Example: Mountain Road Excavation

Task: Carve out a road along a steep, rocky slope with loose soil

Selected Machinery:

1. Crawler Excavator (Medium)

Why?

Performs precision excavation on slope and around ridgelines

360° swing and hydraulic control ideal for narrow zones

Suitable for compact clay and selective soil removal

Crawler tracks provide stability on uneven or loose terrain

📌 “Excavators: precise control, 360° rotation, operate in confined spaces; crawler tracks offer slope stability”

2. Bulldozer (Small/Medium, Angle Blade)

Why?

Used to create initial cut benches, push loose soil downslope

Ideal for rough shaping and light compaction

Angle blade helps control material movement away from unstable edges

Crawler tracks allow safe movement on sloped terrain

📌 “Bulldozers: used for spreading, levelling, and terrain shaping; crawler type suitable for slope work”

3. Track Loader

Why?

Transfers excavated material to fill areas

Versatile for spreading, backfilling, and cleanup

More stable than wheeled loader on soft/steep terrain

Can operate in tight or uneven zones where dozers or excavators can't reach

📌 “Track loaders: consistent on all ground conditions, ideal for soft or uneven terrain”

4. 6-Wheeled Truck (Optional Use)

Why?

May be used for short internal hauls if terrain allows

Rear-dump provides controlled fill placement

Compact and maneuverable, but should only operate on stabilised surfaces

📌 “6-wheeled trucks: better manoeuvrability in confined spaces, useful for internal transport”

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create an image to show Carve out a road along a steep, rocky slope with loose soil with excavator, bulldozer, loader and truck

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1. Crawler Tractor

Why?

2. Straight Bulldozer

Why?

3. Self-Propelled Wheeled Scraper

Why?

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1) Crawler Tractor

Why?

2) Straight Bulldozer

Why?

3)Bottom-Dump Wagons (pulled by Crawler Tractor)

Why?

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Pick one scenario. List your selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Pick one scenario. List your selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Teams should create a new post with:

Scenario #

Machinery chosen

Strategy & reasoning (text, voice note, sketch upload, etc.)

Breakout Room Example

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Teams should create a new post with:

Scenario #

Machinery chosen

Why? Strategy & reasoning

See you in class!

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Teams should create a new post with:

Scenario #

Machinery chosen

Why? Strategy & reasoning

See you in class!

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Teams should create a new post with:

Scenario #

Machinery chosen

Why? Strategy & reasoning

See you in class!

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Function: Cuts, loads, hauls, and spreads material within site
Application: Mass earthmoving over medium distances

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Function: Lifting and loading loose material
Application: Stockpile management, loading dump trucks

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Function: Transporting excavated materials
Application: Moves soil or aggregates to and from excavation or fill zones

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Function: Digging, trenching, loading
Application: Ideal for smaller, urban jobs requiring versatility

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Function: Heavy-duty digging and lifting
Application: Used in deep excavation, ditching, and loading materials

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Function: Pushing large quantities of soil, leveling, site clearing
Application: Used in site preparation, stripping topsoil, pushing fill

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Show a bulldozer with a wide flat blade in front, working on a rough site.

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Time limit: 30 minutes

Objective: Work in your team to assess the recommended machinery for a scenario and justify your choices assigned to your group.

Click on the scenario your team will work on. Then go to your team column to begin! You may approach ChatGPT for assistance. (Please use AI responsibly and with ethic before you start to use Ai for assistance)

Prior Knowledge: Intro to CE and CE Construction modules

Pre-reading Knowledge: CE Technology Topic 1

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1. Excavator (Medium Crawler Type)

Why?

2. Bulldozer (Small to Medium, with Angle Blade)

Why?

3. 6-Wheeled Truck

Why?

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Teams should create a new post with:

Scenario #

Machinery chosen

Why? Strategy & reasoning

See you in class!

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1)Wheeled Tractor

Why?

2) 6-Wheeled Rear Dump Trucks

Why?

3) Angle-Dozer

Why?

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Discuss with your group why these selected machinery and explain how you will use each to meet the site constraints and goals.  Be ready to justify!

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Teams should create a new post with:

Scenario #

Machinery chosen

Why? Strategy & reasoning

See you in class!

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Techniques and considerations when using Ai

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Techniques and considerations when using Ai

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Prompting strategies focus on the way you enter information (prompt) into an LLM like ChatGPT. The idea is that the more context you give the Ai, for example, “answer as an Civil engineering student”, or by providing an example and solution, the more the AI can mimic the desired style for creating answers and questions.

One of the major factors to consider when using Ai is the inaccuracies of its solution. Addressing ethical concerns and examining an output with your knowledge or fact-checking using the module learning material / internet not only address inaccuracies but also build on your critical review skills. The key here is critically reviewing the output of an Ai model rather than falling for the convincing language it uses.

Moreover, even an inaccurate answer can lead you to the correct answer or force you to deepen your knowledge about the solution. When interacting with Ai, think of yourself as the academic and Ai as your peer.

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1. Crawler tractor

It has the ability to traverse on rocky surfaces, where rubber tyres might be damaged

It has strong pulling power, suitable for moving heavy loads

It has wide tracks for an even distribution of machine weight, which gives low ground pressure and reduces soil disturbance

2. Straight bulldozer

It can help to even out the terrain for the access roads

With the ripper attachment the straight bulldozer can be used to remove the roots of trees or hard rocks

3. Self-Propelled Wheel Scraper

Faster than using only dozers/loaders for the same volume of material

Performs well on firm to moderately ground, suitable for the hilly rocky terrain

Suitable for long distance road alignments between the turbine sites

Able to excavate and move soil mechanically, eliminating the need for blasting

Crawler Excavator

- Primary excavation of rocky patches and sleep stope cutting operation

- Has superior traction on steep slopes, better grip than wheeled equipment on rocky terrain

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Recommended Machinery

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Bottom-Dump Wagon pulled by crawler tractor 

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Bottom-Dump Wagon pulled by crawler tractor 

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1. Safe unloading –

The bottom-dump wagon discharges material from underneath without lifting its body, avoiding tipping accidents on unstable or slippery surfaces.

2. Fast and continuous fill placement –

It can spread material in a continuous windrow along the embankment alignment while moving, ideal for long stretches (1.2 km).

3. Reduced traffic and damage to ground –

Fewer reversing and turning maneuvers compared to rear dump trucks, minimizing rutting on soft clay.

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Selected machinery:

1. Crawler tractor:

higher tractive effort on soft ground as compared to wheeled tractor

can travel over muddy spaces and operate on rocky surfaces if needed

low ground pressure due to their track footprint, good for soft ground because it distributes its weight over a larger surface, reducing likelihood of getting stuck in the soft clay (superior tractor abilities on soft clay)

2. Straight bulldozer:

excavates earth, moves earth or filling and spreading earth. The haul distances approximately 100 metres.

excellent for pushing large quantities of material over short distances.

since borrow pit (source of material) is very close to the embankment, it can be highly easy & effective.

and perform initial compaction through tracking

3. Bottom down wagons (pulled by crawler tractor)

can carry large volume of material and dump it quickly in a continuous windrow along the embankment alignment while moving, ideal for long stretches (1.2 km). (fast and continuous)

Safe unloading because bottom-dump wagon discharges material from underneath without lifting its body, avoiding tipping accidents on unstable or slippery surfaces.

Reduced traffic and damage to ground as there is fewer reversing and turning maneuvers compared to rear dump trucks, minimizing rutting on soft clay.

priorities reliability and emergency operation

ensures continuous material flow on embankment

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Chosen Machinery:

Self-Propelled Wheeled Scraper

It has the ability to travel over muddy surfaces

For haul distance between 200-1000m, which falls in the task of constructing a temporary haul roads of 800m, a scraper is recommended

It gives steadier traction and stability when working near drainage channels, lowering the chance of accidental damage to channels

Scraper can cut, carry and spread fill more efficiently compared to wheel tractor, increasing the productivity.

Minimal Soil disturbance is reversible

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Task: Level a 2-hectare site for temporary event facilities while preserving all existing trees and stone walls

Constraints:

- Max 3 machinery

- Zero damage to trees (root protection zones must be observed)

- Stone boundaries must remain intact

Selected Machineries

1.       Small to Medium Bulldozer with angle blade

- The site has scattered trees and stone boundaries thus limited working space.

- A small to medium bulldozer can work efficiently in limited space, turn and reverse easily between trees.

- The angled blade reduces the need to constantly reposition the dozer and enables controlled, lateral movement of soil.

- Effective for pushing and spreading soil over large areas (levelling)

- Small to medium bulldozers have wider tracks, spreading less pressure and minimizing soil compaction

- Angle blade allows better and fine control of soil distribution

- Easier to control near obstacles such as trees compared to heavier machinery

2.       Excavator

- The excavator is essential for precision digging, shaping, and loading tasks in areas close to heritage features.

- Flexibility and gentle operation make it the safest and most efficient choice for detailed earthwork on sensitive terrain.

- Able to load soil to the big 6 wheeled truck and carry a large amount of it with stability and precision.

- It is also able to drive around the protected heritage site without damaging its areas and boundaries due to its tracked wheels.

3.       6-wheeled rear dump truck

- Transporting excavated soil across uneven ground.

- Rear-dump type of truck provides controlled fill placement

- Flexible steering to move around obstacles.

- Low ground pressure reduces soil compaction near tree roots.

- Transports material from cut areas to fill areas.

- Follows predetermined haul routes marked clear of root zones and stone walls.

- Reduces the need for multiple passes, limiting compaction and disturbance.

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Wheeled Tractor

Lower ground pressure than crawler tracks on sensitive soils, which minimizes ground disturbance, has precise control, and can work within strict boundaries

Easy mobilization without special transport

More fuel-efficient than crawler tractors & higher travel speeds, which increases productivity

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Scenario 1: Heritage Site Earthwork Strategy

Task:

Level a 2-hectare site for temporary event facilities while preserving all existing trees and stone walls.

Constraints:

Maximum of 3 machinery

Zero damage to trees (root protection zones must be observed)

Stone boundaries must remain intact

1. Small to Medium Bulldozer (with Angle Blade)

Ideal for control spreading and initial compaction of soil over large areas.

Due to limited working space caused by scattered trees and stone boundaries, a small to medium bulldozer is more efficient as it can easily maneuver, turn, and reverse between obstacles.

The angle blade allows precise lateral movement of soil, reducing the need for frequent repositioning and enhancing obstacle avoidance.

Its compact footprint and wide tracks distribute ground pressure evenly, minimizing soil compaction near tree roots.

Offers fine control for levelling tasks and safe operation near trees and stone features.

2. Excavator

Provides precision control and obstacle navigation for delicate digging, shaping, and loading tasks near heritage features.

Its track mobility enables stable movement on uneven terrain without damaging protected zones.

Capable of handling soil efficiently while preserving ground fertility by limiting excessive compaction.

Safely loads soil onto dump trucks and operates effectively in confined areas, ensuring careful work around trees and stone walls.

3. 6-Wheeled Rear Dump Truck

Offers excellent mobility for transporting excavated soil across uneven terrain between cut and fill areas.

The rear-dump mechanism provides controlled dumping, ensuring soil is placed accurately without disturbing protected areas.

Suited for temporary use during site preparation, following clearly marked haul routes away from root zones and stone walls.

Its flexible steering and low ground pressure help reduce disturbance and compaction while maintaining efficient movement on-site.

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primary machine for site prep and materials spreading across soft grounds, lower ground pressure than crawler and excavator on waterlogged soil. Also has higher mobility on 800m haul distance.

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excavate fill material, from designated burrow areas, and transport to road construction zones, can excavate haul and spread in one operation, wheel design prevent sinking in the soft ground