COURSE CONTENT

REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
PEACE – WORK – FATHERLAND

SYLLABUS OF TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

F4 BA
CIVIL ENGINEERINEERING – BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION

General Inspectorate of Pedagogy In charge of

Technical Education

DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL

EDUCATION

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This syllabus was prepared in the Ministry of National Education in collaboration

with:

SOFATI

Department of International Training

L’UNIVERSITE DE MONTREAL
Faculty of Sciences of Education

CIDE
Inter-collegial Consortium of
Development in Education

MAY 1991

Translated by:
WENJEH CHONYUI FRANCIS (PLET) – RPI-TP/BE-SWR - 2010

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Just as many other developing countries, Cameroon is today confronted with many
challenges amongst which is that of assuring the rapid evolution in the Technical field as well as,
combating the economic crisis. Our ability to efficiently withstand these challenges and other
durable developments greatly depends on the quality of training given to young Cameroonian in
general and particularly to those pursuing the technical and professional training.

It is with this strong conviction that, since my appointment as Minister of National

Education in April 1991, and with the aim of producing the Cameroon of tomorrow well
instructed, more inventive, better trained and well educated children, we focused on several
great objectives toward the framework of the New Pedagogy approach engaged by the
Government notably:

 Moving toward the democratization of Education by the qualitative and quantitative

development viable hosting structures;
 Putting in place of good policies of selecting school text books and the rehabilitation of
school libraries and to improve on the reading habit of the youths;
 Develop scientific and technical education and as well promote practical works in the
laboratories and workshops, as well as manual work in school;
 Develop and ameliorate training of teachers notably in the domain of technical and
Professional Education;
 Renew the syllabus of teaching in its entirety, and those of Technical and Professional
Education in particular, in view of achieving very pertinent, more efficient and better
adapted contents to the socio- economic realities of our country.

Looking at this last great objective, works on reforming the syllabus of Technical and
Professional Education was conferred to the General Inspectorate of Pedagogy under the
responsibility of Mr. FOMETHE Anaclet, former student of “Ecole Normale Supérieure de
CACHAN” Lecturer in the National School of Engineering (Polytechnics) Yaoundé, as well as
Inspector General of Pedagogy in charge of Technical and Professional Education since 1985,
after having been the Director of Technical and Professional Education for 3years.

Today, I am particularly impressed to learn that, this work supervised by senior

Cameroonians of great value has been accomplished in its first phase. I am especially very
happy to place at the disposal of Technical and Professional Education, these revised
syllabuses that the Ministry of National Education has just published, which is destined to all
Technical High Schools and in all other second cycle Private Technical Colleges in the country.

I am as well very satisfied that; this wide detailed work was accomplished within the very
short time that was allocated.

In all twenty-five syllabuses of professional education, in English and French, as well as the time
and coefficient allocated, was elaborated or revised for all the specialties old or newly created
which will go operation in Technical High School.

These specialties include:

F2………………………………. Electronics
F3 ………………………………. Electromechanics
M AV …………………………. Maintenance of Audio Visual Equipment
M. EM ………………………… Electromechanical Maintenance
F5 …………………………… Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
F4 – BA ………………………. Civil Engineering – Option Building Construction
F4 – BE ………………….……. Civil Engineering – Option Architectural Draftsmanship

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F4 – TP …………………………Civil Engineering – Option Public Works

IS ……………………………...Sanitary Installation
IB ……………………….………Wood Processing Industry
EF ……………….……….……. Forestry Exploitation
MEB ………………….…………Wood Work
GT – TO ……………….………. Geometrical Surveying – Option Surveying
GT – PH ………………….……...Geometrical Surveying – Option Photogrammetric
E ………………………………. Mathematics and Techniques
F1 ………………………………. Mechanical Fabrication
MA ………………………………. Motor Mechanics
MF – CM ………………………...Welding and Metal Construction
CI …………….…………………. Industrial Chemistry

IH ………………………………. Clothing Industry

ESF ………………….………….... Home Economy
G1………………………………. Secretariat Duties

G2 ……………………...............Accounting

G3 ………………………………. Marketing

B …………………………………. Economics and social sciences

NB: This volume contains only the syllabus for Basic Civil Engineering;

Option: Building Construion (F4 – BA)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOCABULARY……………………………………..…………………………………………………… 1
TRAINING GOALS…………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
COMMON CORE………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES…………………………………………………………………………….. 4
WEEKLY TIME TABLE……………………..……………………………………………...………….. 5
FIFTH YEAR COURSES
TECHNICAL DRAWING……………………..……………………………………………………… 6
SURVEYING…………………………………………………………………………………………. 8
APPLIED MECHANICS…….……………………………………………………………………….. 10
SOILS AND MATERIALS………………………….……………………………………………….. 12
PRACTICAL WORKS……………………………………………...………………..…………………. 14
SIXTH YEAR COURSES
APPLIED MECHANICS ……………………………………………………………………………… 16
DRAWING …………………………………………………………………………………………....17
SITE MANAGEMENT……………………………………………………………………………….. 18
QUANTITIES AND ESTIMATE.…………………………………………………………………… 19
LABORATORY…………...………………………….……………………………………………… 20
CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES….………….…...………………………………..………………. 22
SEVENTH YEAR COURSES
DRAWING……………...…………………………………………………………………………….. 23
APPLIED MECHANICS………………………………………………………………………………. 24
SITE MANAGEMENT……………………………………………………………………………….. 26
QUANTITIES AND ESTIMATE………….………………………………………………………… 27
PROFESSIONAL LEGISLATION…………….……………………………………………………. 28
CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES………………………………………………………………….. 29
SURVEYING….……………………………………………….…………………………..………….. 30
MINIMUM ANNUAL WORK LOAD…………………………….................................................. 31
BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………...…………………. 32

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VOCABULARY
Training Goal Theory
Statement which defines the qualification Set of theoretical notions that a student
of the graduate after undergoing the requires to attend the course objectives.
projected scheme. Practice

Objectives of the Syllabus Set of practical exercises that the student

Statements of the durable capability that must realize to attend a given course
the student must acquire at the end of objective.
training in this scheme. This represents Common Core
the end objective of the projected
scheme. Set of lessons that registered student
must follow in a related scheme.
Course Objective Minimum Annual Work Load
Statements of the durable capability that
the student must acquire at the end of Minimal volume of work load which shall
training in each course. This represents be covered in a course within a year
the end objective of the projected whatever be the interruption or no
scheme. classes. This implies the holding of catch
Practical up classes.

Courses permitting the student to

integrate his theoretical skills to that of
practices which he has realized. This can
be in the form of end of course project.

TRAINING GOALS
The BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SYLLABUS leads to the TECHNICAL BACCALAUREAT IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING – BUILDING CONSTRUCTION OPTION. This diploma is awarded
following a Professional Examination based on the acquisition of theoretical and practical
knowledge permitting the diploma holder to carry out the function of a qualify technician or
foreman.
Holders of this diploma are charged with the planning, organization, coordination and control
of work at the site.
They may also aspire to further their education in the field of specialization.

COMMON CORE
The Programs of Civil Engineering – Building Construction option; Civil Engineering – Public
Works option; and Civil Engineering – Draughtsmanship and Design option comprise one year
common core in class five. The aim of the common core is to enable the students to acquire the
basic knowledge and technical know-how indispensable to all technicians of this program no
matter their orientation.
During this year of common core the student shall be able to:
- read and complete drawings with instruments
- read and interpret maps
- use survey instruments
- understand basic principles of statics
- read and interpret geological maps
- carry out test on soil in order to identify them
- identify aggregates and determine their quality
- set out simple structures

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- construct simple masonry structures.

The common core courses for these three options are:
- Technical Drawing
- Surveying
- Applied Mechanics
- Soils and Materials
- Practical works

SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES
The BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SYLLABUS aims essentially at the training of a competent
technician or foreman capable of integrating herself/himself in the Cameroon job market and at
his personal progress.
While giving her/him a solid theoretical training in Mathematics, Physics and Technology, this
training shall be oriented to practical aspects.
At the end of this course the candidate should be capable of:
- studying files from different design offices
- identifying and evaluating soils
- preparing plans and elevations of simple structures
- identifying and choosing building materials
- proposing and justifying the modification on construction drawings, formwork and
reinforcement drawing.
- establishing work and man power schedules, equipment and site organization schedules
- supervising the installation of site equipment and labour post
- evaluating quantities of material to be used, state of equipment, needs and work carried out
- envisaging the coordination of related trades (inter-discipline relationship): plumbing sanitary
fitting, electrical installation, etc.

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WEEKLY TIME TABLE

COURSES WEEKLY TIME TABLE
GENERAL Coef 5th YEAR Coef 6th YEAR Coef. 7th YEAR
EDUCATION
Philosophy - - - - 2 2 hours
English 3 3 hours 2 2 hours 2 2 hours
French 3 3 hours 2 2 hours 2 2 hours
History – Geography 2 2 hours 2 2 hours 2 2 hours
Citizenship - - 2 2 hours 2 2 hours
Mathematics 5 5 hours 4 4 hours 4 3 hours
Computer Science 2 2 hours 2 2 hours - -
(Data Processing)
Physics – Chemistry 4 4 hours 3 3 hours 3 3 hours
Total General 19 19 hours 17 17 hours 17 17 hours
Education
PROFESSION Coef Theo. Prac. Coef Theo. Prac. Coef Theo. Prac.
EDUCATION
Drawing 4 2 hrs 2 hrs 4 1 hrs 3 hrs 4 1 hrs 3 hrs
Surveying 3 1 hrs 2 hrs - - - - - -
Applied Mechanics 2 1 hrs 1 hrs 3 2 hrs 1 hrs 4 2 hrs 2 hrs
Soils and Materials 5 2 hrs 3 hrs 2 1 hrs 1 hrs - - -
(LABO)
Practical Work 4 1 hrs 3 hrs - - - - - -
Construction - - - 7 3 hrs 4 hrs 8 3 hrs 5 hrs
Processes
Site Management - - - 3 1 hrs 2 hrs 3 1 hrs 2 hrs
Quantities and - - - 2 1 hrs 1 hrs 2 1 hrs 1 hrs
Estimate
Professional - - - - - - 2 2 hrs 0 hrs
Legislation
Total Professional 18 7 hrs 11hrs 21 9 hrs 12hrs 23 10hrs 13hrs
Education
Physical Education 2 2 hrs 2 2 hrs 2 2 hrs
GRAND TOTAL 39 39 HOURS 38 38 HOURS 38 38 HOURS

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DRAWING
Theory:2hrs/week
Practice: 2hrs/week
FIFTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load: 88 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of the course the student should be able to:
 master the techniques of free hand sketching and drawing with instruments;
 read a drawing through knowledge of shapes and the application of conventional symbols;
 master dimensioning principles;
 draw simple objects according to standards and specifications;
THEORY
- Study of drawing instrument;
- Principle of free-hand sketching;
- Study of a work piece in order to specify notion of proportions;
- Notion of normalization: letterings used in a drawing. Figures;
- Notion of dimensioning of solids: Positioning of figure on dimension lines, mistakes to avoid;
- Selection of views;
- Descriptive geometry;
- Notion of reference plan;
- Notion of true size of objects;
- Need for sections. Advantages and techniques of section;
- Justification of choice of views and plans of section;
- Equipment of printing of drawings.
PRACTICE
- Free – hand sketching of lines, of angles;
- Title blocks: titles, formats, scales;
- Free – hand sketching or with instruments of parallelepiped using isometric projection or
orthographic projection;
- Presentation of geometrical solid composed of parallelepiped (presentation of hidden parts),
free – hand sketching or with instrument without dimensioning;
- Presentation of cylinders;
- Choice of views;
- Representation and dimensioning of threads;
- Free hand sketching of ornaments containing curves (application to metallic balustrades);
- Linking-up;
- Free – hand sketching of circles and circular ornaments;
- Representation of simple parts of parallelepiped and cylindrical shapes;
- Dimensioning of objects for a workshop manufacture;
- Representation of objects showing inclined surfaces;
- Easement (linking process);
- Uses of hatchings;
- Orthographic representation of sections. Representation and dimensioning of sections;
- Geometric construction of tangents and typical connections used in technical drawing;
- Application of connections in the tracing of simple outlines of buildings;
- Exercises on creation and or alteration of objects with dimensions;
- Application of knowledge acquired during theoretical lessons;
- Training in the use of printing and reproduction equipment.

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SURVEYING
Theory: 1hr/week
Practice: 2hrs/week
FIFTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 66 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
 master vocabulary related to surveying;
 conveniently use units of measurement employed in surveying;
 read a map, analyze and interpret data;
 use surveying instrument in carrying out measurements, leveling, setting out, and picking of
points.
THEORY
Generalities
- Aim of surveying. Definition of terms currently used (survey terminology);
- Unit of lengths, surfaces and angles;
- Introduction to survey applications: notions of point picking and setting out, contour lines and
slopes, notion of coordinates;
- Map reading: importance and uses, types of map, scales, north, legend.
Study of Measuring Instruments
- Goniometers: different parts, setting (generalities);
- Detail study of theodolite (type T2) angle reading;
- Stadimeter scale. Applications;
- Block leveling (from a station);
- Precision level;
- Electronic distances measurement instruments (generalities).
Vertical Distances Measurement
- Principle of leveling;
- Geometrical leveling: instruments, booking, difference in level.
Alignments
- Range pole and optical square;
- Plane table.
PRACTICE
- Field manipulation of instruments studied;
- Linear measurements;
- Sketching of block plan of existing building from field information;
- Angular measurements;
- Surveying a construction site;
- Altimetry: leveling
- Alignment.

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APPLIED MECHANICS
Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 1hr/week
FIFTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 44 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
 understand the basic principles of statics applied in structural analysis;
 identify the forces applied on a structure;
THEORY
Solids and Physical Systems
- Physical systems: definition examples, choice;
- Solids: definition, different types, examples given;
- Sketch representation of physical system.
Forces
- General definition;
- Non-contacting forces:
o definition, characteristics, types, representation on plan;
o Resultant of parallel and concurrent forces
- Applied forces:
o Concentrated (point) load: definition, representation, units, examples preferably in
Building construction;
o Linearly distributed loads: representation, units, examples in civil engineering
Study of Links
- Simple support, hinge (articulation), built-in or embedded (define the degree of liberty in each
case)
Center of Gravity of Solid bodies (revision)
Fundamental Principles of Statics
- Notion of external and internal forces;
- Sketch representation of physical and inventory of forces;
- Moment of a force about a point, about an axis (definition, characteristics, units, vectorial and
algebraic moment); vectorial and algebraic sum of moment, resultant moment;
- Reduction of a system of forces at a point: notion of torsor
- Principle of reciprocal actions
- Body subjected to three forces (coplanar);
- Fundamental principles of statics (law of equilibrium);
- Method of solving problems in statics;
- Application of the fundamental principles of statics on a solid subjected to 2 or 3 external
forces;
- Graphical and analytical determination of reactions (body subjected to 3, 4 or more forces).
Adhesion-Friction – Buttress
- Adhesion, friction: description of the phenomenon, examples, experiment on the
phenomenon of friction, law of friction (Coulomb’s Law), adhesion, strict equilibrium, sliding,
coefficient of friction, angle of friction, cone of adhesion.
- Buttress: definition, examples.
PRACTICE
- Choice and sketch representation of physical systems;
- Study of plane links (joints);

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- Isolation of solids and inventory of external forces;

- Calculate the moment of forces;
- Determination of the resultant of forces;
- Graphical and the algebraic solving of problems in statics;
- Experiment on the phenomena of friction, adhesion and buttressing;
- Solving problem on adhesion.

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SOILS AND MATERIALS

Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 1hr/week
FIFTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 44 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
 establish the relationship between basic principles of geology and other courses of civil
engineering;
 interpret geological maps;
 recognize geological condition of Cameroon;
 identify aggregates and determine their qualities;
 identify and understand the influence of soil nature in the choice of foundations;
 Be acquainted with climatic conditions of Cameroon in relation to the construction of
structures (road, building, bridges, etc.)
 carry out tests on soil in order to identify them.
THEORY
Soils
- Definition, physical characteristics;
- Notion of geology (geological maps: reading and interpretation, uses; applications: road soil
in tropical zones and desert regions);
- Notion of hydrology: rivers, underground water, springs, hydrological maps – applicable to
the environment of Cameroon
- Notion of pedology: pedological section of soil, reading, interpretation, case of Cameroon;
- Notion of climate and vegetation – case of tropical and equatorial zones- map reading and
importance; formation, preservation and deterioration of vegetation;
- Diagrammatic representation of soil;
- Nature and state of soil: definition;
- State parameters of a soil;
- Classification and identification of soils;
- Site investigations: boring test soil analysis in the laboratory, in situ soil test;
- Principle of sampling.
Construction Materials
- Origins (processing), physical and chemical properties (weight, insulation, fire resistivity,
toxicity…), commercial sizes and shapes, and examples on the uses of the following
materials:
o Building stones
o Weighty aggregates;
o Light – weight aggregates;
o Binders: lime, cement (setting and hardening);
o Construction woods;
o Ceramic products;
o Plaster;
o Cement, lime and gauged mortar;
o Cement concrete,
o Bituminous binder;
o Glass product;
o Ferrous products;
o Thermal and sound insulation materials,
o Watertightness products;
o Joint filling products.
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PRACTICE
Laboratory Test
- Reading and interpretation of geological maps;
- Sampling of undisturbed or rehandled soils;
- Application of weighing principles;
- Densities: specific weight of grain, bulk density, dry density;
- Water content;
- Sand equivalent;
- Sieve analysis of aggregates: granulometric curve, reference curve, reference grading range;
- Atterbergs limit;
- Proctor test;
- Classification and identification of soils;
- Establishment of laboratory reports.
Materials
- Identification of physio-chemical properties of materials;
- Classification and identification of main rocks;
- Identification of building construction aggregates;
- Analysis test on aggregate in order to determine their physical and chemical properties;
- Batching of concrete and determination of its characteristics;
- Sampling and control test on hydraulic cement;
- Test on concrete samples in keeping with the norms in Cameroon;
- Analysis of the properties of aggregates to be used in mixing.

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PRACTICAL
Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 3 hr/week
FIFTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 88 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- identify the various fields of civil engineering activities in which a technician is involved;
- identify the duties and responsibility of various participants;
- identify the various types of sites;
- technically use building tools;
- apply the principle of measurement to existing structures or those under construction;
- set out simple structures;
- construct simple masonry structures.
THEORY
- Civil engineering trades;
- Principal participant: clients, designers, contractors ;
- Various types of sites: earthwork site, road construction site, building construction site
(structural works and secondary works e.g. finishing), construction site of civil engineering
structures (bridges, water tank, dam…); construction of retaining walls;
- Site installation: organization, safety measures, equipment;
- Setting out of structures;
- Tools representation;
- Handling: transportation of material (manually and mechanically), storage;
- Techniques of measuring of existing structures;
- Techniques of measuring of plans (level, plumbness, flatness, angles and slopes);
- Visual alignment;
- Visual leveling;
- Setting out right angles;
- Masonry principles
- Plasters
PRACTICE
- Measurement of existing structures (length, width, thickness, dimension of openings)
- Setting out of simple structures in the workshop
- Setting out of structures outside the workshop: according to a work plan, alignment with
existing building;
- Masonry construction: brick laying with or without mortar, block laying, stones masonry, and
mixed masonry;
- Plastering: rough coat, finish plasters, spatter-dash machine;
- Masonry fixings (flat joint, round joint, etc.);
- Paving (solid floor on formation);
- Site visits: earthwork site, road construction site, building construction site (structural works
and secondary works e.g. finishing), construction site of civil engineering structures (bridges,
water tank, dam…); construction of retaining walls. Each student shall write a report after
each site visit.

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DRAWING
Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 3 hrs/week
SIXTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 88 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- identify the different graphical symbols use in building construction and public works;
- dimension structural members;
- draw in ink;
- acquire general notions on architectural impression;
- read and interpret plumbing, electricity, ventilation plans
- master the terms, standards, basic principles of electricity
- acquire concepts of lighting design
- neatly draw plants of foundations, formwork, and ground plans of buildings
- read and interpret plans of telephone, air conditioning and gas installation
- read and interpret the block and location plans of a building.
THEORY
- Reading and utilization of architectural file comprising: location plan, block plan, ground plan,
elevations and sections
- Conventional representation of openings and furniture
- Dimensioning of building drawings: formwork drawing
- Notion of design of detach houses, dimensions of rooms, passage and circulation, free
space, safety
- Reading of survey plans, contour lines
- Reading of installation plans: electricity, plumbing, air conditioning
- Drainage system
- Diagram of natural and mechanical ventilation, air conditioning, heating systems, plumbing
(piping for water supply and evacuation – equipment, sketches), electricity (cables, switches,
appliances and electrical installation), lighting (natural and artificial)
PRACTICE
- Reading and interpretation of plans: plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning
- Reading and interpretation of plans: electricity, lighting
- Calculations related to lighting of different rooms and having different illuminations
- Drawing of foundation plans
- Drawing of formwork plans of reinforced concrete structures
- Drawing building plans
- Reading and interpretation of land survey plans
- Representation of electrical diagrams
- Representation of plumbing diagrams

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APPLIED MECHANICS
Theory:2hr/week
Practice: 1 hr/week
SIXTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 66 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- Understand the basic principles of statics applied to the calculation of structures;
- understand the notions necessary for geometric and mathematical analysis of a structure;
- understand the behaviour of materials subjected to stresses
- determine the external forces applied to a structure
- study the movement of a physical point
- study of movement of a fluid (water)
THEORY
Statics
- Revision of the fifth year work
- Statics of fluids
o Properties & characteristics of fluids
o Unit weight, pressure, pressure-gauge and barometer, Pascal’s principle,
Archimedes principle, distribution of forces
- Study of trusses – Cremona’s method, method of section (Ritter), Culman’s method
Strength of materials
- Generalities
o definition of strength of materials
o deformable and non-deformable solids
o resistance and deformation of a deformable solid
o stress and admissible stress
o hypothesis of straight beams
o notions of isostaticity and hyper-staticity: definition, sketch representation
- Simple solicitation
o Definition
a) Simple tension, simple compression
 hypothesis
 definition of perpendicular tensile and compressive stresses
 units used
 experiment on tension: study of progressive deformation; Hooke’s law –
Young’s modulus. Application in dimensioning and verification of sections.
b) Simple shear
 hypothesis
 shear force, tangential stress, angle of sliding
 Hooke’s law applied to shear (Coulomb’s calculation modulus)
 Application: calculation of pulley, axle, calculation of rivets, bolts, etc.
c) Simple bending
 definition, bending moment, perpendicular stresses in a bent beam
 centroids: centre of gravity, first moment and moment of inertia of plane
areas about an axis situated in its plan, radius of gyration
Kinematics of a Point
- Purpose and aim of kinematics
- Position of a point in motion trajectory
o notions of movement of a point about a reference solid
o positioning a point about a system of axis attached to the solid
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o position vector of a point

 trajectory
 notions of date compared to an origin of time
 coordinates of a point in terms of the time parameter (t)
 position equation, equation of a mobile point
- Velocity and acceleration vector
o rectilinear trajectory: average and instantaneous speed
o velocity/time curves of movement, acceleration vector, its coordinates
o plotting motion graph (position, speed)
- Rectilinear motion and trajectory
o uniform movement
o uniformity variable movement, equation of position, velocity, acceleration in
relation to time (t)
- Uniform circular movement
o linear and angular speed, acceleration, movement curve
o orthogonal projection of movement of a point on an axis in the plan of its
movement
Fluid kinematics
- Equation of continuity, Bernoulli speed equation, hydraulic grade line, pressure grade line
PRACTICE
- Determination of forces applied to a portion of a fluid (water)
- Determination of internal forces and stress of truss members
- Calculation of stresses and deformation of an element of the structure
- Dimensioning structural parts
- Determination of the first and second moments of a plane surface
- Study the movement of a point; of a fluid.

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SITE MANAGEMENT
Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 2 hrs/week
SIXTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 66 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- determine following an appropriate technique, the working procedure and time of any
construction project
- determine the working time for any piece of construction work
- organise a building construction site
- organise a work post on a site
- choose appropriate equipment for building construction
- represent site installations according to standards
- establish daily reports on materials and labour.
THEORY
- Administrative organisation of site; responsibilities of each construction personnel
- Study of building construction equipment
- Formwork: traditional formwork, formwork of plywood, metal formwork, mixed formwork.
- Props
- Scaffolds: stability, safety, different types
- Site machines
- Choice of equipment in relation to their output, renting cost and depreciation.
- Study of work post: lifting plant, concreting plant, formwork
- Site installation and setting out
- Work division
- Work simplification
- Scientific organisation of work
o definition, aim, introduction to Critical Path Method (CPM)
o introduction to PERT method: breaking down the project into elementary activities,
evaluation of working time, scheduling, critical path
- Acceptance of materials on site
- Notion of output on the site.
PRACTICE
- Site visit in order to familiarise the student with: site installation, organization of work post on
site, general organization of site
- Case study of site installation and organisation
- Exercises on the choices of equipment for a given job
- Preparation of a planning network in accordance with concepts seen in theory
- Exercises on site installation diagrams
- Exercises on division of a project into elementary activities and job scheduling
- Research of constraints for the starting of each activity
- Introduction to optimization of output
- Exercises on site organization, work post organization
- Exercises on writing of site daily reports

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QUANTITIES AND ESTIMATES

Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 1 hr/week
SIXTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 44 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- understand the rules and regulations related to the award of contracts, especially technical
specifications
- use estimating and quantity surveying techniques
- calculate the quantity of materials needed for a given building construction project.
THEORY
- Generalities: contract documents, completed items, site situation, difference between pre-
estimate (before construction) and real estimate (after construction), technical specifications:
contents, format
- Revision of formulas
- Exactness methods of calculation (take-off procedure), estimating format
- Earthwork: cut, fill, bulking, shrinkage
- Blinding concrete
- Reinforced concrete: foundations, floors, pillars, beams, etc.
- Masonry (plasters, brickwork, blockwork, coating, etc.)
- Role of a quantity surveyor
- For any item, take into consideration the quantity survey technique
- Specification: different types, contents, format, importance and role
PRACTICE
- Reading and interpretation of technical specification and estimates
- Quantity surveying of structures and equipments in relation to the following items:
o Earthwork
o Reinforced and lean concrete
o Masonry (brickwork, lining, etc)
o Wood and metal skeletons
o Quantity survey format

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SOILS AND MATERIALS

Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 1 hrs/week
SIXTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 44 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim is to enable the student to:
- carry out test on soils in order to determine their characteristics and behaviours
- carry out test on cement and concrete in order to determine their characteristics
- measure the deformation of structures subjected to loads
THEORY
Tests on soils
- Measure of capability and capillarity
- Triaxial shear test
- Proctor test;
- Sand equivalent test
- Compression test: clay brick, stabilised clay bricks
Test on cement samples
- Setting time, consistency, fineness test, tensile test, compression test
Study of mortar and concrete
- Fundamental properties, types, components
- Batching of concrete (Dreux’s method)
- Shrinkage, joint, concreting hot weather
- Compression test (effects, various mix and age of concrete)
- Density of concrete (special concretes)
- Tensile test
- Slump test (Abram cone)
- Admixtures: their uses and secondary effects
Experiments on structural parts
- Measurement of deflection, influence line, support reactions
- Utilisation of rust detection apparatus
PRACTICE
- Practical realisation of tests mentioned above

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CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES
Theory: 3 hrs/week
Practice: 4 hrs/week
SIXTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 44 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- recognize the different types of walls and wallings
- differentiate various finishings and their functions
- identify the different stages of earthwork on a building site
- master the various stages of a building construction project
- understand elements of town development and planning technique in order to facilitate the
job of the technician involved in building construction
- describe and represent the different stages and methods of erecting building structures
- describe the procedure of setting out buildings
- describe the principle of plumbing
- describe the principles of electrical installation
- choose a foundation for a given building project
- construct part of a building
THEORY
Foundation of buildings
- Earthwork, ground water lowering, setting out and excavation
- Different types, choice of foundation, functions
- Procedure of construction of shallow foundations, deep foundations, special foundations,
problems encountered and solutions
- Underpinning
Construction of a villa
- Drainage
- Paving: construction procedure
o internal and external walls: foundation, lintel
o components, openings, external facings, methods of construction
- Roof: types, watertightness, ventilation, structure, thermal insulation
Construction of residential storey building, commercial building, industrial building
- Different types, materials used, role, comfort, aesthetic, fire proofing
- Substructure and wooden structure, steel, concrete masonry structure
- Walls
- Light cladding
- Roofing: steel roof, flat roof.
Finishing of buildings
- Different types, laying
Plumbing
- Water supply and drainage systems
- Appliance and sanitary installation
Electricity
- Conveying electricity
- Wiring, switches, appliances and electrical installation, safety measures
- Lighting: study of natural and artificial lighting
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Ventilation
- Fresh air intake and mechanical ventilation principles
Territorial development
- Area development plan
- Town planning plan and regulations: zoning, housing estate, construction
- Council and provincial administration, services
- Landscape: small and big private public complexes, urban parks, recreational areas.
PRACTICE
Construction of structures
- Paving
- Lintels, pillars, beams
- Stairs
- Manufacturing and placing concrete, use of survey instrument in setting out and control of
construction projects
- Planimetric surveying of existing building undergoing modification
- Levelling
- Setting out of buildings: setting out sides of excavations
- Transfer of wall lines to bottom of trenches
- Setting out involving obstacles
- Setting out of a building whose orientation and alignment distances are known
- Altimetric transfer of reference points to the ground (fixing knew points to the known vertical
reference point, fixing new points of altitude to the ground reference point.
Site visits
The following items must be seen:
- Setting out of excavations
- Earthwork
- Construction of shallow and deep foundations
- Construction of skeletons
- Roof construction (steel, slating and asphalt roof)
- Sanitary fitting and plumbing
- Electrical installation
- Execution of various finishings
- Construction of flat roofs
Exercises on:
- Construction procedure of parts of buildings
- Case study of a construction (choice of solutions and their justifications)
- Calculation in relation to lighting
- Case study of a development plan
- Choice of finishings.

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DRAWING
Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 3 hrs/week
SEVENTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 88 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- draw in ink
- read and interpret plans of reinforced concrete structures, (prefabricated or prestressed)
- draw plans of structures, propping and formwork of a concrete
- read and interpret plans of structures
- read and interpret plans of steel structures
- draw plans of steel, wood, reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete structures from the
structural calculations, technical specifications or engineering sketches
THEORY
- Reinforced concrete drawing: formwork drawing, reinforcement drawing, specific regulation
- Metallic roof drawing: general plan, details of assembly, representation of bolts, rivets, welds
- Wooden roof drawing: assembly of traditional and modern roofs
- Rules of engineering drawings presentation
- Prestressed concrete structures in building construction
- Reinforcement drawings: beams, pillars, foundations, floor slabs, stairs
- Study of prefabricated elements and their assembly
- Metallic construction drawings: bracing against wind pressure, gantries, trusses, shed roof
trusses with typical assembly details
- Gantries and areas of laminated wood
PRACTICE
- Formwork, reinforcement drawing of reinforced concrete structures.
- Metallic structural drawing
- Wooden structural drawing

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APPLIED MECHANICS
Theory:2hrs/week
Practice: 2hrs/week
SEVENTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 88 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- understand the behaviour of structures subjected to loads
- dimension and verify the resistance of steel structures (according to metallic construction
regulations in force)
- calculate elements of a structure
- dimension reinforced concrete structures
- understand the main principles that govern the behaviour of fluids
THEORY
- Revision of notions seen in the sixth year.
Simple plane bending
- Dimensioning and verification of the resistance of a bent beam: application of MC 66 rules
(metallic construction regulation of 1966)
- Deformation of a deflected beam
o Expression of the deflection.
o Dimensioning and verification of the deformation, admissible deflection
Shear in a deflected beam
- Longitudinal and transversal shearing.
- Calculation of longitudinal sliding force.
- Distribution of a tangential stress in a cross section
- Application in the calculation of beams
Simple bending - application
- Study of a beam supporting one or more concentrated loads, a uniformly distributed load or
linearly distributed load or linearly distributed load in the following cases:
o A beam fixed at one end
o A beam simply supported at 2 ends
o Principles of superimposing loads
o Moving loads – Barre’s theorem.
Combined stresses
- Bending and tension or compression.
- Compression under eccentric load, central nucleus.
Hyperstatic beams
- Fixed at the ends, fixed at one end and simply supported on the other; simply placed on
three supports
Application in reinforced concrete calculations in relation to BAEL rules (ultimate limit
state reinforced concrete)
- Principle and behaviour of reinforced concrete
- Reinforced concrete materials: steel, concrete
- Definition and terminology: forces, stresses, ultimate limit state, service limit state (limit of
proportionality). Calculation principles.
- Steel and concrete working together as a composite material: functional characteristics of
rods, adhesive stress, effective anchorage length of a straight rod, hook, overlapping.
- limit states design of reinforced concrete:
o perpendicular stresses
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o beam subjected to simple bending

 Ultimate limit states of resistance: hypothesis, deformation diagram limited
to pivots A and B without compression reinforcement. Stress diagram
(simplified rectangular diagram)
 Hypothesis, limit state of compression, limit state of cracking, maximum
permissible tensile stress of rods, its application in the verification and
dimensioning of beams with rectangular sections.
 Reduced maximum moment with regards to materials and the ratio Mu/Mser
(ultimate moment/service moment)
- Ultimate moment (serviceability moment)
o Beam subjected to simple tension.
o Element subjected to eccentric compressive forces
- Justification related to elements subjected to shear forces
o Verification of tangential stress of the concrete web
o Determination of web rods – least sectional area
o Problems encountered at the area of the support of the beam
Dynamics
- Acceleration, geometrical sum and the resultant moment about a point.
- Fundamental law of dynamics (F)
- Case of a solid: the geometrical sum of external forces
- The resultant moment about 0 of external forces
- Rectilinear translation movement of a solid.
- Work, power, kinetic energy in the two preceding cases
- Application: dynamic of systems of solid. Example: the winch.
Hydraulics
- Flow of fluid in open channels: Derssy’s formula, flow rate according to Manning’s formula.
- Flow in pipes: flow rate, head loss, Darcy-Weisbach’s formula.
- System of equivalent pipes in series, parallel and branch systems.
PRACTICE
- Calculation of shear force and bending moment in a bent beam
- Dimensioning and verification of bent beams
- Searching for stress and strain in a bent beam
- Resolution of statically indeterminate beams
- Determination of stress and strain in a structure subjected to combined stresses
- Application of the strength of materials in the calculation of reinforced concrete structures
- Dynamic study of solids
- Dynamic study of the movement of a fluid

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SITE MANAGEMENT
Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 2hr/week
SEVENTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 66 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- write site, inspection and surveying report
- determine following an appropriate technique, the working procedure and time of any
construction project
- determine the working time for any piece of construction work
- identify the criteria used for the choice of equipment and machines
- understand the principles of management of a building construction enterprise and of a site
- establish a job pre-planning
- choose or design moulds and formwork for reinforced concrete structures
- organise the rotation of formwork
THEORY
- Establishment of execution programme: method of job scheduling, for example, the PERT
method, notions of Critical Path Method, flow chart of mass work and all related items
(trades)
o GANTT planning of job
o Other particular types of job planning
o Study on work importance in building construction (order work, accompaniment
work)
o Study on the spending time (productive and non-productive times)
o Programme for the use of heavy equipment
o Forecast of expenditure and income
o Details of elementary operations
o Financial programme
o Rotation of labour gangs and equipment (casting tables, shuttering panels) used
for the realisation of repeated work
o Safety of construction
o Study of mould and formwork fabrication (wood, metal)
o Supervision during the execution of labour-daily reports; changes in hourly costs;
apportioning to work post; warranting analysis of each post
o Materials study: delivery voucher, losses, stocks, transportation, use of equipment
o Site charges
o End of project: handing over of work; ten years guarantee and others
o Productivity
PRACTICE
- Splitting up a project into elementary activities (revision)
- Establishment of job schedule by PERT method
- Establishment of job schedule by GANTT method
- Exercises in rotation of formwork
- Exercises in design of moulds and formwork (case study)
- Establishment of daily reports about the use of materials and labour
- Exercises on optimising resources
- Site visit related to site organisation.

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QUANTITIES & ESTIMATES

Theory:1hr/week
Practice: 1 hr/week
SEVENTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 44 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- evaluate the implications of the content of technical prescriptions and estimates on the
design, tender, construction and control
- understand rules and regulations related to bidding of contract and particularly the technical
prescriptions and estimates
- use techniques of estimates, quantities and estimates
- determine the estimates of a building construction project
- calculate the quantities and cost of realisation
- calculate machine costs
THEORY
- Revision of class six syllabus
- Cost estimates
- Completed tasks
- Contractors account
- Evaluation of temporary situation
- Given elements (documents)
o plans, technical specifications, overheads, descriptive estimates, tender
documents, types of contracts, price list, detail estimate, envisaged procedure of
construction
- Fixing unit prices of:
o materials supplied to the site
o labour: salaries with increase for social allowances and overtime
o notions of overhead charge, site costs, incidental expenses
o profits and risks
PRACTICE
- Exercises
o quantities (all trades)
o establishment of simple cost estimates
o establishment of unit prices

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CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES
Theory: 3hrs/week
Practice: 5 hrs/week
SEVENTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 176 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- identify modern techniques in building construction
- understand principles involved in the disposition of roof members
- master construction methods for industrial buildings
- master methods of retaining and compacting earth
- establish cutting lists and plans of formwork of parts of reinforced concrete structures with
the aid of elevation and sectional drawing
- pre-cast constructional elements
- effect surface finishes on masonry
- construct reinforced concrete or masonry structural parts
THEORY
- Soil mechanics
o Retaining walls: diaphragm walls, sheet piles, anchor, reinforced soil, injection
o Wells and inverts
- Industrial constructions
o Characteristics: watertightness, insulation, span, loads, corrosion, fire resistance.
o Instability: bulking, overturning, bowing.
o Load bearing structures: steel, manufacturing and assembling, laminated wood,
reinforced concrete.
o Prestressed concrete: principles, methods of prestressing, materials and methods
of use, application in building construction.
o Panelling: facing bonding, curtain wall
o Roofing and framework of roofs
- Maintenance of construction
o Defects in reinforced concrete, maintenance, finishing
o Underpinning
o Rusting and steel protection
- Construction of residential building
o Foundations
o Drainage
o Paving
o External and internal walls, thermal insulation
o Fundamental principles of restoration and renovation of construction
PRACTICE
Exercise
- Description of the construction processes of different parts of a building or other structures
mentioned above
- Case study on restoration of constructions
Site visits
The following items are concerned;
- Diaphragm walls, sheet piles, anchors, reinforced soil, injection
- Construction of industrial buildings
- Maintenance of constructions, pre-fabrication of elements, placing of shuttering floor slabs.
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Practical work
- Forms, reinforcement, concrete casting of in-situ reinforced concrete structures
- Prefabrication of reinforced concrete members (design and construction of moulds)
- Establishment of schedule of formwork of reinforced concrete elements
- Sketching of wooden formwork plan of reinforced concrete structures
- Use of survey instruments in setting out and control of construction work
- Levelling: control of earthwork, levelling of an existing building or a building undergoing
alterations.

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PROFESSION LEGISLATION
Theory: 2 hr/week
Practice: 0 hr/week
SEVENTH YEAR
Minimum Annual Work load 44 hrs

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to enable the student to:
- Understand rules and regulations related to building construction and town planning
THEORY
Building regulations
- the enterprise
- Individual enterprise, the artisan, trader, trading.
- Collective enterprise: commercial enterprises, study of the contract of an enterprise, study of
the various types of enterprises (joint stock companies, limited liability ordinary partnership,
limited partnership, public and para-public enterprise, non-profit making enterprise.
Building
- The law of ownership and access: law of ownership, co-ownership, boundary, demarcation,
fencing.
- Town planning and access in Administrative law, the S.D.A.V., the P.O.S., housing estate,
building permit, compulsory purchase
- Responsibilities
- Eventual remedy

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MINIMUM ANNUAL WORK LOAD

SUMMARY TABLE
Minimum annual
CLASS COURSES
load
Technical Drawing 88 hrs
Surveying 66 hrs
FIFTH YEAR Applied mechanics 44 hrs
Soils and Materials 110 hrs
Practical Works 88 hrs
Technical Drawing 88 hrs
Applied mechanics 66 hrs
Site management 66 hrs
SIXTH YEAR
Quantities and estimates 44 hrs
Construction Processes 154 hrs
Soils and Materials 44 hrs
Technical Drawing 88 hrs
Applied mechanics 66 hrs
Site management 66 hrs
SEVENTH YEAR
Quantities and estimates 44 hrs
Construction Processes 176 hrs
Professional legislation 44 hrs

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
List of some useful references in the civil engineering for the civil engineering Public works,
Building Construction and Design.

Acoustique
AMRAM, Acoustique industrielle, EEPM.
KNUDSEN, Acoustical Design in Architecture.

Bâtiments
ATKINSON, Rough Carpentry and Masonry, Mc Graw Hill.
BAKER, Construction technique, Prentice-Hall.
CANNON, Building Construction Technology, Mc Graw Hill.
CANNON, Technologie de construction des bâtiments, Mc Graw Hill.
DUROUX, Technologie de construction, Desvignes.
GASC, Charpente en bois, Eyrolles.
LETOCHA, Equipements et méthodes de construction, Modulo.
MANNES, Toits et charpentes en bois, Géométrie appliquée, Eyrolles.

Béton
AITCIN, Technologie des granulats, Griffon d’argile.
LABONTE, Calcul de charpente en béton, Modulo.
TREMBLAY, Béton de ciment, Modulo.

Cartographie - Topographie
IRVINE, Surveying for construction, Mc Graw Hill.
LAUZON, Topométrie générale, Mc Graw Hill.
WELLMAN, Technical Descriptive Geometry, Mc Graw Hill.

Dessin
ACNOR, Building drawing, ACNOR.

Distribution des eaux

BOLDUC, Drainage et alimentation en eaux potables des bâtiments, Griffon d’argile.

Hydraulique
BONIN, Aide-mémoire d’hydraulique urbaine, Eyrolles.
DELISLE, Hydraulique urbaine et environnement, EEPM.
VICKERS, Manuel d’hydraulique, Sperry Vickers.

Lecture de plans
WALLACH, Reading construction drawing, Mc Graw Hill.

Matériaux
SIBILLE, Construction métallique, E.E.P.M.
SMITH, Materials of Construction, Mc Graw Hill.
WINSLOW, Experiement with Construction Materials : Mc Graw Hill.

Métrologie
BOCHUD, Métrologie acoustique et insonorisation, ED. FM.
CHEVALIER, Métrologie dimensionnelle, Delagrave.

Résistance des matériaux

NASH, Résistance des matériaux, vol. 1 et 2, Schaum.

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Routes
COCKAND, Routes : circulation et tracé, vol 1 et 2, Eyrolles.
GAGNON, Géométrie routière, Modulo.
GAGNON, Techniques routières, Modulo.

Structures
C.IS.C, Handbook of steel Construction, I.C.CA.
I.C.CA, Eléments de dessin d’atelier pour charpentes d’acier, I.C.CA.
ROBILLARD, Charpentes d’acier, Préfontaine.

Traitement des eaux

BEAUDRY, Traitement des eaux, Griffon d’argile.

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