Courses

Instructors: K. Soga, D. Zekkos, R. Kayen 
Course Description: The future of infrastructure relies on smarter information; the rich information obtained from embedded sensors within infrastructure and large-scale computer simulations will act as catalysts for new design, construction, operation and maintenance processes for integrated infrastructure systems linked directly with user behavior patterns. This course will teach the fundamentals of various sensing and modeling tools used for infrastructure engineering and present case studies. The trend in entrepreneurship for emerging technologies in infrastructure and smart cities industry will be discussed.

Instructors: K. Soga, C. Chan, D. Katzev
Course Description: Water and wastewater systems serving communities are complex, large, and were built and expanded over many decades. The infrastructure includes a network of reservoirs, pipelines, pump stations, treatment plants, and other facilities that are connected to natural systems such as watersheds, rivers, groundwater basins, and bay and ocean environments. The planning, design, operation, and maintenance of urban water and wastewater systems require balancing many factors including aging infrastructure, changing regulations, climate change, costs, and community impacts. One of the greatest challenges facing civil engineers in the 21st century is the stewardship of the infrastructure to protect public health and the environment. Existing systems require monitoring or remedial interventions and are placed under increased stress than they were originally designed. In addition, the high cost of replacement often leads to a desire to extend the asset’s life. This course will provide an opportunity to learn about real water and wastewater systems and how the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) rehabilitates or builds infrastructure that is sustainable and resilient so that future generations do not experience the infrastructure challenges we are currently facing today. To achieve this, we need to better understand how the infrastructure functions as a system. In this project-based course, students will research and investigate how to introduce innovations in the planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of water and wastewater systems, and develop community resilience against natural/manmade hazards through robust resilience planning and design.