Footbridge: Project to implement management functions at AASTMT

Recently, the construction industry has introduced fundamental changes for integration of functions during the different project phases. The design/build approach that integrates design and construction is a prominent example of such changes. Consequently, modifications are necessary in civil engineering education to prepare students to deal with the demands of the new environment. This paper documents a graduate project offering students the opportunity to study planning, design, procurement, and construction on a real-life project, and to deal with the problems of integrating these functions. The project is a steel footbridge of 10-m span and 1.5-m width. The bridge is located on the campus of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, Alexandria, Egypt. The project was accomplished by a group of five students with the participation of an industrial sponsor who provided the necessary funds to construct the bridge and the required expertise for fabrication and erection. The nature and scope of the project provided a good balance between the task scope and the constrained time and effort of students. To a large extent, the students dealt with a real project and experienced real situations.