Complex Engineering Problems

Definition of CEP
• Engineering problems which cannot be resolved
without in-depth engineering knowledge, much of
which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the
professional discipline.
• Culminating in a major design
• May need Multidisciplinary knowledge and
approach
• May be faced with multiple resource constraints
• Involve wide-ranging or conflicting technical,
engineering and other issues.
 Depth of analysis and Knowledge
• Have no obvious solution and require abstract thinking,
originality in analysis to formulate suitable models.
• Iterative decision-making process
• Requires research-based knowledge much of which is at, or
informed by, the forefront of the professional discipline and
which allows a fundamentals-based, first principles analytical
approach.
• Based on the knowledge and skills acquired in earlier course
work
 Depth of analysis and Knowledge
• Involve infrequently encountered issues
• Are outside problems encompassed by standards and codes of
practice for professional engineering.
• Involve diverse groups of stakeholders with widely varying
needs
• Have significant consequences in a range of contexts.
• Are high level problems including many component part
 Examples of CEP

Design of Sustainable Engineering

 Master Planning of the University Road

Peshawar:
• A spatial layout including the buildings and transport
layout, plus:
• Sustainability framework

• Geotechnical Appraisal
 Examples of CEP

Design of Sustainable Engineering

• Surface water plan
• Environmental Statement
• Carbon footprint appraisal
 Examples of CEP

Assessment - examples
S1 Design: Groups write their own Sustainability Charter
S1: Essay – demands and impacts of a CE project – why not how
S2: Design Using Government standard assessment tools
S3: Design Produce their own Sustainability framework + evaluate
Critique SD in Pakistan , Developing, and Developed
Countries
• Changing scale
• Changing context
The virtue of embedding rather than “tagging on” …
THANK YOU