English for civil engineering = tiếng anh chuyên ngành công trình

Ngoài việc cung cấp thuật ngữ thường dùng trong lĩnh vực xây dựng công trình giao thông, học phần này cũng củng cố và nâng cao một số kiến thức ngữ pháp cơ bản, đồng thời xây dựng, thực

Hoang Thi Minh Phue, Ph.D (Chief)

Vo Hong Ha, M.A Pham Thi Bich Hanh, M.A > Bui Thi Thanh Van, M.A

TIẾNG ANH CHUYÊN NGÀNH CÔNG TRÌNH |

ENGLISH FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING

Ï“THƯỡNG ĐẠI HỌC GIAO THÔNG VẬN TẢI PHẪN HIỆU TẠI THÀNH PHO HO CHI MINH

THU VIEN _ GOt 17465

LỜI NÓI ĐẦU |

Giáo trình Tiếng Anh Chuyên ngành Công trình (English for Civil

Engineering) được thiết kế dành cho các sinh viên Khoa Công trình Trường

ĐHGTVT Giáo trình này được xây dựng theo đường hướng giao tiếp và phát triển

cả 4 kỹ năng ngôn ngữ NGHE, NÓI, ĐỌC, VIẾT trên cơ sở khai thác và sử dụng các

tài liệu chuyên ngành gốc bằng Tiếng Anh Ngoài việc cung cấp thuật ngữ thường

dùng trong lĩnh vực xây dựng công trình giao thông, học phần này cũng củng cố và

nâng cao một số kiến thức ngữ pháp cơ bản, đồng thời xây dựng, thực hành và phát

triển các kỹ năng ngôn ngữ nhằm trang bị cho người học các kỹ năng tiếng Anh cần

thiết trong công việc sau này

Với 3 đơn vị học trình, ngoài phần Lời nói đầu, Phụ lục, Tài liệu tham khảo

và Mục lục, giáo trình này bao gồm 6 đơn vị bài học (Units) Chủ đề của mỗi bài là một vấn đề chuyên ngành phô biến trong xây dựng công trình bao gồm:

Unit 1 Surveying (Khao sat)

ˆ Unit 2 Construction Materials (Vật liệu xây dựng)

Unit 3 Bridges (Cầu)

Unit 4 Highways (Đường)

Unit 5 Railways (Dudéng sat)

Unit 6 Tunnels (Ham)

Cấu trúc của mỗi bài đều bao gồm các phần:

Lead in: Dẫn dắt người học vào chủ đề của bài học và khiến người học quan

tâm và hứng thú với nội dung của bài học

1 Vocabulary: Tập trung vào giải nghĩa từ vựng và thực hành sử dụng từ vựng Các

thuật ngữ cùng chủ đề với bài học và được lấy ra từ bài học

2 Reading: Bai doc duge thiết kế nhằm xây đựng, thực hành và phát triển kỹ năng

đọc hiểu với các đạng bài tập đa dạng như trả lời câu hỏi mở, trả lời câu hỏi trắc nghiệm, xác định thông tin đúng hay sai (T/F) hay hoàn

thành câu

3 Language use: Củng cố và thực hành một số hiện tượng ngữ pháp quan trọng

thường dùng trong văn bản khoa học kỹ thuật dựa trên ngữ liệu chuyên ngành

4 Listening and Speaking: Xây dựng, thực hành và phát triển kỹ năng nghe VỚI Các

dạng bài tập như: điền từ vào chỗ trống, trả lời câu hỏi, trắc nghiệm, đúng hay sai (T/F)

TACT * 3

5 Writing:

Trong mỗi bài, người học được nghe một đoạn hội thoại, xem một

Video Clip có nội dung phù hợp với chủ đề nhằm luyện kỹ năng nghe,

làm bài tập gắn liền với đoạn video, sau đó sử dụng vốn từ vựng và

- thuật ngữ đã học dé thực hành nói trong các cảnh huống ngôn ngữ

nhất định

: Hướng dẫn người học thực hành viết các loại văn bản phổ biến trong

công việc như email, memo, report, request, CV va letter

Review quesfions: Các câu hỏi găn liên với chủ đê của từng bài được thiết kề nhắm

Glossary:

giúp sinh viên củng cố từ vựng chuyên ngành, phát triển kỹ năng trình

bày vấn đề chuyên môn bằng tiếng Anh, đồng thời từng bước chuẩn bị

cho kỳ thi vấn đáp vào cuối học kỳ

Các thuật ngữ chuyên ngành thông dụng trong các bài với các thông

tin quan trọng như giải nghĩa (deñnition), từ loại, nghĩa tiếng Việt được thống kê theo từng bài theo trình tự ABC trợ giúp thuận lợi và thiết thực cho người học

Ngoài ra, giáo trình còn có hai bài kiểm tra định kỳ Progress Check 1 và Progress Check 2 duge bé tri vao gitta ky (sau bai 3) va cuối kỳ (sau bài 6) giúp đánh giá tiến độ và định hướng thi cho sinh viên

Trong quá trình biên soạn giáo trình, nhóm tác giả đã phân công nhiệm vu cu thể như sau:

TS Hoàng Thị Minh Phúc, chủ biên, biên soạn Unit 1 + Unit 2 ThS Võ Hồng Hà, đồng tác giả, biên soạn Unit 3 + Unit 6 ThS Pham Thi Bich Hanh, đồng tác giả, biên soạn Unit 4 + Unit 5 ThS Bùi Thị Thanh Vân, đồng tác giả, biên soan Glossary + Progress check Trong thời gian qua, mặc dù các tác giả đã hết sức nỗ lực trong việc biên soạn

giáo trình nhằm đáp ứng tốt nhất nhu cầu của người học, nhưng chắc không thẻ tránh khỏi những hạn chế nhất định Nhóm tác giả mong nhận được nhận xét và ý kiến

đóng góp từ các giảng viên và sinh viên để hoàn thiện giáo trình

4* TACT

_ Hà Nội tháng 5 năm 2017

Nhóm fc giả

Unit 1 SURVEYING

1 What is surveying? What is the role of surveying in civil engineering?

2 What needs to be done before designing any project? Why? |

3 What is the man in the picture doing? What equipment is he using?

4, What devices are needed in surveying?

5 What measurements can surveying provide? - -

2 |D E space between two things, lines, points

3 |B N the height to which something is elevated or

SỐ sa to which it rises

6 * TACT

4 M T a measured dimension

This involves determining the composition of

3l 7 7777 77 7õ 7 the soil and rock that underlie the surface at

the construction site

This involves measuring a network of

6 |T ——N triangles that are based on points on the

earth’s surface

the force of attraction by which terrestrial

7 |S _ - * bodies tend to fall toward the center of the earth

§ |;C E the act of curving or the state of being curved

9 It L a device used for determining or adjusting

10B 1 supplies or tools needed for a special purpose

tripod plane surveying transit horizontal plane measuring

vertical plane location plumb bobs geodetic survey breaking chain

1 Surveying means and recording - by means of maps ~ the earth’s surface with the greatest degree of accuracy possible

2 Some engineering projects - highways, dams or tunnels, for example - may require extensive surveying in order to determine the best and the most

economical ‘or route

3 There are two kinds of surveying: plane and geodetic is the measurement of the earth surface as though it were plane (or flat) surface without

4 For larger areas a , which takes into account the curvature of the earth, must be made

TACT #7

5 Some of these measurements will be in a that is perpendicular to the

force of gravity

6 When something is in a , it is in line with the direction of gravity

7 They generally level the tape by means of , which are lead weights attached to a line that give the direction of gravity

'8 When especially accurate results are required, other means of support, such as a

- a stand with three legs — can be used

9 The has plates that can indicate both vertical and horizontal angles, as

well as leveling devices that keep it in a horizontal plane

10 When distances are being measured on.a slope a procedure called is

followed This means that measurements are taken with less than full length of the tape

1d Match an expression on the left with a statement on the right

A a tube of fluid with a bubble of air that is used by

1 horizontal plane surveyors and carpenters to determine a horizontal level B horizontal and vertical lines within a telescope that |

2 vertical plane permit focusing

C lines parallel to the horizontal cross hair in a telescope

3 plane surveying that are used to measure distances

4 geodetic survey |D_ in line with the direction of gravity

E_ apoint whose elevation has been determined so it can be

used as a basis for other measurements

6 cross hairs F measuring the earth’s surface as a flat plane

8 contour lines - | H_ perpendicular to gravity

9 bubble level I lines on maps that enclose areas of equal elevations

J atelescopic device to measure distances and horizontal

10 bench mark and vertical angles

8 * TACT

2 READING

Before any civil engineering

surveying projects can be designed, a

survey of the site must be made

Surveying means measuring and

recording -~by means of maps - the

earth’s surface with the greatest degree

of accuracy possible

There are two kinds of -

surveying: plane and geodetic Plane

surveying is the measurement of the

earth surface as though it were plane

(or flat) surface without curvature

Within square areas of about 20

kilometres - meaning a square, the

earth curvature does not produce any

significant errors in a plane survey

For larger areas, however, a geodetic

SURVEYING

survey, which takes into account the

curvature of the earth, must be made

The different kinds of measurement in a ‘survey include

distances, elevations (height of

features within the area), boundaries (both man-made and natural), and other physical characteristics of the site Some of these measurements will

be in horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the-force of gravity Others will be in a vertical plane, in line with the direction of gravity The measurement of angles in either the

horizontal or vertical plane is an important aspect of surveying in order

to determine precise boundaries or

precise elevations

Angles are measured in degree

of arc A special telescopic instrument

that gives more accurate readings of

an angle than the transit, is called a theodolite

Vertical axis

Objective Horizontal H

Horizontal circle \—

The axes and circles of a theodolite

TACT *9

| In addition to cross hairs,

transits and theodolites have markings

called stadia hairs

VERTICAL CROSS HAA UPPSR BTADCA HAR

MIDOLS CROSS HAR LOWER STAOV HAA

The stadia hairs are parallel to the

horizontal cross hairs The transitman

sights a rod, which is a rule with

spaces marked at regular intervals

The stadia hairs are fixed to represent

a distance that is usually a hundred

times each of the marks on the rod

Stadia marks on a crosshair while

viewing a metric levelling rod

Stadia surveys are particularly useful

in determining contour lines, the lines

on a map that enclose areas of equal

elevation Contour maps can be made

in the field by means of a plane-table

alidade The alidade is a telescope

with a vertical circle and stadia hairs

It is mounted on a straight edged metal

that serves as a drawing board When

the marks representing equal

elevations are connected, the surveyor has made a contour map

Sumeyor's, Level;

DanGer

Heights, or elevations are

determined by means of surveyor’s

level, another kind of telescope with a

bubble levelling device parallel to the

telescope A bubble level, which is

similar to a carpenter’s level, is a tube

containing a fluid that has an air

bubble in it When the bubble is

centered in the middle of the tube, the

device is level The surveyor sights a rule called a level rod through the

telescope The rod is marked off to

show units of measure in large, clear

_ numbers The spaces between the

marks usually are alternately black

and white in order to increase the

visibility The number that the

surveyor reads on the level rod, less

the height of his or her instrument, is

the vertical elevation

Heights are given in relation to

other heights On maps, for example,

the usual procedure is to give the

elevation above sea level Sea level,

incidentally, can be determined only

| l

after averaging the tides in\a given

area over a definite period A survey |

carried out by level and rod often gives the elevation in relation to a

previously measured point that is called a bench mark

Nowadays modern surveying instruments are becoming more

popular and they are gradually replacing old surveying instruments

With modern surveying instruments,

survey work will be precise, faster and ' less tedious

2a Match a line in A with a line in B to make a sentence

1 Surveying means A in degree of arc

B more accurate reading of angles than a

3 Geodetic surveying C takes into account the curvature of the earth

4 The different kinds of

measurement in a_ survey D is in line with the direction of gravity

include

5 Horizontal plane Eis perpendicular to the force of gravity

F measuring and recording by means of

6 Vertical plane ‘maps the earth’s surface with the greatest

degree of accuracy possible -

G measures the earth surface as though it

7 Angles are measured were plane (or flat) surface without |-

8 A theodolite gives | H by means of a plane-table alidade

I distances, elevations, boundaries and

9 The stadia hairs are tixed other physical characteristics of the site

10 Contour maps can be made in| J “to represent a distance that is usually a | the field hundred times each of the marks on the rod

TACT * 11

2b Read the sentence pairs Choose which word or phrase best fits each blank

I geodetic surveying/ plane surveying

obstruction is marked on the map

B When will the

4 contour lines/ contour map

A are the lines on

a map that enclose areas of

equal elevations

B When the marks representing

equal elevations are connected, the surveyor has made a

3 A surveyor’s level/ A bubble level

telescope with a bubble levelling

device parallel to the telescope

containing a fluid that has an air

bubble in it

2c Read the text and choose the best answer A, B or C

1 Which of these are NOT

INCLUDED in transits and

theodolites?

A stadia hairs

B cross hairs

C contour lines »

2 What device can help surveyors

make contour maps on the field?

_ Aan usual telescope

A a point measured before

B a point being measured

C a would-be measured point

2d Complete the sentences with: the.most appropriate words or phrases

level 1S

1 A ‘bubble " tube ¬ The surveyor determines vertical — containing a fluid - that ‘has an elevation with a

2 -In order to see the units of given in relation to

measure clearly the spaces 6 Sea level is determined after between the marks usually are _ averaging the tides in a

alternatively ko ¬ over a definite period

3 Through the telescope the 7 The elevations in a survey that is '

surveyor sights called.a _earried out by level and rod are

bench mark

Bare include The bare Infinitive is used:

Infinitive e After modal verbs: Surveying can include

~! _e After auxiliary verbs in present and past

_ simple: It doesn’t include

e After certain verbs like let, make, help

To- to establish The to-Infinitive is used:

Infinitive | to accomplish ® As a subject: To accomplish” their

to determine objective

to depict e After certain verbs: want, ask, allow, agree

e After certain adjectives: easy, difficult, hard

e To express purpose (to-purpose): We are here to implement the project

e Insentences with too and enough

It is too easy to work on this project

The company is not strong enough to carry out this project

V-ing surveying a) Present participle (functioning as an adjective)

mapping is used:

determining ¢ In all continuous tenses: He is repairing the

certifying e As adjectives: running water, polluting beginning substances, hanging cables

gathering e Asan object complement

We found the pipe leaking

e Inreduced clauses

Environmental pollution is one of the

problems facing (that face) mankind today

TACT * 13

roads is our job

After certain verbs: suggest, consider, start, Stop

The team stopped repairing the bridge | because of the rain

With "while" or "by" to express an idea of simultaneity ("while") or causality ("by"): while designing, by mixing

Constructing bridges and

Past built The Past participle is used:

participle | required In Passive voice: Concrete is made by

based | e In simple perfect tenses: The company has

recorded completed the project

used e As adjective with passive meaning: burnt

related area, polluted water °

e After certain verbs such as be, seem, look,

appear, get, become etc

e As object complement: We found it

An alternative definition, per

the American Congress on Surveying

and Mapping (ACSM), is the science

and art of (4)

measurements (5)

all essential

the

relative position of points or physical

and cultural details above, on, or

beneath the surface of the Earth, and

Historically, distances | were

1 (measure) using a variety of

means, such as with chains 2

(have) links of a 3

(know) length, for instance a Gunter's

chain, or 4 (measure) tapes 5

(make) of steel 6 (Measure) horizontal distances, these chains’ or tapes were 7 (pull)

taut according to temperature, to reduce

sagging slack Additionally,

measuring instrument level would be made In

(measure) up a slope, the surveyor might have to "break" (break chain) the measurement - use an increment less

than the total length of the chain

important aspect of surveying in

order precise boundaries

or precise elevations

A determine

B to determining »

C to determine

The men who the steel

tape during a survey are still usually

called chainmen

A hold

B holding

C to hold When especially accurate results are

required, other means of support,

A giving

B given

C give

A bubble level, which is similar to a

carpenter’s level, is a _ tube

a fluid that has an air bubble in it

A contain

B contained

C containing This surveying method is particularly useful when

4 LISTENING AND SPEAKING

4a TÀI Listen toa conversation Surveyor: I think so Am I going (1)

2

between a supervisor and a surveyor

Choose the correct answers A, Bor C Supervisor: I think that’s best Today

you can do preliminary

(2)

Surveyor: Oh, but that won’t (3)

the whole day

Supervisor: It might The site is fairly

big It’ll take you a while

to note the (4) _ of all the features

Surveyor: Is there anything special I

A The steps of plane surveying Supervisor: Yes, thanks for asking

B Tasks fora preliminary survey Watch out for the slope of

C The benefits of geodetic the field It seemed (6) _

D Equipment needed to complete Surveyor: — Okay, will do

a survey Supervisor: Then, of course, decide

2 What is true of the site? the (7) _ of the

B Its station locations are set Surveyor: That sounds good I'll let

D It will require a team to Supervisor: Make sure you (8) _

give me a call if you have

complete the conversation

Supervisor: Ms Norris, do you have 4c @ DEERE Listen’ to the

the instruments ready for — conversation again and practice it this afternoon survey? with ‘your partner

FENG ĐẠI HOG GIÁO THÔNG VẬN TẢI

PHAN HIEU TAI THANE PHO HO CH! MINH

THU VIEN _ | os

& = backsight - foresight

- - - «bef Direction of travel

1 What is David going to do today? _ A The bubble is adjacent to the

A Set up an automatic level centre of the circle

Use an automatic leve B The bubble is in the middle of the

C Talk about how to set up and use

the automatic level circle

2 How many kinds of tripod are there? C The instrument can rotate 90

3 What kind of tripod is commonly A Focus screw

used with the automatic level?

B Eyepi

C Both dome top and flat top 7 Why = must the instrument be

4 Where are the tripod’s legs placed? transported in its case?

A In the ground A Because it is a sensitive

B On top of the tripod equipment and must be cared for

C At the legs of the tripod B Because it is well secured

5 How can we make sure that the C Because it can be moving around

instrument is leveled?

4e 1| Watch the video again and complete the Statements with NO MORE

THAN TWO WORDS

1 Today David is going to demonstrate the set uP and use of

commonly used on building sites

2 The automatic level is one leveling instrument used on a building site, and there’re basically in its use: the automatic level itself, the

3 After placing the tripod legs, the instrument is removed from its case and placed on top of the

4 In case we can’t level it on the dome top, we have to use the

5 The instrument can be leveled when the is in the middle of

6 Inthe eyepiece of the telescope, we can find some |

7A is used to make very small adjustments to the direction of the level

8 When setting up the level, the | is ideal

4g Speaking Practice: Prepare these talks and then practice with your partner

Talk about surveying You should say: | Talk about surveying equipment You

e What surveying is | should say: ©

e What kinds of surveying there _@ - What instruments are commonly

e What measurements are ° _What atheodoltels _

recorded in surveying ¢ How to use a theodolite for

and explain why surveying is essential - _ surveying

in construction projects and explain how to level a device

TACT * 19 —

5.WRITING: WRITE A NOTE,

5a Complete the text with the words from the box

Note writing is is a common form of social (1)

thinking _ communication

- Notes can ‘be used to ‘express

(2) —— OraConcem, to communicate gratitude, to extend 2 an invitation, or to ask

a (3)

about them

Notes can also be a (4) to show someone you are (5)

5b Read this thank-you note and match a section in A with its content in B

4 Date Dear Mr Landry,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today I know that your time is valuable, and I appreciate your

5 Look ahead

willingness to assist me with my survey of some of our best clients Regular assessments such as these ensure our ability

to continue to deliver the products and service you have come

to appreciate from ABC

20 * TACT

6 Express

your thanks

F Your feedback regarding our online order form was particularly insightful I completely agree with your suggestion of having links to the individual product descriptions and have already proposed this idea to our IT department We hope that changes can soon be made in this

area to further enhance the service we provide to you

7 Signature

Thank you again for your valuable input Please do not

hesitate to contact us at any time should you have questions

or concerns regarding our products or our company We look forward to serving you and ‘your business for many years to come

Write a note to James Smiths In your

email you should:

e Thank him

e Say what you are going to do

with the equipment

e Suggest when you are returning.it

Write 100-120 words

TASK 2

You have received some equipment from | Yur design team has completed the James Smiths, the head of the laboratory | Preliminary survey of the site for a |

new highway project and will be given |

a three-day holiday bonus at the end of the month Write a note to your]

teammates In the note you should:

e Thank them all for their hard

work and support

e Inform them about the holiday

*REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR UNIT 1:

1) 2) 3) 4)

5)

6) +) 8) 3)

10)

22 * TACT

What is surveying? What measurements are taken in surveying?

What is the difference between plane survey and geodetic survey? What is the difference between horizontal plane and vertical plane?

What is geological survey?

What equipment is used in surveying?

Why is survey important in construction projects?

Can you describe a theodolite? How to level a device?

Can you name modern methods used in survey nowadays’

What is a surveyor’s level?

Can you describe the rod?

- Unit 2 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS |

LEAD-IN: Look at the photos and talk to your friends about:

1 The materials used to build the structures

2 The advantages and disadvantages of the materials

3 The life expectancy of the structures

4 Which of the structures (A or B, C or D, E or F) you like better and why?

ek

a oy he ere NƯỚC,

TACT * 23

1 VOCABULARY

1a Look at the pictures and match a:picture with a word from the box

polymer ~~ welding ợ riveting ~ shear ~ pre-stressed concrete

compression tension reinforced concrete aggregate

¬" TA material such as stone, brick, ‘or concrete used for nản Od

2 stress B the different forces that can strain or deform a'structire’or its parts

| 3 dead load C the force at which the live load will be exerted on a structure

oo D the tendency of a material to weaken because of continual

changes in stress

5 impact E the ability of a material to retain its strength under tension

6 masonry F the weight that will be added to a structure as a result of its use

7 tensile G the force that presses or pushes two or more materials

strength together

8 fatigue H the weight of all the material in a structure

9 ‘I the pressure or force exerted by each part of a structure on

1 thrust A tinh tai

2 stress B luc kéo

4 dead load D vật liệu xây, khối xây

5 live load E lực cắt, lực ép, lực trượt phá

6 impact F luc x6 ngang, luc day ngang; strc ép ngang

H hoạt tải

2 The Romans also used a natural

called pozzolana, made from volcanic ash, that became as hard

as stone under water

A concrete

B cement

C sand

D lime

3 Concrete that includes imbedded

metal (usually steel)is called

concrete

A reinforcing Breinforce _

C reinforced

D asphalt

4 The force that tends to pull apart *

many materials is called

8 Different proportions of the

produce concrete with different strength and weight

A tension

B stress

C compression

D thrust

2 READING

SteelandCement

Both steel and cement, the two

most important construction materials

of modern times, were introduced in

the nineteenth century The enormous

advantage of steel is its ‘tensile

strength; that is, it does not lose its

strength when it is under calculated

degree of tension, a force which, as we

have seen, tends to pull apart many ©

materials New alloys have further -

increased the strength of steel and

eliminated some of its problems, such

as fatigue, which is a tendency for it to

-weaken as a result of continual

changes in stress _

Modern

1824 It is a mixture of limestone and

clay, which is heated and then ground —

into a powder It is mixed at or near ˆ

the construction site with sand,

aggregate (small stone, crushed rock,

or gravel), and -water to- make

concrete Different proportions of the

ingredients produce concrete’ with’

different strength and weight

cement, called

Portland cement, was invented in ˆ

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS »

Concrete is very versatile,-it can be

-poured, pumped, or even sprayed into all kinds of shape: ‘And whereas steel

‘has great tensile strength, concrete has great strength under compression

Thus, the two substances complement

They also complement each other in another way: they have almost the same rate ‘of contraction and expansion They therefore can work - together in situations where both

‘compression and tension are factors

Steel rods are embedded in concrete to

‘make reinforced concrete in concrete -

beams or structures where tension will

develop Concrete and steel also form

~ such a strong bond - the force that

"unites them - which the steel cannot

_ slip within the concrete Still another

* advantage is that steel does not rust in

, concrete |

Plastic "

- : Plastic ‘products offer a number

' of ecological: advantages: they’ save

resources, have a low maintenance

cost and can be recycled Furthermore-

TACT * 27

_ they contribute to save energy (plastic:

foams are used for thermal insulation

in many applications) Plastic is also

useful for - noise protection and

insulation The main fields of

application of these materials are

pipes, insulation, wall covering,

flooring (both in houses and in public

areas) and, quite recently, window

frames (made of PVC) ,

PVC stands for Polyvinyl

Chloride and it is the plastic which has

seen the most rapid growth in recerit

times in industry PVC is often used in

piping systems because of its good

chemical resistance to corrosive fluids

PVC pipes are used for a great number

of applications: to drain waste, for

natural gas distribution, for electrical

and communications wiring, for

_ municipal water ‘As it is the newest

primary construction material and

entirely man-made, plastic is

extremely versatile Improvements

made through research have increased

its acceptance among designers,

contractors and building code officials

28 * TACT

Sustainable materials

Due to the rise in global

- population and prosperity over the last few decades, one of the consequences

of this phenomenon has been the

increase in volume and variety of the

‘materials used (such as raw materials,

food, manufactured products and waste) with a consequent increase in the transport distances This has

created a series of negative effects on

the environment, especially different kinds of pollution, leading to an

ecological emergency and growing '

preoccupation about health This is

why the aim of eco-design is to create buildings with low ecological impact,

where people can live in a

comfortable, healthy way

This is possible by using building materials that are traditionally considered eco-friendly and sustainable: timber from forests that

have been certified; quickly renewable

plant materials (such as straw or bamboo); some typical traditional

materials such as brick, stone, clay and

cork; non-toxic, renewable and

recyclable - materials | (natural: paints,

waxes and varnishes) Waste materials,

can also be reused as a resource for

2a Read the text and complete the

sentences with NO MORE THAN

THREE WORDS

1 Both were introduced in

the nineteenth century

2 The great advantage of steel is its

3 Continual changes in stress result in

4 Concrete is made by mixing

, sand, aggregate and

water

5 Concrete can be poured, pumped, or

even sprayed into all kinds of shape

because it is very

6 Concrete and steel have almost the

same rate of

2b Read the text and: complete the

sentences with the best option A, B-

or C

1 Plastic products save

- B materials C resources

2 Plastic insulation is also useful for

4 The fields of application

of these materials are in flooring

7 There has been a rise in volume and

variety of the materials used,

C consequent increase in the transport distances

8 Negative effects on the environment

A traditionally eco-friendly and

easily renewable materials

B daily waste materials

C all traditional materials

30 * TACT

2c Read the text again and answer

the following questions

1

9

What are the advantages offered by

"plastic products?

- How can plastic save energy?

- What is 'plastie insulation useful

for?

What are the main fields of application of plastic?

What does PVC stand for?

What are PVC pipes used for?

What has happened to population

and wealth in the last few decades?

What has been one of the results of this?

What is the aim of eco-design?

10 Can you name some eco-friendly

‘and sustainable materials you have

found in the text?

3 LANGUAGE USE VERB TENSES

TABLE OF COMMONLY - USED VERB TENSES

e Taking place once,

never or several always, usually,

1 Present S+do not + V e Facts sometimes

Simple S + does not + V Do/Does +S + V? ¢ Actions taking place day, seldom, normally, every

one after another rarely, never,

¢ Actions set by a occasionally,

timetable or schedule

¢ Actions taking place

at the moment of

- + |§ + am/is/are + Ving speaking kj | at the moment, just, Just now,

2 Present S + is not + Ving e Actions taking place | right now, qs

Progressive only for a limited Listen!, Look!,

S + are not + Ving eriod of time now, at +

Is/Are + S + Ving? Pern " Si

: e Actions arranged for | (time),

the future

¢ Actions in the past

taking place once, yesterday, 2 never or several days ago, some

Si le | S+ didn°t + V, e Actions taking place | 1990, in the

mp Did+S+V? one after another 1990s, the other

¢ Actions taking place | day, last year,

in the middle of last month,

another action ,

‘e Actions going on at a certain time in the

S + was/were + Ving past ˆ

xế S + was not + Ving when, while, as,

P rogressive | Wasi g4 Ving? : S + were not + Ving a t the same time a that moment as long as, at -

Were+S+ Ving? e An action in the past

TACT * 31

5 Present | S+have/has+ PII inished acti h Just, never, not :

Perfect S + have/has not PIL + Finished actions that | yet, so far, till

Simple Has + S+ PI? have an influence on now, up to now,

| the present for, since,

e Actions that have

taken place once,

never or several times before the moment of speaking

se Putting emphasis on the course or

‘S + have been + Ving duration (not the

S + has been + Ving result) all day, for 4

6 Present | S+ haven t been + Ving * Actions that recently years, since

Perfect S + hasn’t been + Ving stopped or are still 1993, how

Progressive | Have + St been + Ving? - going on long?, the

"| Has + S + been + 1 9 e Finished actions that whole week,

Ving ` influence the

present

‘e Actions taking place

before a certain time

in the past

7 Past S+ had + PH interchangeable with | never, yet, Perfect Simple S + had not + PUL Had + S+ PI? past per progressive ast perfect once, until that ° day ,

e Putting emphasis only on the fact (not the duration)

e Actions in the future |

" S + will + V influenced Next .,

8 Future S + will not + V - « Spontaneous tomorrow,

Simple Will+S+V? vecisione I think,

PRACTICE DO

3a Complete the’ passage: with -the

correct forms of the verbs in brackets

wood framing (1)

framed structures (2) (use)

fewer, larger timbers with dimensions

from 15 to 30 cm and mortice and tenon

or wooden pegs as fastening methods,

whereas conventional wood framed

buildings (3)

number of timbers with dimensions from

(have) a greater

5 to 25 cm, and nails or other mechanical

fasteners (4) (be used) to join

Insulating Panels (SIPs) They are made

up of two rigid wooden based composite

materials with a foamed insulating

material inside This method: -is’ used

because these - structures ‘ are: easier” to

build and they (6)

more'efficient’ heat’insulation °°’

(provide)

Timber-framed construction (7) (offer) lots of advantages It is kind to the environment (when the wood used is taken from sustainable forests) and the frames can be put up quickly Its design is elegant and simple, and also both practical and adaptable It (8)

(can) give a house character, both inside and outside Thanks to its strength, large: open spaces can be created, something which (9) _

(be) not so easy to obtain with other

techniques It is very versatile, so

timber-framed houses can also be clad with stone or brick This (10) ee

(offer) two more advantages: the house can blend in with the surrounding area

(both urban and rural) and it is very energy-efficient Timber is also cheaper

than other materials -

TACT * 33

\

3b Choose the correct letter A, B, C or

D to complete the passage

MASONRY CONSTRUCTION

Masonry construction is a method

that (1)

around the world It (2)

for walls of buildings, retaining walls

for centuries

and monuments The most frequent type

of masonry is brick, but concrete block

popular Brick was one of the first

building materials that man used and (4)

more and more

since the times of the

ancient Egyptians because it (5)

a great number of advantages First of all, it has an

affordable price and it is made of

accessible raw material, which (6)

long durability and good insulating properties It is a strong

material and is perfect for load-bearing

systems the loads are

compressive It is the size of a man's

where

hand and therefore simple to use The

appearance of the final work (7)

on the ability and expertise of the bricklayer Another

advantage of using brick is that, like

stone, it offers increased comfort in the

One of the disadvantages of using

tobe elaborate Moreover, this is a heavy

material, consequently the structural

2 Ausually uses B usually is used |

C is usually used D usually used

3 A also becomes -_B has also become

C also is becoming

D is also becoming

4 Ahas been used B was used

C has used D has been using

C offered D has offered

9 Ais B has been

C will be 'Dwas

10 A have to B had

C will have D will have to

3c Choose the best verb form A, B or C was collapsing/ tried

C to complete the sentences 5 The engineers of earlier times also

1 In the Gothic cathedrals, stone their failures

pillars that comparatively

thin walls between them were

raised to great heights

A had

B was having

C had had

The Roman extensive

use of the arch to distribute thrust

more evenly, thus making larger

construction for the most part, with

two vertical columns supporting a

horizontal beam |

A used

B had used ;

C were using

The vault of the cathedral

while the contractor

to reach the height

introduced in the 19" century, steel

by a laborious process that restricted it to such special

uses as sword blades

A were made up

B were making up

C had been made up

while many workers

on it

A collapsed/ were working

B collapsed/ worked

C had collapsed/ were working

When the construction ›

a lot of people from the countryside with the hope to find jobs on the site

A begun/ came

B began/ came

’ Chad begun/ came

TACT * 35

9 He as a civil engineer C How to strengthen a road

for 2 years before he became the D How to reduce a road's noise level site manager here 2 What will the man likely do next?:

A has been working A Inspect the road

B worked B Send the client an email

Chad worked - | C Place an order for fly ash

10 The bridge before the D Research recycled road materials flood last year

4b @

Rivero, Listen again and

A collapsed complete the conversation with the

B had collapsed missing words

had b i

© Pad been collapsing Manager 1: Sheila (1)

da GS

between two construction company

IÝ2191ý) Listen to a conversation 5

Manager 1: He'd like to use some (3)

mix rubber from

5 old tires into the asphalt

: Manager 2: Yes, that would reduce

the road's noise Or, we could mix in some (6)

1 What is the conversation mainly Manager 1: Good idea [ll let the

option

A An error in a road design ,

B Ways to use recycled materials

36 * TACT

ác Now practice the conversation, with

your partner ¬

4d Watch the video “Science of

Innovation — Smart Concrete” and

choose the correct answer A, B or C

B itis the most ¢ common

_ construction material i in the

oO “has always been’ "exactly the

Cv lugame 2 noc Py Y sie tie h

“3: Deborah Chung Ty

7”: A::Ìs.a community researcher

B is an innovator in composite materials and structural science

C funded the State University of New York

4 In her first tests when carbon fibers

were’ added to concrete, Deborah Chung realized

A the electricity properties “of carbon fibers

B the change of structure

C thé contact of hardened cement with: carbon fibers allows the whole structure’ to conduct: electricity

5 According to Deborah Chung, smart concrete has the ability to

A discover the electrical properties

inside the structures

B deform signs of cracking or

stress

C help engineers to detect.a crack _ in their structures before it is

ever visible to the human eyes

6 Which is TRUE about smart concrete?

A It hasn’t appeared on market yet

B It is welcome as an innovative

"product

“C It will be recognized by the US

Patent and Trademark Office

’ TACT * 37

era

W] Watch the video again and

4e (ati

decide whether the following

statements are T (True) or F (False)

1 Today concrete is still produced by

mixing together water, cement and

aggregate

2 It’s easy to see the innovation of concrete

3 Deborah Chung is an expert in composite

materials and structural science

4 Carbon fibers conduct electricity and

consist of strands of carbon atoms

5 When carbon fibers are added to

concrete, the electricity properties of

the structure would stay the same

6 The fibers properties a lot

can affect electrical

7 Smart concrete structures are able to

detect only big changes in the amount

of stress inside them

8 According to Deborah Chung, smart

able

engineers to detect a crack in their

concrete may be to help

structures long before it really can be

1) What construction materials

are regarded as traditional

2) What are they used for

3) What

, disadvantages they have

advantages and

and explain why many people still

prefer traditional materials these days

TASK 2

Talk materials You should say:

about modern construction

1) What materials are regarded

as modern in construction

2) How they are different or superior to ~ traditional materials

3) How some of them are

5S WRITING: WRITE A MEMO

Sa Complete the text with the words from the box

external clients memo siandarde ' to use document

A memorandum - usually known as a memo - is a (1) which is most commonly used for (2) communication between coworkers or members of a department You may need (3) _—_s a: memo ass an (4) method of communication if, for example, you need to communicate with (5) or other business associates You want to (6) _— that _you get it right: that your (7)

is professional, clear, and aligns with your profession's (8)

5b Study the format of a good memo

LOGO MEMO

To: (Audience)

From: (Person and/or Department issuing the memo)

Date: (Date sent)

Subject: (Subject of the memo)

CC: names of people who will be copied on the email

The body of a memo includes three components:

e Introduction: This should be a short paragraph of two or three sentences that lets people know the reason for the memo in a direct manner

e Recommendations or purpose: This section gets to the meat of the

message using key points, highlights or background information It may include supporting detail like facts and statistics, as well as examples and reasons for the memo

e Conclusion: The conclusion will make it clear what action needs to be

taken and when it needs to be completed or reiterates the timely news

TACT * 39

_ 5c Read this memo and compare it with the format in exercise 5b

MEMO

To: - ` Katherine Chu, Regional Manager

From: _, Stephen Yu, Sales

Date: 13 October 2016

Subject: Notification of My Resignation

I am writing to inform you of my intention to resign from G & S Holdings

I have appreciated very much my four years working for the company The

training has been excellent and I have gained valuable experience working

within an efficient and professional team environment In particular, I have

appreciated your personal guidance during these first years of my career I feel now that it is time to further develop my knowledge and skills base in a

different environment

I would like to leave, if possible, in a month's time on Saturday, 12

November This will allow me to complete my current workload I hope that this suggested arrangement is acceptable to the company

Sd Practise writing a memo:

in just 3 months On behalf of the Personnel Department, write a memo

to the staff to inform them about the

course and encourage them to register

Your Construction Company always’

pays much attention on staff training

Now the director of your company is

planning to run a short training course

on Construction management in

developing countries because your You should write 100 — 120 words

company is doing a big project in Laos

*REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR UNIT 2:

1) Can you name some traditional construction materials? What are their main advantages? What are some of their disadvantages?

2) List some modern construction materials? How can you compare them with

traditional materials?

3) What is cement? How is it produced?

4) What is concrete? How is it made?

5) What makes different kinds of concrete?

6) What is steel? When was it introduced?

7) What.can you say about the combination of concrete and stéel?

8) What is the difference between reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete? 9) Why is concrete used so widely in construction?

10) What kinds of material are people trying to create nowadays?

40 * TACT

Unit3 BRIDGES

LEAD-IN: Work in pairs or groups and discuss the following questions:

1 What is a bridge? Why are bridges built?

2 What kinds of bridge do you know? Give examples

3 What are the newly built bridges in Vietnam? What companies are great

bridge builders in our country?

4 What kind of bridge is very popular in Vietnam nowadays? Why? Give

arch pylon _ ~ terision - deck truss ` pier through truss

compression swing bridge ‘cantilever ' anchorage pivot

Ái TỐ _—— TACT*AI `