Casebook

ALZHRANI 1

Rayan Alzhrani

ENGL 1110

09/27/2015

Research Proposal

My major is civil engineering. This major is branched to many parts, such as environmental

engineering, Construction Engineering, Structural Engineering and many branches. In this major I will

be studying how to provide the best environmental and for people to live. Actually, civil engineer is the

first person to propose ideas for the construction of buildings and projects of dams. Many cities have

very strong infrastructure, and they have lived for several years without any troubles, because of those

engineers. However, it is an important major, and all the world would not be as good as now without the

civil engineering.

My controversial topic is: Block is the perfect material for buildings and construction. Many

people are confused of why some buildings are built with blocks and some with wood, and I am one of

them. There are a lot of materials that have used for buildings, but these two are the most popular

materials, because each one has its own features and advantages. Some people want their houses to be

built with good conditions whether it is going to cost a lot or not, so they have to look for the best

material that will be compatible with their conditions which is the Block.

From my interview with Dr. Defne Apul and reading some articles and journals, I have learned a

lot of information on my topic. Dr. Defne Apul has given me his opinions of this topic, and he thinks

that the block buildings are stronger in the natural disasters like storms and flooding. Also he said that

blocked buildings could live longer than wooden buildings even if the take care of them for years. Since

I have started writing about this topic, I have been reading a lot of books and journals that contain

many facts and information about buildings and most authors think the blocked houses are stronger than

the wooden houses, and it is free from the rot problems that can affect wood, and it is safer to for living.

And I have thought of some questions that could help me to find more specific information in my topic.

Research questions:

1-Which material could live longer with less rot problems?

2-How the concrete masonry material works in earthquakes?

3- Why the concrete masonry material building is stronger than the wooden building?

4-In case of fires which material is safer?

Works Cited

Wight, Gavin D., Jason M. Ingham, and Andrew R. Wilton. "Innovative Seismic Design Of A Post-Tensioned Concrete Masonry House." Canadian Journal Of Civil Engineering 34.11 (2007): 1393-1402. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.

Tim, Carter. "Weigh concrete advantages of a block house." Chicago Tribune 12 Mar. 2004. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.

Wang, Changqing, and Jianzhuang Xiao. "Shaking Table Tests On A Recycled Concrete Block Masonry Building."Advances In Structural Engineering 15.10 (2012): 1843-1860. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Oct. 2015.