Date of Award
8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Civil Engineering (MCE)
Department
Civil Engineering
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Ogle
Committee Member
Dr. Candice J. Bolding
Committee Member
Dr. Kalyan R. Piratla
Abstract
Electric utilities are a foundational component of modern society and depend heavily on civil engineers for planning, design, construction, and maintenance. However, educational content related to this industry is often underrepresented in civil engineering programs. To bridge this gap, a case study activity was implemented in two transportation engineering courses at Clemson University. The case study introduced students to the integration between electric utility infrastructure and roadway design by simulating a realistic and common conflict scenario faced by Departments of Transportation (DOTs) nationwide.
Students were placed in interdisciplinary teams, with each member assigned a specialized role such as Land Agent, Environmental Specialist, Transportation Engineer, or Electric Utility Specialist. The case study objective was to mitigate conflict between a proposed DOT roundabout and an existing high-voltage transmission line. The students were tasked with developing a realistic recommendation for relocating the transmission line away from the planned roundabout. Each group was also asked to create a cost estimate and project schedule. To reflect real-world challenges, they were given randomly assigned constraints, ranging from protected environmental areas to material shortages. The addition of these constraints required students to practice adaptability and creativity.
This exercise highlighted the significance of civil engineers in the electric utility sector, where roles span from transmission line design to site development and project management. With the national electrical grid in dire need of modification and expansion, exposing civil engineering students to electric utility work is timely and critical. By simulating real-world challenges, regulatory constraints, and industry dynamics, this case study promoted practical skill development and encouraged students to prepare for the integrated nature of modern infrastructure design.
This paper presents the structure, implementation, and educational outcomes of the case study, using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative results from the pre- and post-surveys showed statistically significant improvements in student-reported understanding of utility design (p < 0.01). Student responses to open-ended survey questions were coded using a thematic analysis. These qualitative results revealed five key themes: (1) complexity of utility design, (2) impact of constraints, (3) societal and environmental impact, (4) realism and practical application, and (5) teamwork and role-based collaboration. The mixed-method findings of this study support the value of integrating interdisciplinary, utility-focused content into civil engineering curricula.
Keywords: civil engineering education, electric utility infrastructure, transportation design, interdisciplinary, utility relocation, case study, real-world constraints
Recommended Citation
Lloyd, Juliann A., "Wires, Roads, and Real-World Challenges: An Interdisciplinary Case Study Bridging Roadway and Electric Utility Design" (2025). All Theses. 4604.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4604