Core Concepts of the Constructed Environment
A Clear Introduction to Engineering With Worked Explanations and Real-World ApplicationsBy Anaya Thurlow
Length13h
About this audiobook
An illustrated, plain-language introduction to the engineered world—roads, bridges, buildings, water, power, pipelines, rail, and construction—with clear cutaway drawings and worked explanations for curious non-engineers and new students.
Audiobook details
GenreTechnology
Length13 hrs
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateSep 27, 2026
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Core Concepts of the Constructed Environment
2Foreword
3Preface
4About This Book
5Chapter 1: How to Look at Infrastructure
Show all chaptersShow less
61.1 Reading a Load Path From the Sidewalk
71.2 Spans, Supports and Why Shape Follows Force
81.3 Scale, Proportion and the Human Body
91.4 Material Clues You Can See From the Street
101.5 Redundancy, Failure Modes and What Keeps You Safe
111.6 A Field Method for Any Structure
12Chapter 2: Roads and Highway Geometry
132.1 Pavement Layers and What Each One Carries
142.2 Subgrade, Drainage and Why Roads Fail
152.3 Horizontal Curves and Superelevation
162.4 Vertical Curves, Grades and Sight Distance
172.5 Intersections, Signs and Signal Timing
18Chapter 3: Bridges
193.1 Beam, Truss and Arch Forms
203.2 Cable-Stayed and Suspension Bridges
213.3 Decks, Bearings and Expansion Joints
223.4 Abutments, Piers and Scour Protection
233.5 Inspection, Ratings and Load Posting
24Chapter 4: Buildings and Their Frames
254.1 Steel, Concrete and Timber Frames
264.2 Gravity Versus Lateral Systems
274.3 Floor Systems and How They Span
284.4 Footings, Mats and Piles
29Chapter 5: Water Supply
305.1 Sources, Reservoirs and Intakes
315.2 Coagulation, Sedimentation and Filtration
325.3 Disinfection and Water Quality
335.4 Pump Stations, Storage and Pressure Zones
345.5 Mains, Valves and Hydrants
35Chapter 6: Wastewater and Stormwater
366.1 Sanitary Sewers and Lift Stations
376.2 Screening, Grit Removal and Primary Treatment
386.3 Activated Sludge, Clarifiers and Outfalls
396.4 Stormwater, Culverts and Detention
40Chapter 7: The Electrical Grid
417.1 Generation and Step-Up Transformers
427.2 Transmission Towers, Conductors and Insulators
437.3 Substations and Switchgear
447.4 Distribution Feeders, Reclosers and Service Drops
45Chapter 8: Gas and Liquid Pipelines
468.1 Rights-of-Way, Markers and Pipeline Classes
478.2 Transmission and Distribution Pressure Tiers
488.3 Compressor, Pump and Regulator Stations
498.4 Cathodic Protection and Meter Sets
50Chapter 9: Communications Networks
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