ENGR 482 Engineering Design II

The third course in the design sequence where the student is exposed to engineering design and development. Design process culminates in prototype development, gathering performance data and presenting a final design briefing to peers and department faculty.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


This course is a continuation of ENGR 481, the second phase of a two-semester Capstone project. Students are challenged to combine knowledge of design principles, engineering principles, and ethics to complete a project that meets customer requirements, delivers to client on schedule, and stays within budget. Through this process, students gain experience working in a team; communicating effectively; writing technical reports, setting and meeting objectives; developing a design; designing to cost, code, and safety constraints; and building and qualifying a finished design, product, process, or prototype.


After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Task 1: Revised Project Plan

  • Team revises the project plan that was approved in ENGR 481.
  • Team highlights detailed design considerations (Environmental, Transportation, Structural, Geotechnical, Hydraulic, Construction, etc.) applicable to the project.
  • Team prepares a revised design schedule.
  • Team revisits existing and identifies new applicable codes, engineering standards, and safety regulations.
  • Team develops design verification, validation, and improvement plans.
  • The revised project plan record consists of a PDF document and any other supplemental documentation.
  • The files must be submitted via Canvas before starting the next Task.
  • Submit all documents as a ZIP file using the following naming format: ENGR482_RPP_Team_0<#>.zip (example: Team 3 would submit the document as “ENGR482_RPP_Team_03.zip”). The files contained in the zip file should be named in such a manner as to be easily identified by course number, file content, and team number.

Task 2 – Project Analysis/Pre-Design

For this task, each capstone team will perform, document, and submit all pre-design work including:

  • Analysis related to Environmental Aspects of the project (Implementation of stormwater management plan, Erosion, and sediment control plans, layout of open channels and culverts, sanitary/sewer/septic systems).
  • Analysis related to Transportation Engineering (Traffic Impact, Geometric Design, access, and parking layout).
  • Computer model development.
  • Analysis related to Structural Engineering (load transfer calculations, load combinations, codes, regulations, and standards applicable, components needing designs).
  • Analysis related to Geotechnical Engineering (Geotechnical Investigation Report, Soil properties, zoning, needed design considerations, cuts, fills, earth retaining, ground improvement needs, codes and standards applicable).
  • Analysis related to construction aspects of the project (Cost, timeline, codes, standards, quantities).
  • The Pre-Design Record consists of a PDF document and any other supplemental documentation.
  • The files must be submitted via Canvas before starting the next Task.
  • Submit the document as a zip file using the following naming format: ENGR482_PD_Team_0<#>.zip (example: Team 3 would submit the document as “ENGR482_PD_Team_03.zip”). The files contained in the zip file should be named in such a manner as to be easily identified by course number, file content, and team number.

Task 03: Design Phase 1 – Initial Design, Material Selection, and Cost Estimation

  • Team performs the initial detailed design of:
    • Pavement Design, Parking Design, Detailed Geometric Design, Detailed traffic analysis report
    • Hydraulic Structure Design (Open Channel, Culvert, designs related to erosion and sediment control, stormwater basin design, design of water treatment and sanitary systems)
    • Structural Design (roof/truss structure, load-bearing members (beams, columns, walls, slabs, decks, trusses, frames, ties, foundations, etc.))
    • Geotechnical Design (bearing capacity, settlement, lateral load resisting systems (e.g., retaining structures), footing, slabs, deep foundations).
    • Any other aspects of the project that need designing.
  • Team ensures all aspects of design comply with engineering codes, standards, and safety regulations.
  • Team selects appropriate materials for construction, considering durability, sustainability, and cost.
  • Team prepares the Bill of Quantities and the detailed cost estimate for the project.
  • Team ensures design remains within budget constraints.
  • Team updates/augments engineering drawings, plans, and pertinent documentation.
  • Team conducts client meeting #1 to discuss what was accomplished in Tasks 1 & 2.
  • The files must be submitted via Canvas before starting the next Task.
  • Submit task documents in a zip file using the following naming format: ENGR482_DP-1_Team_0<#>.zip (example: Team 3 would submit the document as “ENGR482_DP-1_Team_03.zip”). The files contained in the zip file should be named in such a manner as to be easily identified by course number, file content, and team number. If there is an intermediate submission (like a progress report) use appropriate naming to reflect that.

Task 04: Design Phase 2 – Design Verification and Validation

  • Team works closely with mentors and verifies their design outcomes.
  • Team prepares sample calculations and verifies the design.
  • Team validates design compliance with codes, engineering standards, and safety regulations.
  • Team prepares engineering drawings, plans, and specifications.
  • The design verification and validation record consists of a PDF document.
  • The files must be submitted via Canvas before starting the next Task.
  • Submit the document as a zip file using the following naming format: ENGR482_DVV_Team_0<#>.zip (example: Team 3 would submit the document as “ENGR482_DVV_Team_03.zip”). The files contained in the zip file should be named in such a manner as to be easily identified by course number, file content, and team number.

Task 05: Construction planning

  • Team reiterates the project’s objectives and scope.
  • Team develops a comprehensive budget that accounts for all project costs, including materials, labor, equipment, permits, and contingency funds. Accurate cost estimation is vital to ensure that the project stays within budget and to secure funding for the construction.
  • Team develops a construction plan addressing logistics, site grading, schedule, utility access, construction control/inspection, and routing during construction.
  • Team develops a detailed project schedule that outlines the sequence of tasks, milestones, and deadlines. Consider factors such as weather conditions, resource availability, and potential delays.
  • Team develops a risk management plan to mitigate or address risks. This is done by identifying and assessing potential risks that could impact on the project, such as environmental factors, regulatory changes, supply chain disruptions, or unforeseen issues on the construction site.
  • Team develops resource allocation and management plan. This is done by determining the required resources, including labor, equipment, and materials, and efficiently allocating and managing these resources to ensure they are available when needed.
  • The construction planning record consists of a PDF document.
  • The files must be submitted via Canvas before starting the next Task.
  • Submit the document as a zip file using the following naming format: ENGR482_CP_Team_0<#>.zip (example: Team 3 would submit the document as “ENGR482_CP_Team_03.zip”). The files contained in the zip file should be named in such a manner as to be easily identified by course number, file content, and team number.

Task 06: Project Video and Poster

  • Team submits a 20-minute Long (Final) presentation video. In this video team can use any resources (PowerPoint slides, physical artifacts, tables, figures, photos, etc. from different sources).
  • Team submits a 2–3-minute (“poster session Infomercial” or short presentation) mp4. This video will be streamed in a continuous loop during the poster session at the residential capstone expo. This video should showcase the highlights of the capstone project.
  • Team submits a Poster (4′ W X 3′ H) that will be used to showcase their work during the residential capstone exposition.
  • Teams will make themselves available during the residential expo time (typically a 2-hour event) for questions from the public.
  • The project video consists of a .mp4 file and all graphics employed in the video.
  • The files must be submitted via Canvas before the deadline indicated in Canvas.
  • Submit the document as a zip file using the following naming format: ENGR482_PVP_Team_0<#>.zip (example: Team 3 would submit the document as “ENGR482_PVP_Team_03.zip”). The files contained in the zip file should be named in such a manner as to be easily identified by course number, file content, and team number.

Report 8: Final Report Assignment (Task 07a)

  • Team submits comprehensive project documentation, including the final project report, engineering drawings, plans, specifications, bill of quantities, cost, etc.
  • Submit the document as a zip file using the following naming format: ENGR482_FR_Team_0<#>.zip (example: Team 3 would submit the document as “ENGR482_FR_Team_03.zip”). The files contained in the zip file should be named in such a manner as to be easily identified by course number, file content, and team number.

Capstone Expo: Poster Display/Presentation Assignment (Task 07b)

  • Teams are required to virtually attend a Live Capstone Expo that is planned at the end of the semester. In this expo, the project posters will be put on display to the public, in the Engineering atrium of DeMoss building at Liberty University Campus, and online capstone students will join the event, and answer any questions, via streaming (Teams or equivalent medium). The School of Engineering will make the necessary accommodations to facilitate the virtual participation of online capstone students.  

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will participate in eight group discussions in this course. Each team is required to record presentations and post the videos as Discussion Threads. Each Discussion will be 5 minutes long, except Discussion: Presentation 7 – Short (Infomercial) Video will be 2-3 minutes and Discussion: Presentation 8 – Long (Final) Video will be 20 minutes.

It is required that each team member fully participates in the presentations. All students taking ENGR 482 are allowed to post questions (as replies) to the discussion thread videos. Presenting team members are required to answer any questions raised by classmates.

Stakeholder Meeting Schedule Acknowledgement Assignments (3)

Teams must diligently schedule meetings with clients, mentors, instructors, etc., at least one week before the planned meeting week. For this assignment, students will submit a form as a required acknowledgment that teams have scheduled their meetings with parties of interest in a timely manner.

Teams are required to schedule and meet with their clients to provide updates regarding Tasks 1 &2. Teams must explain to the client how what they have done serves the purpose of meeting the clients needs (traceability of task to client needs and requirements).  

Teams are required to schedule and meet with their clients to provide updates regarding Task 3. Teams must explain to the client how what they have done serves the purpose of meeting the clients needs (traceability of task to client needs and requirements).  

Teams are required to schedule and meet with their clients to provide updates regarding Tasks 4 &5. Teams must explain to the client how what they have done serves the purpose of meeting the clients needs (traceability of task to client needs and requirements).  

Technical Management:

Non-Disclosure Agreements:

  1. Consists of Non-Disclosure Agreement(s) between Client-Student, and Liberty University-Student signed and submitted by all team members.
  2. All agreements signed in the fall semester will continue valid throughout the spring semester.

Project Reviews

Progress Reports:

  1. A progress report consists of a technical summary report, presentation, MS Project file, and all meeting minutes. A progress report is submitted upon completion of each of the major tasks (there are seven tasks in this course).
  2. These reports provide information on the status of the project, setbacks, and other project-related events (e.g., decisions made, changes) that took place during the interim.
  3. In addition, the progress report serves as a vehicle for meeting short-term objectives defined by the design team.
  4. Meeting Minutes highlight meeting objectives, discussions, conclusions, and to-do lists (or action items).
  5. The Meeting Minutes Template saved in the “Student Resources” module must be used during all project meetings.
  6. The progress reports must be submitted via Canvas on the dates outlined in Canvas.
  7. Presentation videos must be delivered on time as dictated in Canvas.

Final Report:

  1. The Final Report consists of a technical management record of ENGR 482 project-related activities.
  2. The Final Report must be comprehensive. For example, in addition to the technical design and technical management records, it should include project status records, decision records, risk records, configuration management records, information management records, measurement records, and quality assurance evaluation records.
  3. Final report documents must be submitted via Canvas as dictated by the date and time posted.

Performance Evaluations:

  1. Instructor Evaluation of individual team members at the end of the course.
  2. Client Evaluation of individual team members at the end of the course.
  3. Peer Evaluation of individual team members at the end of the course. This consists of a Peer and Self Evaluation that will be issued to the student via an online CATME survey and must be completed on time, as dictated by the date and time specified on the survey. The survey is to be completed and submitted by each student independently. However, the student’s grade will be based on a peer evaluation composite score derived from the survey.  Failure to complete the student’s own survey will result in a grade of zero points.
  4. Six (6) Canvas Knowledge Quizzes will be issued throughout the semester to verify the individual is actively engaged in the project.
  5. Extra Credit: 5 points of extra credit will be awarded to students who complete the End-of-Course Student Evaluation by the university deadline.  The student is required to send an email notification to the instructor upon completion to receive credit.

Instructor Evaluation of individual team members at the end of the course.

Client Evaluation of individual team members at the end of the course.

This quiz will cover the course project. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 1 file-upload question, and will have no time limit.

This quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module:. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 1 file-upload question, and will have no time limit.

This quiz is to verify the individual is actively engaged in the project. This quiz will contain 3 essay-type questions and will have no time limit.

This quiz is to verify the individual is actively engaged in the project. This quiz will contain 3 essay-type questions and will have no time limit.

This quiz is to verify the individual is actively engaged in the project. This quiz will contain 3 essay-type questions and will have no time limit.

This quiz is to verify the individual is actively engaged in the project. This quiz will contain 3 essay-type questions and will have no time limit.

This quiz is to verify the individual is actively engaged in the project. This quiz will contain 3 essay-type questions and will have no time limit.

This quiz is to verify the individual is actively engaged in the project. This quiz will contain 2 essay-type questions and will have no time limit.


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