If you need secondary sources about engineering or construction topics, check out these databases:
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This link opens in a new windowIEEE Xplore (IEL) subscription includes full text access to: IEEE journals, magazines, and transactions (including Spectrum Magazine and the Proceedings of the IEEE); IET journals and magazines; Proceedings from IEEE and IET annual conferences; more than 3,700 approved and published IEEE standards in key technology fields; access to Bell Labs Technical Journal and VDE Verlag conferences.
This link opens in a new windowA dynamic online resource that provides over 300 titles covering all aspects of engineering. Please be sure to follow site instructions to get full-contact access.
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This link opens in a new windowCovers diverse environmental topics, such as: agriculture, environmental law and technology, ecology, pollution and waste management and renewable energy.
This link opens in a new window This link opens in a new window This link opens in a new window This link opens in a new windowCovers all disciplines of business, including: marketing, management, accounting, finance, and economics. Additional content includes: market research reports, industry reports, country reports, company profiles and SWOT analyses.
For a complete list of resources on these topics, go to:
Some design projects will involve renovation of existing buildings or design of new buildings. Information for architectural design best practices of building interiors can be found in:
The library also has titles on building renovation practices:
Structural Rehabilitation of Old Buildings
Building Evaluation for Adaptive Reuse and Preservation
Sustainable Retrofitting of Commercial BuildingsGoogle Tips and Tricks
1. Add site:.ca to search for Canadian content. This works for other domains too, such as .gc.ca for Canadian government or.edu for colleges and universities.
2. Use the minus sign (-) in place of NOT to remove results with a certain word.
3. Like in Library Search, use Quotes (" ") to find phrases, such as "Southern Alberta Institute of Technology" or "Repetitive Strain Injury".
4. Use the Advanced Search. The Advanced Search will make it easier to break up your concepts and search strategically.
5. Evaluate critically. Be careful about using any result you find online, as there may be bias, issues with credibility, and sometimes just downright lies. Evaluate your information using RADAR.
Need scholarly research, conference proceedings, patents, and more? Try Google Scholar
Need just patents? Try Google Patents
If you need a reminder about using the library's search tools, watch this short video
Access construction & engineering standards via the Library:
The National Building Code and derivatives (National Electrical, Energy, and Fire codes as well as Alberta versions of the codes) are available as a free download for personal use. The NRC has made it very easy, with a direct download option from their archive:
As well, the NRC is now offering free electronic access to the related user’s guides, including:
You can find demographic, geographic, and economic data via various government agencies:
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) classifies businesses in the same industry with a common code. Learn more and find definitions on the Statistics Canada website. The following codes may be useful for your project:
541330 - Engineering Services
2379 - Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
