Among all the branches of engineering, civil engineering holds paramount importance when it comes to the field of construction. Despite being the oldest known type of engineering, the relevance of civil engineering has remained constant throughout.
Not only does civil engineering come in use while building structures, its role is equally vast in the stages of designing and maintenance, that come before and after the construction stage respectively. Here we discuss the wide and indispensable. scope of civil engineering in the construction industry.
What do civil engineers do?
The major job of civil engineers is to develop infrastructure. They are responsible for designing and building structures with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of life of people. They also need to ensure that the structures are safe for public use and serve the function they are intended for, and administer proper maintenance so that the structures remain usable and safe over time.
So what do civil engineers exactly build? If we look around, we will notice the overarching impact of civil engineering on our immediate environment. From residential and commercial buildings to roads and bridges, from dams to sewage systems, civil engineers contribute to the development of all these structures and more.
Subtypes of civil engineering
Let us now have a look at what are the specialised branches of civil engineering to understand the skill sets of different types of civil engineers.
Structural engineering
Structural engineering is the branch of civil engineering that deals with the optimisation of the basic units of the structure being built. This ensures that the strength and safety aspects of the structure are not compromised during the process of construction.
For example: it is the responsibility of structural engineers to ensure that bridges can carry enough load without collapsing and buildings are resilient to environmental factors and calamities like earthquakes.
Transportation engineering
As the name suggests, this branch of civil engineering deals with the design and construction of transport infrastructure. From roadways to airways, transportation engineering is a requisite in every transport system. Not only are transportation engineers responsible for building and maintaining roads, highways and bridges, they also construct railway lines and airports.
Environmental engineering
Environmental engineering is the subtype of engineering that largely deals with aspects of sustainability with the goal of making the living environment better for the public and improving their overall health. Such engineers work on tasks like waste management, pollution control and wastewater treatment to provide more efficient and safe systems.
Geotechnical engineering
Geotechnical engineering is the field that deals with evaluating the quality of rocks and soil to ensure that the surrounding environment is suitable for construction purposes. Moreover, geotechnical engineers also undertake the all-important responsibility of designing a strong foundational base under the ground for the structure being built.
Water resources engineering
Water resource engineers work on aspects like water supply and distribution systems and on the reduction of damage caused due to water-related calamities. They are also responsible for the optimal maintenance of waterworks infrastructure such as canals, dams and reservoirs.
How are civil engineers significant in the construction industry?
Civil engineers play a crucial role in every step of the construction process. Be it planning the design or risk management, the knowledge of civil engineering is necessary at all times while developing any kind of structure.
Before the commencement of construction, civil engineers are required to chart proper plans, budget and schedule to make sure that the project is executed in the most efficient and feasible way. Further, they are also involved in the designing of the structure according to safety standards and environmental regulations.
They also act as a liaison between the various departments executing the project, such as construction workers, contractors and resource providers. In a way, it is the responsibility of civil engineers to oversee the entire construction process and make sure that quality is not compromised.
See also: 20 civil engineering apps used in construction
FAQs
What do civil engineers do?
Civil engineers are responsible for the designing and construction of structures. They are involved at every stage of the construction starting from the planning till the maintenance.
What are the branches of civil engineering?
The main branches of civil engineering include structural engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering and water resource engineering.
Which is the most common branch of civil engineering?
Structural engineering is the most common branch of civil engineering.
Are civil engineers required during the construction of residential buildings?
In case of residential buildings, civil engineers are involved in planning of the structural aspects and ensuring that safety standards are maintained.
What is the difference between civil engineers and architects?
Civil engineers mainly work on the structural and functional aspects of buildings, whereas architects are involved with spatial planning and designing.
Are civil engineers government employees?
Civil engineers can work either in the public sector or in the private sector.
Do civil engineers need a professional licence for practise?
Yes, civil engineers require a licence to practise their profession which can be attained only by qualifying the eligibility criteria set by the Engineering Council of India (ECI).
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