Civil engineering is the world’s oldest engineering field, and arguably its most important. Civil engineering services are required in countries across the globe, in all types of environments and in cities big and small. So what exactly does a civil engineer do? Advance Survey & Engineering answers this question today.
What Is a Civil Engineer?
A civil engineer is someone who designs and supervises the construction of various municipal works: buildings, roads, and tunnels, as well as dams and water/sewage systems. This profession has been vital since the dawn of civilization, in terms of preparing/adapting a city for population growth, ensuring a constant water supply, facilitating waste disposal in order to optimize community health, and much more.
What Does a Civil Engineer Do?
Upon hearing the term “civil engineer”, many people automatically think about buildings and bridges. But while the design and construction of these things is certainly important, civil engineering finds applications in a variety of work environments. The aerospace industry is one example, where civil engineers spearhead the realization of jetliners, satellites, and space stations. Another example is the automotive industry, in which civil engineers work to optimize a vehicle’s performance, carrying capability, and safety.
In virtually all of these settings, a civil engineer works as part of a larger team that’s tasked with completing a project, the three main phases of which are 1) design, 2) planning, and 3) construction. Along with civil engineers, the project team consists of architects, surveyors, construction managers, landscape architects, and urban planners. A civil engineer collaborates closely with these team members while at the same time dedicating himself to designing/planning, presenting proposals, creating budgets, assessing needs and priorities, and making client-requested revisions.
In Which Other Industries Are Civil Engineers Prominent?
As mentioned earlier, civil engineers work in a variety of different settings beyond those of a municipal nature – so many, in fact, that there are a variety of sub-segments that combine civil engineering expertise and other disciplines. For example:
Construction Engineering
A construction engineer works on residential and commercial building projects. Responsibilities include planning the construction process, supervising the actual construction, and inspecting the building upon completion. Construction engineers are also responsible for estimating a project’s feasibility and cost.
Architectural Engineering
This sub-segment has much in common with construction engineering, but focuses more on aesthetics: that is, the project design and management that focuses on functionality, style, and sustainability. Architectural engineers possess not just considerable knowledge of buildings and structures, but also extensive creative abilities.
Environmental Engineering
This sub-category of civil engineering is concerned with the implementation of engineering practices and solutions that optimize the quality of the surrounding land, water, and air. Emphasis is placed on not just protecting but also improving the environment via innovative means of addressing noise, waste management, and pollution.
Hydraulic Engineering
As the name implies, hydraulic engineering is rooted in water infrastructure, as well as sewage design and solutions for water storage and transportation (i.e. dams, canals, lakes, and channels). Part and parcel to this profession is the design of hydraulic-powered machinery and specific structures that can hold up under significant water pressure.
Your Full-Service Civil Engineering Firm
Advance Survey & Engineering offers broad expertise in a variety of different engineering surveys and services, from home surveys and topographic surveys to leveling, FEMA/flood elevation surveys, and property division. Contact us today and let’s get started together on your next construction project.