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Role of a Civil Engineer

Civil engineers impact people’s lives on a daily basis. They help to improve or develop the facilities and infrastructure that are used to provide and facilitate vital services across the globe; from clean water and energy to homes, to recycling sewage and waste. They are the individuals that are responsible for resolving environmental concerns, rebuilding roads and towns after natural disasters, and coming up with solutions for hard to solve problems.
The individuals who choose civil engineering as a career can build roads, bridges, tunnels, and railways. They help design complex buildings, from multiple level skyscrapers and car ports, to stadiums, airports, hospitals, and train stations.
The modern civil engineer is a superior problem solver. They depend on years of education and on-the-job training, and have a strong background in design and planning, exceptional management and leadership traits, and strong time management skills. For those with a passion for solving challenging problems and designing environmentally conscious projects to last well into the future, a career in civil engineering may be the right career choice.
Embarking on a civil engineering career path starts with exceptional IT, scientific, and mathematical skills. Candidates need to have the capacity to articulate ideas, listen to feedback from others, and have strong organization and time-management skills. Most civil engineering jobs require a minimum qualification of a post-graduate or bachelor’s degree with a focus on civil engineering.

  • There are multiple sub-divisions within the field in which you could consider specializing, including the following:Transportation including railways, roads, airports, and canals.
  • Structural including buildings, offshore pipelines and platforms, and dams.
  • Maritime such as harbours, ports, and sea defence projects.
  • Geotechnical projects including earthworks, mining, and foundations for construction projects.

It’s common for civil engineers to work with architects, building contractors, land surveyors, and other industry professionals to complete these projects. As such, a good civil engineering candidate should possess strong teamwork skills. Civil Engineers should also consider their insurance options, including Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Construction Technology in Civil Engineering

Civil engineering has been around for quite some time. In fact, the earliest human settlers used basic engineering principles to build huts from straw and mud-mixed bricks that baked and cured with heat and exposure from the sun. Ancient Roman engineers evolved their materials to lime, concrete, and volcanic rock to design the Pantheon and other historic buildings. The Egyptians built pyramids, Europeans built castles, and many other nations used these vital skills to help develop their societies.
Engineers have discovered improved ways to expand their civilizations, improve access to clean water, and design buildings today that can withstand hurricane force winds. Many of today’s buildings are made using earthquake-resistant materials and foundations, and many of them using recycled materials.

Changes in Construction Technology

The construction industry in general has faced scrutiny about its rate of innovation and efficiency. Most of these negative attitudes can be linked to techniques and procedures that date back nearly 3,000 years. While the tools, equipment, and supplies used by the construction and civil engineering industries have changed, the fundamental processes used remain relatively similar to this day.
Nevertheless, each construction project is unique, as is the process for planning. Today’s construction projects require civil engineers to implement innovative structural design and analysis, facility management, material technology, quality control, and manufacturing techniques that help improve the efficiency, sustainability, safety, quality, and longevity of infrastructure and buildings.

Types of Construction Technologies

Civil engineers need a strong grasp on multiple construction technologies in order to succeed in this industry. They may have specialist knowledge of construction disciplines including domestic, commercial, residential, industrial, civil, or heavy construction technologies. Each of the specialities requires unique training to be undertaken and techniques to be used to design, develop, and implement the construction project with success.
Many engineers prefer domestic construction projects (also referred to as residential) due to the low cost of materials and easier construction methods required. Commercial construction projects are common with government infrastructure and are more intensive regarding the necessary planning, materials, and building techniques used.

Role of Technology in Building Designs

Technology is a big factor in how civil engineers complete their jobs. In the past, civil engineers used slide-rules, surveying equipment, even completed basic soil analysis to plan and develop projects. Today, IT and AI have elevated civil engineering to an entirely new level. Building Information Modelling, or BIM, is a computerized system that collects information about construction projects and allows civil engineers to review plans with the assistance of computer technology. CAD, or computer aided design systems, help analyse the materials and techniques being used in a project to improve the efficiency and safety of procedures and the structural integrity of the building project.

Green Construction

Civil engineers today are more conscious of environmental factors than ever before. The green revolution has encouraged civil engineers to consider the environmental impacts of new projects. Buildings today are designed so as not to negatively impact the natural environment or contaminate our natural resources. Many civil engineers use recycled or environmentally friendly materials and are usually required to provide green construction reporting solutions for major infrastructure projects. They must comply with local, state, and federal regulations, and focus their efforts on coming up with creative solutions that enhance our planet’s environment.

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