Civil engineers plan, design, construct, operate and maintain roads, bridges, dams, water supply schemes,

sewerage systems, transportation, harbors, canals, dockyards, airports, railways, factories and large buildings.
Civil engineers may perform the following tasks:

investigate sites to work out the most suitable foundation for a proposed construction

research and advise on the best engineering solution to meet with a clients needs and budget

produce detailed designs and documentation for the construction and implementation of civil engineering
projects

organise the delivery of materials, plant and equipment needed for the construction project and supervise
labour

develop detailed programs for the coordination of site activities

talk to other engineers, architects, landscape architects and environmental scientists

assist government bodies in preparing yearly works programs within set budgets (e.g. for works on car
parks, drainage, roads, aerodromes or sewerage)

prepare engineering calculations required for the design of projects and supervise the drafting

operate computers to assist with the design of civil engineering projects

coordinate and direct research development and testing of materials, processes or systems related to civil
engineering works

research, advise on and plan the control and minimisation of air, water and solid waste pollution, and the
management of water

supervise the testing and commissioning of completed works

analyse and interpret reports on loading, labour, productivity, quality, materials and performance

analyse risks associated with natural disasters including wind, earthquake, fire and floods, and design
structures and services to meet appropriate standards

arrange for geological and geophysical investigations and carry out feasibility studies.

Specialisations:
Civil engineers usually work in one of the following areas: structural, water resources, soil and foundation, transport,
town planning or construction. A civil engineer may specialise:

Airport Engineer
An airport engineer

specialises in preparing designs for airports, hangars and control towers

supervises the construction, maintenance and repair of runways, taking into consideration factors such as
weight, size and speed of aircraft

advises contractors on technical problems during construction.

Geotechnical/Soil Engineer
A geotechnical/soil engineer

inspects proposed construction sites to work out soil and foundation conditions by conducting drilling and
sampling programs

oversees and participates in field and laboratory testing of soils, and makes sure that test equipment and
machinery is properly set up

prepares reports of test results and makes recommendations for the solution of engineering problems
identified in test reports

prepares specifications of soil mixtures for use in roads, embankments and other construction, and
calculates and advises on the required slope at cuttings and the thickness of soil dams and retaining walls.

Harbour Engineer
A harbour engineer

designs and supervises the construction of harbour facilities such as breakwaters, navigation aids,
navigation channels, jetties, wharves, heavy-duty pavement surfaces, cargo sheds and bulk handling plants for
grain, ore and other cargo

ensures that the designs satisfy safety and serviceability requirements

makes efficient use of funds and materials to achieve the safety and serviceability requirements.

Highway Engineer
A highway engineer

specialises in analysing population and growth statistics and traffic patterns and volume to project future
requirements

talks to government officials and other specialists to help design efficient and safe traffic systems

studies roadway and embankment design, the geometry of highway interchanges and the maintenance of
facilities such as culverts and overpasses.

Hydraulic/Water Resources Engineer

A hydraulic/water resources engineer

designs and supervises construction, and advises on the operation, maintenance and repair of, water
resource facilities such as dams, aqueducts, hydro-electric plants, and water supply, drainage and sewerage
systems

works on beach protection, harbour design and river control projects

manages waterways with a focus on erosion and flood protection

is concerned with environmental management including the prediction of the mixing and transport of
pollutants in surface water.

Irrigation/Drainage Engineer
An irrigation/drainage engineer

using tests and measurements, works out the characteristics of soil, such as salinity, water table level, areas
of subnormal plant growth, soil type and surface profile

calculates or estimates rates of water flow

supervises the preparation of plans showing channels, conduits, mains and ditches, and the construction of
laboratory models to study construction and flow problems.

Local Government Engineer

A local government engineer

administers and supervises the design, construction and maintenance of projects such as roads, drainage
systems, pedestrian and cycle facilities, bridges, buildings, recreation grounds, parks, waste disposal and water
treatment schemes within a local government area

talks to the community and with government departments

supervises other engineers such as those employed in design and construction, and other employees of the
council or corporation such as supervisors and building surveyors.

Materials and Testing Engineer

A materials and testing engineer

conducts research, development tests and evaluation of the quality or suitability of materials and products
related to projects

coordinates and directs the research, development and testing of materials such as asphalt, concrete, steel,
cement, timber and plastics, taking into account factors such as stresses and strains, estimated load, water
pressures, wind resistance and temperature fluctuations

advises contractors and others on materials most suited to meet individual construction requirements.

Pipeline Engineer
A pipeline engineer

specialises in preparing design proposals for pipelines and pipeline equipment, facilities and structures in
consultation with petroleum and mechanical engineers

works out a suitable layout of lines based on accurate map and surveying, and analyses operations and
maintenance costs to determine efficiency and devise improvements or innovations in the system

provides technical advice on the operation of machinery and equipment used to transport petroleum
products through pipeline systems.

Railway Engineer
A railway engineer

studies design proposals and advises on the construction, maintenance and repair of railway systems
including tracks, terminals and yards

studies the natural features of proposed routes and plans the types of rail beds, rail size and curves to meet
train speed and load requirements

conducts traffic surveys to establish suitable routes for rapid transit or urban railway systems.

Structural Engineer
A structural engineer

designs the framework of buildings, towers, bridges, water treatment structures, tunnels and other structures
to make sure of strength and rigidity

studies new materials and methods and their impact on design and construction.

Civil engineers may work in offices or spend much of their time on site. They may be required to work long hours and
meet strict deadlines while working under minimal supervision. Civil engineers deal with various professional, skilled
and semi-skilled people. Consulting and contracting engineers often travel interstate and some travel overseas. It may
be necessary for some civil engineers to change residence every few years as their work takes them from one major
engineering site to another.

Personal Requirements:

able to identify, analyse and solve problems

good oral and written communication skills

aptitude for computing and design

practical and creative

able to work without supervision

able to work as part of a team

able to accept responsibility

willing to contribute and adhere to the safety requirements of the operation.Civil engineers plan, design,
construct, operate and maintain roads, bridges, dams, water supply schemes, sewerage systems, transportation,
harbours, canals, dockyards, airports, railways, factories and large buildings.Civil engineers may perform the
following tasks:

investigate sites to work out the most suitable foundation for a proposed construction

research and advise on the best engineering solution to meet with a clients needs and budget

produce detailed designs and documentation for the construction and implementation of civil engineering
projects

organise the delivery of materials, plant and equipment needed for the construction project and supervise
labour

develop detailed programs for the coordination of site activities

talk to other engineers, architects, landscape architects and environmental scientists

assist government bodies in preparing yearly works programs within set budgets (e.g. for works on car
parks, drainage, roads, aerodromes or sewerage)

prepare engineering calculations required for the design of projects and supervise the drafting

operate computers to assist with the design of civil engineering projects

coordinate and direct research development and testing of materials, processes or systems related to civil
engineering works

research, advise on and plan the control and minimisation of air, water and solid waste pollution, and the
management of water

supervise the testing and commissioning of completed works

analyse and interpret reports on loading, labour, productivity, quality, materials and performance

analyse risks associated with natural disasters including wind, earthquake, fire and floods, and design
structures and services to meet appropriate standards

arrange for geological and geophysical investigations and carry out feasibility studies.