CLASSIFICATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES

Presented by: ENGR. MANUEL STEPHEN S. NATAVIO, MSCE

CLASSIFICATION OF ENGINEERING SERVICES

Services provided by Civil Engineers can be grouped into seven broad categories:
 Consultations,  Design Services for  Engineering support
research, construction projects services
investigations, and  Construction services  Academic Services
reports  Special services for  Services as employee
construction projects
The types of infrastructure under the domain of civil engineering, pursuant to RA 544, as amended include:
 Streets, bridges, highways and railroads
 Airport and hangars
 Port works, canals, river and shore improvements, light houses and dry docks
 Buildings
 Fixed structure for irrigation, flood protection, drainage, water supply and sewerage works
 Tunnels
1. CONSULTATIONS, RESEARCH, INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS

These services deal primarily with collecting, interpreting, and reporting information, together with
formulating conclusions and making recommendations. Typical services in this category are:

 Preliminary and  Assistance in Financial  Research and

Feasibility Investigations Matters Development
and Reports  Materials Engineering  Special Services
 Planning Studies and Equipment Tests
 Appraisals, Valuations  Direct Personal Services
and Rate Studies

 Preliminary and Feasibility Investigations and Reports

These services usually precede the authorization of a capital project and may involve extensive investigations,
analyses of conditions, and comparison of several possible plans.
 Planning Studies
This service may include the broad areas of developing the engineering requirements of master plans for
long-range capital improvement programs; preparation of preliminary engineering of land development plans, urban
plans, and regional plans; and investigation of environmental conditions and preparation of environmental impact
studies with subsequent engineering planning to improve or maintain exiting condition.
 Appraisals, Valuations and Rate Studies
These services may include investigations and analyses of existing conditions; capital and operating costs;
overhead costs and costs of financing; and revenues as needed to evaluate a property or to recommend
establishment of prospective rates.
  Materials Engineering and Equipment Tests
These services include test of materials and equipment under established codes and standards, specialized
examination of equipment and material used in construction and industry, and other inspections and monitoring
required by a client.
 Direct Personal Services
This includes services such as assistance in preparation for legal proceedings. Appearances before courts or
commissions to render expert opinions and conclusions, and investigations of technical matters where specialized
civil engineering knowledge, experience, and judgment is required.
 Research and Development
Research is a specialized investigation and gathering data from existing resources or through laboratory
works and processes related to the purpose and object of the research. Research and Development may cover the
following:
(a) Development of new construction materials and methods from concept to commercialization.
(b) Improvement of construction materials and methods through exhaustive studies to reduce total
construction cost and at the same time improve quality.
 Special Services
a.
Value Engineering h. Material process design n. Permit and application
b. Appraisal and valuation i. Pilot studies services
c.. Load testing j. Computer modeling 0. Expert witness
d. Environmental evaluation k. Safety engineering p. Representation of
e. Traffic Engineering l. Topographic, sounding municipal or private entities in
f. Forensic Engineering for and boundary survey engineering projects proposed for
structural and other failures m. Toxic and hazardous privatization
g. Operational assistance waste evaluation

2. DESIGN SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Civil engineering services are required for each phases of a construction project.

 6 Standard Phases of a Construction Project and the Engineering Services needed for each are:
a. Study and Report Phase
Analysis of the client’s conceptual design, conceptual opinions of probable construction cost.
b. Preliminary Design Phase
Preparations of final design criteria, preliminary drawings, outline specifications, and preliminary
opinions of probable construction cost.
c. Final Design Phase
Preparation of design calculations, construction drawings, specifications, estimated construction cost,
and other contract documents.
d. Bidding or Negotiating Phase
Assistance to the client with the biding or negotiating process for construction of the project.
e. Construction Phase
Advice and consultation on matters related to his services.
 f. Operation Phase
Assistance to the client in start-up and operation of the project, including periodic inspections.

1. Study and Report Phase

This phase involves determination of project scope and economic and technical evaluation of feasible
alternatives. This includes the ff.:

a. Reviewing available data and consulting with the client to clarify and define the client’s requirements for
the project.
b. Advising the client as to the necessity of providing or obtaining from other additional data or services and
assisting the client in obtaining such data and services. These additional services may include photogrammetry,
reconnaissance surveys, property surveys, topographic surveys, geotechnical investigations and consultations,
seismicity studies, compilation of hydrological data, traffic studies, materials engineering, assembly of zoning, deed
and other restrictive land use information, and environmental assessments and impact statements.
c. Identifying and analyzing requirements of governmental authorities having jurisdiction to approve the
design of the project and participating in consultations with such authorities.
d. Providing analysis of the clients needs, planning surveys, comparative evaluations of prospective sites and
solutions.
e. Providing a general economic analysis of the client’s requirements applicable to various alternatives.
f. Preparing a report and presenting alternative solutions available to the client with the Civil Engineer’s
findings and recommendations. The report may contain schematic layouts, sketches, conceptual design criteria with
appropriate exhibits to indicate clearly the considerations involve and the Civil Engineers conceptual opinion of
probable costs for the project.

2. Preliminary Design Phase

This phase involves the establishment of the general size and scope of the project and its location on the
selected site. The preliminary design includes:

a. Consulting with the client, reviewing preliminary reports, clarifying and defining the project requirements,
reviewing available data, and discussing general scheduling. Conferences may also be required with approving and
regulatory governmental agencies and applicable utilities.
b. Advising the client as to whether additional data or services of the type described under the study and
report phase above are required and assisting the client in obtaining such data and services.
c. Preparing preliminary design documents consisting of final design criteria, preliminary drawings, outline
specifications, and written descriptions of the project.
d. Preparing revised estimates of probable total project costs.
e. Providing periodic status reports.

3. Final Design Phase

This phase of project development is usually undertaken only after the client has approved the preliminary
design material. The basic services for the final design phase may include:
 a. Preparing construction drawings and specifications showing the character and extent of the project based
on the accepted preliminary design documents.
b. Preparing and furnishing to the client a revised estimate of probable total project costs based on the final
drawings and specifications.
c. Furnishing the necessary engineering data and assisting in the application for regulatory permits from local
or national authorities. This is distinguished from and does not include detailed applications and supporting
documents for government grants-in-aid or planning grants that would be furnished as additional services.
d. Preparing basic documents related to construction contracts for review and approval by the client. These
may include contract agreement forms, bid, instructions to bidders, insurance and bonding requirements, and other
contract-related documents.
e. Furnishing to the client specified number of copies of drawings, specifications and other documents.
f. Providing final design and construction services for design-build contracts. The engineer generally serves as
a subcontractor to a general contractor during the initial planning and design phases. Services provided by the
engineer may extend through the construction phase, as appropriate.
g. Providing periodic status reports.

4. Bidding or Negotiating Phase

Services under this phase may include:

a. Assisting the client in advertising for and obtaining bids or negotiating proposals for each separate prime
construction contract, maintaining a record prospective bidders to whom bidding documents have been issued,
attending pre-bid conferences, and receiving and processing deposits for bidding documents.
b. Issuing addenda as appropriate to interpret, clarify, expand or mend the bidding documents.
c. Assisting the client in determining the qualifications and acceptability of prospective contractors,
subcontractors and materials suppliers.
d. Consulting with and advising the client as to the acceptability of alternative materials and equipment
proposed by the prospective constructors when substitution prior to the award of contracts is allowed by the bidding
documents.
e. Attending the bid opening, preparing bid tabulation sheets and providing assistance to the client in
evaluating bids or proposals and in assembling and awarding contracts for construction, materials, equipment and
services.

5. Construction Phase

Services under this phase involve consulting with and advising the client during construction and are usually
those associated with service as the client’s representative. Most Civil Engineers are not willing to assume the
responsibilities associated with construction phase services without providing resident project representative
services at the site. Construction services may include:

a. Reviewing, for compliance with design concepts, shop and erection drawings submitted by the
constructors.
b. Reviewing laboratory, shop, and mill tests reports on materials and equipment.
c. Visiting the project site at appropriate intervals as construction proceeds to observe and report on the
progress and the quality of the executed work.
 d. Providing services during construction by a full-tie resident project representative, and by supporting staff
as required, to enable construction to be accomplished in conformance to the construction drawings, specifications,
and other contract documents.
e. Issuing instructions from the client to the contractors, issuing necessary interpretations and clarifications
of contract documents, preparing change orders, requiring special inspections and testing of the work, and making
recommendations as to acceptability of the work.
f. Making recommendations to the client on corrective actions or contractual measures that may be
exercised by the owners.
g. Preparing sketches required to resolve problems due to actual field conditions encountered.
h. Determining amounts of progress payments due, based on degree of completion of the work, and
recommending issuance of such payments by the client.
i. Observing and assisting performance tests and initial operation of the project.
j. Preparing record drawings from information submitted by the contractor.
k. Making a final inspection and reporting on completion of the project, including recommendation
concerning final payments to contractors and released of retained percentage.

6. Operation Phase

At the completion of construction, the Civil Engineer may as a basic service, assist in the start-up of project
operations. The Civil Engineer may be commissioned to prepare a manual for both operation and maintenance
requirements, and may also provide assistance in adjusting and balancing equipment, identifying deficiencies and
assisting in obtaining corrections, and performing inspection prior to the end of the project warranty period. The Civil
Engineer may assist in operator training, setting up job classifications and salaries, organizing the purchase of
supplies, developing charts for recording operational data, and observing and reporting on project operation.

3. CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

A registered Civil Engineer may engage in construction contracting after being licensed as a contractor by the
Contractors Accreditation Board. It is considered unethical for a Civil Engineer to allow his license to be used by any
other construction company except his own.

A Civil Engineer may be employed as a construction engineer, resident civil engineer, project engineer,
quality control engineer, cost engineer or engineer inspector in a project. In accordance with Section 23 of RA 544,
only registered civil engineer can take charge or supervise construction or alteration of any building or structure and
any other civil engineering works mentioned in Section 2 of the mentioned Republic Act. The Civil Engineer when
employed is similarly required to comply with the code of ethics of the profession as consulting Civil Engineer.

4.SPECIAL SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Special services required during the study, design, construction, and operation phases of a construction
project may include investigations, reports, and activities beyond the scope of the basic services. These services,
many of which are also listed earlier in this section under the category “Consultation, Investigations, and Reports,”
may relate to the client’s decisions as to the feasibility, scope, and location of the project. The research, compilation
of engineering data, and acquisition property may involve professional specialists in engineering and other fields.
 Special services that may be provided by the Civil Engineer or negotiated with other firms or subconsultants
by the Civil Engineer acting on behalf of the client could include:

 Geotechnical Engineering – including test borings, sampling and analysis, and recommendations.
 Special studies, tests, and process determinations to establish design criteria or demonstrate compliance.
 Land surveys, establishment of boundaries and monuments, preparation of easement descriptions, and
related computations and drawings.
 Engineering the topographic surveys for design and construction.
 Mill, shop, or laboratory inspections of the materials and equipment.
 Additional copies of reports, construction drawings, specifications, another documents as required for
bidding and construction beyond the number specified in the Basic Services agreement.
 Extra travel and subsistence as defined by the agreement for engineering services.
 Value Engineering – including review of the work of other engineers, either within the same organization
or in other firms to determine whether a proposed solution is optimum and, if not to suggest a better
approach for meeting the project’s functional and financial criteria.
 Redesign to reflect changes requested by he client or necessitated by the client’s acceptance of
substitutions proposed by the contractor.
 Assistance to the client as an expert witness in litigation in connection with the project or in hearings
before approving and regulatory agencies.
 Final investigations involving detailed consideration of operation, maintenance, and overhead expenses;
preparation of final rate schedules, and earning and expense statements; appraisals, valuations, and
material audits or inventories required for certification of force account construction performed by the
client of for extra work done by the contractor.
 Preparation of detailed applications and supporting documents grants or advances for public works
projects.
 Plotting, computing, and filing of subdivision plans, staking of lots, and other planning and partitioning
activities.
 Preparation of environmental assessment and impact statements and other assistance to the client in
connection with public hearings.
 Additional studies and design efforts to meet special conditions encountered during construction.
 Assistance to the client in the selection and engagement of architects, other engineers, contractors and
subcontractors, and observation and approval of their services or work; contacts with governmental
agencies to obtain permits and documents; ant other services related to project development.
 Assessment of a completed project’s ability to meet its design intent relative to capacity, maintainability,
operability, or reliability.
 Computer simulation and modeling.

5. ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

The professional services discussed above often require engineering support services. The engineering
support services in general civil engineering practice may involve drafting, land and construction surveying, and other
data gathering activities for specialized purposes. Although persons who are not civil engineers sometimes
accomplished some of this task, the procurement of adequate and correct data usually requires professional Civil
Engineering judgment and guidance. Since soundness of any engineering decision is dependent upon the accuracy
and suitability of data obtained in the field and laboratory investigations, these supporting services must be under
the guidance of the Civil Engineer whose decisions will be based upon those data.

6. ACADEMIC SERVICES

Those services involve full or part time teaching or training of prospective professionals and also the
upgrading of knowledge and skills of fellow professionals. Academic services may include:

a. Teaching of civil engineering courses in engineering colleges/universities on part/full time basis. As per
RA 8981, all subjects for licensure examinations shall be taught by persons who are holders of valid certificates of
registration/professional licenses and professional identification cards, or special temporary permits, or a valid
certificate of competency for the profession issued by the Commission, and who comply with the other requirements
of the CHED.
b. Lecturing in civil engineering courses designed b the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers for practicing
engineers who want to obtain CPD credits.
c. Conducting tutorials/refresher courses on civil engineering concepts and related subjects.
d. Serving as a Resource Speaker in Technical Session.
e. Writing technical articles and pamphlets.

7. SERVICES AS EMPLOYEE

This is a condition when a Civil Engineer engages to perform work or fulfill duties regularly for wages or salary
being paid by an employer.

A Civil Engineer may be employed for any position or function in any commercial or institutional organization.
Where he is performing civil engineering functions, he is required to follow the code of ethics for Civil Engineers and
comply with the standards and guidelines of this manual. A licensed Civil Engineers may not allow his license to be
used by the company that employs him without the proper agreement for his professional services. When the firm he
is working for uses his license to sign and seal the plans, specifications and contract document, the Civil Engineer
must charge the professional fee for said services.

A Civil Engineer in part time employment with a firm is considered to be an employee and at the same time a
consultant of the firm.
 Topics for the Reaction Paper:
1. Canons 1, 2 & 3
2. Canons 2, 3 & 4
3. Canons 3, 4 & 5
4. Canons 4, 5 & 6
5. Canons 5, 6 & 7
6. Classification of Engineering Services
7. 6 Standard Phase of Construction Project