MODULE 3

CURRENT FIELDS OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

INTRODUCTION
Civil engineering is a very popular branch of the engineering sector. Civil engineers
are expected to work in planning, building and maintaining various public structures.
These structures include everything from public roads to buildings, urban centres to
earthquake-resistant structures.

Civil engineering includes the design, construction, maintenance of different types

of buildings and structures. A civil engineer can directly work for the city or the community,
or they may work under a private firm that has been hired by the city. Their main work
involves planning the creation of various important physical structures such as roads,
bridges, tunnels, buildings, transportation networks, and more.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Learn the different fields of civil engineering
2. Understand their roles and duties in their respective fields

KEY/CONCEPTS:

Construction Engineering
This civil engineering branch deals with the planning, construction and
maintenance of structures.
Construction engineering is the planning and execution of designs from site
development, environmental, structural, transportation and structural engineers.
Construction engineers will supervise fieldwork during the entire project. They are
in a sense a cross between an engineer and manager as they will oversee the
 project from start to finish and handle any problems that come up throughout the
duration of the project.

Role of Civil Engineer in the construction site

A civil engineer in the construction field plays various roles. As a construction
engineer, he or she can play the role of a field engineer or site engineer.

Field Engineer is typically based in the site office while a site engineer spends
most of the time supervising the site operations.

Civil Site Engineer Responsibilities

1. Interpretation of Drawing
Interpretation of drawing means reading the drawing. The job of a civil engineer
is to analyze the drawing given. Construction drawings are of different types such
as plan, section, and elevation. The civil engineer must understand the details
given in the plan and work according to the dimensions given in the drawing.
2. Preparing Bar Bending Schedule

This is a very important sheet that a civil engineer needs to study as well as make.
It is called BBS sheet in short. In BBS, how much steel does required, what
diameter has to be, what is its cutting length, how much is its total weight, how is
its bending shape, all such details are given in it?

Civil engineers give the cutting length and its number and steelworker so they can
do the steel cutting and bend accordingly. BBS also helps in preparing the bill of
work.
This is most important Civil Site Engineer Responsibilities on Construction Site.

3. Allotting Work to Labors

It is also the job of a civil engineer to work on the labor that is on the site and tell them
what work to do and for how long to do what right material to use.

Labor is very lazy until they are told they work. And if the labor is not told properly, then it
can also cause huge losses, so the civil engineer needs to stand by and monitor the work.

4. Supervision of Construction Work

It is very important to monitor the work that is going on at the construction site, it is very
important for any civil engineer to check whether the work is going on at the site,
according to the drawings, which has been done according to what was said.
5. Preparing Schedule of Material Used and Available

How much material is available on the site, how much material has come, the details of it
should be with the civil engineer. For such information, the civil engineer makes the
material within which the material used and how much material is left is detailed.

This is most important Civil Site Engineer Responsibilities on Construction Site.

6. Plotting Line – Level on Construction Site

It is also the responsibility of the civil engineer to see whether the work is done on the
side is being done according to the guided line level, if friends do anything wrong then
repairing the concrete and the construction is very expensive. For this, checking the line
level is very important.

7. Preparing Work Chart Schedule

It is very important to create a work chart schedule at any construction site. By reading
the work chart schedule, we can find out how much work has been done and how much
work is yet to be done and we also know whether the work has been done or not. We can
set Goals by preparing a work chart schedule and we can work accordingly.
8. Checking Steel Work of Slab, Beam, & Column Before Concreting

It is the responsibility of the civil engineer to check the steel installed in it before any
concrete is done. For example checking of steel used in the slab, column, and beam, etc.
civil engineer has to check the details like the specified diameter of steel bar used or not,
the number of bars, the spacing of bar, and the proper cover are provided to a section or
not.

9. Checking & Arranging Equipment Before Concreting Work Starts

Before starting any concreting, it is necessary to prepare all the things in advance.
Checking whether the machine-like vibrator used in the concreting is available on the site,
if it goes off then it is a backup must be available for continuous work.
10) Supervision Of The Curing Process

After the completion of concrete work, it is very important to cure it. If not properly cured,
then cracks can be read in the concrete, then it becomes the responsibility of the civil
engineer that starts the curing process as soon as concreting work is completed.

11. Keeping Note of Each and Every Casting Work

Concrete used in m3

Formwork Quantity

Steel Quantity used

Labor used

Material used

12. Much Other Work

Steel Record ( Available Steel and used Steel Record)

Preparing Concrete Record.

Labour Muster

Preparing Bill of Quantity

Preparing and Sending Daily Process Report to Higher Authority

Structural Engineering

This branch of civil engineering encompasses the structural analysis and design
of structures.

Structural engineering — a specialty within the field of civil engineering — focuses

on the framework of structures, and on designing those structures to withstand the
stresses and pressures of their environment and remain safe, stable and secure
throughout their use. In other words, structural engineers make sure that buildings
don't fall down and bridges don't collapse.

It is the responsibility of the structural engineer to analyze and design a structure

that will safely bear or resist the stresses, forces and loads. The design must satisfy
the project specifications while meeting all safety regulations. The structure must
endure massive loads as well as natural disasters and climate changes.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

• Perform structural design and analysis calculations using governing codes and
standards, engineering formulas, skills, and experience.

• Layout and details portions of projects using schematic layout by project lead engineer.
May be assigned responsibility for schematic or conceptual layouts when qualified.

• Provide drawing for own designs and produce sketches to incorporate in drawings by
Designers/Drafters.

• Research design options and document findings for project lead engineer.

• Review shop drawings.

• Assume the lead engineer’s role on assigned projects.

• May serve as Project Engineer and as a designated Client contact on smaller, less
complex projects.

• Develop probable construction cost estimates for his/her projects within the department.

• May direct and supervise other Designers/Drafters activities.

• Coordinate work with other disciplines such as architectural, mechanical, electrical, etc.

• Handle routine contract administration.

• Use computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to prepare

engineering design documents.

• Attend and participate in Client meetings.

• Perform field activities such as observe and record existing field conditions, take and
verify measurements within project area.

• Organize, draft, and coordinate technical documents.

• Capable and experienced in managing and performing projects in a fast paced

environment.
Geotechnical Engineering

In geotechnical engineering, the studies of a civil engineer include soil, foundations,

bearing capacities etc.

The engineer will study the behavior of the earth materials and how they will affect a
structure that is to be constructed.

They will also evaluate pre-existing structures that are showing signs of problems with
the earth materials under or near the structure.
Geotechnical engineering is the study of the behavior of soils under the influence of
loading forces and soil-water interactions. This knowledge is applied to the design of
foundations, retaining walls, earth dams, clay liners, and geosynthetics for waste
containment.

SCOPE OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

Soil Engineering has vast application in the construction of various civil engineering
works. Some of the important applications are as under.

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Every civil engineering structure, whether it is building, bridge or a dam is founded on or

below the surface of the earth. Foundation are required to transmit the load of structure
to soil safely and efficiently.
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When sufficient space is not available for a mass of soil to spread and form a safe slope,
a structure is required to retain the soil.

An earth retaining structure is also required to keep the soil at different levels on its either
side.

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If soil surface is not horizontal , there is a component of weight of soil which tends to move
it downwards and that causes instability of slopes. The slope may be natural or man-
made. Soil engineering provides the methods for checking the stability of slopes.
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The design and construction of underground structure, such as tunnels, shafts, conduits
require evaluation of forces exerted by the soil on theses structures. The forces are
discussed in soil engineering.

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A pavement is hard crust placed on soil subgrade for the purpose of providing a smooth
and strong surface on which vehicles can move. The pavement consists of surfacing such
as a bitumen layer, base and [Link] behaviour of subgrade under various
conditions of loading and environmental changes is studied in soil engineering.
[Link] dam

Earth dams are huge structures in which soil is used as a construction material. The earth
dams are built for creating water reservoirs. Design of earthen dam requires a knowledge
of soil engineering

ROLES OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Transportation. Geotechnical engineers are responsible to ensure that roads, highways

and railroads are properly designed and maintained to ensure their longevity.
Deep Foundation. All buildings, high rise structures, bridges, towers, antennas and
essentially everything you see around has a foundation that is carefully designed by a
geotechnical engineer to transfer the loads to the ground.

Landslides. Geotechnical engineers are responsible to design excavations so that they

remain stable a.s stabilize natural slopes that may threaten public safety

Underground structures. Geotechnical engineers are responsible for the design and
construction of tunnels, subways and underground facilities that are used in subways,
underground highways, railroads, waterways and waste storage.

Dams. Geotechnical engineers are responsible for the design, construction, maintenance
and monitoring of thousands of dams that are providing water storage and leisure areas
to millions.

Surface Characterization. Geotechnical engineers perform a variety of tests on site or

the laboratory to characterize the subsurface conditions. That way, the properties of the
soils and rocks are characterized, softer soils, fractured rocks, faults, caverns and
sinkholes can be identified before building at the surface.

Landfills. Geotechnical engineers are involved in the design of landfills to ensure that
solid waste is isolated from the environment and that public health is protected. Modern
landfills are sophisticated engineered infrastructure systems that have very few
similarities to waste dumps.

Offshore structures. Geotechnical engineers are responsible for the stability of

foundations of offshore platforms and energy facilities that are used for oil and gas
extraction as well as wind power.

Deep excavations. Geotechnical engineers are responsible to ensure the stability of

deep excavations by shoring. Such shoring system allow the execution of deep
excavation in urban areas which is vital for construction of underground metros,
drainages, subways in the middle of a city adjacent to existing subways structures or
infrastructures.
Ground improvement and soil stabilization. Geotechnical engineers use principles of
physics and chemistry to modify the characteristics and properties of the subsurface so
that it can support civil infrastructure that it would not be able otherwise.

Sour and Erosion. Soil tends to erode when subjected to natural processes, and
especially in extreme weather that may involve, rainfall, snowfall, tornadoes,

hurricanes and floods. Geotechnical engineers devise strategies to mitigate against scour
and erosion.

Contamination and Site Remediation. Geotechnical engineers are commonly engaged

in the cleanup or remediation of sites that have been contaminated and represent a health
to the environment. Geoenvironmental engineersuse numerous techniques to remove the
contaminants from the ground many times, without even excavating the ground.
Water Resource Engineering

These engineers deal with the design and construction of hydraulic structures.

These structures include dams, canals and water distribution system.

The engineer is responsible for the design of the structure as well as the implementation
and safety precautions that must be closely adhered to when dealing with hydraulic
structures

Water resources engineering is the study and management of equipment, facilities and
techniques that are used to manage and preserve life’s most plentiful resource. In addition
to assessing how and the best ways in which to control water as it pertains to water-
related activities – such as irrigation, waste disposal and canal development – water
resource engineers are also frequently involved in water management to ensure that it’s
safe to drink both for humans, plants and animal usage.

Water resource engineers may be tasked with the awesome responsibility of ensuring
that the planning and management of available water supply are adequately leveraged
and remain safe to use for as long as possible. They may also be involved in water
treatment so that the quality of water is improved upon for various end uses, whether
that’s recreationally, commercially or industrially.

Why is water resources engineering important?

Resources, by their very nature, are finite. There are only a small handful that are naturally
renewable – such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass. While water may be renewable in
terms of the many different ways it can be used and reused, it’s not as abundant as it
once was, which many earth scientists and climatologists point to as a function of climate
change.

Water resource engineers may be charged with developing new systems or processes
for private or government entities that can preserve freshwater sources and find new
ones. This may require the assistance of civil engineers involved as well, designing water
purification methods through desalination or creating new equipment for contaminant
transport when water is used for irrigation purposes. Understanding what works and what
doesn’t when it comes to water resource management is often a combined effort and may
involve a number of different analyses, including hydrologic, which is the study of the
water cycle and directions in which it flows, which may be influenced by weather and
other environmental forces.

ROLES OF A WATER RESOURCE ENGINEERING

• Conduct feasibility studies for the construction of facilities, such as water supply
systems, run-off collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or
wastewater collection systems.
• Research advanced engineering designs or applications
• Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or
computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
• Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
• Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
• Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or
performance.
• Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for
the collection of wastewater.
• Design industrial processing systems.
• Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including
advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift
stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems,
aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.
• Design civil structures or systems.
• Analyze storm water or floodplain drainage systems to control erosion, stabilize
river banks, repair channel streams, or design bridges.
• Analyze physical, survey, or geographic data.
• Design water distribution systems for potable or nonpotable water.
• Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance
with government standards.
• Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
• Identify design alternatives for the development of new water resources.
• Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water well
• Perform hydraulic analyses of water supply systems or water distribution networks
to model flow characteristics, test for pressure losses, or to identify opportunities
to mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency.
• Gather and analyze water use data to forecast water demand.
• Design water storage tanks or other water storage facilities.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses for the construction of water supply systems, run-
off collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater
collection systems.
• Analyze and recommend chemical, biological, or other wastewater treatment
methods to prepare water for industrial or domestic use.
• Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater
treatment systems.
• Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
• Write technical reports or publications related to water resources development or
water use efficiency.
• Design sludge treatment plants
• Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources.
• Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
• Provide technical support on water resource or treatment issues to government
agencies.
• Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.
• Design water run-off collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply
system networks.

• Perform hydrological analyses, using three-dimensional simulation software, to

model the movement of water or forecast the dispersion of chemical pollutants in
the water supply
• Oversee the construction of decentralized or on-site wastewater treatment
systems, including reclaimed water facilities.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Analyze the efficiency of water delivery structures, such as dams, tainter gates,
canals, pipes, penstocks, or cofferdams.
• Perform mathematical modeling of underground or surface water resources, such
as floodplains, ocean coastlines, streams, rivers, or wetlands.
What does a civil engineer do in the water resources sector?

Water resource engineers are employed by organizations right across the water industry.
Water suppliers abstract water from the environment, treat it to the required standard and
distribute it to household and non-household customers. Engineering and hydrological
consultancies and research bodies offer services to assist other organizations in planning
and managing water resources.

In the broader field, water resource engineers advise on sustainable use of resources by
conserving water, building dams and conveying water to users. Their planning ensures
holistic, integrated management of water which balances the needs of nature with those
of users.

Wherever the water resources engineer works, he or she will utilize a number of
fundamental skills and specialisms:

• Analysis of observed data

• Development of conceptual and numerical models of the hydrological cycle
• Design and development of plans using industry standard methodologies
• Feasibility and option analysis
• Technical and commercial reporting
• Public consultation and presentation
• Options appraisal including cost estimation
• Programme and/or project management
• Assessment of uncertainty and risks including extreme events e.g. floods and
droughts
• Root cause analysis and problem solving
• Analytical review of peers’ work
• Advising on best management of water in its natural state
What is enjoyable about the role?

The work you do as a water resources engineer is vital, making a real difference to
people’s lives and to the environment, whether you are working or further a field. Your
work impacts on hundreds of thousands of people, sourcing water and supplying it to
homes, farmland and other businesses. This can be extremely rewarding, especially
in developing countries where reliable sources of water may be scarce.

Within the sector you will meet and work with a variety of people, including clients,
contractors and consultants, all of whom work closely in the planning, delivery and
management of water resource projects. You will also work with other key
stakeholders such as government, local authorities, landowners, regulatory bodies
and members of the public. You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and in
partnership with other engineers and specialists to deliver projects.

The water resources industry is filled with opportunities to work across the globe due
to its universal reach. Major world issues such as climate change and urbanization
are presenting greater challenges than ever – from providing irrigation water to
farmers in the developing world to building resilience into water and wastewater
networks, in some of the most advanced water systems ever constructed.
Transportation Engineering

Civil engineers that specialize in transportation engineering will work with the planning,
construction and management of transportation facilities.

They will design and implement the infrastructures that deal with transportation in
order to provide a safe, comfortable, convenient, economical and environmentally
compatible mode of transport.

Transportation engineering is a branch of civil engineering that is involved in the

planning, design, operation, and maintenance of safe and efficient transportation
systems. These systems include roadways, railways, waterways, and intermodal
operations. Typically, the demand is the amount of traffic (people, cars, railcars,
barges) that is expected to use a particular transportation facility, while the supply is
the quantity and type of infrastructure components (roadways, bridges, pavements,
etc.). These systems are typically large and expensive.

Importance of the Transportation Engineering:

Transportation plays a vital role in the overall development of the nation. The
importance of transportation engineering are as follows

Transportation helps in the economic, social, and commercial development of the

nation.

Transportation also helps in the cultural as well as political development of the country.

Transportation has to connect two countries or areas with each other and improve the
employment opportunities.

Transportation improves the import and export of the country and helps in the
industrial development throughout the nation.
What Do Transportation Engineers Do?

Transportation engineer plays a vital role in the efficient payment of traffic from one
place to another place.

To become a Transportation engineer generally requires a bachelor’s degree in Civil

Engineering advanced degree in Transportation engineering.

Transport engineers design and maintain the whole Transportation system which
allows the people vehicles and goods to travel safely from one place to another place.

The roles and responsibilities of Transport engineers are as follows.

To develop the various Transportation strategies for the efficient movement of Traffic.
To plan, design, and develop the transportation systems, which include traffic signal
systems.

To develop and maintain traffic systems and processes.

To prepare the administrative-technical and statistical reports on the traffic operations.

To analyze and evaluate traffic impact when building transport.

To prepare the project budget schedules and specifications for the materials.

To evaluate construction project materials with environmental standards.

To prepare to estimate the various construction of the transportation projects.

To make and execute traffic management plans.

To implement cost-efficient technologies in the Transportation system.

To evaluate the traffic control devices and determine the need of its modification and
expansion

To integrate safety procedures and Standards in transport operations.

Transport engineers develop the final project layouts drawings, which include different
details of the Transportation system.

The Transportation engineers inspect the complete transportation projects to ensure

the safety and compliance of the standards and regulations.

To review the various development plants in order to determine the potential traffic
impact.
Civil Engineering Transportation

A Transportation Engineer (Civil) performs engineering work involving plans, designs,

details and maintenance of transportation systems, in whole or in part, that may
include land, rail, freeways, roads, airports, ramps, hydraulics, sanitary facilities,
bridges, nonstandard major structures or transportation-related.

Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineers are the technical professionals who identify and design
solutions for environmental problems. Environmental Engineers provide safe drinking
water, treat and properly dispose of wastes, maintain air quality, control water
pollution, and remediate contaminated sites due to spills or improper disposal of
hazardous substances. They monitor the quality of the air, water, and land, and they
develop means to protect the environment.

Environmental engineers seek solutions to environmental challenges that impact the

health and well-being of society and the environment. The technical skills
environmental engineers learn are used to develop strategies and technologies to
treat and protect the quality of air, water and earth. Environmental engineers also
address emerging global challenges such as the impact of climate change on
communities and ecosystems. The Zachry Department of Civil & Environmental
Engineering is dedicated to equipping students with the skills to be future leaders in
this discipline.

What do environmental engineers do?

Environmental engineers apply their broad understanding of engineering and the

sciences, such as chemistry, biology, soil science and more, to improve human and
ecological health through impactful engineering applications. They are involved in
ensuring good air quality, controlling water pollution and remediation of wastes at
contaminated sites. They also develop the means to protect the environment and
ensure environmental sustainability. Environmental engineers recognize the global
impact that local actions can have on people and their environments.
Air Pollution Control

As an environmental engineer, you might be tasked with preventing and repairing

various types of air pollution. For example, you may conduct research to find ways of
removing contaminants and dangerous emissions from the air. Your duties could also
include monitoring air pollution production and dispersal rates.

Water Reclamation

Your expertise can also include developing methods of water conservation and
reclamation. This may include creating artificial wetlands and decontaminating water
for consumption. You might also specialize in wastewater or storm water
management. As such, your responsibilities could include designing new municipal
water treatment facilities or managing an existing system.

Land Preservation

In the field of solid waste disposal, you design and upgrade recycling facilities and
landfills. For example, you might develop new technologies to capture methane from
capped landfills for use in green power plants. You may also work with real estate
developers and civil engineers to determine any potential environmental impacts
caused by development and municipal-growth projects.

Hazardous Material Management

As an environmental engineer, you may be responsible for controlling hazardous or

toxic materials. This can include minimizing the environmental impact of radiation and
hazardous chemicals. You may also develop ways to remediate areas damaged by
hazardous spills or research ways to neutralize toxic materials before disposal.
STUDENT ACTIVITY:

Search for different structures made by civil engineers in their respective fields of
specialization. Include pictures of their designs and notable works.

REFERENCES:

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civil-engineering-role-is-right-for-you/career-profile-water-resources-engineering

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