Civil engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects essential for modern society. It encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including structural engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, and more.
Civil engineers play a crucial role in shaping the built environment, from designing bridges, highways, and buildings to managing water supply systems and urban infrastructure.
This introduction provides an overview of civil engineering, highlighting its significance, diverse subfields, and the impact it has on society’s development and well-being.
What Is Civil Engineering?
Civil Engineering is all about providing easy living and safe shelter to humans. Its major work includes the planning, design, and construction of facilities that we require for everyday living, industry, and transport.
It provides a wide range of career opportunities with future challenges which can include the development of airports, offshore oil platforms, bridges, roads, railways, waste collection and treatment systems, and water supply systems.
Civil engineering roles also involve solving environmental issues such as air pollution, coastal protection, and waste treatment.
Read More: Self-Healing Concrete- A New Innovation In Civil Engineering
History of Civil Engineering
It has been one of the important aspects of life since the beginning of human existence.
Civil construction evidence was found around 4000 and 2000 BC in Mesopotamia (Ancient Iraq) and Ancientigypt when humans started finding their existence, creating a need for the construction of shelter.
During this time, the need for travel and transportation from one place to another becomes important leading to the development of the wheel and sailing.
In Egypt, Pyramids were constructed around 2700-2500 BC, which are some of the first instances of large structure constructions.
An important ancient construction is the water management system unit which is 3000 years old and longer than 71 km, the Parthenon by Iktinos in Ancient Greece (447-438 BC).
Appian Way by Roman engineers (c. 312 BC) the Great Wall of China by General Meng T’ien under orders from Ch’in Emperor Shih T-Luang Ti (c. 920 BC)’ and the stupas constructed in ancient Sri Lanka like the Jetavanaramaya and the extensive irrigation works in Anuradhapura.
The Romans developed civil structures throughout their empire, including especially aqueducts, insulae, harbors, bridges, dams, and roads.
In the 18th century, the word civil engineering was used to describe all things civilian as opposed to military engineering. John Smeaton was the first civil engineer who constructed the Eddystone Lighthouse.
Smeaton and some of his cullies founded the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers and in 1818, the Institution of Civil Engineers was founded in London.
This institution for civil engineering was awarded the Royal Charter in 1828, formally recognizing civil engineering as a profession.
Read More: Top 10 Civil Engineering Site Work
What do Civil Engineers Do?
Civil engineers are the superior person in the construction of major public works projects such as buildings, highways, airports, bridges, and dams.
Civil engineers can work for a government organization or in private industries competing for government contracts.
Civil engineering is a broad branch a civil engineer can undertake, many of them specialize in a type of project or branch of the profession such as transportation engineering, structural engineering, or geotechnical engineering.
They can work in the office and also go to project sites to monitor construction. Civil engineers are the main guiding and supervising authority on the construction site.
He is responsible for checking work on-site is going according to plan and answers any questions construction superintendents raise.
A civil engineer has to submit a report of project work to governing boards and the general public. They have to write a letter, and document for the project like responses to requests for proposals, status updates, and technical reports.
Scope of Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a broad branch of engineering, it includes the study of the concept of design, construction, and maintains infrastructure systems and projects. Civil engineering has various branches, increasing the scope of civil engineering.
A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering prepares an individual to work in the construction industry as well as in managing the business and finance section. Below is a list of the main branches in the study of civil engineering:
1. The Building, Planning, and Construction
In this area of study, students are taught the methods by which construction projects are built according to the plans and specifications.
Out of all the structures, the construction of a building such as residential, schools, colleges, hospitals, government offices, industrial towers, etc. is of prime importance because of the increasing population and growth of any country.
2. Advanced Construction
This involves advanced planning and techniques for the design and construction of bigger projects like bridges, tunnels, dams, ports, power stations, etc, to ensure their stability and durability. A detailed study of this subject widens the scope of civil engineering in construction.
3. Structural Engineering
Structural analysis and designing of slabs, columns, beams, etc for construction projects which require calculation and the use of advanced computing software fall under the category of structural engineering.
4. Town Planning
Town Planning is an essential concept of dividing a town into different land use zones such as residential, commercial, recreational, and industrial zones to ensure a better environment for the people of the town.
5. Geotechnical Engineering
It is the field of civil engineering that deals with the collection and testing of soil samples. Geotechnical engineers design and construct well foundations, pile foundations, cofferdams, tunnels, caissons, and earth-related constructions.
6. Water Resources Engineering
Water Resource Engineering includes designing hydraulic structures like canals, barrages, dams, hydropower stations, pipe networks, etc to measure, utilize and develop water resources for municipal, agriculture, and power generation purpose. It also includes water harvesting techniques, watershed planning, soil conversation, etc.
7. Environmental Engineering
Due to increased human activities, it is very important to safeguard the natural world. This field deals with public health engineering and pollution control through the construction of a sewerage system, water distribution plant, and also solid waste management.
Read More: Types Of Buildings In Civil Engineering
Degree Courses In Civil Engineering
Following are degree courses in civil engineering
- B.Sc. or Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- B.E. Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering
- B.E. (Hons.) in Civil Engineering
- B.Tech. or Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering
- M.Sc./M.S. or Master of Science in Civil Engineering
- M.E. or Master of Civil Engineering
- M.Tech. or Master of Technology in Civil Engg.
- M.Phil. or Master of Philosophy in Civil Engg.
- Ph.D. or Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engg.
Diploma Courses in Civil Engineering
- Diploma in Civil Engg.
- Advanced Diploma in Civil Engg.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Civil Engg.
Certificate Courses in Civil Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
- Municipal or Urban Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
- Coastal Engineering
- Surveying
- Material Engineering
Read More: Thumb Rules For Civil Engineers
Watch Video: Best Career Options After Civil Engineering
Top Universities For Civil Engineering
An individual needs skill and hard work to be a civil engineer. Getting an opportunity to study at a good university offers the unique experience of not just boosting your educational qualifications but also equipping you with the skills necessary to meet the challenges of the industry.
Below is a list of the top universities that offer a degree in this course for civil engineering.
- University of Oxford
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- California Institute of Technology
- Princeton University
- Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
- Imperial College London
- ETH Zurich
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of California, Berkeley
- Columbia University
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Cornell University
- University of Michigan
- University of Toronto
- Tsinghua University
- Northwestern University
- National University of Singapore
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Northwestern University
- New York University
- University of Washington
- University of Edinburgh
- University of California, San Diego
- University of Melbourne
Civil Engineering Job Opportunity
Let us look at some of the job opportunities for professionals in this field:
- Construction Managers
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Architects
- Assistant Engineer
- Project Manager
- Senior Engineer
- Chief Engineer
- City Engineer
- Division Leader and Head
- Deputy Engineer
- Surveyors
- Director of Public Work
- Urban and Regional Planners
- Environmental Engineers
- Professor and Teachers
- Researcher
- Consultants
- Entrepreneurs
Civil Engineer’s Salary in Different Countries
1) Switzerland:
Average annual salary: $ 77, 438
2) Denmark:
The average annual salary happens to be: $ 72,565
3) Norway:
Average annual salary: $ 67,154
4) U.S.:
Average annual salary: $ 62, 019
5) Australia:
Average annual salary: $ 54,155
6) Canada
The average annual salary in US dollars: is $47,262
7) Germany
The average annual salary in US dollars: is $44,803
8) France
The average annual salary in US dollars: is $42,2117
9) the United Kingdom
The average annual salary in US dollars: is $40,692
10) the Netherlands
The average annual salary in US dollars: is $40,612
Future of Civil Engineering
Brother, always remember thereof a civil engineer is never going to end there.
See civil engineers are required at each n every step of the of humans like from home to office, college, school, ground through roads n Streets. Hence u can see here there are Engineers everywhere.
Every month damaged roads buildings streets dams many more structures are constructed repaired Brocken new construction has been carried out.
So u can think there’s a beautiful and heavy demand for civil engineers every time.
FAQs:
What is civil engineering?
Civil engineering is a field of engineering that focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects such as bridges, buildings, roads, and water supply systems.
What are the different subfields in civil engineering?
Civil engineering encompasses various subfields, including structural engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, environmental engineering, and construction management.
What is the scope of civil engineering?
The scope of civil engineering is vast and diverse. It includes planning, designing, and managing infrastructure projects, conducting feasibility studies, assessing structural integrity, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
What courses are offered in civil engineering?
Civil engineering programs offer courses such as structural analysis, transportation planning, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics, construction management, and environmental engineering, among others.
You May Also Like:
Pingback: Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) - Process & Importance - Civiconcepts