A civil engineer is a professional particularly concerned with the planning, building, and maintenance of massive systems or projects. They are responsible for the overall progress of a project from its starting till the end.Â
Civil engineering is simply the practice of designing and constructing systems and structures that support your day-to-day activities. A great percentage of civil engineers emphasize on extending the access to basic needs. These are water or electrical supplies, or moving goods from one place to another.Â
Read ahead to learn more about the exciting field of civil engineering and how to pursue a career in this area.
What Do Civil Engineers Perform?
They undertake site and do risk assessments to ensure that measures put in place are effective in achieving safety. With their structural abilities, they see the completion of structures by checking on the buildings to make sure they conform to engineering building codes.
Plan and Design
They explore and evaluate the particular site intended or determined for a certain construction. They follow the particular demands of a project like the means of transportation, sources of water, and the building of houses.
Civil engineers incorporate plans for the construction work by planning every aspect, even materials comprising construction drawings and up-to-date calculations.
They regularly need to coordinate and communicate with other engineers, architects and project participants in order to achieve total compliance and approval of the proposed designs.
Construction Management
Civil engineers direct construction projects in accordance with the design and detailed specifications. They check all the costs involved in different aspects of the project, so they have to manage financial resources and keep track of the project’s total cost.
A civil engineer also has to plan the works, so as to create and control the schedule. They also carry out quality control through projects and make sure it conforms to the necessary building regulations. A civil engineer also looks into staffing and managing subcontractors on the job.
Structural Engineering
Civil engineering encompasses the analysis of loads and pressures involved in structures like buildings, bridges and dams. There is a need to design load bearing structural elements, such as beams, columns and foundations.
When performing this activity, civil engineers should think about the choice of the materials for construction, taking into account all of the properties such as strength, density, materials costs and durability.
Traffic Engineering
Another role of a civil engineer is the provision of engineering designs for transportation facilities such as roads, junctions, and parking areas. They have to prepare a plan for the improvement of operating transportation systems, including roads, highways, bridges, and public transport.Â
Traffic patterns and traffic movement are being observed by civil engineers in order to understand potential congestion problems and develop solutions.
Environment and Sustainable engineering
Environmental engineering is also a part of civil engineering. A civil engineer has to prepare sustainable design and incorporate environmentally friendly practices into project design, such as energy efficiency and water conservation.
They also develop measures to prevent and mitigate pollution from construction and infrastructure operations. Managing waste and implementing strategies for the proper disposal and recycling of construction waste is a core responsibility of a civil engineer.
What Are Requirements And Skills Of A Civil Engineer?
Becoming a civil engineer takes more than just education – a combination of skills and certifications is also necessary. Most entry level positions would require that one has at least a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
Project management skills are, however, very essential, in addition to the basic building engineering concepts. Such experience, combined with a professional engineering license further reinforces their reliability and authority.
A civil engineer requires following technical skills apart from formal degree-
- Strong math and science skills, especially in calculus, physics, and mechanics.
- A complete know how of software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D or similar.
- Knowledge of engineering principles and standards.
- Ability to analyze data and solve complex problems.
Not only technical skills but soft skills are equally important for a civil engineer.Â
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
- Project management skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work effectively in teams
- Leadership skills
Apart from these, you can also look for some certifications that help to develop specialized skills for being a civil engineer. Certified environmental professional (CEP), Certified construction manager (CCM) will give you an edge in the competition.Â
 What Are Specialied Fields For A Civil Engineer?
Based on what you enjoy and what you are good at, several career choices are still available. In order to gain practical experience in civil engineering, you have to start with an internship first. Here's a list of typical career paths for a civil engineer.
- Project Engineer- is responsible for coordinating the planning, design and construction of civil engineering works.
- Structural Engineer – is for professionals engaged in architectural designs, particularly construction of buildings, bridges, dams and tributary structures.
- Transportation Engineer- develops transport policies and strategies, engages in designing and managing transport systems, roads, highways, and other means of transport.
- Environmental Engineer - is an engineer who brings out chemistry and engineering principles in devising and implementing strategies for waste water treatment or pollution control.
- Geotechnical Engineer- analyze or assess the soil and rock’s characteristics and physical conditions in order to ensure the safety of a certain structure.
- Construction Manager – Day to day construction activities and projects are overseen by a construction manager.
- Engineering Manager - who leads teams of engineers and monitors engineering projects.
- Engineering Consultant - provide expert advice and services to clients.
- Professor- teaches civil engineering classes at a college or university.
Conclusion
Civil engineering is often referred to as one of the most crucial disciplines of engineering because they basically design the infrastructure. Civil engineers are the ones who construct the roads and highways, bridges and buildings to be built and where people live and work.Â
Civil engineers are an integral part in the formation of any society as they take most of the time from designing to planning, building, and even maintaining.
Their share of responsibility is important towards safety, comfort, and even more economic engagement.Â
So, the next time you are on a smooth and straight roadway or like the fine structure of a high-rise building, just appreciate the civil engineers who made it happen.