Introduction to Civil Engineering

• Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline focused on the design, construction, and maintenance of both physical and naturally built environments.
• Civil engineering is divided into sub-disciplines: structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, environmental, construction, and surveying.
• Civil engineering projects take place in the public sector, from municipal to national governments, and the private sector, from individual homeowners to international companies.

History

• Civil engineering is the second-oldest engineering profession after military engineering.
• Civil engineering goes back to 4000-2000 BC in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (modern Iraq). At this time, humans began settling down, creating a necessity for shelter construction.
• Transportation developed with the invention of the wheel and sailing.
• The Nile River levee construction around 4000 BC is an early example of civil engineering.
• Ancient civilizations: Notable early examples of civil engineering include the Qanat water management systems in ancient Persia; the Great Pyramid of Giza (circa 2560 BC), the Pharos of Alexandria (280 BC), the Great Wall of China (220 BC), ancient road systems (including the Roman roads), temples, and harbors.
• Roman Civil Engineering: Romans constructed aqueducts, insulae, harbors, bridges, dams, and roads.
• John Smeaton was the first self-proclaimed civil engineer.
• In 1771, Smeaton formed the Society of Civil Engineers, which became the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers after his death.
• The term civil engineering was first used to differentiate it from military engineering.
• Norwich University was the first private college in the United States to teach civil engineering in 1819.
• The University of Glasgow conferred the first degree in civil engineering in the United Kingdom in 1840.

Sub-Disciplines

• Civil engineering encompasses a wide range of sub-disciplines.

Construction Engineering

• Construction engineering includes planning and execution, transporting materials, and site development based on hydraulic, environmental, structural, and geotechnical findings.
• Construction engineers manage projects, design temporary structures, supervise quality control, test materials, and ensure site and worker safety.

Environmental Engineering

• Environmental engineering uses scientific and engineering principles to protect and improve the environment.
• Environmental engineering includes: air pollution control, water and wastewater treatment, hazardous waste management, and environmental impact assessment.
• Environmental engineers work to lessen the effects of human activity on the natural environment.

Geotechnical Engineering

• Geotechnical engineering studies the behavior of earth materials.
• It is used for foundations and earth structures.
• Geotechnical engineers investigate subsurface conditions and materials and determine their physical, mechanical, and chemical properties.
• Geotechnical engineers assess risks posed by site conditions and design earthworks and retaining structures.

Transportation Engineering

• Transportation engineering deals with planning, designing, operating, and managing transportation systems.
• Transportation engineering aims to provide safe, efficient, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods.
• It includes the design of highways, railways, airways, waterways, and pipelines.
• It also includes traffic engineering, public transportation planning, pavement design, and transportation economics.

Structural Engineering

• Structural engineering focuses on designing and analyzing structures that support or resist loads.
• Structural engineering includes bridges, buildings, towers, offshore structures, and aircraft.
• Structural engineers ensure structures are safe, stable, and able to withstand the forces they will be subjected to.
• Structural engineers consider load, wind, earthquakes, temperature, and material properties.

Water Resources Engineering

• Water Resources Engineering deals with controlling and managing water resources.
• This includes hydrology, water management, water distribution network, irrigation, and drainage.
• Water resources engineers design and manage dams, reservoirs, canals, aqueducts, and other water-related infrastructure.
• They address issues such as water scarcity, flooding, and water quality.

Surveying

• Surveying determines the terrestrial or three-dimensional positions of points and the distances and angles between them.
• Surveying is crucial for creating maps, setting boundaries, and guiding construction projects.
• Surveyors use instruments like total stations, GPS, and laser scanners.

Materials Science

• Civil engineering relies on understanding materials science.
• Civil engineers need to know the properties and behavior of materials used in construction.
• Common materials include concrete, steel, asphalt, timber, and composites.
• Material science includes materials testing, selection, and proper use.

Coastal Engineering

• Coastal engineering handles managing coastal areas.
• Managing coastal areas includes protection from erosion and flooding.
• Coastal engineers design and construct seawalls, breakwaters, and other coastal defenses.
• They study tides, waves, and other coastal processes.

Earthquake Engineering

• Earthquake engineering designs structures to withstand seismic forces.
• This minimizes earthquake damage.
• Earthquake engineers use seismic analysis, advanced materials, and specialized construction techniques.

Forensic Engineering

• Forensic engineering investigates failures in civil engineering projects.
• Forensic engineering aims to determine the causes of failures to prevent future incidents.
• It often includes detailed site investigations, materials testing, and structural analysis.

Municipal or Urban Engineering

• Municipal engineering deals with the infrastructure of urban areas.
• Municipal Engineering includes streets, sidewalks, water supply networks, sewers, public parks, and waste management facilities.
• Municipal engineers work to improve the quality of life in urban environments.

Role of the Civil Engineer

• Civil engineers improve society through planning, designing, and constructing facilities.
• They work on crucial infrastructure like transportation systems, water and energy distribution, and public buildings.
• Civil engineers need technical knowledge, project management skills, and an understanding of social and environmental impacts.