Introduction to Civil Engineering

• Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways.
• It is traditionally broken into a number of sub-disciplines which include: construction engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, water resources engineering, environmental engineering, coastal engineering, surveying, and construction management.
• Civil engineering takes place in the public sector from municipal through to national governments, and in the private sector from individual homeowners through to international companies.

History

• Civil engineering is the second-oldest engineering discipline after military engineering.
• It is thought to have begun between 4000 and 2000 BC in ancient Egypt, Nubia, and Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq) when humans started to abandon a nomadic existence, creating a need for the construction of shelter.
• The pyramids of Egypt (circa 2700–2500 BC) may be considered some of the first instances of large structural construction.
• The Roman Empire's civil engineers built aqueducts, roads, bridges, and dams.
• In the 18th century, the term civil engineering was coined to distinguish it from military engineering.
• The first self-proclaimed civil engineer was John Smeaton, who constructed the Eddystone Lighthouse.
• In 1771 Smeaton formed the Society of Civil Engineers, which became the Institution of Civil Engineers (UK) in 1818.
• The first private technical school to teach civil engineering in the United States was Norwich University, founded in 1819.
• The first degree in civil engineering in the United States was awarded by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1835.

Sub-Disciplines

• Construction engineering involves planning and execution, transportation of materials, site development based on hydraulic, environmental, structural and geotechnical engineering.
• Environmental engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles to improve and maintain the environment.
• Geotechnical engineering studies the behavior of earth materials and applies these properties to the design and construction of foundations, retaining structures, and earthworks.
• Transportation engineering focuses on the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of transportation systems.
• Structural engineering focuses on the design and analysis of structures that support or resist loads.
• Water resources engineering is concerned with the management of water resources.
• Coastal engineering deals with the management of coastal areas.
• Surveying is the technique, profession, and science of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional positions of points and the distances and angles between them.
• Construction management involves planning, coordinating, and controlling a project from inception to completion.

Transportation Engineering

• Transportation engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering that focuses on the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of transportation systems.
• It aims to provide safe, efficient, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods.
• It encompasses various modes of transportation, including highways, railways, airways, waterways, and pipelines.
• Transportation engineers work on projects ranging from the design of roadways and bridges to the development of public transportation systems and airport runways.
• Transportation engineering is closely related to other civil engineering disciplines, such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, and environmental engineering.
• Transportation engineering is a critical field that plays a vital role in the economic and social development of communities around the world.

Areas of Focus

• Traffic engineering: Focuses on the planning, design, and operation of roadways to ensure the safe and efficient movement of traffic.
• Pavement engineering: Concerned with the design, construction, and maintenance of pavements for roads, highways, and airports.
• Transportation planning: Involves the development of long-range transportation plans that consider future population growth, land use changes, and economic development.
• Public transportation: Deals with the planning, design, and operation of public transportation systems, such as buses, trains, and subways.
• Intelligent transportation systems (ITS): Involves the use of technology to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation systems.

Traffic Engineering

• Traffic engineering is a branch of transportation engineering that deals with the planning, design, and operation of roadways and traffic control devices to ensure the safe and efficient movement of traffic.
• Traffic engineers study traffic flow, analyze traffic data, and develop solutions to traffic congestion and safety problems.
• Traffic engineering principles are applied to the design of intersections, traffic signals, and roadway lighting.
• Traffic engineers also work on projects such as traffic impact studies, traffic management plans, and transportation demand management programs.
• Traffic engineering plays a crucial role in improving the overall performance of transportation systems and enhancing the quality of life for communities.

Pavement Engineering

• Pavement engineering is a branch of transportation engineering that focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of pavements for roads, highways, and airports.
• Pavements are designed to withstand the loads imposed by traffic and environmental factors, such as temperature changes and moisture.
• Pavement engineers use various materials, such as asphalt, concrete, and aggregates, to construct pavements that are durable, safe, and cost-effective.
• Pavement engineering also involves the evaluation of pavement performance, the development of pavement management systems, and the implementation of pavement rehabilitation strategies.
• Pavement engineering is essential for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people and goods on transportation systems.

Transportation Planning

• Transportation planning is a process that involves the development of long-range transportation plans that consider future population growth, land use changes, and economic development.
• Transportation planners work with stakeholders, such as government agencies, community groups, and the public, to identify transportation needs and develop solutions.
• Transportation plans typically include projects such as new roadways, public transportation systems, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
• Transportation planning also involves the evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of transportation projects.
• Transportation planning is crucial for ensuring that transportation systems meet the needs of communities and support sustainable development.

Public Transportation

• Public transportation is a mode of transportation that is available for use by the general public, typically for a fee.
• Public transportation systems include buses, trains, subways, trams, and ferries.
• Public transportation provides an alternative to private vehicles, reducing traffic congestion, air pollution, and energy consumption.
• Public transportation is particularly important for people who do not have access to a private vehicle, such as low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
• Public transportation systems require careful planning, design, and operation to ensure that they are safe, efficient, and convenient.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) involve the use of technology to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation systems.
• ITS technologies include traffic management systems, electronic toll collection, advanced traveler information systems, and automated vehicle location systems.
• ITS can help reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, and reduce environmental impacts.
• ITS requires collaboration between government agencies, private companies, and research institutions.
• ITS is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to transform transportation systems in the future.