Specialized Fields of Civil Engineering Quiz

Specialized Fields of Civil Engineering

• Structural engineering is the analysis and design of human-made structures (from spacecraft to MEMS).
• Structures are subjected to various loads (dead load, live load, event-driven loads).
• Structural design aims to provide resistance against loads with minimum cost.
• Sub-areas exist based on structure type or load type.

Earthquake Engineering

• Earthquake ground motion creates violent vertical and horizontal forces.
• Earthquake-induced loads are time-varying and multi-directional.
• Earthquake engineering focuses on designing structures that do not cause injury to humans at a reasonable cost.

Wind Engineering

• Strong winds (hurricanes, tornadoes) create time-varying and multi-directional forces.
• Strong winds can create pressure differences and partial vacuums.
• Wind engineering aims to protect human lives at reasonable cost.

Structural Reliability

• Loads on structures are mostly random in nature and magnitude.
• Structures must withstand anticipated loads throughout their lifespan.

Fire Engineering

• High temperatures from fires can weaken building materials, affecting structural stability.
• Fire engineering's role includes protective measures to allow occupants to escape and firefighters to respond.
• Fire engineering research aids construction codes.

Bridge Engineering

• Bridge design is categorized by material and bridge type.
• Bridge design strongly integrates with the construction process.

Dam Engineering

• Dam design requires detailed geological site study and material properties.
• Dam design considers water seepage within the dam body during construction and operation.

Geotechnical Engineering

• Most civil engineering structures are earthbound; therefore, soil and rock are crucial supports.
• Geotechnical engineering involves foundation types, soil/rock slopes, and their stability.
• Soil/rock stability is crucial to prevent loss of human life and property damage.

Engineering Geology

• Engineering geology provides geological data pertinent to constructed structures.
• Active seismic fault mapping is part of engineering geology in habitat and development planning.
• Soil mechanics assess soil properties, strength, and stability for construction.

Soil Mechanics

• Constructed structures are often situated on soil as an engineering material, requiring consideration.
• Soil mechanics studies soil's properties and behavior under various conditions.

Rock Mechanics

• Rock properties become relevant when used as foundations for major structures (e.g., high-rise buildings, dams).
• Rock stability is crucial for slopes or tunnels.

Foundation Engineering

• Interfaces between structures (superstructures) and supporting soil.
• Foundation types vary based on soil properties.
• Common types include strip footings and concrete slabs.

Soil Improvement

• Used to strengthen soil in sites with weak soil.
• Techniques include soil replacement and injection of materials to alter properties.

Tunnel Engineering

• Tunnel construction involves route determination, selection of machines, and tunnel structure design.

Environmental Engineering

• Environmental engineering manages water, air, and land resources to preserve human health.
• Environmental engineering relies on chemical, biological, ecological, and health science principles.
• Areas like water treatment and supply, wastewater treatment, and air pollution study are covered.

Water Treatment and Supply

• Water collection from above- or below-ground sources is vital.
• Source water is treated to remove contaminants (bacteria, metals, pesticides).
• UV and chemical treatments ensure potable water quality.

Wastewater Treatment and Disposal

• Household wastewater flows through underground pipelines to treatment facilities.
• Primary treatment removes suspended solids. Secondary involves biochemical degradation.
• Tertiary involves further treatment (if needed) to meet discharge requirements.

Noise Pollution

• Modern municipalities often generate significant noise levels harmful to human well-being.
• Sound barriers or other measures mitigate noise.

Environmental Impact Assessment

• Environmental impacts of new developments are crucial.
• Noise, traffic, water consumption, and air pollution potential are part of the assessment

Water Resources Engineering

• Water resources engineering concerns water use for modern living needs.
• This includes finding & preserving above/underground water sources, water transport, and erosion control.

Hydraulic Engineering

• Hydraulic engineers design and construct waterways such as canals, channels, dams, and levees.
• Flood prevention and control are related tasks.

Coastal Engineering

• Ocean water's erosive effects on shorelines are analyzed.
• Artificial barriers (breakwaters) can mitigate shoreline erosion.

Ocean Engineering

• Ocean engineering studies ocean structures like offshore platforms and their wave forces.
• Impact on structures due to currents, waves, and ocean activity need consideration.

Transportation Engineering

• Efficiency in transporting people and goods is the fundamental concern.
• Highway, railway, port, and airport systems are vital parts of transportation engineering.

Transportation System Engineering

• Management, operation, and cost-effectiveness of transport systems are addressed.
• Techniques like traffic simulation and environmental impact analysis are utilized.

Highway Engineering

• Planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of highways are vital aspects.
• High-occupancy lanes and networked signals aid in managing traffic.

Railway Engineering

• High-speed rail, light-rail, and magnetic levitation systems require unique engineering consideration.
• Cost-effective mass transportation on land also requires careful planning and design considerations.

Port and Harbor Engineering

• Ports require significant engineering to allow for efficient navigation and cargo handling.
• Aspects like dredging, breakwater design are essential parts.

Airport Engineering

• Planning, analyzing demand, cost, and regional air traffic impact are crucial for successful airport construction.
• Airport site selection and airport infrastructure must be planned carefully.

Traffic Engineering

• Managing traffic flow for safety and speed from large metropolises to small towns.
• Signal design, controlling traffic patterns, and managing flow are central tasks.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

• Utilizing emerging technologies for managing and optimizing transportation systems.
• This includes using monitors, automation and efficiency improvements for vehicle control or management.

Construction Engineering

• Transforming design plans into physical realities is a crucial task.
• Construction management encompasses various aspects like human resources, finance, schedule design, and risk management.
• Construction processes, machinery, electrical, and mechanical facilities are essential components.

Cost Estimating and Contracts

• Project cost estimations during formulation and throughout stages of project construction.
• Agreements & responsibilities between contractors & owners.

Health and Safety Issues

• Occupational safety regulations to protect workers & neighboring communities.
• Construction site hazards management is a responsibility of the engineers.

Legal Issues And Risk Management

• Potential liabilities in construction projects need proactive risk management techniques. Examples can include cash flow issues, missing deadlines, structural problems, and accidents. Legal and ethical considerations are essential for preventing delays and ensuring safety.

Geomatics (Surveying Engineering)

• Geomatics encompasses advanced measurement & data collection utilizing techniques such as mapping, aerial photography, global positioning systems (GPS), etc.

Plane Surveying

• Plane surveying utilizes simplified techniques for measurement and location when the earth's curvature is negligible.
• Instruments and standard methodologies for creating maps, locations, and areas.

Route Location

• Design & documentation of highway or railway routes and curves.
• Topographical considerations and cost minimization are central concerns.

Land Surveying

• Measuring and documenting property boundaries, streets, and other features in urban areas.

Geodetic Surveying

• Accounts for the earth's curvature unlike plane surveying.
• Complex mathematical tools are applied here for measurements and mapping.

Aerial Photography and Satellite Imaging

• Improved measurement and imaging technologies (aerial photography & satellite imagery) are used in mapping.

Geographical Information System (GIS)

• GIS uses databases to gather information about areas, integrating population, infrastructure, and similar data.

Urban Planning

• Urban planning involves organizing new or improving urban areas in social, economic and architectural aspects.
• Key engineering aspects of urban planning are infrastructural planning and public policy.