Civil Engineers supervise, operate, design and construct large projects like buildings, roads, airport, bridges, dams, water supply systems, tunnels, sewage treatments and many other civil works. The designing, building, operating, constructing, supervising and maintaining infrastructural systems and projects in both private and public sector like making tunnels, dams, bridges, roads, airports, water supply and drainage systems etc. are the works of a civil engineer.
Civil Engineers improve and protect the environments. They plan and design the construction work and maintenance of building infrastructures like roads, railways, airports, dams, irrigation projects, power plants and sewage system. Civil Engineers are categorized into two divisions: Contracting Engineers and Consultant Engineering. Consultants Engineers work from offices and responsible for designing work whereas the Contracting Engineers implement these designs while constructing buildings, dams, roadways, airports, railways and irrigation projects. Engineers are in great demands in a variety of fields ranging from manufacturing industries to designing projects. Other than these works civil engineers are also employed in the education and research industry. For becoming a civil engineer student has to give emphasis on mathematics, physical science and engineering design. The course focuses more on practical application than theory. Thus the students get the opportunity to work with industry through internships. Mainly after 10+2 and putting an extra effort in qualifying AIEEE or any Engineering Entrance Tests, one can aspire for pursuing a B. Tech. or BE in Civil Engineering Degree.
Duties performed by a civil engineer:
The civil engineers analyze long-range plans, survey reports, map the work and design projects that are of long terms and survey several other data-centric reports of projects.
They prepare estimates for material cost, equipment and labour for the entire project and to find out the economic feasibility and mull over construction cost, rules and regulations of the government, all probable environmental hazards and other factors of planning of projects. Compilation and submission of permit applications to local, state and central agencies verifying that the projects comply with various regulations are also one of the duties of the engineers.
Civil Engineers also conduct a critical analysis of soil testing to determine the strength of the foundation. They also scrutinize test results on building materials like concrete, steel, wood etc.
Civil Engineers also submit project applications to local bodies or state agencies with the certification that the project complies with all rules and regulations
There are various types of civil engineering which can be taken as career prospects.
Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering is a specialized course which is relating to water main pipelines and related infrastructural jobs. Specialization can be done in transportation and urban planning also. Water resource and Environment Engineering are two specialized courses in the natural resources which are getting popular and demanding nowadays and deals with environmental issues including waste disposal, pollution and flood control. Coastal Engineering, Earth science, Surveying Materials are the other courses under this category.
Environmental Engineering
The engineers on this subject are constantly devoted to environmental issues like preventing pollution and find ways how to tackle industrial activities and mining problems with remedial measures. This also relates to urban planning and health safety issues in the indoor environment as well.
Construction Management
A large percentage of civil engineering is construction management. Builders and Developers are the main target areas for these engineers. The job requires specialized knowledge in planning in extreme weather conditions and contingencies. It’s a high pressure and demanding job which requires alacrity and involvement in the work so as to complete within schedule.
Transportation Engineering
Engineers in this field design and upkeeps roadways and public transportation system. They are also entrusted to traffic movement system to alleviate traffic congestion. Several government agencies and municipalities are the major areas of their employment.
Hydraulics Engineering
In the Civil Engineering department Hydraulics is a branch which deals with the flow of liquids through pipelines and canals and drainage systems. It also covers the study of the flow of water in rivers and streams and designs of stormwater retention technology and construction of dams.
Public Health Engineering
Designing and constructing the system of water and wastewater treatments plants for public drinking and sewerage is the primary job of these engineers. These engineers basically work for government agencies or for private consultants and design firms.