When one hears the term “Civil Engineering”, typical images that come to mind are people working in the construction industry and developing buildings. But civil engineers do more than just building skyscrapers and majestic bridges — they also play a crucial role in the maintenance of everyday infrastructure such as roads, train tracks, airports, energy and water supply plants, houses, and more. These professionals have made their mark in the world around us. Read on to find out more about what civil engineers actually do.
Planning Masterminds
Civil engineers are responsible for the planning and designing of large infrastructure projects. They manage these projects from early conception to completion: determining the feasibility of plans, balancing of costs and production, ensuring the safety of workers throughout the construction process as well as the sturdiness of the structure. Civil engineers are the forefront of infrastructure projects and it is important that they are able to lead surveyors, construction managers, technicians, and others to implement the plans.
Key Communicators
Civil engineering professionals use the advanced mathematics and various technical software to analyse, design, and troubleshoot their work. They require appropriate licenses to sign off the plans to begin infrastructure projects. Civil engineers have to be able to monitor and evaluate the work at construction sites throughout the project, and write clear and concise reports for all parties involved to inform them of the progress and of any workplace incidents. For civil engineers, communication is key.
Different Specializations
Many civil engineers spend a bulk of their time in offices as well. Some may hold higher supervisory positions while others have specialized focus that oversee different aspects of a project. Here are some specializations that civil engineers have:
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Geotechnical Engineers
These engineers ensure that foundations at construction sites are solid before any work starts. They deal with how structures like bridges and tunnels interact with the earth. Geotechnical engineers also account for environment surroundings such as slopes.
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Structural Engineers
They design and assess the structure of projects to ensure their strength and durability.
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Transportation Engineers
Transportation engineers plan and design everyday infrastructure and systems, such as roads and highways. They also have a hand in planning major projects, such as airports, ports, and harbours.
Interested in a Civil Engineering Career Path?
St.Hua Private School offers popular and professional Diploma and Certificate courses that meets the demand from various industries, including Interior and Exterior Design, Civil and Electronics Engineering and more.
All Diploma and Certificate courses are registered under Committee for Private Education (CPE).
The Diploma in Civil Engineering is aimed at students who are interested in exploring and understanding civil engineering – the architecture and maintenance of the environment, including man-made structures such as dams and roads. The knowledge and skills acquired in this rigorous and intensive Diploma course is highly relevant to the industry, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills and Engineering Management.
By experiencing the combined teaching methods of lectures and practical studio work, the student will gain a basic understanding of:
- Building design and analysis by using CAD software
- Mechanical properties of civil engineering materials
- Fluid and soil mechanics in practical applications
- Application of principles of mechanics in analyzing effects of loading
- Produce large-scale plans of engineering sites
