Module 2

Civil Engineering & Society and other Profession

Introduction

Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design,
construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works
like roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines and railways.

There are two major types of engineering roles performed by civil engineers;

1) Consultant engineers who focus on design work and generally spend more time in the
office or working with clients.

2) Contractors who are more involved in keeping an eye on the physical construction and
are usually based on site.

Learning Outcome/Objective

At the end of this chapter, the students shall be able to:

1. Define Civil engineering
2. Understand the duties of a Civil Engineer
3. Recognize the different kind of profession for a Civil engineer
4. Knowledge on the Engineering Profession in the Philippines

Learning Content/Topic

A. What is an Engineer?

“Engineering is concerned with the implementation of a solution to a practical

problem. A scientist may ask "why?" and proceed to research the answer to the question.
By contrast, engineers want to know how to solve a problem and how to implement that
solution. In other words, scientists investigate phenomena, whereas engineers create
solutions to problems or improve upon existing solutions. A scientist builds in order to
learn. An engineer learns in order to build.”

“Engineering is concerned with the implementation of a solution to a practical

problem. A scientist may ask "why?" and proceed to research the answer to the question.
By contrast, engineers want to know how to solve a problem and how to implement that
solution.

In other words, scientists investigate phenomena, whereas engineers create solutions

to problems or improve upon existing solutions.

A scientist builds in order to learn. An engineer learns in order to build.”

One way to define engineering is: “how to do new things in new ways” (Win
Phillips, 1997)

Another definition is: "Engineering is the application of math and science to create
something of value from our natural resources." The difference between science and
engineering was explained well by Theodore Von Karman, an aerospace engineer. As he
stated: "Scientists discover the world that exists; engineers create the world that never
was."

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 Even the etymology of the word “engineer” reveals their problem-solving nature: “It
is a myth that engineer originated to describe those who built engines. In fact, the words
engine and engineer (as well as ingenious) developed in parallel from the Latin root
ingeniosus, meaning "skilled". An engineer is thus a clever, practical, problem solver.”

What is Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering is the oldest and quintessential engineering profession. It

encompasses a variety of sub-disciplines and jobs. The civil engineering curriculum at the
University of Colorado (CU) and most other U.S. universities emphasize the following
major sub-disciplines:
• structural
• water resources
• geotechnical
• construction
• transportation

Architectural engineering is often a related but separate degree (such as at CU).

Surveying is a skill used by many civil engineers, but there is a separate professional
licensure for land surveyors. Urban planning is an activity that uses skills from a variety of
the civil engineering sub-disciplines.

Some interesting thoughts on civil engineering by Bugliarello (1994) include: Civil

engineering is “the modification of nature to create and improve human habitats.”

Civil engineers work toward an ideal that is “a standard of perfection, beauty, or

moral and physical excellence, especially as an aim of attainment or realization.”
Civil engineers strive to “match deep functionality with aesthetics in every
manifestation of the profession.” Engineers should be mindful that there is a “moral
compact between the engineer and world society.”

“Professional engineers should work for the welfare of the public. They are
responsible for observing societal needs, and often have the position and resources to
improve society. As professionals, engineers are expected to set examples in the work field
and to establish themselves as assets to society.” T.D. Oates, 1993

Duties of Civil Engineers

Civil engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain
infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads,
buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage
treatment. Many civil engineers work in planning, design, construction, research, and
education.

Civil engineers typically do the following:

• Analyze long range plans, survey reports, maps, and other data to plan and
design projects
• Consider construction costs, government regulations, potential environmental
hazards, and other factors during the planning and riskanalysis stages of a project
• Compile and submit permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies,
verifying that projects comply with various regulations
• Oversee and analyze the results of soil testing to determine the adequacy and
strength of foundations
• Analyze the results of tests on building materials, such as concrete, wood,
asphalt, or steel, for use in particular projects

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 • Prepare cost estimates for materials, equipment, or labor to determine a project's
economic feasibility
• Use design software to plan and design transportation systems, hydraulic
systems, and structures in line with industry and government standards
• Perform or oversee surveying operations to establish building locations, site
layouts, reference points, grades, and elevations to guide construction
• Manage the repair, maintenance, and replacement of public and private
infrastructure

Civil engineers also must present their findings to the public on topics such as bid
proposals, environmental impact statements, or property descriptions.
Many civil engineers hold supervisory or administrative positions ranging from
supervisor of a construction site to city engineer, public works director, and city manager.
As supervisors, they are tasked with ensuring that safe work practices are followed at
construction sites.
Other civil engineers work in design, construction, research, and teaching. Civil
engineers work with others on projects and may be assisted by civil engineering
technicians.
Civil engineers prepare permit documents for work on projects in renewable
energy. They verify that the projects will comply with federal, state, and local
requirements. These engineers conduct structural analyses for large-scale photovoltaic, or
solar energy, projects. They also evaluate the ability of solar array support structures and
buildings to tolerate stresses from wind, seismic activity, and other sources. For large-
scale wind projects, civil engineers often prepare roadbeds to handle large trucks that haul
in the turbines.
Civil engineers work on complex projects, and they can achieve job satisfaction in
seeing the project reach completion. They usually specialize in one of several areas.
Construction engineers manage construction projects, ensuring that they are
scheduled and built in accordance with plans and specifications. These engineers
typically are responsible for the design and safety of temporary structures used
during construction. They may also oversee budgetary, time-management, and
communications aspects of a project.
Geotechnical engineers work to make sure that foundations for built objects
ranging from streets and buildings to runways and dams, are solid. They focus on
how structures built by civil engineers, such as buildings and tunnels, interact
with the earth (including soil and rock). In addition, they design and plan for
slopes, retaining walls, and tunnels.
Structural engineers design and assess major projects, such as buildings, bridges,
or dams, to ensure their strength and durability.
Transportation engineers plan, design, operate, and maintain everyday systems,
such as streets and highways, but they also plan larger projects, such as airports,
ship ports, mass transit systems, and harbors.
Water Resources engineers covers a broad spectrum, but is primarily concerned
with the study of selected topics in applied hydrology, hydraulics, applied
limnology, water resources systems analysis, water resources, environmental
impact assessment, hydraulic structures, irrigation and drainage.
The work of civil engineers is closely related to the work of environmental
engineers.

Civil Engineering Functios

The functions of the civil engineer can be divided into three categories: those
performed before construction (feasibility studies, site investigations, and design), those

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 performed during construction (dealing with clients, consulting engineers, and
contractors), and those performed after construction (maintenance and research).

 Feasibility studies

No major project today is started without an extensive study of the objective

and without preliminary studies of possible plans leading to a recommended scheme,
perhaps with alternatives. Feasibility studies may cover alternative methods—e.g.,
bridge versus tunnel, in the case of a water crossing—or, once the method is decided,
the choice of route. Both economic and engineering problems must be considered.

 Site Investigations

A preliminary site investigation is part of the feasibility study, but once a plan
has been adopted a more extensive investigation is usually imperative. Money spent
in a rigorous study of ground and substructure may save large sums later in remedial
works or in changes made necessary in constructional methods.

Since the load-bearing qualities and stability of the ground are such important
factors in any large-scale construction, it is surprising that a serious study of soil
mechanics did not develop until the mid-1930s. Karl von Terzaghi, the chief founder
of the science, gives the date of its birth as 1936, when the First International
Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering was held at Harvard
University and an international society was formed. Today there are specialist
societies and journals in many countries, and most universities that have a civil
engineering faculty have courses in soil mechanics.

 Design

The design of engineering works may require the application of design theory
from many fields—e.g., hydraulics, thermodynamics, or nuclear physics. Research in
structural analysis and the technology of materials has opened the way for more
rational designs, new design concepts, and greater economy of materials. The theory
of structures and the study of materials have advanced together as more and more
refined stress analysis of structures and systematic testing has been done. Modern
designers not only have advanced theories and readily available design data, but
structural designs can now be rigorously analyzed by computers.

 Construction

The promotion of civil engineering works may be initiated by a private client,

but most work is undertaken for large corporations, government authorities, and
public boards and authorities. Many of these have their own engineering staffs, but
for large specialized projects it is usual to employ consulting engineers.

The consulting engineer may be required first to undertake feasibility studies,

then to recommend a scheme and quote an approximate cost. The engineer is
responsible for the design of the works, supplying specifications, drawings, and legal
documents in sufficient detail to seek competitive tender prices. The engineer must
compare quotations and recommend acceptance of one of them. Although he is not a
party to the contract, the engineer’s duties are defined in it; the staff must supervise
the construction and the engineer must certify completion of the work. Actions must
be consistent with duty to the client; the professional organizations exercise
disciplinary control over professional conduct. The consulting engineer’s senior
representative on the site is the resident engineer.

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 A phenomenon of recent years has been the turnkey or package contract, in
which the contractor undertakes to finance, design, specify, construct, and
commission a project in its entirety. In this case, the consulting engineer is engaged
by the contractor rather than by the client.

The contractor is usually an incorporated company, which secures the contract

on the basis of the consulting engineer’s specification and general drawings. The
consulting engineer must agree to any variations introduced and must approve the
detailed drawings.

 Maintenance

The contractor maintains the works to the satisfaction of the consulting engineer.
Responsibility for maintenance extends to ancillary and temporary works where
these form part of the overall construction. After construction a period of
maintenance is undertaken by the contractor, and the payment of the final
installment of the contract price is held back until released by the consulting
engineer. Central and local government engineering and public works departments
are concerned primarily with maintenance, for which they employ direct labour.

 Research

Research in the civil engineering field is undertaken by government agencies,

industrial foundations, the universities, and other institutions. Most countries have
government-controlled agencies, such as the United States Bureau of Standards and
the National Physical Laboratory of Great Britain, involved in a broad spectrum of
research, and establishments in building research, roads and highways, hydraulic
research, water pollution, and other areas. Many are government-aided but depend
partly on income from research work promoted by industry.

How to become a Civil Engineer

Civil engineers need a bachelor's degree. They typically need a graduate degree and
a license for promotion to senior positions. Although licensure requirements vary from
state to state, civil engineers usually must be licensed if they provide services directly to
the public.
 Education for Civil Engineers
Civil engineers need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, in one of
its specialties, or in civil engineering technology. Programs in civil
engineering and civil engineering technology include coursework in math,
statistics, engineering mechanics and systems, and fluid dynamics, depending
on the specialty. Courses include a mix of traditional classroom learning, work
in laboratories, and fieldwork. Programs may include cooperative programs,
also known as co-ops, in which students gain work experience while pursuing
a degree.
Further education after the bachelor's degree, along with the PE
license and previous experience, is helpful in getting a job as a manager.
 Important Qualities for Civil Engineers

Licenses, Certifications and Registrations for Civil Engineers

Licensure is not required for entry-level positions as a civil engineer. A

Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and
independence, can be acquired later in one's career. Licensed engineers are called
professional engineers (PEs). A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, approve
design plans, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State
licensure generally requires

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 • A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
• A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
• Relevant work experience, typically at least 4 years working under a licensed
engineer
• A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam

The initial FE exam can be taken after earning a bachelor's degree. Engineers who
pass this exam commonly are called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs).
After meeting work experience requirements, EITs and EIs can take the second exam,
called the Principles and Practice of Engineering.
Each state issues its own licenses. Most states recognize licensure from other
states, as long as the licensing state's requirements meet or exceed their own licensure
requirements. Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their
licenses.

B. What is a profession?

A PROFESSION is defined by:

1. Knowledge - requires formal education, judgment and discretion that are not
routine and cannot be mechanized; continuing education required 2;

2. Organization - sets standards for admission to profession, enforces standards of

conduct, establishes codes of ethics 3;

3. Public Good - purpose of service and preservation of public welfare.

“America’s engineers have always played a vitally important role in developing

America’s way of life and standard of living. From constructing bridges and highways to
exploring the vast earth beneath us, America’s engineers are helping to keep America
moving and safe.” George Bush, 1989

“The American engineering profession needs to reassert its leadership; to raise its
eyes and voices, roll up its sleeves, and do again for the nation what it did a century ago:
make it a winner in the world marketplace. If competing and winning -- rather than
puttering and theorizing -- become the real stuff of an engineering career, our best men and
women, our winners, will once again gravitate toward the profession, and the impending
decline of American engineering will become a thing of the past.” John F. Welch, Jr.
Competitiveness: The Real Stuff of American Engineering. 1989.

“History provides the big picture, why large-scale projects were built and what their
benefits are to society...You can wake people up to the importance of infrastructure, the
efforts of the 2 civil engineers who have improved the quality of life through its design and
construction, why it needs to be repaired, and where tax dollars will be going. You can use
history to educate...engineers ...about where our present problems came from.” James M.
Fels, 1990; in Morley 1994.

What do engineers need to know?

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