The 5 Areas of Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is the oldest form of engineering that came about when humans first started building settlements. Broadly, civil engineering is the form of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of structures including buildings, bridges, drainage systems, and roads, among others. This branch of engineering has come a long way since the early days of human civilization and has developed to include various specialties. The 5 major areas of civil engineering include:
- Structural Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Infrastructure Engineering
- Transport Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
Let’s have a look at them in more detail.
1. Structural Engineering
Structural engineering is a specialty of civil engineering that involves the design of structures so that they are stable and safe for use. A large part of their jobs involves analyzing designs and conducting risk assessments to make sure that the structures and the materials used to build them can withstand loads and external pressures including earthquakes, high winds, and storms. They may also be involved in renovations and demolitions as well as property inspections.
As structural engineers play a huge role in the selected materials for a construction project, they are often involved in the budgeting side of construction management as well. Any new build construction project typically has a structural engineer who has been involved in it in some capacity.
2. Geotechnical Engineering
Another discipline within the field of civil engineering is geotechnical engineering. Geotechnical engineering involves the study of soil and rocks and their behaviour in engineered systems. Geotechnical engineers are involved in the planning and design of structures on land and at sea and analyze how the project will interact with local geological features like the soil and substrate, for example. They use the results of their analyses to make sure that foundations and support structures are strong enough to withstand events like earthquakes, mudslides, or other events.
Geotechnical engineering played an important role during the implementation of an erosion and sediment control plan at Mantle Creek.
3. Infrastructure Engineering
Infrastructure engineering is a form of civil engineering that involves the development of infrastructure works like streets, sewage systems, sidewalks, and more. Also known as municipal and urban engineering, infrastructure engineers have to apply their understanding of human nature along with mathematics and science to ensure that the structures they develop help societies function better. Infrastructure engineers often have to deal with challenging terrain, as North Construction did while laying underground utilities for British Pacific Properties’ new community, Uplands, in West Vancouver.
4. Transport Engineering
As the name suggests, transport engineering involves the development of transport facilities and large transport systems like roadways, rail works, ports, and more. Transportation engineers are also involved in their operation and maintenance. Apart from ensuring that the systems they develop are safe and convenient for people to use, transportation engineers also have to use innovative ways to ensure low impacts on the environment.
5. Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is the form of engineering that deals with minimizing the detrimental impacts of people on the environment and vice versa. They use various strategies to find solutions to issues like recycling, waste control, water and air pollution control and public health. They are also involved in the production of green energy infrastructure.
Whether your project is on a remote mountaintop or in the heart of a city, North Construction’s expert teams are equipped with the knowledge, and passion, to find the most cost-effective and safest solutions for both you and the environment. You can browse the services we have to offer here or get in touch with us to discuss your project and needs.