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."

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

33 | Civil Engineering Orientation

 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 risk-
analysis 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
 Prepare cost estimates for materials, equipment, or labor to determine a
project's economic feasibility

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  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),

35 | Civil Engineering Orientation

 those 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

36 | Civil Engineering Orientation

 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.

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

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 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

 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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 Based on the 1995 Civil Engineering Education Conference of the American
Society of Civil Engineers, the following areas were identified as fundamental
elements which should be incorporated into Undergraduate engineering education
(ASCE 1995):

1. A global vision and approach to problem identification and problem

solving in areas such as infrastructure, environment, facilities, and
systems

2. A basic management knowledge base in areas such as business,

resources, personnel management, communication skills, costs and
value judgments, and time management

3. A solid foundation in personal and inter-personal attributes ethics

4. An involvement with engineering practice as the formal education evolves

These elements were therefore chosen as emphasis areas for this course, and
should provide a foundation for you as both professional engineers and in your future
courses. What you learn here should help you identify areas where you will need to
be strong in order to succeed as an engineer, and therefore in selecting courses
which will allow you to build your skills in these areas.

Desired Attributes of an Engineering Graduate

1. Good Communication Skills

2. Higher ethical standards

3. Ability to think critically and creatively; independently and cooperatively

4. Flexibility

5. Grasp of Engineering Science fundamentals (math, statistics, physics and

life sciences, information technologies)

6. Good understanding of design and manufacturing processes

7. Basic understanding of the context in which engineering is practiced

(economics, history, environment, customer and societal needs)

8. Possess a multi-disciplinary, system perspective

Skills in order of importance (in your career):

• Writing

• Engineering

• business/financial

• personal interaction

• computer

Civil engineering is moving somewhat away from the gold-standard of “design

for function”, and expanding to embrace “design to cost and environmental
compatibility”. It is important to recognize the revolution that has occurred in

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 engineering since the 1960s. Computers and the web have changed many aspects
of the job. Specifically, computers have replaced many things that engineers used
to do. No longer are high-level skills with a slide rule and detailed manual
computations needed, because computers have assumed much of this burden. This
has resulted in significant time savings, freeing engineers to focus on broader
integration issues of importance.

MORE is expected of engineers than any other profession! Civil engineers

are responsible for the well-being of the entire population via water treatment,
wastewater treatment, air pollution control, road design, and design of
dams/buildings/bridges. Our work often goes unrecognized. The public tends to take
the quality of our work for granted – until something goes wrong or performs below
expectations.

Many of the US Top 7 “Critical Technologies” identified by the National

Government are related to Civil Engineering:

2. Environmental Quality

6. Materials

7. Transportation

“You must learn how to learn. This is part of your preparation for being an
engineer; our profession will require that you keep up with new developments while
you work: Life-long learning”. Dave DiLaura, “Being Smart is Not Enough.”

What kinds of jobs are there for Civil Engineers?

Civil engineers held about 232,000 jobs in 2000 (US Department of Labor;
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos030.htm). Civil engineering jobs tended to fall into a few
main sectors. These job sectors and the approximate percentage of civil engineers
employed within each are listed and described below.

 Federal Government ~10%

Transportation Bureau
Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Energy, Department of Defense, etc.....
Military - Army Corps of Engineers, Air Force Center for Environ.
Excellence

State or Local Government ~22%

State Department of Transportation
State Department of Natural Resources
County or City Engineer
Public Utilities
Water or Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sanitation Department

Consulting Firms ~51%

Consulting such as CH2M Hill, MWH, Earth Tech, etc…

Construction and Manufacturing ~12%

Industry such as Exxon, Kiewit, etc...

Self Employed ~5%

Ex: usually 1-person “consulting firm” such as Laube Engineering,
Greeley CO Other

Other < 1%
Includes Peace Corps, Universities, research laboratories, etc. . .

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 During a career, many people change jobs and job type. For example, many
Civil Engineers start in consulting and later move into government positions. Others
move from consulting into self-employment. In almost all cases, self-employment
comes after learning on-the-job under licensed professional engineers (PE’s),
gaining your own PE, and then significant world experience.

What do Civil Engineers do?

Every job and career path is different. The information below provides some
examples and advice about a typical job path. However, every person, every
employer, each job is different and there are no specific rules. Expect the
unexpected. Variety and diversity are the key trait of civil engineering to remember.
If you don’t like one civil engineering job, don’t despair. There is a fit for your skills,
aspirations, and talents out there waiting for you.

First year engineer

Getting off to a strong start is the key to a successful career. Learn the
way things are done, and figure out what you need to do to earn credibility and
respect. Your first impression on your employers will determine the types of
job assignments they give you.

Tips:

A proper attitude is vital

Have realistic expectations and be willing to earn your place in the
organization. Expect work to be different than college Learn the “art of
being new”

Demonstrate maturity by showing you know how much you DON’T know
Learn as much as you can about your company and the people in it by
listening. College only gives you part of what you need to be
successful. There will be on the job training, so don’t believe you know
everything when you start. Recognize what you don’t know, and make
an effort to learn it quickly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Learn the culture - each company has its own unique personality and culture
The culture is a unique set of rules and norms, often unspoken and
informal, about how you should behave. Watch how others behave,
observe how people communicate and work together.

Be conscious of making a good impression

Everyone is trying to assess your abilities and strengths, so work hard
to build a good reputation. You want people to notice your maturity,
good judgment, and ability to fit into a team. Show that you want to fit
into the corporate culture. Make an extra effort, do whatever is asked
no matter how trivial.

Learn what your boss wants and expects

Search for opportunities and projects on which you can contribute

Find a mentor to give you advice and help you adapt

A mentor can help you learn the culture, learn what your boss expects
A mentor can help you build a network of colleagues

What you might do:

 write engineering reports (>50% of time)
 call clients and vendors (~10-20%)
 perform design calculations, or calculation checks
 field work: construction oversight; inspection; surveying (~20%)
 data analysis
 special trainings

41 | Civil Engineering Orientation