BRANCHES OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
● 2002: The Autodesk Co. released a white
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Structural Engineering is a specialty inside the
field of civil engineering which centers on structural
framework / systems, and on planning those
structures in order to withstand the pressure and/or
stresses from their environment and to assure the
security and steadiness of the system all throughout
its use. Thus, the structural engineers are responsible
for making sure of the durability of an infrastructure -
buildings and structures don’t fall down and bridges
don’t collapse.
PRE- SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION (27TH CENTURY BC -
EARLY 18TH CENTURY A.D)
● 27th Century BC: Imhotep, the first-named
architect in history, built the step pyramid for
Pharaoh Djoser.
● 3rd Century BC: Archimedes invented the
sciences of mechanics and Hydrostatics.
● 17th Century: The foundations of modern
structural engineering were laid by Galileo
Galilei, Robert Hooke and Isaac Newton.
● 1676: Robert Hooke provides a scientific
understanding of elasticity of materials and
their behavior under load.
● 1687: Isaac Newton set out his Laws of Motion,
providing for the first time an understanding
of the fundamental laws governing structures.
● 1750: Euler and Bernoulli developed the
Euler–Bernoulli Beam Equation – the
fundamental theory underlying most
structural engineering design
18TH AND 19TH CENTURY
● 1804: The first fire-proof building was built in
England (Belper North Mill)
● 1885: Home Insurance Building or the first
metal-framed building in the world was built
in Chicago.
● 1956: The paper Stiffness and Deflection of
Complex Structures was published by Journal
of the Aeronautical Sciences.
● 1965: The United States government
developed the NASA Structure Analysis or
NASTRAN in favor of its aerospace industry –
NASA
● 1969: The first generation of finite element
analysis (FEA software) was initiated by
MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation which was
labeled as MSC NASTRAN
● 1982: The most widely used CAD program was
introduced by Autodesk Co.
● named AutoCAD.
paper entitled, “Building Information
Modeling” that made it popular after a
decade of existence.
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
CREATIVE
Structural engineers use their skills and
knowledge to design structures that are strong and
flexible to withstand pressures.
TEAM PLAYER
A structural engineer works alongside a team
of other construction professionals such as architects,
civil engineers and other discipline engineers.
PROBLEM SOLVER
There are various conditions that an engineer
might come across in the course of any given project.
Some of these conditions, unfavorable site conditions,
constraints from existing structures and unique
design conditions.
METICULOUS
The slightest error in the designing or
construction of a structure may cause it to collapse.
An experienced structural engineer should pay
attention to details. Key considerations should be
observed especially in designing the framework of a
Structure.
THE MAJOR AREAS OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
BUILDINGS
This is the most obvious, structural engineers
help design and construct buildings so they stay
standing after the scaffolding has been taken away;
but buildings come in many forms. A new home
might require a structural engineer’s input, but so will
a skyscraper, a new opera house or football stadium.
AERONAUTICAL
Aircraft, satellites, and even space vessels
need to be developed. The role of a structural
engineer is fundamental in this process. Not only do
they have to create a structure that can withstand the
rigors of its environment, but also one that operates
consistently under those conditions.
OIL AND GAS
A career in the oil and gas industry can see a
structural engineer work on a range of projects.
Whether it’s a pipeline, a rig, or a gas or oil field, the
one thing that’s common across exploration of this
kind is that the structures are vast.
NAUTICAL
Passenger vessels, cargo ships, and boats of
all other kinds might form the bulk of the engineering
done at sea, but a structural engineer who works in
the nautical field could as easily develop and
maintain other, non-moving structures - like wind
turbines - or even those to support oceanography.
BRIDGES
Whether it’s a footbridge over a stream, a rail
bridge over a gorge, or a road bridge spanning an
expanse of ocean, each project will require a
structural engineer to work on the design so the
bridge both works with its environment.
IMPORTANCE OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING FOR
BUILDING STRUCTURES AND FOUNDATIONS BASES ARE
AS FOLLOWS:
STRUCTURE DESIGN SUPPORT
A skilled structural engineer has the capability
to offer detailed information regarding foundations,
floors, type of roofs, beams, quantity of steel needed,
alignments directing to durability, retaining walls,
suspension of bridges and more. In designing
individual elements and the structure as a whole-
structural engineering plays a key role.
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Use of complex designs and amalgamated
materials in modern structures require effectual
structural analysis for design reliability, safety,
strength, material specification and stress design
focused on experiential and practical basis.
SAFETY EVALUATION
Credentialed structural engineers assist in
predicting safety and assess capacity and stability of
a structure against static and dynamic loading. Thus,
the process of planning the design and building the
structure keeping in view the safety and security of
workers, visitors and customers become hassle-free
and less dangerous.
ASSESSMENT
Proper structural estimation guides builders
to test design efficacy, chalk out material required,
and assess costs while aiding creative and effective
utilization of resources.In one-word, proficient
structural engineers achieve dynamic results by
enjoining the science of mathematics and physics to
analyze structures and work out the best possible
design solutions.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING AND ITS BROAD BENEFITS
Structural engineering, an eminent part of
civil engineering, has appeared as a penetrating part
of the construction process. During the 19th and 20th
centuries, when steel was used on a wide scale to
construct huge structures, structural engineering
started to become central to construction activities.
Day by day the technology advances and CAD has
been introduced for design and final analysis.
Therefore, structural engineering has become a part
and parcel of construction procedure for both
building and non-building structures. Accurate
design, risk analysis, effective cost and material
estimation make such companies the ultimate
resource to make creative use of structural elements.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND THEIR ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
The role of the structural engineer is a key
component within the construction process. It is a
part of the broader discipline of civil engineering,
structural engineering cares with the planning and in
physical integrity of buildings and other large
structures, like tunnels and bridges. Structural
engineers have a wide selection of responsibilities -
not least a duty to guarantee the security and
sturdiness of the project on which they're working.
DESIGN ON AN INFRASTRUCTURE
Many structural engineers deal primarily
within the design of structures - calculating the loads
and stresses the construction will need to withstand
the pressures brought by the environment. Structural
engineers should be ready to think about the various
qualities and strengths delivered by a variety of
building materials, and understand the way to
incorporate support beams, columns and
foundations.
INVESTIGATION
Before work can begin, structural engineers
are involved within the investigation and survey of
build sites to work out the suitability of the world for
the wants of the upcoming projects.
COMMUNICATION
Structural engineers are going to be required
to co-ordinate and consult other associates of their
projects, including engineers, environmental
scientists, architects and landscape architects. They'll
even be required to help and assist government
bodies in their own inspections concerning the
project.
MANAGEMENT
Structural engineers are often liable for the
organization and delivery of materials and equipment
needed in developing a project. The supervision and
management of on-site labor can also be a
necessity.
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAININGS
Graduates will need a degree in civil or
structural engineering accredited by the Institution of
Structural Engineers. You can then obtain one among
two recognized professional qualifications with the
Institution of Structural Engineers.You can apply for
Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status with a BEng
(Bachelor of Engineering);
INCORPORATED ENGINEERS
They maintain and manage applications of
current and developing technology, and may
undertake engineering design, development,
manufacture, construction and operation. You can
apply for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status if you
graduated with a BEng-plus-a-masters or an MEng.
CHARTERED ENGINEERS (CENG)
They develop solutions to engineering
problems using new or existing technologies through
innovation, creation and alter and that they may have
technical accountability for complex systems with
significant levels of risk. Both titles will help career
prospects, but chartered engineers are often of
greater value to employers. You then get to complete
a period of vocational education with an accredited
employer, also as a knowledgeable review, before
you'll obtain either of those titles.
KEY SKILLS FOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
● Creativity and Originality
● Commercially viable
● Team Working and communication skills
● Excellent mathematical, information
technology and analytical skills
● Keen attention to detail
● Project and budget management skills
COMMON SOFTWARE USED BY STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERS
● AUTOCAD
● STAAD PRO
● SAFE
● RISA
● NAVISWORKS
COMMON TOOLS USED BY STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
● PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
● Gloves
● Flashlight/Head Lamp
● Tape Measure
● Cameras and Photo Reference Card
● Notepad and Pencil
● Small Sledgehammer
● Probe
Safety HarnessCONSTRUCTION OF CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
HISTORY
There are few modern feats of engineering
achievement that surpass the great pyramids of
Ancient Egypt. The sheer scale of the technological
and physical challenge facing the creators of these
superstructures was immense. The management
skills by those early engineers were equally
impressive. The demands of the clients (the
Pharaohs) had to be fulfilled while co-coordinating,
controlling and monitoring the subcontractors (the
artisans) and employees (the slaves), as well as
ensuring the optimum use of material resources
(Fraidoon Mazda, 1997).
Construction engineering and management
(CEM) is no simpler today and both beginner and
experienced engineers find it difficult to come to
terms with this subject. Today’s construction industry
has become more complex than ever before with the
emergence of new business demands and
challenges. Sophisticated clients and competitors will
force civil engineering firms to adapt management
concepts and theories to construction, and to shift
their focus from the traditional project management
approach to new management focus areas.
INTRODUCTION
Construction Engineering and Management
concerns the planning and management of the
construction process for different infrastructure
projects such as high ways, bridges, airports,
railroads, buildings, dams and reservoirs.
Construction of such projects requires knowledge of
management principles, business procedures and
human behavior. Construction Engineers engage in
the design of temporary structures, quality assurance
and quality control, building and site layout surveys,
on site material testing, concrete mix design, cost
estimation, planning and scheduling, safety
engineering, materials procurement, selection of
equipment and cost engineering and budget.
 Construction engineers design and execute
processes for building and maintaining the
infrastructure of our world. The tools of the trade for
today’s successful construction engineer include the
following: strong math, science, and computer skills;
creativity; an aptitude for applying science and
engineering methods to solve problems; a love of
building structures; an interest in working indoors and
outdoors; initiative and a strong work ethic; the ability
to collaborate with diverse people; good
communications skills; and a desire to learn in a
constantly changing environment.
Construction engineering management, or
CEM, involves the application of technical and
scientific knowledge to infrastructure construction
projects. While engineering focuses on design and
construction management is concerned with
overseeing the actual construction, CEM often
represents a blend of both disciplines, bridging design
and management or project execution. Construction
engineering managers may have an educational
background at both undergraduate and graduate
levels as well as experience in construction
management techniques.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Individuals looking to obtain a construction
engineering degree must first ensure that the
program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET
accreditation is assurance that a college or university
program meets the quality standards established by
the profession for which it prepares its students. In the
US there are currently twenty-five programs that exist
in the entire country so careful college consideration
is advised.
A typical construction engineering curriculum
is a mixture of engineering mechanics, engineering
design, construction management and general
science and mathematics. This usually leads to a
Bachelor of Science degree. The B.S. degree along
with some design or construction experience is
sufficient for most entry-level positions. Graduate
schools may be an option for those who want to go
further in depth of the construction and engineering
subjects taught at the undergraduate level. In most
cases construction engineering graduates look to
either civil engineering, engineering management or
business administration as a possible graduate
degree.
THE GRADUATES OF CONSTRUCTION OF
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
PROGRAMS shall have:
● Undertaken, singly or in teams, projects that
show an ability to solve complex engineering
problems.
● Had substantial involvement in projects that
take into consideration safety, health,
environmental concerns and the public
welfare, partly through adherence to required
codes and laws.
● Demonstrated professional success via
promotions and/or positions of increasing
responsibility.
● Demonstrated life-long learning via progress
toward completion of an advanced degree,
professional development/continuing
education courses, or industrial training
courses.
● Exhibited professional behavior and attitude
in engineering practice vi. Initiated and
implemented actions toward the
improvement of engineering practice.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
a. Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science
and engineering
b. Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well
as to analyze and interpret data
c. Ability to design a system, component, or process
to meet desired needs within realistic constraints
such as economic, environmental, social, political,
ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and
sustainability
d. Ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams e.
Ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering
problems
f. Understanding of professional and ethical
responsibility
g. Ability to communicate effectively
h. Broad education necessary to understand the
impact of engineering solutions in the global and
societal context
i. Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage
in life-long learning
j. Knowledge of contemporary issues
k. Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern
engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
l. Knowledge and understanding of engineering and
management principles, as a member and leader in
a team, to manage projects in multidisciplinary
environments
CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
● General contractors (bridges, roads,
buildings, healthcare, facilities and centers)
● Owners and Developers
● Mechanical/electrical contractors
● Renewable energies
● Consulting and design firms
● Oil and gas industry
● Aviation industry
● Historical Restoration
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER
● Planning and overseeing the construction
operations of a project
- Conducting site layout, Scheduling,
Selecting equipment, Organizing the
work crew, Managing materials,
Safeguarding the Environment,
Building Temporary structures
● Designing (both temporary and permanent)
● Checking and modifying plans and
specifications for constructability, efficiency,
and safety
● Developing cost estimates and preparing
bids
● Utilizing Building Information Modelling (BIM)
software for 3D models
● Managing subcontractor firms
● Working with the owner to ensure that the
project meets requirements
● Solving job site problems, moving between
the field and office
● Gaining additional education and training
TECHNICAL AND LEADERSHIP BACKGROUND
Construction engineering managers are often
called upon to use computers and construction
management software to produce and analyze
designs for their projects. They are responsible for
assembling teams of qualified engineers who can
ensure completion of a given project. Construction
engineering managers also need to possess the right
knowledge for controlling estimation and planning of
associated costs for a project.
WORK RESPONSIBILITIES
Construction engineering managers often
work out of a central office but may make frequent
visits to job sites and sometimes engage in
on-location work with labor. They also tour sites
regularly to inspect the work being done and to
ensure that proper standards in the construction
project are being maintained. The typical workweek
for a construction engineering manager is 40 hours,
but many works longer hours in an effort to meet
deadlines or solve problems that arise within a
project
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
Construction engineering managers must
possess a thorough understanding of laws,
regulations, and building codes, especially those that
have a direct impact on the project at hand. They
must also be able to estimate the total cost of a given
project with consideration to:
● Site inspections
● Drainage, sewage, and elevation level tests •
Equipment and materials
● Labor
Construction engineering managers are also
responsible for managing the workings of various
other entities involved in the project. They are
responsible for providing expert supervision from
beginning to end while also keeping the project
running on or ahead of schedule and within budget.
The job requires strong leadership and interpersonal
skills and attention to detail. Like any other kind of
engineer, construction engineering managers need to
possess strong problem-solving, analytical, and
mathematical skills.
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT JOBS
As with other areas of construction, the job of
a construction engineering manager is in demand
and experiencing growth. According to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, the construction industry is
expected to see upwards of 20 percent growth over
the next 8 to 10 years. That alone will expand the need
for qualified managers at every level of the
construction process, making it a good choice when
trying to decide on a career in construction.
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
Mobility has always been crucial to human
society. In today’s world, the need for efficient and
safe transportation has increased so much that the
transportation facilities of a state are considered a
mark of its progress, leading to a direct correlation
between the two. Transportation has consistently
played an essential role in the advancement of
society as it aids in a country’s development by
facilitating trade between regions, reducing travel
time cost, and improving accessibility, initially with
regard to trade routes and harbors, but more recently
with respect to land- and air-based frameworks too.
 Consequently, a branch of civil engineering,
specifically transportation engineering, is the one
accountable with the design, operation, planning and
management of transportation infrastructure,
mobility service, traffic, and travelers for various travel
modes with the application of technology and
scientific principles (Civil Engineering and Engineering
Mechanics, 2020). Thus, it is the transportation
engineer’s responsibility to plan, design, build, operate
and maintain the systems of transport, in such a way
as to provide for the safe, efficient, rapid, comfortable,
convenient, economical, and environmentally
sustainable movement of people and goods. They
quantify and optimize our mobility infrastructure
networks to meet travel and freight demands, while
ensuring safety, equity and sustainability, at minimal
levels of congestion and cost.
Respectively, according to Partha
Chakroborty and Animesh Das in their book
“Principles of Transportation Engineering” in 2017, the
following are the important disciplines in the field of
transportation engineering.
Traffic Engineering
This area of transportation engineering
manages the analysis, design, and operation of
transportation facilities utilized by vehicles of different
transportation modes. Such an examination assumes
utmost significance in the case of roadways as the
number of vehicles using the transportation facilities
are the highest as well as the most varied in terms of
their type, origins and destinations, purposes, etc.
Pavement Engineering
This area of transportation engineering deals
with the structural analysis and design of the way
used by different transportation modes.
Public Transportation
The area of public transportation is
concerned with the analysis, design, and operation of
public transportation systems. A public transportation
is a transportation system that operates to move the
general public from one point to another.
Transport Planning
Transport planning deals with planning
transportation facilities that will be able to meet the
present and future needs in a sustainable manner.
Transport Economics
This area studies the various economic costs
and benefits of building and operating different
transportation facilities.
IMPORTANT DISCIPLINES AS DESCRIBED BY THE
NATIONAL PROGRAMME ON TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED
LEARNING (NPTEL)
Geometric design
It deals with physical proportioning of other
transportation facilities, in contrast with the structural
design of the facilities.
Environmental impact assessment
The environmental impact assessment
attempts in quantifying the environmental impacts
and tries to evolve strategies for the mitigation and
reduction of the impact due to both construction and
operation. The primary impacts are fuel consumption,
air pollution, and noise pollution.
Accident analysis and reduction
One of the silent killers of humanity is
transportation. This discipline of transportation looks
at the causes of accidents, from the perspective of
humans, roads, and vehicles and formulates plans for
the reduction.
Intelligent transport system
With the conception of smart city transmuting
cities into digital societies, making the life of its
citizens easy in every facet, the Intelligent Transport
System becomes an indispensable component
among all. Intelligent transportation systems offer
better mobility, efficiency, and safety with the help of
state-of-the-art-technology.
BASIC ELEMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING IDENTIFIED BY
CHAKRABORTY AND DAS
Driver
Every mode of transportation has a driver
who controls the vehicle used in the mode of
transportation
Vehicle
The vehicles which are used in transportation
have certain characteristics (e.g. turning radius,
braking distance, accelerating capabilities, etc.)
which influence the design and operation of the
transportation facility.
Way
Every mode of transportation uses a specified
path that is either constructed or charted.
Control In order to ensure safety and efficiency of
operation, there are system level controls imposed on
the movement of the vehicles.
Terminal
This is a location where the vehicles of a
mode stop for various reasons including (i) boarding
(loading) and alighting (unloading) of passengers (or
goods), (ii) resting when not in use, (iii) refuelling, (iv)
maintenance, etc.
User
Obviously, any transportation system runs to
provide service to its users. The users are (i) the public
at large for transportation modes that cater to
passenger transport or (ii) organizations for
transportation modes that cater to goods transport.
LAND TRANSPORT IN THE PHILIPPINES
Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA)
● Maintained by Metro Manila Development
● Serves the National Capital Region and is also
a vital highway in the metropolis.
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)
● Maintained by the Manila North Tollways
Corporation
● Four-lane highway in the region of Central
Luzon that has a total of 94 kms
Manila Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 7
● The Philippines is a 23 km-long elevated rapid
transit line under construction.
● The elevated line will run from North Avenue,
Quezon City, to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan,
and will include 14 stations.
AIR TRANSPORT IN THE PHILIPPINES
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
● Maintained by Manila International Airport
Authority
● The premier gateway of the Philippines which
serves the Metro Manila area and its
surrounding regions.
Clark International Airport
● Owned by the Department of Transportation,
Bases Conversion and Development Authority
● Serves Central Luzon, Northern Luzon, and to
an extent Metro Manila.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport
● Location: Lapu-Lapu city on Mactan Island
● Construction started: 1956, Opened: 1960
● Owned by Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Authority
● Second busiest airport in the Philippines, but
since opening a new terminal building, it has
received more accolades than any airport in
the capital region
WATER TRANSPORT IN THE PHILIPPINES
Port of Manila
● Location: Tondo, Manila
● Start of Operations: 1901
● Maintained by Bureau of Public Works
● Largest port in the country and also its
gateway to international shipping and trade.
Port of Cebu
● Managed by the Cebu Port Authority
● Serves the international cruise ships and their
passengers.
Batangas International Port
● Operated by the Philippine Ports Authority
● Covering 150 hectares the port is the
alternative to the Port of Manila when it
comes to handling large consignments of
cargo and containers.
Port of Cagayan de Oro
● Operated and managed by the Philippine
Ports Authority, PMO Cagayan de Oro
● Had a terminal inaugurated as the biggest
port passenger port terminal in the Philippines
LAND TRANSPORTATION AROUND THE WORLD
Aizhai Suspension Bridge China
● The world's highest bridge, connecting two
tunnels in China, is also one of the world's
longest suspension bridges
Port Mann Bridge
● The widest bridge in the world (until the Bay
Bridge's east span recently opened), the
bridge east of Vancouver, B.C., which opened
in 2012, remains the second-longest bridge in
North America.
AIR TRANSPORTATION AROUND THE WORLD
Singapore Changi Airport
● Major civilian airport that serves Singapore,
and is one of the largest transportation hubs
in Asia. It is currently rated the World's Best
Airport by Skytrax for the eighth consecutive
year since 2013
Denver International Airport
● Denver International Airport is the largest in
the United States at more than 33,000 acres,
twice the size of Manhattan.
WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING
LOCAL HISTORY
During the Spanish colonization in the
Philippines, civil engineering was not by virtue of
academic title. There were no schools for civil
engineering and the only engineers with academic
degrees were Spaniards. Indio builders were called
Maestro de Obras (Master Builders). It is equivalent as
of today to construction foreman.
In 1909, during the American colonial era,
Wawa Dam (Montalban Dam) was built over the
Marikina River in Rodriguez, Rizal. It was constructed to
provide the water needs for Metro Manila. It used to
be the only source of water in Manila until Angat Dam
was built; Wawa was later abandoned. Furthermore,
the first national irrigation systems (NIS) was the San
Miguel River Irrigation System in Tarlac, inaugurated in
1913. Meanwhile, the earliest records of communal
irrigations systems (CIS) was on 1914, mostly located
in the Ilocos area and known as the zanjera.
INTERNATIONAL HISTORY
In Water Resources Engineering, the analysis
and synthesis of various water problems was not
limited through the use of different analytical tools in
hydrologic engineering as well as hydraulic
engineering but it also focused on the aspects of
design and management.
Over the past 9000 to 10,000 years , water
resource engineering has progressed as humans
have developed the skills and techniques required to
construct hydraulic systems to store and transport
water. Early examples include irrigation networks
developed by the Egyptians and Mesopotaminas, and
the Hobokam in North America. The oldest large dam
in the world was the Sadd-el Kafara Dam constructed
in Egypt between 2950 and 2690 B.C.
ANCIENT ASIAN HISTORY
Asians have already utilized a water supply
and sewer system during the Bronze and early Iron
Ages. The Mesopotamians introduced the clay sewer
pipes in wells around 4000 BCE, with the earliest
examples found in the Temple of Bel at Nippur and at
Eshnunna. The first sanitation systems were built in
prehistoric Iran. The Pyramid of Sahure in ancient
Egypt was discovered to have a network of copper
drainage pipes.
The Indus Valley Civilization showed early
evidence of public water supply and sanitation. In the
city of Lothal, houses had their own private toilet
which was connected to a covered sewer network
made of bricks.
The Minoan civilization in ancient Greece used
underground clay pipes for sanitation and water
supply. Knossos, its capital, has a well-organized
system for bringing clean water, removing
wastewater, and preventing storm sewage canals to
overflow. In ancient Rome, public latrines (toilets)
were built over the Cloaca Maxima. They also had
indoor plumbing – a system of aqueducts and pipes
connecting homes, public wells and fountains to
water sources.
MEDIEVAL EUROPE HISTORY
Open drains, or gutters, for waste water
run-off, known as kennels, ran along the center of
some streets in London. In Paris, they were called “split
streets”, as the wastewater running along the middle
physically splits the streets. In 1370, Hugues Aubird
designed the first closed sewer Paris, measuring 300
meters long; and was constructed on Rue Montmartre
(Montmartre Street). The original purpose of
designing and constructing a closed sewer in Paris
was more on holding back the stench coming from
the odorous waste water rather than for waste
management.
INFORMATION ABOUT WATER
About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is
covered by water, and the oceans hold about 96.5
percent of it. With that being said, the planet’s water is
mostly salt water with just 3 percent fresh water. The
greater part of the freshwater is frozen in glaciers and
the polar ice caps, the rest can be found as ground
water. Though fresh water is deemed to be available
as a renewable resource, the supply of pure fresh
water is slowly decreasing. The increasing rate of
population in the world exceeds the rate of increase
of water supply and this results in the shortage of
water in many parts of the world. It is reported that
during the twentieth century, more than half of all the
global wetlands were lost. Water is really essential to
human’s daily living and it is also used for agriculture,
industry, domestic purposes and environmental
events.
IMPORTANCE OF WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING
Resources, by their very nature, are finite.
There are only a small handful that are naturally
renewable – such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass.
While water may be renewable in terms of the many
different ways it can be used and reused, it’s not as
abundant as it once was, which many earth scientists
and climatologists point to as a function of climate
change. The Bureau of Reclamation provides some
perspective as to just how limited this resource is in
terms of usability, despite its vastness. If the world’s
water supply were roughly 26 gallons, the amount of
freshwater available for safe usage would be the
equivalent to 0.003 liters. That’s equal to roughly a
half- teaspoon. This means that allocation of water
resources is very imperative and that there should be
someone managing these resources. This is where
water resources engineers do their jobs.
Significantly, water resource engineers, as
mentioned above may be charged to develop new
systems or processes for private or government
entities that can preserve freshwater sources and find
new ones. This may require the assistance of civil
engineers in designing water purification methods
through desalination or creating new equipment for
contaminant transport when water is used for
irrigation purposes.
Hoover Dam (USA)
● Boulder Dam, dam in Black Canyon on the
Colorado River, at the Arizona-Nevada border,
U.S. Constructed between 1930 and 1936, it is
the highest concrete arch-gravity dam in the
United States.
International Diversion Dam
● Diversion dam on the Rio Grande in Ciudad
Juárez. The dam is operated by the
International Boundary and Water
Commission, and diverts water into the
Acequia Madre for use in irrigation in Mexico.
● Water is diverted under the terms of the 1906
treaty on usage of Rio Grande water between
the United States and Mexico.
KEY SKILLS
● Excellent analytical skills
● Team-working skills
● Root cause analysis and problem-solving
skills
● Good time management
● Communication skills
● Technical and commercial reporting skills
● AUTOCAD skills
● IT skills
● Distinct personalities
● Intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive.
● Curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and
logical.
● Independent, stable, persistent, genuine,
practical, and thrifty.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
The Environmental Science Org. (n.d.) stated
that Water Resource Engineers are expected to obtain
at least a Bachelor's degree. Meanwhile, some
companies also demand that one attend an
ABET-accredited program to help with the licensure
process, a requirement for all engineers. The
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology,
Inc., or known as ABET is a non- governmental
organization that endorses post-secondary
education programs in fields of applied and natural
science, computing, engineering and engineering
technology. Obtaining an engineering license usually
includes passing the Fundamentals of Engineering
Exam. This field also requires becoming an intern or
Engineer-in-Training for a required amount of time.
However, requirements for obtaining a license in this
field may vary from state to state. Most Water
Resources Engineers pursue Masters Degrees. In
reality, one out of five Civil Engineers pursue higher
education not only to increase chances of being hired
but to increase the possibility of landing a
higher-paying position.
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
INTRODUCTION
Geotechnical engineering is a specialization
within civil engineering that concerned with the
analysis, design and construction of foundations,
slopes, retaining structures, embankments, tunnels,
levees, wharves, landfills and other systems that are
made of or are supported by soil or rock. From a
scientific perspective, geotechnical engineering
largely involves defining the soil’s strength and
deformation properties. It is the study of the behavior
of soils under the influence of loading forces and
soil-water interactions. This knowledge is applied to
the design of foundations, retaining walls, earth dams,
clay liners, and geosynthetics for waste containment.
This branch of engineering plays a key role in all civil
engineering projects built on or in the ground for the
assessment of natural hazards.
Geotechnical engineering includes specialist fields
such as:
1. Soil and Rock Mechanics
2. Geophysics
3. Hydrogeology
4. Geology
The specialism involves using scientific
methods and principles of engineering to collect and
interpret the physical properties of the ground for use
in building and construction. Its practical application,
e.g. foundation engineering, has come to require a
scientific approach.
HISTORY OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
● Ancestors in the olden days use soil for an
extensive variety of activities from building
creation to irrigation and flood control.
● By the 18th century as civilization advanced
further, numerous engineering problems
related to building foundations began to
emerge.
● The engineers for more careful process of
construction of the Colosseum on 73 A.D at
Rome, Italy. It was built over a dried lake, and
the Romans had to make sure it was
completely drained before laying foundation
over the remaining clay bed so it will not bend
over.
● In the late ‘80s, the workforce was challenge
by the size of a copper statue with a total
height of 305’6”. The Statue of Liberty cannot
stand by itself so a big iron framework was
put inside to support the structure and was
decided to be placed in a small island where
it can stand alone without anyone who will be
at risk—at the Liberty Island, Upper New York
Bay, in New York City.
● From early 1700s to the early 1900s scientists
such as Coulomb, Darcy, Rankine, Boussinesq,
Mohr and Atterberg published fundamental
theories on soil mechanics and water flow
through soil.
● Particular recognition is given to Karl von
Terzaghi who is considered as the "father of
soil mechanics and geotechnical
engineering" because of his classic book
Erdbaumechanik (Soil Mechanics) published
in 1925.
● In 1925, he established the country’s first
academic program in Soil Mechanics at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT);
● In 1930, his work had led to the appointment
of a Special Committee on Earthworks and
Foundations by the American Society of Civil
Engineers (ASCE).
International Society for Soil Mechanics and
Geotechnical Engineering
International Society for Soil Mechanics and
Geotechnical Engineering ( ISSMGE ) is a society
representing Engineers Academics and Contractors
all over the world that actively participate in
geotechnical engineering. The International Society
had its origins in the First International Conference on
Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering held in
Harvard in 1936. A total of 206 delegates attended
from 20 countries. In order to ensure continuation of
this very successful initiative, an Executive Committee
was set up with Karl Terzaghi as President and Arthur
Casagrande as Secretary. In 1997, Council approved a
change in name to the International Society for Soil
Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering to reflect
more accurately the activities of the Society.
ADVANTAGES OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
1. Geo engineering could be very potenT.
2. It could be extremely affordable.
3. We have proof that geo engineering works.
DISADVANTAGES OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
1. Geoengineering could change weather
patterns dramatically.
2. It won’t solve all our problems.
3. It only cools the equatorial regions effectively.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO BECOME A
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER?
The qualifications needed to become a
geotechnical engineer include at least a bachelor’s
degree in civil engineering or geotechnical
engineering. A program accredited by ABET is needed
in order to gain licensure, which is required to work as
a professional engineer (PE). A few universities offer
graduate degrees in geotechnical engineering. With
this profession, relevant subjects may include:
1. Engineering Geology
2. Geology
3. Geophysics
4. Geotechnology
5. Mineral/Mining Engineering
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
● Build and maintain relationships with clients
and other professionals involved in the site,
throughout each project
● Maintain safety standards on site
● Be mindful of cost implications when you
make recommendations
JOB OPENING IN THE FUTURE
Geotechnical or Geological Engineers (General)
Provide analysis and mapping of technical
results obtained from seismic surveys, and
investigate subsurface conditions and materials to
determine their properties and risks.
Geotechnical or Geological Engineer (Oil Sands
Projects)
Design open pit walls, mine waste dumps and
dam structures used in oil sands mining, and analyze
slope stability, seepage and hydraulic separation on
dam structures.
Hydrogeological Engineer
Provide design and analysis of ponds
containing discarded oil sands materials, water
extraction from soil and sand, and steam injection
into wells; and evaluate underground water layers
trapped in rocks (aquifers). They also provide advice
on environmental restoration.
Reservoir Geomechanics Engineer (Oil & Gas
Operations)
Analyze the strength of soils, drill hole stability,
stress constraint, permeability of rock formations and
the degree of trapped hydrocarbons in underground
reservoirs.
Geomechanics Engineers (Marine Operations)
Analyze the relationship between physical
structures and marine geology, anchoring systems,
sediment erosion, slope stability, and foundations for
offshore and coastal structures.
BENEFITS OF BEING A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
● Possibility to submit papers to many
conferences and symposia
● Lower conference registration fees
● Possibility of membership of one the many
technical committees working on specific
topics
● Access to work of ISSMGE in various fields of
activity,including Education, Communications,
Technology Transfer
● Opportunities to demonstrate leadership in
Technical Committee, conference and other
activities
● Opportunities to build lasting world-wide
relationships
● Aclear demonstration of interest and
professionalism in the field of Geotechnics
PROJECTS INVOLVING GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Four Seasons Hotel & Legg Mason, Baltimore
- MD Geo- Technology Associates, INC.(GTA)
- Slurry wall, under-drain system, and mat
foundations are constructed for this high-rise
hotel/condominium and office building
complex
- With a 22-story hotel and condominium tower
encompassing 455,000 SF (with capacity of
construction to 45 stories)
- Borings, monitoring wells, seismic Cone
Penetrating Soundings, and packer in-situ
permeability tests.
- Performed analysis using “ModFlow”
Retaining Wall at Box Hill, Harford County
- A modular block retaining wall to support the
proposed 140,000 +/- square foot Wegmans
grocery store at the Boulevard at Box Hill
- The design included both internal and global
stability analyses to assess the long-term
stability of the fill and underlying Potomac
Clay deposit.
Wilmington Country Club Water Impoundment
Structure, Wilmington
- Services included subsurface exploration and
well installation, groundwater monitoring,
slope stability and seepage analysis, and
earthwork recommendations during design
and review of the earthwork and engineering
consultation during construction.
Lancaster Newspaper Parking Structure, Lancaster
- Provided geotechnical services for the
construction of a six-level precast concrete
parking structure in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
- The garage required excavations up to 17 feet
in depth within an urban environment with
existing structures on two sides of the
proposed garage.
I-495 Emergency Bridge Repairs, Wilmington
- DE GTA provided emergency response and
corrective action services including
subsurface exploration and geotechnical
engineering services to repair BR1-183 on
I-495 over Christina River in June 2014 through
its open-ended contract with Walton
Corporation.
- Working conditions were tight as contractors
worked to remove a soil stockpile thought to
cause the bridge’s foundation to tilt and
rotate, subsequently closing the bridge for
almost four months.
Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- The centrepiece of the Saadiyat Island
Cultural District and will showcase the history,
culture and, more recently, the social and
economic transformation of the Emirates.
- Architecturally, the aim has been to combine
a highly efficient, contemporary form with
elements of traditional Arabic design and
hospitality to create a museum that is
sustainable, welcoming and culturally of its
place.
Manchester Metrolink, in Manchester, United
Kingdom
- England's first modern street-operating light
rail system.
- It includes seven lines that serve the towns of
Bury, Altrincham, Eccles, Ashton-under-Lyne,
East Didsbury, Manchester Airport, and
Rochdale, meeting at Manchester city centre.
Metrolink incorporates the features of heavy
rail and trams.
First Street Tunnel, in Washington DC, United States
- A two-track, soft-earth tunnel built between
1904 and 1906 by the Washington Terminal
Company to serve as the southern approach
to Union Station in Washington, D.C. W
City Line in Stockholm, Sweden
- The Stockholm City Line is a commuter
railway tunnel beneath central Stockholm in
Sweden which is used by the Stockholm
Commuter Rail. The line is 7.4 kilometres long,
double track and electrified.
Gotthard Base Tunnel
- At 57 kilometres, the Gotthard Base Tunnel
(GBT) is the longest railway tunnel in the
world and represents the centrepiece of the
New Rail Link through the Alps (NRLA). It
embodies Swiss values such as innovation,
precision and reliability.
- Provides a quicker, more reliable link between
north and south for both people and goods.
- Faster, more frequent and more convenient
services as well as new and modernised
rolling stock will considerably increase the
transport quality on the north-south axis.
Águas Livres Aqueduct
- Baroque architectural infrastructure
commissioned by King Dom João V, which
was built between 1731 and 1799,. It is a
hydraulic structure that stretches over 36
miles, built of cut stone quarried in the Lisbon
area, together with limestone masonry.
- It was the last great classical aqueduct to be
built all over the world, constituting a system
for the capture and transport of water, which
passes through five separate municipalities in
Portugal: Amadora, Lisboa, Odivelas, Oeiras
and Sintra.
British Embassy-Manila located at Mckinley Hill
Village, Taguig
- Client: Mace Limited, LONDON Scope of Work:
Foundation investigation
Sakamoto Plant Expansion Project located at Bauan,
Batangas
- Client: BAUER FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES, INC.
Scope of Work: High Strain Dynamic Testing
Iloilo Airport
- Client: Trevi FOUNDATIONS PHILIPPINES INC.
Scope of Work: High Strain Dynamic Testing,
Static Testing, Ultrasonic Cross-hole Logging
Test
Hanjin Philippines Subic Shop Facility located at
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, SBMA
- Client: LC BUILDERS & DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Scope of Work: High Strain Dynamic Testing,
Static Load Testing
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY ENGINEERING
The environmental engineering specialization
focuses on supporting the well-being of people and
the environment in areas where the two intersect. Civil
engineering education provides the foundation of the
environmental engineering practices of developing
environmental feasible projects that can enhance
people’s quality of life.
Over the decades, environmental engineers
have improved countless lives while protecting the
environment. Innovative advancements have been
made in sustainability in recent years, including the
use of alternative energy sources like solar, wind or
water, better insulation to reduce energy usage, and
plumbing fixtures that use less water, among other
methods.
CURRENT FIELDS/CAREER OF ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEER
● Environmental engineer
● Water Project Manager
● Senior environmental engineer
● Environmental health and safety director
● Environmental engineering consultant
● Green building engineer
● Coastal engineer
● Geophysical engineer
● Ecological engineer
CIVIL ENGINEERING: ENERGY
Engineering has been specifically identified as
a profession with opportunities to make substantial
contributions to a clean and energy-efficient future.
The civil engineering energy specialization gives the
comprehensive knowledge needed to plan, design,
construct and manage the balance of system
components associated with energy infrastructure
projects.
Energy engineers work across the full energy
lifecycle, including extraction, production, conversion,
transmission and distribution. In addition, they play an
integral role in processing energy from a variety of
renewable sources, e.g. solar, wind and geothermal
power, nuclear power, water, oil, gas and biofuels. Civil
engineering builds the foundation of the key area for
energy projects, particularly the renewable energy
sector which helps reduce energy consumption that
damages the environment

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY PROJECTS

Solar-Powered Sewage Treatment Plant

● Help address the problem with household
wastewater discharge that contributes to the
pollution in Manila Bay. The project will ensure
that no untreated wastewater from the three
major drainage outfalls flows into the Manila
Bay.

Calatagan Solar Power Plant, Philippines

● Over 200,000 Trina Solar TSM-PC14 solar
panels are installed over an expansive 160-
hectares, generating a substantial amount of
clean energy, enough to power the whole of
western Batangas. The solar farm also enjoys
optimum weather conditions – receiving a
steady breeze off the South China Sea, the
highest levels of sunshine in Southern
Tagalog, and seldom hit by typhoons.

Pixel Building
● The first-ever four story building with
sustainable infrastructure in the whole of
Australia. The standing pride of Melbourne
and the construction group Grocon. The
project achieved a perfect score of 100
through the Green Star rating system and
earned an extra five points for innovation for
achieving carbon neutrality and including a
vacuum toilet system, the anaerobic
digestion system and reduced car parking.

Good luck, ENGR.