Civil construction is an engineering discipline that focuses on design, building, maintenance, and even demolition of manmade structures like roads, bridges, multi-story buildings, dams, oil and gas drilling sites, as well as underground mining. Below is some more information about the major civil engineering sub-branches.
Civil Vs. Military Engineering
It is worth noting that civil construction is quite different from military engineering. In fact, the aims, scope, and nature of these two engineering branches are quite different. Civil construction usually involves participants in the public and private sectors. On the other hand, military construction involves participants from other military branches or businesses/legal entities known to have close ties to the military. In addition, the aim of undertaking civil engineering works is to benefit the public or private individuals. In comparison, the main aim of military construction is to benefit a country's military/defense/security.
Civil Construction Sub-Branches
1. Structural Construction
This sub-branch focuses on the design and analysis of different manmade structures. Furthermore, it involves careful analysis of natural/non-natural forces and loads that act on structures. For instance, structures like bridges are subject to forces caused by wind or earthquakes. It is also the duty of experts in this niche to consider factors like aesthetics when designing structures.
2. Transport Construction
Transport construction is specializes on the movement of goods and people from one point to another. The aim of transport engineers is to design and build transport systems including roads, airports, rail tracks, ports, and water canals that would facilitate efficient movement of different types of traffic.
3. Earthquake Engineering
Numerous countries including the US lie on fault lines that have been the source of destructive earthquakes. With this in mind, earthquake engineers focus on constructing structures that can withstand earth tremors of varying strengths. In addition, they liaise with authorities responsible for urban planning to come up with standard building codes applicable across earthquake prone areas.
4. Urban Engineering
The duties of professionals in urban engineering include designing, constructing, and maintaining urban roads, water drainage systems, public facilities such as parks, as well as waste management facilities. Moreover, urban engineers anticipate changes in urban populations and advice relevant local authorities on necessary infrastructural changes/additions.
Many people in developed nations have realized that human activities can harm the environment. To avoid such outcomes, individuals and organizations are increasingly requiring civil engineers to undertake construction activities that do not harm the environment. A good example is purification and recycling of the waste water generated in residential or commercial properties.
6. Forensic Engineering
Forensic engineers analyze a wide range of materials used in civil engineering to determine how they could fail as well as their properties. For instance, you will find forensic engineers at locations where building have collapsed investigating factors responsible for structural failure.
Conclusion
Civil engineering is a wide field that consists of sub-branches like forensic, environmental, structural, urban, earthquake, and transport construction. This means professionals in the civil engineering sector specialize in one niche instead of all. For this reason, it is up to you to hire an expert who suits your construction requirements. Contact us for more information.