Overview of Civil Engineering Subfields

Introduction

• Civil Engineering involves designing infrastructure: bridges, dams, roads, tunnels, buildings, railroads, pipelines, aircraft/spacecraft structures, etc.
• Four main subfields: Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Transportation Engineering.
• Curriculum: Common foundational classes in first two years; specialized electives in later years.

Structural Engineering

• Focus: Forces, strain, stability within a structure.
• Structures: Bridges, skyscrapers, landmarks, aircraft/spacecraft.
• Math and Physics Intensive: Statics (forces in non-moving systems).
• Key Classes:
  • Reinforced Concrete: Steel beams in concrete for added strength. Labs include building and testing concrete beams.
  • Structural Dynamics: Impact of motion (wind, earthquakes) on structures.
  • Seismic Analysis: Responses of structures to earthquakes.
  • Bridge Engineering: Design principles for highway bridges.
  • Mechanics of Materials: Internal stress due to twisting/bending.
  • Timber Structure Design: Forces within wooden structures.
• Career: Use of software for design and analysis, occasional fieldwork.

Geotechnical Engineering

• Focus: Behavior of earth materials (rock, soil).
• Importance: Foundation stability essential for structures.
• Key Activities:
  • Soil sampling and classification (sand, gravel, clay).
  • Testing soil reactions to forces (shear strength).
  • Field testing: Cone Penetration Testing.
  • Lab Testing: Tri-axial tests.
• Key Classes:
  • Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering: Soil dynamics during earthquakes.
  • Slope Stability Analysis: Designing stable structures on slopes.
  • Deep Foundation Analysis: Support for large structures like skyscrapers.
• Career: Fieldwork, lab work, and computer analysis.

Water Resources Engineering

• Focus: Managing human water resources.
• Projects: Water treatment facilities, dams, pipelines, storm drain systems, canals, culverts.
• Key Classes:
  • Coastal Hydraulics: Ocean wave propagation, sea walls, submerged pipelines.
  • Open Channel Hydraulics: Fluid flow in open channels.
• Career: Design and management of water systems, significant computational work.

Transportation Engineering

• Focus: Safe and efficient movement of goods and people.
• Projects: Streets, roads, highways, railroads, public transportation, airports.
• Key Activities:
  • Traffic impact analysis of new developments.
  • Optimizing traffic flow and safety.
  • Roadway design using software like AutoCAD.
  • Simulation and data analysis for traffic management.
• Key Classes:
  • Traffic Engineering: Analyzing traffic patterns and optimizing road systems.
• Career: Design, analysis, computer modeling.

Final Thoughts

• Architecture: Focus on aesthetic and spatial design; collaborates with structural engineers on technical aspects.
• Construction: Hands-on building; Civil engineers can transition into construction management, focusing on planning and budgeting.
• Job Prospects: Good average salary and job opportunities in civil engineering, architecture, and construction.
• Overall: Civil Engineering offers diverse career paths and the opportunity to impact society by designing and managing essential infrastructure.