Civil engineering is a general study that involves creating the unthinkable or even defying the impossible in a way that shapes and suits the modern world. Civil engineers must engage in rigorous research and practice of every aspect found in science, math, and physics prior to gaining their Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering degrees. Currently, there are at least seven different aspects of civil engineering that degree holders can specialize in when considering their job and future career path.
Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineers are focused on the materials that are found in the Earth. In order to study the ground materials and determine the conditions lurking under the surface, these engineers rely on the principles of rock and soil mechanics. Deciphering the details of each material allows them to pinpoint the properties that they are composed with and conclude the relevance of each material in a particular project. This field is also known for determining slope and deposit stability, as well as overseeing foundation and similar earthwork project sites. Geotechnical engineers are essentially responsible for the accurate designing and structuring of such foundations.
Structural Engineering
Structural engineers analyze and create structures with the goal of supporting and resisting specific load variables. Commonly, this field is known for combining the laws of physics with modernized design schemes in order to create stable, intricate structures. From establishing structural elements for stadiums to skyscrapers and even to bridges, this is the oldest known specialty in the civil engineering trade.
Materials Engineering
In the simplest of terms, materials engineers are focused on the particular substances that make up each project. Their research consists of thoroughly understanding the relationship between atomic or molecular scaled structures within each individual material and the macroscopic properties. Although this is a much younger field recognized in civil engineering, it has quickly gained popularity due to the skill becoming a crucial element in both failure analysis and forensic engineering.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineers are devoted to improving the Earth by using scientific engineering methods. Their common goals include designing ways to provide clean air, water, and suitable land to natives; as well as creating solutions to a potential crisis in public health. Environmental engineering is an enormous field in itself that encompasses recycling, pollution control, waste and water disposal and management, industrial hygiene, radiation protection, and overall stability in a given environment. Furthermore, these engineers can find a job conducting studies on the possible environmental impacts that could be caused by a proposed structural project.
Earthquake and Water Resource Engineering
Growing areas of interest include earthquake and water resource engineering practices. Earthquake engineers possess unsurpassed knowledge of the necessities a structure requires in order to take on a major earthquake and still remain standing. Experts in this field know not only how to incorporate load variables, but also how to incorporate material stress possibilities. Water resource engineers are strictly concerned with the way water is collected and managed. Studies commonly include aqueducts, a technique that dates as far back as the Roman age when the original aqueduct method was introduced.
Coastal Engineering
Coastal engineers are responsible for managing and maintaining all of the coastlines in and around the entire country, which notably includes marshlands. This field offers a wide variety of aqua-based jobs, from dune restoring to investigating sand sources. Restoring beaches, marshes, wetlands, inlets, and marine structures are amongst the main goals for coastal engineers. This specialty is also responsible for accurately designing sturdy defense systems or structures that can withstand erosion over the course of time and, in other areas, can withstand potential future flooding hazards.
Author Bio
Ryan Ayers is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to education. In this article, he describes potential careers in engineering and aims to encourage further study through Ohio University Online.
