An Introduction to the Field of

Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is the oldest and one of the most versatile branches of
engineering. Every structure that we see around today is a creation of civil
engineering. Learn more about this fascinating discipline.
Civil engineering is the oldest and broadest engineering discipline among all
the engineering fields. The field deals with the planning, designing, and
construction of buildings and various other structures. From huge dams to
sky high buildings, from suspension bridges to offshore drilling platforms,
every physical concrete structure comes under civil engineering.
The usage of civil engineering dates back to the ancient times. Most of the
seven wonders, including Egyptian pyramids and the Taj Mahal, are the
creation of flawless civil engineering skills. Some of the worlds oldest
civilizations such as Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are also the product of
immaculate civil engineering. After all, how can one ignore the magnificent
architecture of Romes Coliseum or the unique design of the great Eiffel
tower?
Sub-Branches of Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is the most diverse field of all the engineering branches.
Technically speaking, civil engineering is the creator of the whole worlds
infrastructure. Structures such as tunnels, dams, sewers, bridges, highways,
canals, industrial plants, residential buildings, railway lines, airports etc
come under the category of civil engineering. Moreover, as the population of
the world increases and the technology becomes more advanced, the need
for better infrastructure will increase around the world. Civil engineering
continues to cater to these needs in all the sectors and aspects of human
life.

The need for infrastructure has increased by leaps and bounds in each and
every sector. In order to concentrate and manage the construction process
in each sector, the field of civil engineering has been divided into various
sub-disciplines. This means that on the basis of applications, the stream of
civil engineering has been segregated into several branches to make the
construction process easier and more manageable. Some of the main
branches include bridge engineering, construction engineering, coastal
engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering,
transportation engineering, surveying etc.
Application and Process

An ideal process of civil engineering will include the construction of a

concrete structure right from the planning to the maintenance of the
structure even after it is made. Civil engineers are the professionals who
perform the functions involved in a construction process. They plan, design
and analyze each and every part of the structure before starting the actual
construction process. Designs of all the parts of the building along with
precise specifications are drafted on drawing sheets prior to the construction
process. A study of various forces that can act at each of the building
corners is made and on the basis of that further modification in the design is
done. Even the minutest corner of the planned structures is scrutinized to
check the amount of stresses and strains that might arise when the
structure is built or in the process of making. Apart from this, the structures
are also provided with tolerance levels to adjust deviations due to wind,
seismic activities, or natural calamities. These tolerances allow the building
to resist the natural forces and thus stand strong without being impacted.
Thus civil engineering deals with setting up reliable structures with
guaranteed longevity. Also, with an increase in awareness towards
renewable sources of energy, the applications of civil engineering have also
increased. Environmental engineering, a sub-branch of civil engineer, deals
with constructing structures that have low impact on the environment and
leave no carbon foot prints. Environmental engineering also deals with
creating structures on both onshore and of shore sides in order to make
efficient and environmentally friendly sources of energy. Some of these
applications include various methods to purify the contaminated air and
water, utilizing solar energy, generating fresh water, utilizing wind and
water energy, and protecting the marine environment.
Civil engineering is becoming more and more diversified with the increase of
applications. Moreover, the guidelines of constructing structures have also
become more stringent, stressing issues such as human safety and
resistance to natural and man-made calamities.