Course Code: ES1

Course Title: CIVIL ENGINEERING ORIENTATION

LEARNING MODULE 1

ENGR. RICHMONILYN A. SALVADOR

SUBJECT INSTRUCTOR
 Republic of the Philippines
CATANDUANES STATE UNIVERSITY
Virac, Catanduanes

Disclaimer

This learning material is used in compliance with the flexible teaching-learning approach
espoused by CHED in response to the pandemic that has globally affected educational
institutions. Authors and publishers of the contents are well acknowledged. As such the college
and its faculty do not claim ownership of all sourced information. This learning material will
solely be used for instructional purposes not for commercialization.

CatSU College of Engineering

 CHAPTER 1

HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING PROFESSION

It is difficult to determine the history of emergence and beginning of civil engineering,

however, that the history of civil engineering is a mirror of the history of human beings on this
earth. Man used the old shelter caves to protect themselves of weather and harsh environment,
and used a tree trunk to cross the river, which being the demonstration of ancient age civil
engineering.

Civil Engineering has been an aspect of life since the beginnings of human existence.
The earliest practices of Civil Engineering may have commenced between 4000 and 2000 BC in
Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (Ancient Iraq) when humans started to abandon a nomadic
existence, thus causing a need for the construction of shelter. During this time, transportation
became increasingly important leading to the development of the wheel and sailing.

Until modern times there was no clear distinction between Civil engineering and
Architecture, and the term engineer and architect were mainly geographical variations referring
to the same person, often used interchangeably. The construction of Pyramids in Egypt (circa
2700-2500 BC) might be considered the first instances of large structure constructions.

Around 2550 BC, Imhotep, the first documented engineer, built a famous Stepped
Pyramid for King Djoser located at Saqqara Necropolis. With simple tools and mathematics he
created a monument that stands to this day. His greatest contribution to engineering was his
discovery of the art of building with shaped stones. Those who followed him carried engineering
to remarkable heights using skill and imagination.
 Stepped Pyramid

Ancient historic Civil Engineering constructions include the Qanat Water Management
System (the oldest older than 3000 years and longer than 71 km,) the Parthenon by Iktinos in
Ancient Greece (447-438 BC), the Appian Way by Roman engineers (c. 312 BC), the Great
Wall of China by General Meng T’ien under orders from Ch’in Emperor Shih Huang Ti (c. 220
BC). The Romans developed civil structures throughout their empire, including especially
aqueducts, insulae, harbours, bridges, dams and roads.

Qanat Water Management System

Parthenon

Appian Way
 The Great Wall of China

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, Peru, built at around 1450, at the height of the Inca Empire is considered
an engineering marvel. It was built in the Andes Mountains assisted by some of history’s most
ingenious water resource engineers. The people of Machu Picchu built a mountain top city with
running water, drainage systems, food production and stone structures so advanced that they
endured for over 500years.

One of the earliest examples of a scientific approach to physical and mathematical

problems applicable to Civil Engineering is the work of Archimedes in the 3 rd century BC,
including Archimedes Principle, which underpins our understanding of buoyancy, and practical
solutions such as Archimedes’ screw. Brahmagupta, an Indian mathematician, used arithmetic
in the 7th century AD, based on Hindu-Arabic numerals, for excavation (volume) computations.

We can see examples of civil engineering throughout history, even though the term ‘civil
engineering’ wasn’t used until the 18 th century. For millennia, people have designed structures,
buildings and infrastructure to serve the general public.

Numerous technologies have assisted in the advancement of civil engineering in the

modern world, including high-tech machinery, selection of materials, test equipment, and other
sciences. However, the most prominent contributor in this field is considered to be computer-
aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM). Civil engineers use this
technology to achieve an efficient system of construction, including manufacture, fabrication,
and erection. Three-dimensional design software is an essential tool for the civil engineer that
facilitates him in the efficient designing of bridges, tall buildings, and other huge complicated
structures.
HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES

The history of the Architecture and Civil Engineering profession in the Philippines were
almost synonymous to each other. In more than three-and-a-half centuries of Spanish
subjugation, there were no Filipino Civil Engineers. Social prejudice constrained the repressed
indio builders to content themselves to be called mere Maestro de Obras (Master Builders) even
if they could design and build any type of structure that technology could allow at that time.
Master Builders as of today were equivalent to Construction Foreman.

Civil Engineering, as practiced in the Philippines during the Spanish era, was not by
virtue of an academic title. There were no civil engineering schools in the country at that time
and the only architects/engineers with academic degrees were Spaniards.

The Walled City in Intramuros was established by the Spaniards as a model community.
The Friar Architects/Engineers during that time were the ones who built the government
buildings, bridges, residential and other structures, incorporated European standards in
engineering and architectural installations.

THE WALLED CITY. Urban District and Historic walled city within Metropolitan Manila.
 During the 18th and 19th centuries, Filipino engineers were assigned the task of
maintaining, repairing and/or remodelling infrastructure systems in all “pueblos” or towns
including churches, convents and government buildings.

Maestro de Obras were called by the “Ilustrados” or the elite group to build structures in villas
and mansions.

Marcial Kasilag was a 1904 pensionado to the US and a prominent pioneer civil
engineer. He was the first registered Civil Engineer of the Philippines and the father of National
Artist for Music Lucrecia Kasilag.

The Philippine Society of Civil Engineers (PSCE) was formed sometime in the late
twenties. It was the country’s first civil engineering organization with the late Eng’r. Marcial
Kasilag as its first president. Engr. Marcial Kasilag holds the No.1 slot in the PRC Registry of
Civil Engineers. He then occupied a high-ranking position in the government. He was the
commissioner for Mindanao and Sulu.
HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING EDUCATION

The first engineering school, The National School of Bridges and Highways, France, was
opened in 1747. The first self-proclaimed Civil Engineer was John Smeaton who constructed
the Eddystone Lighthouse. The first degree in Civil Engineering in the United States was
awarded by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1835.

Early civil engineering education was conducted by individuals who had received their
education at the Military Academy at West Point or with the Corps of Engineers. The first major
Civil Engineering professor was Alfred Alexander Titsworth, who later became the first dean of
engineering in 1914.

The first private college to teach Civil Engineering in the United States was Norwich
University founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge. The first degree in Civil Engineering in
the United States was awarded by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1835. The first such
degree to be awarded to a woman was granted by Cornell University to Nora Stanton Blatch in
1905.

In 1818, world’s first Engineering Society, the Institution of Civil Engineers was founded
in London, and in 1820 the eminent engineer Thomas Telford became its first president. The
institution received a Royal Charter in 1828, formally recognizing civil engineering as a
profession. Its charter defined Civil Engineering as: “Civil Engineering is the application of
physical and scientific principles, and its history is intricately linked to advances in
understanding of physics and mathematics throughout history. Because Civil Engineering is a
wide ranging profession, including several separate specialized sub-disciplines, its history is
linked to knowledge of structures, material science, geography, geology, soil, hydrology,
environment, mechanics and other fields.”

In the early 1900’s, Rutgers College offered technical courses in civil engineering,
mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. The technical course in civil engineering, at
first glance, is quite similar to that of today. Four units of mathematics and two of science were
required for admission. The four-year program had a common freshman year and there was no
choice of elective. The catalog states, “A thorough drill in mathematics is given both for its
general educational value and for its importance as an essential tool for the educated engineer.”

Surveying, strength and mechanics of materials, analysis and design of structures,

hydraulics and environmental (now sanitary) engineering were important aspects of the program
at that time, as they are today. The civil engineering program at Rutgers has always been
geared to the needs of the profession.

The Faculty of Engineering of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest
engineering school in the Philippines. It was established on May 18, 1907, as School of Civil
Engineering with one program offering leading to the degree of Master of Science in Civil
Engineering (MSCE). From faculty records, it appears that it was only in 1912 when the earliest
batch of students was conferred their MSCE degrees.

Don Ramon Irureta-Goyena headed the UST-COE. During the early years of U.S.
occupation, most of the Civil Engineers in our country came from America. The College was
patterned after the University of Havana in Cuba and was first set up at the second floor of the
old UST building in Intramuros.
ACTIVITY 1:
FROM OUR PREVIOUS LESSONS, (WRITE IT DOWN INTO A LONG COUPON
BOND, HANDWRITTEN)

I. HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING PROFESSION

http://civilengineerthoughts003.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-history-of-civil-
engineering.html#.YRYwGogzY2w

LISTDOWN & MAKE A TIME-TABULATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL

ENGINEERING PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES FROM LATEST DOWN TO
SPANISH ERA.

MILESTONES OF CIVIL ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES

YEAR PLACE REPUBLIC ACT./ PERSON/GROUP DEVELOPMENT/PROJECT

LAW AMENDED INVOLVED PROGRESS
PRESENT
↓
2013
2012
2011
CIVIL ENGINEERING
AND SOCIETY
AND
OTHER PROFESSION
 CHAPTER 2

CIVIL ENGINEERING ASSOCIATION

In the late 1920s, group of Civil Engineers from the government sector formed the
Philippine Society of Civil Engineers (PSCE) which was the first civil engineering organization in
the Philippines with Engr. Marcial Kasilag as its first president.

In 1937, the Philippine Association of Civil Engineers (PACE) was formed. This time, it
was a group of civil engineers in the private sector with Engr. Enrique Sto. Tomas Cortes as its
first president. The PACE being the most active than the PSCE led to the transfer of many
PSCE members to PACE. In 1950, Republic Act No. 544 (also known as the “Civil Engineering
Law”) was passed through the efforts of PACE President Alberto Guevarra.

“Republic Act No. 544 (As Amended by R.A. 1582) An Act to Regulate the Practice
of Civil Engineering in the Philippines. The practice of civil engineering within the meaning
and intent of this Act shall embrace services in the form of consultation, design, preparation of
plans, specifications, estimates, erection, installation and supervision of the construction of
streets, bridges, highways, railroads, airports and hangars, port works, canals, river and shore
improvements, lighthouses, and dry docks; buildings, fixed structures for irrigation, flood
protection, drainage, water supply and sewerage works; demolition of permanent structures;
and tunnels. The enumeration of any work in this section shall not be construed as excluding
any other work requiring civil engineering knowledge and application.”

In 1972, PACE President Engr. Cesar A. Caliwara, exerted a serious effort in merging
the two organization. Leaders of PACE and PSCE negotiated, and talked about the choice of
name. Some concerns were raised such as formal accounting and turnover of assets and
liabilities, accreditation of bonafide members and election rules for the first officers which were
sooner resolved.

The objectives of both organizations were similar with each other in which both of them
wants to: “elevate the standards of the profession, encourage research and engineering
knowledge and technology, foster fellowship among members, and promote interrelation with
other technological and scientific societies”.
 These gave birth to the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Inc. And on December 11,
1973, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a registration certificate to the
association.

The official logo of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Inc.

In February 1974, the first election of officers was held and Engr. Cesar Caliwara
became its first president. In order to truly unite the civil engineers of the Philippines, provincial
chapters were organized. On August 13, 1975, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
recognized the PICE as the only official organization of Civil Engineers in the Philippines.

PICE aims to conscientiously advance the interest and promote the welfare of members,
promote prestige and public awareness of the profession, and enhance social responsibility and
community involvement of Civil Engineers. PICE also observes integrity, professionalism,
excellence, social responsibility and leadership as their core values that must be develop and
exercise among the members of the organization.
OTHER MAIN BRANCHES OF ENGINEERING

CHEMICAL ENGINE ERING

What does a Chemical Engineer do?

Chemical Engineering is a certain type of engineering which deals with the study of
operation and design of chemical plants as well as methods of improving production. Chemical
engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw material into useful
products. Chemical engineering uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology,
and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and
materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilization
of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that
convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and
products.

The purpose of the Chemical Engineering:

The purpose of the Chemical Engineer is to ensure products are produced efficiently,
therefore technical problems must be solved safely and economically. To this end, chemical
engineers are highly skilled in mathematics and chemistry, whilst being commercially aware,
analytical and able to work well under pressure. Good communication and teamwork is
essential, as well as IT and relevant specialist technical knowledge. Chemical engineering
expertise is also applied in the areas of law, education and publishing, as well as various other
technical fields.
 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

What does an Electrical Engineer do?

Electrical Engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with the study, design and
application of equipment, devices and systems which use electricity, electronics, and
electromagnetism. It emerged as an identifiable occupation in the latter half of the 19 th century
after commercialization of the electric telegraph, the telephone, and electrical power generation,
distribution and use. Electrical engineering is now divided into a wide range of different fields,
including computer engineering, systems engineering, power engineering, telecommunications,
radio-frequency engineering, signal processing, instrumentation, photovoltaic cells, electronics,
and optics and photonics. Many of these disciplines overlap with other engineering branches,
spanning a huge number of specializations including hardware engineering, power electronics,
electromagnetics and waves, microwave engineering, nanotechnology, electrochemistry,
renewable energies, mechatronics/control, and electrical materials science.

Electrical engineers typically hold a degree in electrical engineering or Electronic

Engineering. Practicing engineers may have professional certification and be members of a
professional body or an international standards organization. These include the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) (formerly the IEE).
 Electrical engineers work in a very wide range of industries and the skills required are
likewise variable. These range from circuit theory to the management skills of a project
manager. The tools and equipment that an individual engineer may need are similarly variable,
ranging from a simple voltmeter to sophisticated design and manufacturing software.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineering is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics

and mathematics principles with materials science to design, analyze, manufacture, and
maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering branches.
The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics,
dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity. In addition to
these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD),
computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product lifecycle management to design and analyze
manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems,
transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices, weapons, and others. It is the
branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery.
 Mechanical engineers work throughout the product lifecycle, including design,
development, installation, testing and maintenance. Most mechanical engineers work in either
research and development or the manufacturing and construction industries.

This is one of the most diverse of the engineering disciplines and encompasses the
power, manufacturing, construction and medical sectors. The field requires a deep
understanding of the core concepts of mechanics, thermodynamics and materials science,
because mechanical engineers use these principles, along with computer-aided design tools
and project management knowledge, to deliver a wide range of products from aircraft and
weapons to robotics and medical devices.

What does a Mechanical Engineer do?

The activities performed by mechanical engineers generally include analysing problems,

designing mechanical tools and equipment, developing and testing prototypes, and then
overseeing the manufacturing process. Developing technologies in this field include
nanotechnology, biomechanics and acoustical engineering.

Mechanical Engineers typically do the following:

 Analyse problems to see how mechanical and thermal devices might help solve a
particular problem
 Design or redesign mechanical and thermal devices or subsystems, using analysis and
computer-aided design
 Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and to
recommend remedies
 Develop and test prototypes of devices they design
 Analyze the test results and change the design or system as needed
 Oversee the manufacturing process for the device

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering fields. Mechanical engineers

design and oversee the manufacture of many products ranging from medical devices to new
batteries.
 Mechanical engineers design power-producing machines, such as electric generators,
internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, as well as power-using machines,
such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

Mechanical engineers design other machines inside buildings, such as elevators and
escalators. They also design material-handling systems, such as conveyor systems and
automated transfer stations.

Like other engineers, mechanical engineers use computers extensively. Mechanical

engineers are routinely responsible for the integration of sensors, controllers, and machinery.
Computer technology helps mechanical engineers create and analyse designs, run simulations
and test how a machine is likely to work, interact with connected systems, and generate
specifications for parts.

The following are examples of types of Mechanical Engineers:

Auto research engineers seek to improve the performance of cars. These engineers work to
improve traditional features of cars such as suspension, and they also work on aerodynamics
and new possible fuels.
Heating and cooling systems engineers work to create and maintain environmental systems
wherever temperatures and humidity must be kept within certain limits. They develop such
systems for airplanes, trains, cars, schools, and even computer rooms.
Robotic engineers plan, build, and maintain robots. These engineers plan how robots will use
sensors for detecting things based on light or smell, and they design how these sensors will fit
into the designs of the robots.
CURRENT FIELD
OF
CIVIL
ENGINEERING
 CHAPTER 3
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

What is Structural Engineering?

Structural Engineering is a specialty within Civil Engineering. Structural Engineers create

drawings and specifications, perform calculations, review the work of other engineers, write
reports and evaluations, and observe construction sites. A Professional Engineer’s license is
required in order to practice Structural Engineering. A license can be obtained only after
completing a prescribed amount of education and work experience, and taking a 2-day exam.

Structural engineers are trained professionals who are responsible for making sure that
the structures we use in our daily lives, like bridges and tall buildings, are safe, stable and don’t
collapse under applied loads. They do this by applying their technical knowledge to specify
different types of construction materials in various shapes and geometries and design structures
that can withstand the pressures and stresses of their environment such as gravity loads,
storms and earthquakes.

“A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER ANALYZES AND DESIGNS THE GRAVITY SUPPORT AND

LATERAL FORCE RESISTANCE OF BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES.”
“ANALYZES AND DESIGNS”
 The basic tasks of structural engineering relate numerical quantities of physical forces
to physical configurations of force-resisting elements. Analysis is the process of determining
forces in each element in a structure (such as a beam) when the configuration of elements is
already defined.

Design is the process of configuring elements to resist forces whose values are already
known. Analysis and Design are complementary procedures in the overall process of designing
new structures. After performing a preliminary design, the designer estimates the final
configuration of elements of a structure, but only until an analysis is performed can the forces in
those elements be known. After performing an analysis, the element forces are known, and the
elements can be designed (their configuration can be chosen) more precisely. The process
iterates between analysis and design until convergence is achieved.

“GRAVITY SUPPORT AND LATERAL FORCE RESISTANCE”

Structures are subject to vertical, or “Gravity” Loads and horizontal, or “Lateral” Loads.
Gravity loads include “dead”, or permanent, load, which is the weight of the structure, including
its walls, floors, finishes, and mechanical systems, and “live”, or temporary load, which is the
weight of a structure’s contents and occupants, including the weight of snow. Lateral loads
include those generated by the wind, earthquakes, or explosions. Structural elements must be
designed so that, as a system, the structure can resist all loads that will act upon it.

“BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES”

Structures are any system that resists vertical or horizontal loads. Structures include
large items such as skyscrapers, bridges, and dams, as well as small items such as
bookshelves, chairs, and windows. Most everyday “structures” are “designed” by testing, or trial
and error; while large, unique, or expensive structures that are not easily tested are generally
designed by a qualified structural engineer using mathematical calculations. Most practicing
structural engineers design and analyze buildings, bridges, power plants, electrical towers,
dams, and other large structures that are essential to life as we know it.

The work of structural engineers does have an incredible, long-lasting impact. They
design buildings to last for 50 years, and bridges for over a 100, so our structures will be used
and enjoyed by thousands of people long after we’ve gone. They also breathe new life into old
structures– renovating or changing the use of buildings that were designed decades ago and
turning them to completely new purposes. Structural engineers make sure all our buildings and
infrastructure are safe to use. We also help society address the biggest problems, from climate
change to disaster relief. They build bridges, to help bring communities in developing nations
out of isolation. They study how to make buildings stand up during earthquakes, hurricanes,
and other natural disasters. They help improve the way we build, minimizing the impact
construction has on our planet, and work to make the best use of limited resources.

Structural engineers use many skills – from basic mathematical tools, through to
physics, cutting-edge technology, and communication. Most of all structural engineers are the
problem solvers in design teams, designing solutions to the challenges construction projects
throw up. Structural engineering is not easy, but it rewards hard work. They are widely
respected by other construction professionals for our skills, which are a vital part of unlocking
the potential of a project, overcoming its challenges, and most of all, ensuring that it is safe.

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

What is Construction Engineering and Management?

Construction engineering and management refers to the use of critical thinking in

technical and scientific fields to improve a construction project. This often involves designing
and executing new solutions and faster processes that can help overcome worksite obstacles
and improve efficiency. Construction engineering and management can help improve safety,
productivity, natural disaster resilience—really any aspect of the construction industry could be
addressed by construction engineering and management

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 such
as bridges, airports, buildings, stadiums, dams, and highways; 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.

How Does Construction Engineering and Management Work?

Construction engineering managers are key players that bridge elements of design and
management to help push construction projects over the finish line to their successful
completion. Over the course of their career, a construction engineering manager is likely to
work on and oversee a broad range of projects. This may include the design of drainage and
sewage systems, building construction, or even larger infrastructure projects like developing
highways or railroads. Others choose to focus on one particular type of construction and build a
career around it.

Before construction even begins, a construction engineering manager may be called

upon to survey the job site, address environmental issues, study local laws and codes, and
take care of any other details that need to be settled before construction begins. An
engineering manager typically prepares a report on their findings and collaborates with others
involved with the project, including governmental agencies, environmental associations,
contractors, and subcontractors

In addition to on-site work, 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 the 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.

Once work has begun, construction engineering managers often work out of a central
office, but they may make frequent visits to job sites, and they 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.

As a construction engineer, your responsibilities may include:

• 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 structures
• Checking and modifying plans and specifications for constructability, efficiency, and
safety.
• Developing cost estimates and preparing bids
• Utilizing Building Information Modeling (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
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

What is Geotechnical Engineering?

Geotechnical engineering is a specialization within civil engineering that involves

investigating and understanding what is beneath the ground’s surface. Geotechnical engineers
figure out the impact that geological formations may have on construction projects. They use
advanced knowledge of scientific and mathematical processes to examine the formation of the
earth beneath and around residential, commercial or industrial buildings and structures.

A geotechnical engineer’s skills are used for drilling wells, constructing production and
storage facilities, transporting petroleum products and examining ground water flow. This
career has amazing possibilities, from marine operations, to floating ice platforms in the Arctic,
to mining operations.

Geotechnical engineers tackle the geotechnical hazards and risks that are inherent in
any civil engineering project. In other words, if it’s supported by soil or rock underneath,
geotechnical engineers are responsible for finding practical solutions to make the project safe
and sustainable. Geotechnical engineers investigate and evaluate soil, rock, groundwater, and
man-made materials and their interaction with earth retention systems, structure foundations,
and other civil engineering works. They perform detailed soil investigations, which are required
before building any new structure to avoid foundation failure. The results of these investigations
are used to determine the nature and capacity of the soil to support a stable foundation. A
geotechnical engineer must learn and understand ground hazards and risks and be able to find
practical solutions to these issues.

What does a Geotechnical Engineer do?

All construction takes place in or on the ground, so it is easy to see how geotechnical
engineering plays a crucial role in all civil engineering projects. Before any construction work
takes place, it is vitally important to do a site investigation. Failure to carry this out often has
had negative and expensive consequences on construction projects.

Geotechnical engineers figure out the impact that geological formations may have on
construction projects and use advanced knowledge of scientific and mathematical processes to
examine the formation of the earth beneath and around residential, commercial or industrial
buildings and structures.

Geotechnical engineers guard and maintain the earth’s physical environment during the
development of major public and private projects. Combining their expertise in civil engineering
construction and design enables them to safely investigate and analyze sites and determine
their present and future stability. Projects like these typically involve major changes to the
physical environment, and can include tunnelling and construction of major structures like
buildings, bridges, dams, airport runways, and towers.

Geotechnical engineers perform the following functions within the framework of the
following jobs:

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)

- bDesign 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

What is the workplace of a Geotechnical Engineer like?

Geotechnical engineers spend most of their time working in comfortable office settings.
They occasionally visit operation sites, and are sometimes exposed to potentially hazardous
conditions and inclement weather. Extended visits do occur and on occasion, relocation may be
required.

What other skills are important for Geotechnical Engineering?

As with all engineering fields, in daily practice, geotechnical engineers must have
excellent communication skills. A large part of the job involves writing clear, concise, technically
accurate reports. Geotechnical engineers must also be able to write about site
characterizations, their implications on the design, and other analyses they perform in a way
that even non-technical readers can understand.

Geotechnical engineers should also be prepared to work outdoors and in various

environmental and weather conditions. They typically split their time between working on site
and in offices. And geotechnical engineers should possess excellent computer skills, as they
will be expected to use specialized geotechnical software programs and databases.
Responsibilities

The basic responsibilities of a geotechnical engineer is to collect the soil samples from
the site, analyze it and design the support structures for accommodating roads, buildings,
dams, tunnels etc. They have to consider various factors like soil stress bearing capacity,
stability of soil, design load, etc. To accurately design the supporting structures. The
geotechnical engineer is responsible for establishment of earth-support structures like concrete
or steel retaining walls which would prevent earth from collapse or caving holding the soil firmly.
Temporary earth-support structures are provided for the safety of workers during the excavation
work in the site.

Before any kind of construction can begin, a geotechnical engineer must conduct a
detailed investigation of the area in question to ensure that it is safe and to determine the best
way to go about building the structure in question. A geotechnical engineer is responsible for
assessing the unique risks posed by any given area and is usually also responsible for helping
to design earthworks and foundations to use in a given set of conditions.

Usually, geotechnical engineers don’t have to perform much of the work at construction
site, as computers have offered much more effective and accurate methods for analyzing the
site. There are lot of softwares available for analyzing and modeling site conditions. Computer
modeling allows engineers to run tests and simulations of an area based on information they
gather and program into the computer. From this mathematical modeling and simulation, they
can predict things such as slope stability and earthquake potential, which are very essential for
designing buildings or any other structures.

Geotechnical engineers can be employed by the following types of organizations:

• Colleges and universities

• Construction contractors

• Electrical utility companies

• Engineering consulting firms

• Mining companies

• Municipal, regional and federal governments

• Oil and gas exploration, production and transportation companies

• Petroleum services companies

• Public and private research organizations

• Real estate development companies

WATER RESOURCE ENGINEERING

What is Water Resource Engineering?

Water resources engineering is the quantitative study of the hydrologic cycle – the
distribution and circulation of water linking the earth’s atmosphere, land and oceans. Surface
runoff is measured as the difference between precipitation and abstractions, such as infiltration
(which replenishes groundwater flow), surface storage and evaporation. Applications include
the management of the urban water supply, the design of urban storm-sewer systems, and
flood forecasting.

Hydraulic engineering consists of the application of fluid mechanics to water flowing in

an isolated environment (pipe, pump) or in an open channel (river, lake, ocean). Civil engineers
are primarily concerned with open channel flow, which is governed by the interdependent
interaction between the water and the channel.
 Applications include the design of hydraulic structures, such as sewage conduits, dams
and breakwaters, the management of waterways, such as erosion protection and flood
protection, and environmental management, such as prediction of the mixing and transport of
pollutants in surface water. Hydroelectric-power development, water supply, irrigation and
navigation are some familiar applications of water resources engineering involving the
utilization of water for beneficial purposes. More recently, concern for preserving our natural
environment and meeting the needs of developing countries has increased the importance of
water resources engineering.

What Does a Water Resource Engineer Do?

Water Resource Engineering is a specific kind of civil engineering that involves the
design of new systems and equipment that help manage human water resources. Some of the
areas Water Resource Engineers touch on are water treatment facilities, underground wells,
and natural springs.

Water Resource Engineers must create new equipment and systems to increase the
effectiveness and efficiency of water treatment and aquatic resource management. A typical
workday involves the analysis of data from relevant areas, then designing new or improved
facilities to enhance the cleansing effects of the water treatment system. A Water Resource
Engineer must take budgetary constraints, government regulations, and other factors into
consideration when designing these systems. A Water Resource Engineer may then oversee
the construction and implementation of these systems to ensure that they are properly
assembled. After completion, they may manage the maintenance of these systems.

Why is water Resources Engineering important?

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.
 Water resource engineers may be charged with developing 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 involved as well, designing water purification
methods through desalination or creating new equipment for contaminant transport when water
is used for irrigation purposes. Understanding what works and what doesn’t when it comes to
water resource management is often a combined effort and may involve a number of different
analyses, including hydrologic, which is the study of the water cycle and directions in which it
flows, which may be influenced by weather and other environmental forces.

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

What is Transportation Engineering?

Transportation engineering is a branch of civil engineering that is involved in the

planning, design, operation, and maintenance of safe and efficient transportation systems.
These systems include roadways, railways, waterways, and intermodal operations. Typically,
the demand is the amount of traffic (people, cars, railcars, barges) that is expected to use a
particular transportation facility, while the supply is the quantity and type of infrastructure
components (roadways, bridges, pavements, etc.). These systems are typically large and
expensive.

Transportation engineering, as practiced by civil engineers, primarily involves planning,

design, construction, maintenance, and operation of transportation facilities. The facilities
support air, highway, railroad, pipeline, water, and even space transportation. The design
aspects of transport engineering include the sizing of transportation facilities (how many lanes
or how much capacity the facility has), determining the materials and thickness used in
pavement designing the geometry (vertical and horizontal alignment) of the roadway (or track).
Beside these operations planning, logistics, network analysis, financing, and policy analysis are
also important to civil engineers, particularly to those working in highway and urban
transportation. Every country has some organization providing the guidelines and specifications
for design and operation of transport systems.

There are a number of attributes of transportation engineering that affect the types of
statistical theory that are used in the profession. One important aspect of transportation
engineering is that the transportation engineer is not only interested in the infrastructure (e.g.,
bridges, rails, etc.) and the individual units (cars, trucks, railcars) that use the infrastructure, but
also the user. Often it is necessary to understand the interaction of all three of these entities—
infrastructure, individual units, and user—to understand the system as a whole. Typically the
infrastructure and units are considered the supply side of the equation, while the users are
identified with demand.

Transportation engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering which deals with the

application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation
and management of facilities for any mode of transportation in order to provide the safe, rapid,
comfortable, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and
goods (transport).

As per American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), there are six divisions related to
tranportation engineering i.e. Highway, Air Transportation, Pipeline, Waterway, Port,
Aerospace, Coastal & Ocean and Urban Transportation out of 18 technical divisions within the
ASCE (1987).

The planning aspects of transport engineering relate to urban planning, and involve
technical forecasting decisions and political factors. Technical forecasting of passenger travel
usually involves an urban transportation planning model, requiring the estimation of trip
generation (how many trips for what purpose), trip distribution (destination choice, where is the
traveler going), mode choice (what mode is being taken), and route assignment (which streets
or routes are being used). More sophisticated forecasting can include other aspects of traveler
decisions, including auto ownership, trip chaining (the decision to link individual trips together in
a tour) and the choice of residential or business location (known as land use forecasting).
Passenger trips are the focus of transport engineering because they often represent the peak
of demand on any transportation system.
 Before making any sort of planning, the Engineer must take an account of the database
of the area or if it is appropriate, the previous system in place. This inventory or database must
include information on:

 Population
 Land use
 Transportation facilities and services
 Economic activity
 Travel patterns and volumes
 Regional financial resources
 Community values and expectations
 Laws and ordinances

These inventories help the engineer create system models to accurately forecast the
future demand or conditions.

Highway Engineering

Highway engineering is an engineering discipline which involves the design,

construction and maintenance of Highway Roads & Systems, urban streets as well as parking
facilities. Important aspects of highway engineering include overall planning of routes,
financing, environmental impact evaluation, and value engineering to compare alternatives.
Traffic engineering involves planning for the volumes of traffic to be handled, the methods to
accommodate these flows, the lighting and signing of highways, and general layout.Older
techniques include signs, signals, markings, and tolling. Newer technologies involve intelligent
transportation systems, including advanced traveler information systems (such as variable
message signs), advanced traffic control systems (such as ramp meters), and vehicle
infrastructure integration. Similarly, pavement and roadway engineering involves setting of
alignments, planning the cuts and fills to construct the roadway, designing the base course and
pavement, and selecting the drainage system. Whereas, bridge engineering involves the
design of highway bridges, retaining walls, tunnels, and other structures. Engineers in this
specialization:

• Handle the planning, design, construction, and operation of highways, roads, and other
vehicular facilities as well as their related pedestrian realms.
• Estimate the transportation needs of the public and then secure the funding for the
project.
• Analyze locations of high traffic volumes and high collisions for safety and capacity.
 • Use civil engineering principles to improve the transportation system.
• Utilizes the three design controls which are the drivers, the vehicles, and the roadways
themselves.

Railway Engineering

It is a branch of civil engineering concerned with the design, construction, maintenance,

and operation of railways. Railway engineering includes elements of civil, mechanical,
industrial, and electrical engineering. Railway engineers handle the design, construction, and
operation of railroads and mass transit systems that use a fixed guideway (such as light rail or
even monorails). Typical tasks would include determining horizontal and vertical alignment
design, station location and design, construction cost estimating, and establishment of
signalling & controlling system. Railroad engineers can also move into the specialized field of
train dispatching which focuses on train movement control.

Railway engineers also work to build a cleaner and safer transportation network by
reinvesting and revitalizing the rail system to meet future demands. In the United States,
railway engineers work with elected officials in Washington, D.C. on rail transportation issues to
make sure that the rail system meets the country’s transportation needs.

Port and Harbor Engineering

Port and harbor engineers handle the design, construction, and operation of ports,
harbors, canals, and other maritime facilities. A harbor (or haven) is a place for ships to enter
and find shelter from storms or other natural phenomena. The modern harbor is a place where
ships are built, launched, and repaired, as well as a terminal for incoming and outgoing ships.
There are four principal classes of harbors; commercial, naval, fishery, and refuge for small
craft. Harbor may be natural or artificial.

A port is a harbor with the necessary terminal facilities to expedite the moving of cargo
and passengers at any stage of a journey. A good harbor must have a safe anchorage and a
direct channel to open water, and must be deep enough for large ships. An efficient port must
have enough room for docks, warehouses, and loading and unloading machinery.
Geographically, a port or harbor is usually limited to a comparatively small area of usable
berthing space rather than an extended coastline. Some ports along exposed coastal areas, for
example, the western coast of South America, have little harbor area.
Airport Engineering

Airport Engineering encompasses the planning, design, and construction of terminals,

runways, and navigation aids to provide for passenger and freight service. Airport engineers
design and construct airports. They must account for the impacts and demands of aircraft in
their design of airport facilities. These engineers must use the analysis of predominant wind
direction to determine runway orientation, determine the size of runway border and safety
areas, different wing tip to wing tip clearances for all gates and must designate the clear zones
in the entire port.

Pipeline Engineering

Pipeline engineering embraces the design and construction of pipelines, pumping

stations, and storage facilities. Pipelines are used to transport liquids such as water, gas, and
petroleum products over great distances. Also, products such as pulverized coal and iron ore
can be transported in a water slurry.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY ENGINEERING

What is Environmental and Energy Engineering?

Energy and environmental engineering is a branch of energy engineering which seeks

to efficiently use energy and to maintain the environment. Energy engineers require
knowledge across many disciplines. Careers include work in the built environment, renewable
and traditional energy industries.
 In this area, solar radiation is important and must be understood. Solar radiation affects
the Earth’s weather and daylight available. This affects not only the Earth’s environment but
also the smaller internal environments which we create.

Energy engineering requires at least an understanding of mechanics, thermodynamics,

mathematics, materials, stoichiometry, electrical machines, manufacturing processes and
energy systems.

Environmental engineering can be branched into two main areas: internal environments
and outdoor environments.

- Internal environments may consist of housing or offices or other commercial properties.

In this area, the environmental engineering sometimes stands for the designing of
building services to condition the internal environment to a comfortable state or the
removal of excess pollutants such as carbon dioxide or other harmful substances.
- External environments may be water courses, air, land or seas, and may require new
strategies for harnessing energy or the creation of treatment facilities for polluting
technologies.

This broad degree area covers many areas but is mainly mechanically and electrically
biased. It seeks to explore cleaner, more efficient ways of using fossil fuels, while investigating
and developing systems using renewable and sustainable resources, such as solar, wind and
wave energy.

Environmental Engineering:

Environmental engineering is the branch of engineering that is concerned with

protecting people from the effects of adverse environmental effects, such as pollution, as well
as improving environmental quality. Environmental engineers work to improve recycling, waste
disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.

The practice of environmental engineering dates back to the dawn of civilization. Ever
since groups of people began living in semi-permanent settlements, they have had to deal with
the challenges of providing clean water and disposing of solid waste and sewage. With the
growth of cities and the advent of large-scale farming and manufacturing, people have also had
to worry about air quality and soil contamination.

The first environmental engineer is said to have been Joseph Bazalgette. According to
an article in the Postgraduate Medical Journal, Bazalgette oversaw the construction of the first
largescale municipal sanitary sewer system in London in the mid-19th century. This was
prompted by a series of cholera epidemics, as well as a persistent unbearable stench, that
were attributed to the discharge of raw sewage into the Thames River, which was also the main
source of drinking water for the city. This “great stink,” which was so noxious that it caused
Parliament to evacuate Westminster, gave then-Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli grounds to
ask for 3.5 million pounds to improve the city’s sewage disposal system.

One of the most important responsibilities of environmental engineering is to prevent

the release of harmful chemical and biological contaminants into the air, water and soil. This
requires extensive knowledge of the chemistry and biology of the potential contaminants as
well as the industrial or agricultural processes that might lead to their release. With this
knowledge, new processes can be designed, or existing processes can be modified, to reduce
or eliminate the release of pollutants.

Another important function performed by environmental engineers is detecting the

presence of pollutants and tracking them back to their source, the BLS says. In some cases,
this can present a significant challenge. For instance, the source of contamination in a lake
could be anywhere within several thousands of acres of land surrounding the lake and its
tributaries. Contamination of oceans can present even greater challenges in identifying the
source.

Once the environmental engineer identifies a source of contamination, it must be

stopped or significantly reduced. Simply shutting down a business is not always a viable option,
because of the potential for severe economic consequences. Environmental engineers often
work with businesses to determine ways to avoid or reduce the production of pollutants or to
separate them so they can be disposed of in a safe manner.

Critical skills needed by environmental engineers include a working knowledge of

chemical engineering, fluid dynamics, geography, geology and hydrology. Also, because of the
numerous legal issues involved and the prevalence of litigation in environmental issues,
environmental engineers must be familiar with applicable laws, and many of them are also
practicing attorneys.
Energy Engineering:

Energy engineering or Energy Systems Engineering is a broad field of engineering

dealing with energy efficiency, energy services, facility management, plant engineering,
environmental compliance, sustainable energy and renewable energy technologies. Energy
engineering is one of the more recent engineering disciplines to emerge. Energy engineering
combines knowledge from the fields of physics, math, and chemistry with economic and
environmental engineering practices. Energy engineers apply their skills to increase efficiency
and further develop renewable sources of energy.

The main job of energy engineers is to find the most efficient and sustainable ways to
operate buildings and manufacturing processes. Energy engineers audit the use of energy in
those processes and suggest ways to improve the systems. This means suggesting advanced
lighting, better insulation, more efficient heating and cooling properties of buildings. Although an
energy engineer is concerned about obtaining and using energy in the most environmentally
friendly ways, their field is not limited to strictly renewable energy like hydro, solar, biomass, or
geothermal. Energy engineers are also employed by the fields of oil and natural gas extraction.

ACTIVITY 2:
FROM OUR PREVIOUS LESSONS, (WRITE IT DOWN INTO A LONG COUPON
BOND, HANDWRITTEN)

REACTION PAPER:
From our previous lessons of Chapter 3, about the Current Field of Civil Engineering;
In what field you like most and Why? How did you consider it as your field of expertise?