CEE 101

Course content
History of Civil engineering, branches of Civil engineering, roles of civil engineers in
government, industry and academia, Allied professionals and their interaction with civil
engineers, career opportunities in civil engineering, professional and regulatory bodies.

History of Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering, the profession of designing and executing structural works that serve the
general public, such as dams, bridges, aqueducts, canals, highways, power plants, sewerage
systems, and other infrastructure. The term was first used in the 18th century to distinguish the
newly recognized profession from military engineering, until then preeminent. From earliest
times, however, engineers have engaged in peaceful activities, and many of the
civil engineering works of ancient and medieval times—such as the Roman public baths,
roads, bridges, and aqueducts; the Flemish canals; the Dutch sea defenses; the French Gothic
cathedrals; and many other monuments—reveal a history of inventive genius and persistent
experimentation.

History
The beginnings of civil engineering as a separate discipline may be seen in
the foundation in France in 1716 of the Bridge and Highway Corps, out of which in 1747 grew
the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (―National School of Bridges and Highways‖). Its
teachers wrote books that became standard works on the mechanics of materials, machines,
and hydraulics, and leading British engineers learned French to read them. As design and
calculation replaced rule of thumb and empirical formulas, and as expert knowledge was
codified and formulated, the nonmilitary engineer moved to the front of the stage. Talented, if
often self-taught, craftsmen, stonemasons, millwrights, toolmakers, and instrument makers
became civil engineers. In Britain, James Brindley began as a millwright and became the
foremost canal builder of the century; John Rennie was a millwright’s apprentice who

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eventually built the new London Bridge; Thomas Telford, a stonemason, became Britain’s
leading road builder.

Eddystone Lighthouse: John Smeaton's tower

John Smeaton's Eddystone Lighthouse rebuilt on Plymouth Hoe, Plymouth, England.(more)

John Smeaton, the first man to call himself a civil engineer, began as an instrument maker. His
design of Eddystone Lighthouse (1756–59), with its interlocking masonry, was based on a
craftsman’s experience. Smeaton’s work was backed by thorough research, and his services
were much in demand. In 1771 he founded the Society of Civil Engineers (now known as
the Smeatonian Society). Its object was to bring together experienced
engineers, entrepreneurs, and lawyers to promote the building of large public works, such as
canals (and later railways), and to secure the parliamentary powers necessary to execute their
schemes. Their meetings were held during parliamentary sessions; the society follows this
custom to this day.
The École Polytechnique was founded in Paris in 1794, and the Bauakademie was started in
Berlin in 1799, but no such schools existed in Great Britain for another two decades. It was
this lack of opportunity for scientific study and for the exchange of experiences that led a
group of young men in 1818 to found the Institution of Civil Engineers. The founders were
keen to learn from one another and from their elders, and in 1820 they invited Thomas
Telford, by then the dean of British civil engineers, to be their first president. There were
similar developments elsewhere. By the mid-19th century there were civil engineering
societies in many European countries and the United States, and the following century
produced similar institutions in almost every country in the world.
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Formal education in engineering science became widely available as other countries followed
the lead of France and Germany. In Great Britain the universities, traditionally seats of
classical learning, were reluctant to embrace the new disciplines. University College, London,
founded in 1826, provided a broad range of academic studies and offered a course in
mechanical philosophy. King’s College, London, first taught civil engineering in 1838, and in
1840 Queen Victoria founded the first chair of civil engineering and mechanics at
the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824,
offered the first courses in civil engineering in the United States. The number of universities
throughout the world with engineering faculties, including civil engineering, increased rapidly
in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Civil engineering today is taught in universities across the
world.

Civil engineering functions

The functions of the civil engineer can be divided into three categories: those performed
before construction (feasibility studies, site investigations, and design), those performed
during construction (dealing with clients, consulting engineers, and contractors), and those
performed after construction (maintenance and research).

Feasibility studies
No major project today is started without an extensive study of the objective and without
preliminary studies of possible plans leading to a recommended scheme, perhaps
with alternatives. Feasibility studies may cover alternative methods—e.g., bridge versus
tunnel, in the case of a water crossing—or, once the method is decided, the choice of route.
Both economic and engineering problems must be considered.

Site investigations
A preliminary site investigation is part of the feasibility study, but once a plan has been
adopted a more extensive investigation is usually imperative. Money spent in a rigorous study

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of ground and substructure may save large sums later in remedial works or in changes made
necessary in constructional methods.
Since the load-bearing qualities and stability of the ground are such important factors in any
large-scale construction, it is surprising that a serious study of soil mechanics did not develop
until the mid-1930s. Karl von Terzaghi, the chief founder of the science, gives the date of its
birth as 1936, when the First International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation
Engineering was held at Harvard University and an international society was formed. Today
there are specialist societies and journals in many countries, and most universities that have a
civil engineering faculty have courses in soil mechanics.

Design
The design of engineering works may require the application of design theory from many
fields—e.g., hydraulics, thermodynamics, or nuclear physics. Research in structural analysis
and the technology of materials has opened the way for more rational designs, new design
concepts, and greater economy of materials. The theory of structures and the study of
materials have advanced together as more and more refined stress analysis of structures and
systematic testing has been done. Modern designers not only have advanced theories and
readily available design data, but structural designs can now be rigorously analysed by
computers.

Construction
The promotion of civil engineering works may be initiated by a private client, but most work
is undertaken for large corporations, government authorities, and public boards and
authorities. Many of these have their own engineering staffs, but for large specialized projects
it is usual to employ consulting engineers.
The consulting engineer may be required first to undertake feasibility studies, then to
recommend a scheme and quote an approximate cost. The engineer is responsible for the
design of the works, supplying specifications, drawings, and legal documents in sufficient
detail to seek competitive tender prices. The engineer must compare quotations and

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recommend acceptance of one of them. Although not a party to the contract, the engineer’s
duties are defined in it; the staff must supervise the construction and the engineer must certify
completion of the work. Actions must be consistent with duty to the client; the professional
organizations exercise disciplinary control over professional conduct. The consulting
engineer’s senior representative on the site is the resident engineer.
A phenomenon of recent years has been the turnkey or package contract, in which
the contractor undertakes to finance, design, specify, construct, and commission a project in its
entirety. In this case, the consulting engineer is engaged by the contractor rather than by the
client.
The contractor is usually an incorporated company, which secures the contract on the basis of
the consulting engineer’s specification and general drawings. The consulting engineer must
agree to any variations introduced and must approve the detailed drawings.

Maintenance
The contractor maintains the works to the satisfaction of the consulting engineer.
Responsibility for maintenance extends to ancillary and temporary works where these form
part of the overall construction. After construction a period of maintenance is undertaken by
the contractor, and the payment of the final installment of the contract price is held back until
released by the consulting engineer. Central and local government engineering and public
works departments are concerned primarily with maintenance, for which they employ direct
labour.

Research
Research in the civil engineering field is undertaken by government agencies, industrial
foundations, the universities, and other institutions. Most countries have government-
controlled agencies, such as the United States Bureau of Standards and the National Physical
Laboratory of Great Britain, involved in a broad spectrum of research, and establishments in
building research, roads and highways, hydraulic research, water pollution, and other areas.

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Many are government-aided but depend partly on income from research work promoted by
industry.

What is engineering?
The word engineer originates from the Latin term ingenerate, meaning to invent, to create or
to regulate.
It is the professional art of applying scientific principles to everyday things to help make life
easier.

Engineer vs. Scientist

Deviations between engineers and scientists arise through the differences in the ways both
apply their educations in mathematical and natural sciences to their work.

Scientists Engineers
Use their education to Use their education to
acquire new develop usable devices,
knowledge. structure and processes.
Seek to know. Aim to do.

What is a Civil Engineer?

 Someone who improves the quality of life through the production of infrastructure such
as:
 Buildings, bridges and other structures,
 Highways,
 Dams and levees
 Water treatment plants, waste disposal.
 This infrastructure must be safe, functional, elegant and economically sound.

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Why we need Civil Engineers?
 To ensure our human habitat is liveable,
 To ensure we use resources wisely
 Sustainable development
 To help maintain our competitiveness in the global economy.
 Increase productivity.

Specialization in Civil Engineering

 Construction Engineering
 Structural Engineering
 Geotechnical Engineering
 Transportation Engineering
 Environmental Engineering
 Water Resources Engineering.

Construction Engineering
It involves the followings:
 Concepts and designs becomes reality
 Management skills
 Project cost estimating and scheduling
 Financial planning, labour coordination and supervision

Structural Engineering
It entails the following:
 Design of new Structures
 Upgrading existing structures
 Intelligent use of new technologies and materials to control structural behaviour
 Structures include buildings, bridges, offshore platforms, transmission towers, and other
specialized facilities.
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Geotechnical Engineering
It involves the following:
 Studying engineering behaviour of earth materials.
 Geotechnical engineers:
 Investigate existing subsurface conditions (tunnels excavations, pipelines)
 Determine physical and chemical properties relevant to project considered
 Assess earthworks and structural foundations
 Monitor earthwork and foundation construction

Transportation Engineering
It involves the following:
 Planning, Design, operation and Maintenance of safe and efficient transportation
systems.
 Incorporating new technologies to improve system performance
 Intelligent Transportation Systems.

Environmental Engineering
It involves the following:
 Protect & improve environmental quality
 Natural systems
 Engineering systems
 Protect human health & well – being
 Provide safe drinking water
 Waste water treatment systems
 Hazardous waste site clean – ups.

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 Water Resources Engineering
It involves the following:
 Physical control of water
 Public water supply
 Flood control
 Irrigation, navigation, etc.
 Computer model of water flow
 Performance requirements for lock and dam structures.

Civil engineers play a vital role in shaping our society, designing and developing the
infrastructure that keeps us moving, safe, and healthy. Their expertise is crucial in all three
sectors: government, industry, and academia.

In Government:
 Planning and development: Civil engineers work with government agencies to plan and
develop infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, water systems, and public
transportation networks. They analyze data, conduct feasibility studies, and design plans that
meet safety, sustainability, and budget requirements.
 Regulation and enforcement: Civil engineers help develop and enforce building codes and
safety regulations that ensure the quality and safety of infrastructure projects. They may also
be involved in inspecting construction sites and ensuring compliance with environmental
regulations.

Civil Engineer inspecting a construction site.

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 Public works: Civil engineers are employed by government agencies to manage and maintain
public works projects, such as highways, bridges, and dams. They oversee maintenance crews,
conduct inspections, and plan for repairs and upgrades.

Civil Engineer overseeing a road maintenance crew.

In Industry:
 Consulting: Many civil engineers work for consulting firms that provide design and
engineering services to clients in the private and public sectors. They may specialize in
specific areas, such as transportation, water resources, or structural engineering.

Civil Engineer working at a consulting firm

 Construction: Civil engineers play a key role in the construction industry, overseeing projects
from start to finish. They may be involved in site selection, design, construction
management, and quality control.

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 Civil engineer at a construction site.

 Manufacturing: Civil engineers are also employed by manufacturing companies to design

and build facilities, such as factories, power plants, and oil refineries. They ensure that these
facilities are safe, efficient, and meet environmental regulations.

Civil Engineer designing a manufacturing facility.

In Academia:
 Research and development: Civil engineering professors conduct research on new
technologies and materials that can improve the design, construction, and maintenance of
infrastructure. They also develop new methods for analyzing and modeling complex
engineering problems.

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 Civil Engineer conducting research in a laboratory.

 Teaching and training: Civil engineering professors teach courses in engineering

principles, design, and construction. They also train future civil engineers through internships
and research opportunities.

Civil Engineer teaching a class of students.

Conclusion:
Civil engineers are essential to the development and maintenance of our infrastructure. They
play a vital role in ensuring our safety, health, and quality of life. Whether they are working in
government, industry, or academia, civil engineers are the builders of our world.

The field of civil engineering offers a diverse range of career opportunities, making it an
attractive choice for those who enjoy problem-solving, design, and building infrastructure that
makes a real difference in people's lives. Here are some of the potential career paths you can
explore:

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 Traditional Fields:
 Structural Engineering: Design and analyze the structural integrity of
buildings, bridges, tunnels, and other structures.
 Geotechnical Engineering: Assess soil and rock conditions, design foundations, and mitigate
geotechnical risks.
 Transportation Engineering: Plan, design, and manage transportation systems such as
roads, highways, and public transportation networks.
 Water Resources Engineering: Design and manage water supply and wastewater treatment
systems, dams, and irrigation systems.
 Environmental Engineering: Develop solutions to environmental challenges, including
water pollution control, soil remediation, and sustainable design.
 Construction Engineering: Manage the construction process, ensuring projects are
completed on time, within budget, and to quality standards.

Emerging Fields:
 Sustainable infrastructure: Design and develop infrastructure that minimizes environmental
impact and promotes sustainability.
 Smart cities: Integrate technology into infrastructure to improve efficiency, safety, and
quality of life in urban areas.
 Resilient infrastructure: Design infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters and other
extreme events.
 Robotics and automation: Apply robotics and automation technologies in construction and
infrastructure maintenance.
 Data analytics and AI: Use data and artificial intelligence to optimize infrastructure
design, operation, and maintenance.

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 Other options:
 Research and development: Work on innovative solutions for engineering challenges.
 Teaching and academia: Share your knowledge and inspire future generations of engineers.
 Entrepreneurship: Start your own engineering consulting firm or develop innovative
construction technologies.
 Policy and planning: Develop and implement policies for infrastructure development and
maintenance.

Additionally, civil engineering skills are valuable in various industries beyond traditional
engineering firms, such as:

 Oil and gas: Design and manage energy infrastructure like pipelines and processing facilities.
 Aerospace: Design and analyze structures for aircraft and spacecraft.
 Manufacturing: Design and manage manufacturing facilities and production processes.

Factors to consider when choosing a career path:

 Your interests and skills: What are you passionate about? What are you good at?
 Job market outlook: Research the demand for different specializations in your area.
 Lifestyle preferences: Do you prefer working in an office, outdoors, or on-site?
 Salary and benefits: Compare salaries and benefits across different industries and
specializations.

An overview of allied professionals and their interaction with civil engineers:

Allied professionals are individuals who work alongside civil engineers in various capacities,
each with their own expertise contributing to the success of a civil engineering project. Here
are some of the key allied professionals and how they interact with civil engineers:

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 Architects: Architects are responsible for the design and planning of buildings and other
structures. They work closely with civil engineers to ensure that their designs are structurally
sound and meet all necessary building codes and regulations.

Architect working with civil engineer

 Surveyors: Surveyors are responsible for measuring and mapping land and buildings. They
provide civil engineers with essential data for site planning, foundation design, and other
aspects of a project.

Surveyor working with civil engineer

 Quantity Surveyors: Quantity surveyors estimate the cost of materials and labor required for
a construction project. They work with civil engineers to develop budgets and ensure that
projects are completed within budget.

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 Quantity Surveyor working with civil engineer

 Environmental engineers: Environmental engineers assess the environmental impact of a

construction project and develop mitigation measures to minimize any negative effects. They
work with civil engineers to ensure that projects comply with environmental regulations.

Environmental engineer working with civil engineer

 Geotechnical Engineers: Geotechnical engineers study the soil and rock conditions at a
construction site. They provide civil engineers with information about the soil's bearing
capacity, stability, and other properties that are critical for foundation design and construction.

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 Geotechnical Engineer working with civil engineer

 Construction managers: Construction managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a

construction project. They work with civil engineers to ensure that the project is completed on
time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

Construction manager working with civil engineer

The interaction between civil engineers and allied professionals is essential for the success of
any civil engineering project. Each team member brings their own expertise to the table, and
by working together, they can ensure that the project is completed safely, efficiently, and to
the highest standards.

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 Here are some additional points to consider:
 The specific roles and responsibilities of allied professionals can vary depending on the size
and complexity of the project.
 Civil Engineers often work with multiple allied professionals on a single project.
 Effective communication and collaboration are essential for a successful working relationship
between civil engineers and allied professionals.

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