Name: Haddasha M.

Escartin Course, Year, and Section: BSCE 1B

Instructor: Jessie Y. Labaso Subject: Engineering Orientation (CBE1)

Assessment No.3
Learning Objectives: At the end of this lesson; the learner is expected to:

 Understand professional practice options within the disciplines of engineering.

 Prepare civil engineering students for future challenges and to furnish them with a
fundamental education in basic sciences, engineering fields and society as well as the linking
amongst them in a broad manner.
 Learn how to analyze and design structures to ensure safety and performance.
 Use technical and management skills to turn a design on paper into a reality.
 Apply knowledge of construction methods and equipment’s along with knowledge of
financing, planning and managing into a successful facility.
 Apply soil properties and mechanics to solve problems. Laboratory and field test data used
to determine proper type of foundation for a particular project.
 Deal with issues concerning the quality and quantity of water.
 Design, construction and maintenance of hydroelectric power facilities, canals, dams,
pipelines, locks and seaport facilities.
 Meet the increasing community travel needs on land, air, and sea.
 Protect the fragile resources of our planet, destroy toxic substances, remove water
pollutants and reduce hazardous wastes, clean air and ground water.
 Provide safe drinking water, treat waste water and manage solid waste.

Civil engineering is regarded as one of the most important engineering fields across the
globe. The industry is about solving real world problems through designing, constructing,
managing and maintaining infrastructure that plays a vital role in the development of
countries and supports modern society. This includes building bridges, roads, airports, dams,
sewage systems, flood mitigation works and many more. Civil engineers are at the forefront
of innovation in our societies.
Although civil engineering is a profession that generally focuses on creating physical
manmade structures, it is an extremely broad field that encompasses multiple sub-
disciplines.

3.1 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

 Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering that involves the application of the
laws of physics, mathematics and empirical knowledge to safely design the bones and load
bearing elements of man-made structure.
 Modern day structural engineering provides large and detailed body of knowledge that can
accurately predict the performance of different shapes and materials used in structures to
resist loads and stresses on structures.
 Principles of Structural engineering were used when building structures like the pyramid in
Egypt or the Acropolis in Greece.
  Structural engineering often works alongside civil engineers and architects as part of a
construction team.
 According to the institution of Structural engineers, “If a structure was a human body, then
the architect would be concerned with the body shape and appearance, and the structural
engineer would be concerned with the skeleton and sinews.”
 Structures must be able to deal with the condition w/c they built.
 Structural engineers consider all problem factors and provide technical advice about the
project.

Kate Leighton – a structural engineer

- Said in “Careers in Structural Engineering, a publication of the

institution of Structural Engineers, “They are experts at solving
problems, meeting challenges and providing creative solutions.”

According to MyMajors.com, a structural engineer's job includes:

 Analyzing blueprints, maps, reports, and topographical and geological data;

 Estimating the cost and quantities of materials, equipment and labor;
 Computing load and grade requirements, water flow rates and material stress
factors to determine design specifications;
 Inspecting project sites to monitor progress and ensure the project is being
constructed according to design specifications;
 Conducting studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify
potential problems and assess how they will affect the project.

 Critical skills that a person needs in structural engineering include an in-depth understanding
of physics and mathematics.
 A structural engineer must also know the properties of various materials, such as their
density, hardness, tensile strength, bulk modulus and bending strength.
 Structural engineers rely increasingly on computer-aided design (CAD) systems, so
proficiency with computers is essential. In addition to speeding up the drafting process, CAD
systems allow for quick and easy modifications of designs and three-dimensional (3D)
visualization of finished parts and assemblies.
 Structural design is a highly specialized area of civil engineering. It can be described as a set
of methods or tools that are used to determine safe and economical specifications for a
structure, and to ensure that a planned structure will be sufficiently strong to carry its
intended load. Structural engineers conduct a structural analysis to determine what internal
and external forces could affect the structure, then design a structure with the appropriate
materials and reinforcements to satisfy the requirements.
 Civil engineers that design structure for construction projects must be excellent problem
solvers. The decisions that structural engineers make during the structural design phase of
the project will affect everything from the project cost and duration to the ultimate safety
and viability of the structure.

3.2. CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

 CEM, involves the application of technical and scientific knowledge to infrastructure

construction projects. While engineering focuses on design and construction management is
 concerned with overseeing the actual construction, CEM often represents a blend of both
disciplines, bridging design and management or project execution. Construction engineering
managers may have an educational background at both undergraduate and graduate levels
as well as experience in construction management techniques.
 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 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.
 Construction engineering managers must possess a thorough understanding of laws,
regulations, and building codes, especially those that have a direct impact on the project at
hand. They must also be able to estimate the total cost of a given project with consideration
to:
 Site inspections
 Drainage, sewage, and elevation level tests
 Equipment and materials
 Labor
 Construction engineering managers are also responsible for managing the workings of
various other entities involved in the project. They are responsible for providing expert
supervision from beginning to end while also keeping the project running on or ahead of
schedule and within budget. The job requires strong leadership and interpersonal skills and
attention to detail. Like any other kind of engineer, construction engineering managers need
to possess strong problem-solving, analytical, and mathematical skills.
 From a client/owner or consultant’s side, engineering managers need to understand the
financial aspects, risks, contracts, procurement strategies as well as aspects of
constructability, safety and quality for successful implementation and maintenance of
infrastructure projects.
 Engineers in general have a high work ethic and projects teams are able to deliver
increasingly competitive and technically innovative projects. Engineering qualifications with
sound scientific and engineering content remains imperative, but needs to be enhanced by
softer skills and project leadership.

3.3. GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

 Geotechnical engineering is the branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering
behavior of earth materials. Geotechnical engineering is important in civil engineering, but
also has applications in military, mining, petroleum and other engineering disciplines that
are concerned with construction occurring on the surface or within the ground.
 Geotechnical engineering requires competent relevant experiences for sound judgments and
relatively less dependency on code-based design.

The major functions of geotechnical engineering are as follows:

 Evaluation of geotechnical hazards including potential of landslides.

 Determination of bearing capacity, deformations of foundations, and likely
interactions between soil, foundation and the structure.
 Assessment of earth pressure and the performance of retaining walls.
 Analysis of embankment behavior.
 Strength of excavations, caves, tunnels.
  Conducting of response analysis for a site.
 Geotechnical Investigation is the first step of applying scientific methods and engineering
principles to obtain solutions of civil engineering problems.

Important Aspects of Geotechnical Engineering

o Soil Mechanics
- Soil mechanics is a major field of the geotechnical engineering in which
soil is analyzed prior to any major construction, so as to ensure its
suitability to support the load of the desired structures.
o Foundations
- Evaluation of foundations is an important element concerning the
design of structures since the loads from the buildings are transmitted
to the earth through the foundations that should be adequately strong
to bear the applied loads.
o Geotechnical investigation
- Geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists perform
geotechnical investigations to obtain information on the physical
properties of soil and rock underlying (and sometimes adjacent to) a
site to design earthworks and foundations for proposed structures, and
for repair of distress to earthworks and structures caused by subsurface
conditions.
o Lateral earth support structures
- A retaining wall is a structure that holds back earth.
o Earthworks
- Earthworks include excavation, filling, and compaction.
o Ground Improvement
- Ground Improvement is a technique that improves the engineering
properties of the treated soil mass.
o Slope stabilization
- Slope stability is the potential of soil covered slopes to withstand and
undergo movement.
o Offshore geotechnical engineering
- Offshore (or marine) geotechnical engineering is concerned with
foundation design for human-made structures in the sea, away from
the coastline (in opposition to onshore or nearshore).
o Geosynthetics
- Geosynthetics are a type of plastic polymer products used in
geotechnical engineering that improve engineering performance while
reducing costs.

The Importance of Geotechnical Engineering

o A Foundational Profession
- Soil mechanic authorities, subsurface condition experts, foundation
designers. These titles all reference geotechnical engineers,
professionals that ensure the long-term stability of various structures
and earthworks.
o Ground Assessment
 - When conducting a foundation investigation, engineers must oversee
subsurface drilling, the recovery and testing of soils, and in situ testing.
These operations require a deep foundation, engineers will utilize a
cone penetration test to estimate the amount of skin and end bearing
resistance in the subsurface.
o Above ground, Underground, out at sea
- Geotechnical engineering can be broken down into a trio of
subcategories based on the location and type of structure.
- Professionals working on above-ground structures must have
knowledge of both shallow and deep foundations.

3.4. WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING

 Are concerned with the structures and processes related to water supplies for human
consumption and the removal of water for safety. Water resources engineering is a specialty
of civil engineering that focuses on water supplies, irrigation and waste disposal. It also
addresses methods for controlling water to avoid water-related damage and catastrophes.
 Water resources engineering also deals with:
 Sewer systems for storms and wastewater.
 Irrigation network.
 River engineering, including ice covered rivers.
 Hydraulic structures, including dams, spillways, floodways and reservoirs.
 Seepage control.
 Hydrology.
 Floods, flow of mud and debris.
 Wave analysis.

3.5. 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.
 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.
 The field of transportation engineering utilizes the latest developments in transportation
and uses them to create the most efficient and effective systems possible for various locales.
Transportation engineering applies to major terminals as well as the networks that connect
 them. Any product or system that moves people and goods from one place to another falls
under the scope of transportation engineering.
 Those working in the field of transportation engineering research, assess, design and
develop new solutions that include but are not limited to:
 Highways and roads
 Traffic control systems
 Public transit systems
 Railroads and depots
 Seaports
 Waterways
 Airports
 Bridges
 Pavements
 A transportation engineer's job responsibilities may include:
 Supervising work on a construction site
 Determining the traffic impact caused by new development plans
 Setting forth goals and criteria for new projects
 Preparing work plans
 Creating transportation models or designs
 Researching and evaluating traffic volume, accidents, practices and efficiency
 Preparing reports on traffic and transportation matters
 Developing models of transportation scenarios
 Preparing budgets and schedules for transportation projects
 Identifying solutions for transportation problems
 Inspecting transportation systems for legal compliance
 Providing recommendations for traffic policies
 Designing new means of transportation
 Transportation engineers typically spend a significant portion of their days in an office
environment. They will work on a computer evaluating data, preparing reports and
generating diagrams. These engineers also work closely with other engineers as well as
management and stakeholders. They may attend meetings and give presentations. In some
cases, transportation engineers will travel outside the office to assess traffic conditions or
observe the progress on construction sites.

FIELDS UNDER TRANSPORTATION 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.
- 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 signaling & controlling system.
Railroad engineers can also move into the specialized field of train dispatching which
focuses on train movement control.
 Port and Harbor Engineering
- 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.
 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.

3.6. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY 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.
- Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology and
chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems.
- Another important function performed by environmental engineers is detecting the
presence of pollutants and tracking them back to their source.
- Once the environmental engineer identifies a source of contamination, it must be
stopped or significantly reduced.
- Environmental engineers are called upon to play an important role in environmental
protection.
 - Environmental Engineers give us good advice!
- Environmental Engineers design things!
- Environmental Engineers solve problems!
- Environmental Engineers continually work to prevent pollution so that our air is safe
to breathe and our water is safe to drink.
 Energy Engineering
- Energy Engineering is a new yet exciting and unique field of engineering.
- Energy engineers not only deal with the design and development of efficient
technologies to produce energy but they also devise methods to minimize the
overall energy consumption and costs by optimizing systems.
- Energy engineering (also known as energy systems engineering) is a new and broad
field of engineering which deals with renewable energy technologies, energy
efficiency and management, energy audit and environmental compliance.
- Energy engineers may specialize in electrical systems; HVAC (heating, ventilation,
and air-conditioning) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy
procurement.
- Design and develop renewable energy systems (such as wind or solar photovoltaic
power plants).
- Energy engineering is a very flexible discipline.
- In addition to effective technical skills, an energy engineer needs to have creativity,
management skills, verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work
in team.
- Energy Engineering is all about reducing the World’s energy consumption.
- They use light level meters, thermo guns and data logging to measure the energy
losses.