A civil engineer is trained to work with the design, construction and even maintenance of different types of buildings, roads, bridges, pipelines, railways and much more. However, many civil engineers specialize in one area to the detriment of all others, and it is increasingly common for many of them to focus on the construction industry.
A civil engineer in the construction industry typically creates and reviews contracts, monitors supply prices, and evaluates any and all logistical operations that occur for each job. Some civil engineers will work more as consultants, while others will work as contractors.
Consultants are more in the office as they monitor the design work of projects, while contractors take those designs and implement them throughout the construction process.
Civil engineer in construction – skills
There are many skills that civil engineers need in the construction industry, including the following:
- Excellent leadership, negotiation and supervisory skills
- The knowledge to solve problems for any problem that arises
- Think methodically when managing projects
- Can meet multiple deadlines while staying within allocated budget
- Knows the finer details of each project he is working on, while also handling the nitty-gritty of any technical details
- Excellent communication skills, whether verbal or written
- Knowledge of skills in mathematics, IT and scientific areas
While many of these skills can be acquired without any schooling, as people can find a mentor to teach them what they need to know while working as an apprentice, successful civil engineers in the construction field will find that a college degree will allow them to go further.
Anyone who chooses to attend a civil engineering college in the construction field will want to find one that is accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers or ICE. Once a person has acquired their degree, they will need to decide on one of two professionally recognized qualifications. Some students will only attend school long enough to qualify for incorporated engineer status, but those who choose to continue their education will find that their chartered engineer status will allow them to excel in the field more easily.
Why Hire a Civil Construction Engineer?
There are many reasons why construction companies hire civil engineers, but there are three benefits that cannot be overlooked.
- Additional Supervision
There is never anything wrong with adding more supervision to a construction project, as this supervision can ensure that everything is done correctly and on time. A civil engineer can monitor all construction operations as well as troubleshoot any problems that occur at any time during the project. This can save a construction company a lot of money as they will not have to redo work that was done incorrectly and it will also save time.
- Conformity
The number of local, state and federal codes can be overwhelming, but a civil engineer has had the necessary training to know them all or know where to find them. Civil engineers will ensure that a project continually complies with all codes and other regulations while also implementing safety procedures. This will ensure that work only needs to be done once and that safer workplaces mean less downtime and greater profits.
- Construction Management
A construction manager oversees all major and minor phases of a construction project, and recently, companies have decided that civil engineers are the best people for this job. They can work closely with project managers, investors and anyone else involved in the project to ensure everything goes according to the specifications set out in the proposal.
In this position, civil engineers will determine how to meet each required parameter, how to stay within budget, and where to build the structures that will be needed throughout the project.
Of course, there are many different scenarios during construction projects in which a civil engineer will be useful. Firstly, with their extensive knowledge, they can help you choose the best land for any type of construction. They will be able to do the necessary research into the property boundaries, whether there are any flooding issues and how to potentially fix them, determine if there are any other topographical issues that need to be resolved before the construction process can begin.
Some important points that the Civil Engineer contributes to in construction
- Selection of Suitable Land: The civil engineer plays a crucial role in selecting the most suitable land for the type of construction planned, considering factors such as topography, drainage, soil stability and possible legal restrictions.
- Problem Analysis and Solving: Based on his technical knowledge, the civil engineer performs a detailed analysis of the terrain to identify any potential problems, such as flooding, soil instability or topographic obstacles, and propose solutions to correct them.
- Access to Land: In cases where the land is not easily accessible, the civil engineer designs access solutions, such as roads, bridges or other infrastructure necessary to allow the transport of equipment and construction materials to the construction site.
- Infrastructure Planning: In addition, the civil engineer may be responsible for the design and construction of temporary infrastructure, such as temporary bridges over bodies of water, temporary access roads or other structures necessary to enable the start and execution of construction.
- Safety Assurance: When designing access solutions and temporary infrastructure, the civil engineer prioritizes the safety of workers and the general public, ensuring that all structures meet safety standards and applicable regulations.
- Resource Optimization: In addition to ensuring access to the land, the civil engineer seeks to optimize the use of resources, minimizing costs and environmental impacts, for example, by designing access solutions that use local materials and are easy to remove after the work is completed.
- Interdisciplinary Coordination: Throughout the process, the civil engineer collaborates with other professionals, such as architects, geotechnicians and environmentalists, to ensure an integrated and holistic approach to the construction project.
- Adaptation to Variable Conditions: In complex environments or those subject to seasonal changes, the civil engineer develops flexible and adaptable solutions to deal with variable conditions, ensuring the continuity and success of the project.
- Contribution to Sustainable Development: By considering aspects such as access, drainage and soil stability, the civil engineer contributes to sustainable development, ensuring that buildings are resilient and have the least possible impact on the environment and the local community.
- Risk Management: Finally, the civil engineer helps mitigate the risks associated with the selection and preparation of the land, identifying and planning preventive measures to avoid problems during construction and throughout the useful life of the building.
Not all properties that a construction company wants to use will be easily accessible, which means that unless they find a way to get their equipment and materials there, they won't be able to use it as land. Well, a civil engineer can usually find a way to make the property accessible, even if it means building a temporary bridge over the water so that everyone can get to the construction site every day.
Situations in which the Civil Engineer is necessary to monitor the work
- Access to Remote Land: The civil engineer plays a fundamental role in making projects viable in remote or difficult-to-access terrain, finding creative solutions to allow the transportation of equipment and construction materials to the construction site.
- Temporary Infrastructure Planning: When direct access to the land is unfeasible, the civil engineer designs and builds temporary infrastructure, such as bridges or roads, to facilitate access for workers and ensure the continuity of the project.
- Overcoming Natural Obstacles: If the terrain has natural obstacles, such as bodies of water or rough terrain, the civil engineer develops solutions to overcome these challenges, such as building temporary bridges over the water or creating alternative access.
- Safety and Feasibility: When building temporary infrastructures, the civil engineer prioritizes the safety of workers and the viability of the project, ensuring that the structures are robust enough to withstand vehicle and material traffic throughout the construction phase.
- Minimizing Environmental Impacts: During the planning and construction of temporary infrastructures, the civil engineer seeks to minimize environmental impacts, adopting environmental protection measures and using sustainable materials whenever possible.
- Technical and Financial Feasibility Analysis: Before starting the construction of temporary infrastructures, the civil engineer carries out a detailed analysis of the technical and financial feasibility of the proposed solutions, ensuring that they meet the project requirements in an effective and economical way.
- Coordination with Other Professionals: The civil engineer works closely with other professionals, such as architects, surveyors and environmental specialists, to ensure that access solutions are integrated into the overall project and meet all applicable needs and regulations.
- Monitoring and Maintenance: Upon completion of temporary infrastructures, the civil engineer is responsible for appropriate monitoring and maintenance, ensuring that they remain safe and functional throughout the entire construction period.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: In challenging environments or those subject to seasonal changes, the civil engineer develops flexible and adaptable solutions, capable of dealing with variable conditions and ensuring the continuous progress of the project.
- Contribution to Project Success: By overcoming obstacles to accessing the land, the civil engineer plays a crucial role in the success of the project, ensuring that construction is carried out efficiently and within the established deadlines.
All construction companies may want to consider having a civil engineer on their payroll, because the savings they realize, within the increased profits and time saved, will more than offset the cost of the additional employee.
