What does a Civil & Structural Engineer do?

Civil & Structural engineers plan, design, organise and supervise the construction and operation of civil engineering projects such as bridges and large buildings, dams, docks, roads, airports, water supply systems and railways.

Civil & Structural engineers may perform the following tasks:

• Apply principles of engineering mechanics and physics to produce safe and cost effective designs for bridges and buildings;
• Investigate sites to determine the most suitable foundation for a proposed construction;
• Organise the delivery of materials, plant and equipment needed for the construction project and supervise labour;
• Establish detailed programs for the co-ordination of site activities;
• Consult with other engineers, architects, landscape architects and environmental scientists;
• Assist government bodies in preparing yearly works programs within set budgets eg car parks, drainage, roads, aerodromes, or sewerage;
• Operate and program computers to assist with calculations;
• Co-ordinate and direct research development and testing of materials, processes or systems related to civil engineering works;
• Supervise the testing and commissioning of completed works; and
• Analyse and interpret reports on loading, labour, productivity, quality, materials and performance.

Civil & Structural engineers may work in offices or spend much of their time on site. They work in various locations, as projects can be located within metropolitan or rural areas. They may be required to work long hours when working on major projects. Civil & Structural engineers work with a large team of professional, skilled and semi-skilled people.

Civil & Structural engineers usually specialise in one of the following areas: structural, water resources, soil and foundation, transport and town planning; and may work as chief civil engineers, construction engineers, municipal engineers, structural engineers, transport engineers, or water supply distribution engineers. Some senior engineers engage in research or teaching, or establish themselves in private practice as consultants or large-scale contractors.

Where do Civil & Structural Engineers work?

Some of the more common specialisations in civil engineering are described below:

Structural Engineers

Structural Engineers design the framework of buildings, towers, bridges, tunnels and other structures to ensure strength and rigidity. Factors which must be considered include tolerable stresses within given safety margins, vibration allowances, size, shape, appearance and economy. They study developments of new materials and methods and their impact on design and construction.

Materials and Testing Engineers

Materials and Testing Engineers conduct research, development tests and evaluation of the quality or suitability or materials and products related to projects such as bridges, dams, roads, airports, railways, waste disposal, flood control and industrial and other large buildings; co-ordinate and direct the research, development and testing of materials such as asphalt, concrete, steel, cement, timber and plastics, considering factors such as stresses and strains, estimated load, water pressures, wind resistance and temperature fluctuations; and advise contractors and others on materials most suited to meet individual construction problems.

Highways Engineers

Highway Engineers specialise in analysing population and growth statistics and traffic patterns and volume to project future requirements; consult with government officials and other specialists to design efficient and safe traffic systems; and study roadway and embankment design, the geometry of highway interchanges and the maintenance of facilities such as culverts and overpasses.