If you are orchestrating an infrastructure project of any size, there’s a good chance you’ll need engage a civil engineer to be a member of your project team. Civil engineers understand design and functionality, solve problems, and ensure ongoing safety is a priority. That means that the many intricacies around implementing design, adhering to safety protocols, and understanding surveys, permits, budgeting, and schedule constraints–among many other things–are well suited to civil engineering.
Let’s take a look at what civil engineers do, why you might need to work with one, and which types of projects require them.
What is a Civil Engineer?
Engineers in general use math and science to solve problems. Civil engineers specifically do that work in day-to-day physical environments–infrastructure, buildings, water resources, and more. They work in both public and private sectors, specializing in particular areas and offering a range of services throughout a given project.
Civil engineers have backgrounds in design, analysis, and working with various types of regulations. They are problem solvers by nature, and many work in a variety of locations and conditions–both on and off job sites. They oftentimes work with many different types of specialty professionals and other disciplines on any given project, so they are accustomed to working as an integral member of a project team in a collaborative environment. Additionally, civil engineers are innovative and creative, and they offer practical big-picture thinking to the task at hand.
Why You Might Need to Hire a Civil Engineer or Engineering Firm
An engineering firm can offer engineering services, consulting, planning, and surveying to any infrastructure project. The skillset offered by civil engineers is a main contributor to the successful completion of infrastructure projects. While civil engineers are a mainstay in municipal, transportation and public infrastructure projects, they can offer a wide range of specialized services for private residential and commercial construction projects as well.
Having a civil engineer on the team can help with:
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Creating solutions for problems while staying within a given set of constraints
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Working with contractors to stay within regulatory requirements
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Offering insight into city codes and planning ordinances
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Providing cost estimates and managing project budgets
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Connecting with appropriate government entities for project permitting
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Providing support for environmental studies
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Traffic analyses for project planning
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Conducting surveys
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Ongoing assessment of project scope, regulations, and budget
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Project management for both design and construction engineering services
Example Projects Using Civil Engineers
Civil engineering covers a broad range of project types. Here are some examples of specialized civil engineering areas.
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Engineering firms specializing in industrial wastewater treatment can offer services throughout the entirety of the project–from facility planning to evaluations, all the way to emergency services. Wastewater civil engineers are crucial members of the team, and bring a broad range of relevant knowledge and experience to these projects.
Roadway and Bridge Work
Civil engineers involved with roadway and bridge construction cover a lot of territory, including design, planning, and the construction inspection services. These type of projects requires civil engineers who specialize in transportation and structural engineering. They work with federal, state and locally established criteria and methods needed to design a functional roadway or bridge. They also have experience in permitting, environmental considerations, and more that are all required for the successful completion of a project.
Commercial Land Development
A civil engineering firm that offers land development services plays a key role in developing land for commercial properties. Services you might need for this type of project include surveying, planning for drainage, irrigation, and sewer, and even ongoing project management. Additionally, having civil engineers on board during the development process means you’ll have the advice of an experienced professional who can help navigate zoning requirements, feasibility studies, and coordinate the site improvements with your building and landscape architect.
City Engineering Services
A civil engineering firm can provide city engineering services to local entities to assist and augment the city staff with their decision making processes regarding city infrastructure issues. These can include transportation planning, roadway improvements and maintenance, water and waste water facilities, and reviews of development plans.
Interested in learning more about how civil engineers can help with your project? Contact T-O Engineers to get started.