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Civil Engineer
Civil engineers plan, design, construct, operate and
maintain roads, bridges, dams, water supply schemes, sewerage
systems, transportation, harbours, canals, dockyard
facilities, airports, railways, factories and large buildings.
Civil engineers may perform the following tasks:
- investigate sites to work out the most suitable
foundation for a proposed construction
- research and advise on the best engineering solution to
meet with a client's needs and budget
- produce detailed designs and documentation for the
construction and implementation of civil engineering
projects
- organise the delivery of materials, plant and equipment
needed for the construction project and supervise labour
- develop detailed programs for the coordination of site
activities
- talk to other engineers, architects, landscape
architects and environmental scientists
- assist government bodies in preparing yearly works
programs within set budgets, e.g. car parks, drainage,
roads, aerodromes or sewerage
- prepare engineering calculations required for the design
of projects and supervise the drafting
- operate computers to assist with the design of civil
engineering projects
- coordinate and direct research development and testing
of materials, processes or systems related to civil
engineering works
- research, advise and plan on the control and
minimisation of air, water and solid waste pollution, and
the management of water
- supervise the testing and commissioning of completed
works
- analyse and interpret reports on loading, labour,
productivity, quality, materials and performance
- analyse risks associated with natural disasters
including wind, earthquake, fire and floods, and design
structures and services to meet appropriate standards
- arrange for geological and geophysical investigations
and carry out feasibility studies.
Civil engineers usually work in one of the following areas:
structural, water resources, soil and foundation, transport,
town planning or construction.
They may work in offices or spend much of their time on
site. They may be required to work long hours and be capable
of meeting strict deadlines while working under minimal
supervision. Civil engineers deal with various professional,
skilled and semi-skilled people.
Consulting and contracting engineers often travel
interstate and some may travel overseas. It may be necessary
for some civil engineers to change residence every few years
as their work takes them from one major engineering site to
another.
A civil engineer may specialise as an:
Airport Engineer who
- specialises in preparing designs for airports, hangars
and control towers
- supervises the construction, maintenance and repair of
runways, taking into consideration factors such as weight,
size and speed of aircraft
- advises contractors on technical problems during
construction.
Geotechnical/Soil Engineer who
- inspects proposed construction sites to work out soil
and foundation conditions by conducting drilling and
sampling programs
- oversees and participates in field and laboratory
testing of soils, and makes sure that test equipment and
machinery is properly set up
- prepares reports of test results and makes
recommendations for the solution of engineering problems
identified in test reports
- prepares specifications of soil mixtures for use in
roads, embankments and other construction, and calculates
and advises on the required slope at cuttings and the
thickness of soil dams and retaining walls.
Harbour Engineer who is responsible for the design
and supervision of the construction of facilities associated
with harbours such as breakwaters, navigation aids, navigation
channels, jetties, wharves, heavy-duty pavement surfaces,
cargo sheds and bulk handling plants for grain, ore and other
cargo.
Highway Engineer
- specialises in analysing population and growth
statistics and traffic patterns and volume to project future
requirements
- talks to government officials and other specialists to
help design efficient and safe traffic systems
- studies roadway and embankment design, the geometry of
highway interchanges and the maintenance of facilities such
as culverts and overpasses.
Hydraulic/Water Resources Engineer who designs and
supervises construction and advises on the operation,
maintenance and repair of water resource facilities such as
dams, aqueducts, hydro-electric plants, water supply systems,
beach protection, drainage systems, sewerage systems, harbour
design and river control.
Irrigation/Drainage Engineer
- using tests and measurements, works out the
characteristics of soil such as salinity, water table level,
areas of subnormal plant growth, type of soil and surface
profile
- calculates or estimates the rates of water flow
- supervises the preparation of plans showing channels,
conduits, mains and ditches, and the construction of
laboratory models to study construction and flow problems.
Local Government Engineer
- administers and supervises the design, construction and
maintenance of projects such as roads, drainage systems,
pedestrian and cycle facilities, bridges, buildings,
recreation grounds, parks, waste disposal and water
treatment schemes within a local government area
- talks to the community and with government departments
- supervises other engineers such as those employed in
design and construction, and other employees of the council
or corporation such as supervisors and building surveyors.
Materials and Testing Engineer
- conducts research, development tests and evaluation of
the quality or suitability of materials and products related
to projects
- coordinates and directs the research, development and
testing of materials such as asphalt, concrete, steel,
cement, timber and plastics, taking into account factors
such as stresses and strains, estimated load, water
pressures, wind resistance and temperature fluctuations
- advises contractors and others on materials most suited
to meet individual construction problems.
Pipeline Engineer
- specialises in preparing design proposals for pipelines
and pipeline equipment, facilities and structures in
consultation with petroleum and mechanical engineers
- works out a suitable layout of lines based on accurate
mapping and surveying, and analyses operations and
maintenance costs to determine efficiency and devise
improvements or innovations in the system
- provides technical advice on the operation of machinery
and equipment used to transport petroleum products through
pipeline systems.
Railway Engineer
- studies design proposals and advises on the
construction, maintenance and repair of new or existing
railway systems including tracks, terminals, yards and other
facilities
- studies the natural features of proposed routes and
plans the types of rail beds, rail size and curves to meet
train speed and load requirements
- conducts traffic surveys to establish suitable routes
for rapid transit or urban railway systems.
Structural Engineer
- designs the framework of buildings, towers, bridges,
water treatment structures, tunnels and other structures to
make sure of strength and rigidity
- studies developments of new materials and methods and
their impact on design and construction.
Required Skills - Civil Engineer
- able to identify, analyse and solve problems
- good oral and written communication skills
- aptitude for computing and design
- practical and creative
- able to work without supervision
- able to work as part of a team
- able to accept responsibility
- willing to contribute and adhere to the safety
requirements of the operation
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