CE 120:
Introduction to
Civil Engineering
An Equal Opportunity University
Click here for full 2009 ASCE Report Card
CIVIL …
ENGINEERING
2013 Top 100 Strategic Infrastructure Projects
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Pyramids
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Temples of Greece
The timeless Parthenon, with moonrise. Photo © Sacredsites.com.
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The Roman Roads and Aqueducts
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/index.shtml
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www.inforoma.it
The Great Wall of China
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www.jmundyphotography.com
What makes a good engineer?
 TOP HAT
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Adam Savage’s Ten Rules of Success …
1. Get good at something. Really good. Get good at as many things as you can. Being good at
one thing makes it easier to get good at other things.
2. Getting good at stuff takes practice. Lots and lots of practice.
3. Get OBSESSED. Everyone at the top of their field is obsessed with what they're doing.
4. Doing something well and thoroughly is its OWN reward.
5. Show and Tell. If you do something well and you're happy with it, for FSM's sake, tell
EVERYONE.
6. If you want something, ASK. If something piques your interest, tell someone. If you want to
learn something, ask someone, like your BOSS. As an employer, I can tell you, people who
want to learn new skills are people I want to keep employed.
7. Have GOALS. Make up goals. Set goals. Regularly assess where you are and where you want
to be in terms of them. This is a kind of prayer that works, and works well. Allow for the fact
that things will NEVER turn out like you think they will, and you must be prepared to end up
miles from where you intended.
8. Be nice. To EVERYONE. Life is way too short to be an @$$h01e. If you are an @$$h01e,
apologize.
9. FAIL. You will fail. It's one of our jobs in life. Keep failing. When you fail, admit it. When you
don't, don't get cocky. 'Cause you're just about to fail again.
10. WORK YOUR @$$ OFF. Work like your life depends on it...
What makes a good Engineer?
Difficult question to answer because the knowledge and skills
required to be an engineer are a moving target. A successful
21st-century engineer requires teaming skills (i.e., an ability to
function on multi-disciplinary teams), good communication
skills, a solid technical foundation, and an ability to integrate
various skills to projects.
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How has the image of engineering
changed over time?
http://heckeranddecker.wordpress.com/
1964 younger
1992 kids
IBM.com
Target 1939: older Americans
2008 revival
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1939 part 2
Civil Engineering
 Civil engineering focuses on the infrastructure of the
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world:
Water works, Sewers,
Dams, Power Plants,
Transmission Towers/Lines,
Railroads, Highways,
Bridges, Tunnels
Space Structures
Civil Engineering
• Irrigation Canals, River Navigation, Shipping Canals,
• Traffic Control, Mass Transit,
• Airport Runways, Terminals,
• Industrial Plant Buildings, Skyscrapers...
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Civil Engineering
 In the beginning, Civil Engineering included all
engineers that did not practice military engineering;
said to have begun in 18th century France
 First “Civil Engineer” was an Englishman, John
Smeaton in 1761 (waterwheels, windmills,
lighthouses, hydraulic cement, bridges, canals,
harbors)
 Civil engineers have saved more lives than all the
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doctors in history --- development of clean water and
sanitation systems
Civil Engineering Process
 Planning …
 Design …
 Construction …
 Operation/Maintenance …
 Rehabilitation …
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Civil Engineering Clients
 Private Industry
 Industrial
 Retail
 Water Districts
 Educational Institutes
 Developers
 Government
 Federal, State, City, or County
 United States Army Corps of Engineers
 Universities
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Civil Engineering
“Project Oriented”
 In Manufacturing the Output is Product
 In Civil Engineering the Primary Output is … SERVICE !!
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Group Discussion Exercise
Motorized Beach Wheelchair
Working in your group, develop a
list of specifications for a
motorized wheel chair that could
be used on a sandy beach.
Appoint a leader to keep the
discussion on topic and a
recorder to record and report
what you come up with
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Civil Engineering Specialties
 Construction
 Structural
 Environmental/Water  Surveying
Quality
 Geotechnical
 Hydraulic
 Materials
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 Transportation
 Water Resources
Traditional Site/Civil Engineers
 Design site layout.
 Establish site grading
(i.e. cuts and fills).
 Design surface drainage.
 Obtain proper
permitting prior to
construction.
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Surveyors
 Precisely locate and layout engineering
projects.
 GIS (Geographic Information Systems), GPS
(Global Positioning Systems), and lasers
distance measurement devices.
 Maps and aerial photos.
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Structural Engineers
 Design and analyze all man-made objects whose
primary function is load resistance: buildings,
bridges, aircraft, transmission towers, radar
domes and antennas, drilling platforms, etc.
 Must also consider the economics, esthetics and
social implications of their creations.
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Materials Engineers
Design, analyze, and inspect materials for civil
engineering projects, such as:
 Steel
 Concrete
 Masonry
 Asphalt
 Composites
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Geotechnical Engineers
 Analyze soil and rock that affect the
behavior of structures, pavements,
underground facilities, landfills, etc.
 Design foundations, retaining walls,
roadway cuts, etc.
 Field and laboratory work along with
design.
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Transportation Engineers
 Analyze movement of
persons and goods.
 Plan, design, construct,
maintain and operate various
transportation modes (e.g.,
highway, railway, airports,
subways, etc.).
 Design traffic management
systems.
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3.5
A vision for transportation
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5
Are you willing to pay?
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Video 30-60s
Water Resources Engineers
 Develop, use and manage world’s
water resources.
 Design water distribution systems,
wells, reservoirs, canals, locks and
dams, port facilities and flood
control systems.
 Analyze the impact of other
engineering projects on the
natural hydrologic system.
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Environmental Engineers
 Apply fluid mechanics, biology and chemistry to the design
and operation of environmental control systems, e.g.,
wastewater systems, hazardous waste.
 Model and monitor the movement and behavior of
contaminants or pollutants in natural waters, air.
Kelly Pennell, Ph.D.
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Construction Engineers
 Management of construction resources:
labor, materials, equipment, money and
time.
 Design formwork, scaffolding, lifting
apparatus, etc.
 Estimate costs of projects
 Quality control of construction
 Value engineering input
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Why did you want to become
a civil engineer (most
important reason)?
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Good at Math or Science
Want to work outdoors
Friend or relative in CE
Want to do something for society/environment
Other
Why Civil Engineering?
 Proficient skills in math and physical science
 An urging from a high school counselor
 Knows someone who is an engineer
 Knows that engineering offers literally dozens, if not
hundreds of job opportunities
 Is aware that a degree in engineering can be quite
lucrative
 Opportunities to make an impact on society
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Rewards and Opportunities of a Civil
Engineering Career
1. Job satisfaction
2. Varied opportunities
3. Challenging work
4. Intellectual development
5. Social impact
6. Financial security
7. Prestige
8. Professional environment
9. Understanding how things work
10. Creative thinking
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Vision for Civil Engineering1
Entrusted by society to create a sustainable world and enhance
the global quality of life, civil engineers serve competently,
collaboratively, and ethically as master:
 planners, designers, constructors, and operators of the built
environment, which is society's economic and social engine;
 stewards of the natural environment and its resources;
 innovators and integrators of ideas and technology across the
public, private and academic sectors;
 managers of risk and uncertainty caused by natural events,
accidents and other threats; and
 leaders in discussions and decisions shaping public
environment and infrastructure policy.
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1American
Society of Civil Engineers 2025 Steering Committee
Go Cats!
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