CIVIL ENGINEERING IN SOCIETY AND OTHER PROFESSIONS CE ORIENTATION 2 UNITS-LECTURE ENGR CEIDE T. PANUGALING INSTRUCTOR WHAT IS AN ENGINEER? • Engineers are problem solvers! • “Engineering is concerned with the implementation of a solution to a practical problem. A scientist may ask “why?” and proceed to research the answer to the question. By contrast, engineers want to know how to solve a problem and how to implement that solution. • In other words, scientists investigate phenomena, whereas engineers create solutions to problems or improve upon existing solutions. • A scientist builds in order to learn. An engineer learns in order to build.” WHAT IS CIVIL ENGINEERING? • Civil engineering is the oldest engineering discipline. • Civil engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with providing people with a livable built environment consistent with the standards and expectations of modern living through the applications of mathematics, science, and human experience. • “Professional engineers should work for the welfare of the public. They are responsible for observing societal needs, and often have the position and resources to improve society. As professionals, engineers are expected to set examples in the work field and to establish themselves as assets to society.” – T.D. Oates, 1993 Some contributions of civil engineering are: Roads Buildings Bridges Some contributions of civil engineering are: Airports Railways Dams CIVIL ENGINEERING PROCESSES No matter what kind of civil engineering project is involved, all civil engineering projects go through four main phases: 1. Planning ~The very first stage of the planning phase is a feasibility study, which usually includes not only a financial study but also a study of legal issues. 2. Design ~at least two stages are involved in the design stage: Preliminary design and final design. • Preliminary design is to create an outline of the concept, scope, structure, materials to be used, method of construction, and cost and timeline estimate of the project. • Final design includes all detailed designs of every structure involved in the project and every associated facility such as electric and mechanical facilities. 3. Construction ~ The actual construction phase includes the physical erection of all structures and in the meantime the observation of all applicable safety and environment regulations during the construction phase. 4. Maintenance ~ The owner of the project usually takes over all responsibilities, but the contractor is usually bound by a warranty agreement. WHAT IS A PROFESSION? 1. Knowledge ~ requires formal education, judgment and discretion that are not routine and cannot be mechanized, continuing education required. 2. Organization ~ sets standards for admission to profession, enforces standards of conduct, establishes codes of ethics. 3. Public good ~purpose of service and preservation of public welfare. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES OF AN ENGINEERING GRADUATE 1. Good communication skills 2. Higher ethical standards 3. Ability to think critically and creatively; independently and cooperatively 4. Flexibility 5. Grasp of engineering science fundamentals (math, statistics, physics and life sciences, information technologies) 6. Good understanding of design and manufacturing processes 7. Basic understanding of the context in which engineering is practiced ( economics, history, environment, customer and societal needs) 8. Possess a multi-disciplinary, system perspective SKILLS IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE (IN YOUR CAREER): 1. Writing 2. Engineering 3. Business/Financial 4. Personal interaction 5. Computer CIVIL ENGINEERING, SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FUTURE CE ORIENTATION 2 UNITS-LECTURE ENGR CEIDE T. PANUGALING INSTRUCTOR SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING • Sustainability is a concept that gradually gains recognition and is being put into practice in many sectors of the global economy. • “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (World Commission on the Environment and Development, WCED) SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING • Sustainable development must meet the needs of Social, Environmental and Economic concerns. • A bearable development is one satisfies environmental and social concerns. • A viable development is one satisfies environmental and economic concerns. • An equitable development is one satisfies social and economic concerns. • A bearable development is one satisfies environmental and social concerns. • A sustainable development is one satisfies all three concerns. This is called the “triple bottom line” SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING