EIGHT SUBJECTS TO STUDY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Have to felt like exploring the branches and subfields of engineering?
If yes, you must be aware of how vast and deeply rooted the field is in discoveries and offerings. However, for those who are beginning to explore the ocean, talking about the most in-demand specialization would be wise. One of these engineering majors is civil engineering. It is the most rampant and oldest engineering-type after military engineering. And roughly, from the term ‘Civil,’ one can know its meaning. It refers to construction, which is an essential aspect of modern-day society. However, let’s take a bird’s eye view on civil engineering applications and careers. We will understand that it isn’t limited to construction. It also involves natural structures and roads, buildings, dams, highways, bridges, and much more. In short, civil engineering deals with the construction of everything and anything around us.
A civil engineer creates structures and designs that join together the world around us. They help construct our cities, towns, and villages. They maintain the structural foundation of modern-day society, literally! A bachelor’s of civil engineering is typically a four-year program. In contrast, a master’s in civil engineering usually takes two years to complete. Every step of the way, after every semester, you will have to study various design, development, and construction subjects. Today, in this article, we will tell you a few of these subjects and their details. You can find some of these topics listed down below;
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
You will have to study structural analysis in two different parts. The structural analysis subject involves analyzing structural members, including frames, columns, beams, arches, cables, and trusses during heavy load application. The second part deals with the calculation of the different forces in various types of structures. Structural analysis is one of the core subjects when it comes to the design of any construction project. It tells the civil engineer how a project will react whenever there is a load application. To know more about structural analysis and load application, you can always consider doing a masters in structural engineering online. It will allow you to learn how structures come into existence and the efforts behind building them.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND BUILDING MATERIAL
This civil engineering subject provides students with basic knowledge about construction material used for members such as arches, masonry, balconies, floors, doors, stairs, roofs, plastering, foundations, and other general construction processes. It all covers each construction material’s properties and its applications, uses, pros, and cons. Such a subject is necessary to master if you want to become a successful civil engineer in the future.
SOLID MECHANICS
the subject of solid mechanics involves the behavior of solid objects when subjected to strain and stress. It also includes stress and strain calculation in structures like shafts, columns, and beams. Sometimes this subject is also known as the mechanics of materials. When studying this subject during a civil engineering degree program, you will learn every solid construction material’s behavior and its properties and uses.
The subject of solid mechanics is vital in structure design. The behavior and engineering properties of particular construction materials will help a civil engineer decide which ones work well in the constructor of a specific structure.
GEOLOGY
The Geology subject in civil engineering teaches students all there is to know about the earth, its structure, and its constituent. It is mainly the study of rock formation, deformations, types, and stresses. It also explains the term ‘rocks as building material’ and their properties.
Other topics in the Geology subject include wells and their location, aquifers, and their types. It is also known as the study of hydrogeology.
Studying Geology in civil engineering will allow future civil engineers to find underground water locations, the water table, and under-soil rocks. It teaches them about the various properties of different rock types and soils they can utilize while constructing structures.
BUILDING DRAWING AND PLANNING
This subject of civil engineering is purely drawing-based. It teaches students how to prepare drawings of building components, elevations, plans, and cross-sections. They will also learn about water supply line diagrams and electrical layout.
Such a subject is vital because it will allow civil engineers to know the electrical and pipeline layout well before the structure is up. It will let them accurately calculate the water pipeline and electrical wire placement to avoid any issues after completing the construction project.
SURVEYING
Surveying is one of the essential subjects in a civil engineering degree program. Commonly, during the surveying course, students will study surveying types, their errors, units, accuracy, leveling, and precision. Other topics that deal with such a subject are calculating areas and volumes of geographical structure and curves for railways and roads. It also helps students gain knowledge of structural plans, etc.
CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY
The concrete technology subject involves all the information students need to know about concrete, the materials concerned, their applications, properties, uses, etc. It also includes topics that deal with coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, cement, chemical admixtures, to name a few. It teaches students about concrete types, mix designs, compositions, and results from different on-site and in-laboratory tests. It also teaches them about the elasticity, workability, and durability of concrete materials and how to mix concrete as per the building regulations and codes.
This subject is the core competency of civil engineering when it comes to concrete construction. If you are an aspiring civil engineer, you should be aware of concrete technology to execute your on-site work with high standards and effectiveness.
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Such a subject teaches students about different soil types in general. It covers the same topics as the geology subject but focuses more on soil than rocks. It includes topics such as index properties, soil classification, soil compaction, soil consolidation, shear strength, to name a few. You will also learn about drainage, subsurface exploration, flow nets, slope stability in this subject.
A building design will be the best if the soil underneath can hold its load correctly. When civil engineers study geotechnical engineering, they are well aware of various types of foundations and what can work for a particular building load. It helps them make foundation choices that will keep structures stable.
CONCLUSION
A civil engineer has the job of designing, maintaining, and constructing infrastructure. Hence, their job is critical to ensure a country’s proper functioning. When you study for a civil engineering degree, you will gain subject-specific skills. It may include the ability to build or design structures, being decisive under pressure, managing projects effectively, the ability to team-work, and much more. So, go ahead and enroll yourself in a civil engineering degree program of your choice and take advantage of a field that will always be on the rise!
