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| Civil Engineers in South Africa
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Civil Engineers 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.
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| Activities of Civil Engineers
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Civil engineers may perform the following tasks:
- 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
- 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
- organize the delivery of materials, plant and equipment needed for the construction project and supervise labour
- 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
- analyze and interpret reports on loading, labour, productivity, quality, materials and performance
- analyze 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.
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| Profile of a Civil Engineer
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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.
Skill requirements and profile - Civil Engineer
- able to identify, analyze 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
Related Jobs - Civil Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
- Agricultural Engineer
- Architect
- Building Contractor
- Building Site Manager
- Building Surveyor
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil and Structural Engineering Technician
- Civil Engineering Technologist
- Electrical Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Geological Engineer
- Geologist
- Industrial Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mining Engineer
- Naval Architect
- Quality Assurance Inspector
- Surveyor
- Town Planner
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| Specialist Civil Engineers
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A civil engineer may specialize as an:
Airport Engineer who
- specializes 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
- specializes in analyzing 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
- specializes 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 analyze s 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.
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