Construction Engineering


Construction engineering concerns the planning and management of the construction of structures such as highways, bridges, airports, railroads, buildings, dams, and reservoirs. Construction of such projects requires knowledge of engineering and management principles and business procedures, economics, and human behavior. Construction engineers engage in the design of structures temporary, cost estimating, planning and scheduling, materials procurement, selection of equipment, and cost control.

A broad discipline of engineering encompasses a range of specialized subdisciplines that focus on the issues associated with developing a specific kind of product, or using a specific type of technology.

Construction Engineering is differentiated from Construction Management from the standpoint of the use of mathematics, science and engineering to analyze problems and design a construction process. Construction engineers build many of the things that people use every day. Construction engineering involves many aspects of construction including: commercial, residential, bridges, airports, tunnels, and dams. It is an extremely large industry to provide employment and business opportunity to many and continues to grow.

Construction engineering is important to the construction industry as it provides much of the design aspect from the office to the field. Construction engineers follow the plans of architects and sometimes design actual structures.

Tasks - Construction engineers have responsibilities in thejob. Analyzing reports is a main part of their job description. They must analyze maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography and other topographical information. Construction engineers also have to use computer software to design hydraulic systems and structures while following construction codes. They have to calculate load and grade requirements, liquid flow rates and material stress points to ensure that the structure can withstand stress. It is the construction engineer's job to make sure that everything is conducted correctly. Surveying the land before construction begins is also a job of a construction engineer. They have to make sure there are no impediments in the way where the structure will be built and if there are any, they must move them. They also must estimate costs and keep project to budget. Construction engineers have to test soils and materials used for adequate strength. Finally, construction engineers have to provide construction information, repairs, cost changes, to the managers.

Knowledge - Construction engineers build structures used by people everyday so they have to be safe and able to withstand the elements. To complete the job properly construction engineers have to have the knowledge of many different aspects. Those aspects include engineering, technology, design, math, construction, customer service, management, transportation, public safety, and computers.

Skills - Most construction engineers have a love for math and science. In addition to these abilities there are many other skills needed to be a construction engineer. Critical thinking, listening, learning, problem solving, monitoring, and decision making are all very important in construction engineering. Construction engineers have to be able to think about all aspects of a problem and listen to other’s ideas so that they can learn everything about a project before it begins. After they have begun a project they must solve the problems that they encounter using math and science.

Abilities - Construction engineers have many different kinds of abilities they use to do their job.

Work Activities - Construction engineers have many activities that they have to do everyday.

Those activities include drafting, decision making, computer interaction, communication, documenting, creative thinking, organizing, information collecting, estimating, and analyzing.

Construction engineers use drafting to design structures and to show others how to build them. They have to analyze information and make the best decision and solve problems.

Computers are an important tool used by construction engineers. They use them to write programs and solve equations. Communication is used everyday to interact with coworkers and supervisors. They have to communicate in person, by telephone, and through e-mail. Documentation is used to record important information that needs to be passed on to management.

Most documenting is done in electronic form.

Creative thinking is used to come up with new ideas and solve problems. Construction engineers have to be organized to accomplish goals and prioritize jobs.

Educational Requirements - Construction Engineers are educated to design and build structures that are necessary for everyday life. There are only a handful of schools that offer a major in Construction engineering.

Construction Management refers either to the study and practice of the managerial and technological aspects of the construction industry (including construction, construction science, construction management, and construction technology), or to a business model where one party to a construction contract serves as a construction consultant, providing both design and construction advice.