Civil engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of public works such as roads, bridges, canals, and dams. It is an important and fast-growing field, and there are many opportunities for career advancement.
Here is everything you need to know about this field of engineering.
Structural Engineering
Design and Detail
While a typical structural engineer’s final deliverables might result in a set of design drawings, the fabricator can’t get to work without shop details.
PES's team can deliver both. A standard detailing process – involving design documents, followed by changes that require Requests for Information (RFI’s), and finally bids to complete those changes – can be lengthy and cumbersome.
At PES, our Design team handles the process collaboratively and internally. Our engineers jump-start the schedule, open communication channels and, working hand-in-hand with detailing partners, assure that the project is delivered successfully with steel arriving on-site just as the designer intended.
By staying current with industry standards, in-depth knowledge of the industry's needs in the offshore market, and a focus on the big picture, PES will be well equipped to meet your structural engineering needs.
From modular oilfield structures to pipelines, structural skids to pipe laydown machines, and water transfer reels to cyclically loaded fatigue-sensitive structures, we have designed and engineered them.
Oilfield Structures
Our familiarity with API, ABS, and DNV design and engineering standards let us efficiently design and engineer your project to meet the owner’s requirements.
Equipment Modules
The engineers at PES can engineer modules for transportation loads, incorporating features that limit the amount of fieldwork and enhance operations while keeping the owner’s fabrication costs down.
Modularization only makes sense when it adds value to the final installation.
Oilfield Equipment
Our engineers have designed modifications to major manufacturers’ drilling rigs to enhance capacity and productivity.
We can design new oilfield structures or modify existing structures to meet API requirements.
Dynamically Loaded and Fatigue Susceptible Structures
Our engineers have experience with cyclically and dynamically loaded structures, including those susceptible to fatigue.
We can evaluate expected fatigue life and assist with detailing to increase that life.
Geotechnical Engineering
What does a geotechnical engineer do?
Geotechnical engineers are responsible for designing foundations on which buildings can be built safely, as well as investigating how to reduce construction costs, social and economic impacts, and environmental impacts, such as water conservation.
Why do you need a geotechnical engineer?
When you're proposing a new project, there are several environmental considerations and legal restraints that could change how the job is done. Without these considerations in mind when planning your project, the issues that you're not prepared for become costly and lead to unforeseen delays during your building process.
Applications for Geotechnical Engineering
1- Design of bridges
Geotechnical engineers create the structures that bridges are built on, such as piers and foundations. To ensure safety and longevity for a design, engineers consider the different types of loads, as well as where those loads are applied.
2- Design of tunnels
The kind of geotechnical input for a tunnel project will depend on whether it's an existing or proposed tunnel, and whether it is in soil or rock. It is relatively more standardized to analyze new tunnels and new liners, but modifying older tunnels can require more analysis to address the uncertainty that comes with non-standard liner geometries parametrically.
3- Structural design of buildings
Civil engineers design, construct, operate, and maintain construction projects in various sectors including roads and buildings for the public and private sectors.
4- Design of retaining structures
Retaining structures are engineered to retain soil and/or rock. They provide grade changes, right-of-way increases, and buttresses while retaining earth coverage.
Environmental Engineers
What Environmental Engineers Do
Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health issues. Many environmental engineers work in consulting firms, government, or private industry designing and evaluating pollution control systems. Some may spend time in the field collecting data and monitoring sites.
How to Become an Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field. Some may need a professional engineer license, which requires passing an exam.
Most environmental engineering programs include coursework in chemistry, biology, physics, hydraulics, hydrogeology, thermodynamics, mathematics, and project management. Students also take courses in environmental engineering science and technology. Many programs offer opportunities to gain practical experience through internships or co-op programs.
Work Environment
Employment of environmental engineers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations. Competition for jobs is expected to be strong because of the relatively small number of graduates from environmental engineering programs.
Environmental engineers held about 55,700 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of environmental engineers were as follows:
- Waste management and remediation services 28%
- Government 18%
- Architectural, engineering, and related services 14%
- Manufacturing 11%
Environmental engineers work in a variety of settings because their work crosses over many disciplines. They may work outdoors at hazardous waste sites and indoors in offices or laboratories. Some environmental engineers travel to industrial or construction sites to monitor projects or solve on-site problems.
Most environmental engineers work full time. Because some environmental engineering projects may require travel to worksites, environmental engineers may work more than 40 hours per week.
Why do you need an Environmental engineer?
An environmental engineer is a professional who applies the principles of science and engineering to solve problems in the environment. They are involved in water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health issues. Many environmental engineers work in consulting firms, government, or private industry designing and evaluating pollution control systems.
Applications of environmental engineering
Air pollution control:
Environmental engineers develop systems and designs to monitor and control industrial sources of air pollution. They also work on plans to prevent accidents at chemical plants that could release harmful vapors into the air.
Water quality management:
Many environmental engineers work on projects to protect and clean up water resources. They develop systems to provide safe drinking water and to treat wastewater before it is discharged into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Solid and hazardous waste management:
Environmental engineers design plans to manage solid and hazardous wastes. This includes developing ways to reduce the amount of waste produced, to recycle materials, and to safely dispose of or incinerate remaining wastes.
Public health:
Environmental engineers work to protect public health by developing systems and procedures to control contaminants in food, water, and air. They also develop plans for managing epidemics and the disposal of biohazards, such as medical wastes.
Environmental protection and conservation:
Many environmental engineers work on projects to reduce energy consumption, minimize pollution, and prevent the loss of natural resources.