Spotlight on services: civil engineering

Civil engineers have been around in one guise or another since man first began building. Something we explore in greater detail in our blog post Civil Engineering: Man's oldest job? But, despite the profession's longevity ask the average person today to define civil engineering and most will come unstuck.

We know civil engineers exist. Just as we've heard of civil engineering and yet for a lot of people what civil engineers actually do is something of a mystery.

That's where we're a little different.

At Mackoy, civil engineering is one of our team's specialisms. So not only can we confidently define it. We'd have no problem making it our specialist subject on Mastermind if push came to shove. In fact we'd go so far as to say there's nothing about civil engineering for the residential sector that we don't know. Which is partly what makes us qualified to offer this service to our clients. Well, that and years of higher education.

What civil engineers do: clearing up the mystery

You don't have to look too hard or too far these days to find something a civil engineer has had a hand in creating. Their influence can be seen everywhere around us. In fact civil engineers have played one of the biggest roles in shaping modern society and creating the infrastructure that's become an integral part of everyday life in modern Britain. Responsible for delivering everything from motorways and bridges, to railways, power stations, schools, airports, hospitals, and offices. In short pretty much anything that's ever been built.

In fact civil engineers have been instrumental in helping us live our lives more comfortably, efficiently and easily throughout the ages. Bringing us many of the things we take for granted in our everyday lives but we'd struggle to live without.

What a civil engineer's role is

When we say civil engineers have brought us bridges, roads and schools we might just need to wind back and clarify that a little. Civil engineers haven't literally built these things with their bare hands. But they have helped to physically deliver them.

You see a civil engineer's role involves ensuring a proposed building or piece of infrastructure like a bridge or highway can be built safely and solidly. His or her job is to work closely with a project's planner or architect to help turn their vision into the real thing. Taking it from an idea sketched out on paper to an actual physical entity.

In other words a civil engineer is the person who works out how a structure will be built. Planning out the proportions every element needs to be and the materials that should be used in its construction. In order to ensure that the finished product will be safe, stable and fit for purpose.

So what do civil engineers do exactly?

We appreciate that having the onus on your shoulders to make a structure safe, secure and usable is a big responsibility. But that's precisely why this vitally important aspect of a project's development is put in the hands of civil engineers in the first place. They go through years of training to become qualified in their respective field. And they don't just get handed a bridge to build on their first day on the job. Talk about a baptism by fire.

Civil engineers have an advanced knowledge of maths, science, the environment, and of course engineering. So when it comes to looking at an architect's drawing and working out whether it can be done they don't just give it a cursory glance and say yes or no. They go away with your idea and meticulously scrutinise it down to the detail. Not only looking at the viability in terms of the mechanics of the design but also in the context of its environment too. Applying their advanced knowledge of geology, physics, and engineering principles to establish their decision.

And if the eventual answer is "no, this won't work" that doesn't mean the door is closed on the project entirely. It just means it's back to the drawing board for a few revisions and in most cases a civil engineer will work with you to find a solution that can give your project the green light.

Do all civil engineers work in construction?

Civil engineers that work in the construction sector are generally known as structural engineers or construction engineers depending on the scale and scope of the project they're involved in. But civil engineers are also called upon for their specialist knowledge in other areas too including:

Geotechnical engineering - The building of sub-ground level structures and infrastructure such as foundations, mines and tunnels.

Environmental engineering - Projects that impact on the environment such as wastewater treatment and air quality management.

Water resource engineering - Flood and storm water containment along with water supply planning and soil erosion prevention.

At Mackoy our team have extensive experience helping to deliver large-scale commercial and private infrastructure projects in Britain. Including the development of roads, underground drainage and sewer networks, surface water management, and retaining structure as well as buildings. Working closely with civil engineers and designers to achieve schemes within budget.

No construction project should be attempted without the expert eye of a civil engineer to ensure its integrity. So if you're currently planning a development and you'd like us to review your plans and verify their viability get in touch with our team today. We'll be happy to have an informal discussion with you for free to discuss your needs.

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