15 Things Only Civil Engineers Know

Civil engineers have a unique combination of talents that they have developed over a lengthy period of time. Here are 15 things that only they are aware of.

Civil engineers have a unique set of abilities. They've honed their skills in engineering school over a long period of time. They have abilities that make city planners and architects cringe. Here are 15 facts that only civil engineers are aware of.

1. How to Check Dirt for a Wide Range of Odd Values

Civil engineers recognize that dirt is a bizarrely complex substance that necessitates a variety of strange tests to comprehend. The conventional penetration test, finding the Atterberg limits, and the oedometer test are all examples of tests. It's possible that an odd tiny piece of equipment at a civil engineer's office is used to test some minor dirt property.

2. That a Depression Cone isn't something you put on.

One of my favourite aspects of civil engineering has always been the cone of depression. When water is pulled out of an aquifer through a well, it causes a depression in the water table. It's also a wonderful way to describe how you feel while doing your fluids homework to your buddies.

3. Not all rebar is created equal.

Rebar isn't just a steel rod that's inserted into concrete; it's much more. Civil engineers are familiar with the many exterior patterns on rebar and how they are used. The list goes on and on with European rebar, carbon steel rebar, epoxy coated rebar, and so on.

4. Where do the pipes lead and where does our water come from?

As a civil engineer, you've probably found yourself trying to figure out where the water from your house goes once or twice. We have a good understanding of where all of our utilities are routed since civil engineers are trained to create an infrastructure that is never seen.

5. Why Hasn't the Leaning Tower of Pisa Fallen Down Yet?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was kept from collapsing thanks to some ingenious geotechnical engineering, as civil engineers are well aware. Engineers prevented the tower from collapsing by putting weights on the north end of the foundation to balance it. It is now thought that the construction will last for hundreds of years more.

6. The majority of structural loading calculations are just guesses.

Every civil engineer may recall their first structural engineering class. We should also keep in mind that determining loading levels is so difficult that different methods will get different results. We also know that no loading calculation is 100 percent accurate, so we add a safety factor to protect ourselves.

7. Different Types of Trusses and What Makes Them Unique

Hundreds of distinct types of trusses exist, each with its own structural loading capacities. Civil engineers understand when to employ which truss and how to determine its strength.

8. The Differences Between a Total Station and a Theodolite

Civil engineers are well-versed in surveying equipment. We know that a total station uses a GPS, lasers, and levelling sensors to create point clouds by measuring accurate elevations and distances. Theodolites or auto levels can easily assess elevation differences between two places without requiring distance measurements.

9. How Fast Can Sewage in a Pipe Move?

Knowing how to handle wastewater is one of the less glamorous aspects of civil engineering. We know that sewage in horizontal pipes must flow at least 3 feet per second. We also know that sewage flowing at too high a rate, such as over 12-18 feet per second, can cause harmful fumes, causing everyone to have a horrible day. There's a lot more science behind waste management than you might believe.

10. The distinctions between concrete, cement, and mortar are significant.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone refer to cement as concrete, and it makes me shudder on the inside. We know that concrete is made up of cement and fine and coarse aggregates, and that mortar contains more cement and fine aggregate, such as sand. Cement is only used as a binding agent. Civil engineers are undoubtedly also aware that the vehicles that transport concrete are referred to as transit mixers rather than cement mixers, which is incorrect.

11. Why Are There Gaps in the Road on Bridges and on Railway Tracks?

In order for metal to expand and contract with temperature, civil engineers know that expansion joints are required in roadways and railways. Roads and rails may fail or bow if these aren't built into the infrastructure.

12. Particle Sizes for Various Soil Types

We can tell the difference between silt (.05 to.002 mm), sand (2mm to.05 mm), and clay (.002 mm) by looking at their sizes. Some of us may not even need to compute particle size because we can tell by looking at the soil. With these tidbits of information, we can figure out which soil combinations make for better foundations and what needs to be done to make the ground more construction-friendly.

13. Concrete is never completely dry.

As a civil engineer, I probably have an unhealthy obsession with concrete. It starts off drab and squishy, then hardens into a solid rock. I'm not sure what else to call love if it isn't it. In all seriousness, we know how dry concrete is at different stages of the curing process. We also recognise that concrete continues to dry and strengthen throughout the course of its life.

14. Curves on Roads and Their Technical Names

There are four types of road curves known to civil engineers: simple, compound, reverse, and deviation. We know how to create a road using each of these curves using the proper equations. Not only that, but we also know how to calculate the slope of the road in a curve to prevent cars from sliding off.

15. What are the many types of cement?

Sulphate-resistant cement, Portland cement, high-alumina cement, white cement The list could go on and on. As civil engineers, we have a strong understanding of what goes into various cement, how they function, and what we may do to improve their performance.