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Construction engineering
 
 
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Construction engineering concerns the planning and management of the construction
Construction

In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of multitasking....
 of structures such as highway
Highway

A highway is a main road intended for travel by the public between important destinations, such as city and towns. Highway designs vary widely and can range from a two-lane road without margins to a multi-lane, grade separated freeway....
s, bridge
Bridge

A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, Rail tracks, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle....
s, airport
Airport

An airport is a location where aircraft such as Fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and Non-rigid airship take off and land. Aircraft may also be stored or maintained at an airport....
s, railroads, building
Building

In architecture, construction, engineering and Real estate developer the word building may refer to one of the following:# Any man-made structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or continuous occupancy, or...
s, dam
Dam

A dam is a barrier that Reservoirs surface water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates, levees, and Dike are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions....
s, and reservoirs. Construction of such projects requires knowledge of engineering
Engineering

Engineering is the discipline and profession of applying Technology and science knowledge and utilizing natural laws and physical resources in order to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems, and process that safely realize a desired objective and meet specified criteria....
 and management
Management

Management in business and human organization activity is simply the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals. Management comprises planning, organizing, staffing, leadership or directing, and Control an organization or effort for the purpose of accomplishing a goal....
 principles and business procedures, economics
Economics

File:Ballard Farmers' Market - vegetables.jpgEconomics is the Social sciences that studies the Production theory basics, Distribution , and Consumption of Good and Service ....
, and human behavior. Construction engineers engage in the design of temporary structures, quality assurance and quality control, building and site layout surveys, on site material testing, concrete mix design, cost estimating, planning and scheduling, safety engineering, materials procurement, and cost engineering and budgeting.

Construction management is similar to construction engineering from the standpoint of the level of mathematics, science and engineering used to analyze problems and design a construction process.

Career
The construction industry in the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 provides employment to millions with all types and levels of education.






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Encyclopedia


Construction engineering concerns the planning and management of the construction
Construction

In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of multitasking....
 of structures such as highway
Highway

A highway is a main road intended for travel by the public between important destinations, such as city and towns. Highway designs vary widely and can range from a two-lane road without margins to a multi-lane, grade separated freeway....
s, bridge
Bridge

A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, Rail tracks, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle....
s, airport
Airport

An airport is a location where aircraft such as Fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and Non-rigid airship take off and land. Aircraft may also be stored or maintained at an airport....
s, railroads, building
Building

In architecture, construction, engineering and Real estate developer the word building may refer to one of the following:# Any man-made structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or continuous occupancy, or...
s, dam
Dam

A dam is a barrier that Reservoirs surface water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates, levees, and Dike are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions....
s, and reservoirs. Construction of such projects requires knowledge of engineering
Engineering

Engineering is the discipline and profession of applying Technology and science knowledge and utilizing natural laws and physical resources in order to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems, and process that safely realize a desired objective and meet specified criteria....
 and management
Management

Management in business and human organization activity is simply the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals. Management comprises planning, organizing, staffing, leadership or directing, and Control an organization or effort for the purpose of accomplishing a goal....
 principles and business procedures, economics
Economics

File:Ballard Farmers' Market - vegetables.jpgEconomics is the Social sciences that studies the Production theory basics, Distribution , and Consumption of Good and Service ....
, and human behavior. Construction engineers engage in the design of temporary structures, quality assurance and quality control, building and site layout surveys, on site material testing, concrete mix design, cost estimating, planning and scheduling, safety engineering, materials procurement, and cost engineering and budgeting.

Construction management is similar to construction engineering from the standpoint of the level of mathematics, science and engineering used to analyze problems and design a construction process.

Career


The construction industry in the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 provides employment to millions with all types and levels of education. Construction contributes 14% of the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 Gross National Product. Construction engineering provides much of the design aspect used both in the construction office and in the field on project sites. To complete projects construction engineers rely on plans and specifications created by architects, engineers and other constructors. During most of the 20th century structures have been first designed then engineering staff ensure it is built to plans and specifications by testing and overseeing the construction. Previous to the 20th century and more commonly since the start of the 21st century structures are designed and built in combination, allowing for site considerations and construction methods to influence the design process.

Work activities


Construction engineers have a wide range of responsibilities. Typically entry level construction engineers analyze reports and estimate project costs both in the office and in the field. Other tasks may include: Analyzing 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. Keeping a workplace safe is key to having a successful construction company. It is the construction engineer's job to make sure that everything is conducted correctly. In addition to safety, the construction engineer has to make sure that the site stays clean and sanitary. They have to make sure that there are no impediments in the way of the structure's planned location and must move any that exist. Finally, more seasoned construction engineers will assume the role of project management on a construction site and are involved heavily with the construction schedule and document control as well as budget and cost control. Their role on site is to provide construction information, including repairs, requests for information, change orders and payment applications to the managers and/or the owner's representatives.

Skills


Construction engineers should have strong understanding for math and science, but many other skills are required, including critical thinking, listening, learning, problem solving, monitoring and decision making. 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. During project construction they must solve the problems that they encounter using math and science. Construction Engineers must maintain project control of labor and equipment for safety, to ensure the project is on schedule and monitor quality control. When a problem occurs it is the construction engineer who will create and enact a solution.

Abilities


Construction engineers need different abilities to do their job. They must have the ability to reason, convey instructions to others, comprehend multi variables, anticipate problems, comprehend verbal, written and graphic instructions, organize data sets, speak clearly, visualize in 4D
Fourth dimension

In physics and mathematics, a vector of n real number can be understood as a Coordinate system in an n-dimensional Euclidean space. When n = 4, the set of all such locations is called 4-dimensional Euclidean space....
 time-space and understand Virtual Design and Construction
Virtual Design and Construction

Virtual Design and Construction is the use of integrated multi-disciplinary performance models of design-construction projects, including the Product , Work Processes and Organization of the design - construction - operation team in order to support explicit and Public works objectives....
 methods.

Educational requirements


A typical construction engineering curriculum is a mixture of engineering mechanics, engineering design, construction management
Construction management

Construction Management refers either to the study and practice of the managerial and technological aspects of the construction industry , or to a business model where one party to a construction contract serves as a construction consultant, providing both design and construction advice....
 and general science and mathematics. This usually leads to a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science

A Bachelor of Science is an bachelor's degree academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years ....
 degree. The B.S. degree along with some construction experience is sufficient for most entry level construction engineering jobs. Graduate school may be an option for those who want to go further in depth of the construction and engineering subjects taught at the undergraduate level. In most cases construction engineering graduates look to either civil engineering
Civil engineering

Civil engineering is a Professional Engineer discipline that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works such as bridges, roads, canals, dams and buildings....
, engineering management
Engineering management

Engineering Management is a term that is used to describe a specialized form of management that is required to successfully lead engineering personnel and projects....
, or business administration as a possible graduate degree. For authority to approve any final designs of public projects (and most any project), a construction engineer must have a professional engineer
Professional Engineer

Professional Engineer is the term for registered or licensed engineers in some countries who are permitted to offer their professional services directly to the public....
s (P.E.) license. To obtain a P.E. license the Fundamentals of Engineering exam
Fundamentals of Engineering exam

In the United States, the Fundamentals of Engineering exam is the first of two examinations engineers must pass in order to be certified as a Professional Engineer....
 and Principles and Practice in Engineering Exam must be passed and education and experience requirements met.

See also

  • Architectural engineering
    Architectural engineering

    Architectural engineering, also known as Building Engineering, is the application of engineering principles and technology to building design and construction....
  • Building officials
    Building officials

    Building officials of developed countries are generally referred to as administering building control systems that are mostly defined in statute....
  • Civil engineering
    Civil engineering

    Civil engineering is a Professional Engineer discipline that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works such as bridges, roads, canals, dams and buildings....
  • Construction management
    Construction management

    Construction Management refers either to the study and practice of the managerial and technological aspects of the construction industry , or to a business model where one party to a construction contract serves as a construction consultant, providing both design and construction advice....
  • Cost overrun
    Cost overrun

    Cost overrun is defined as excess of actual cost over budget. Cost overrun is also sometimes called "cost escalation," "cost increase," or "budget overrun." However, cost escalation and increases do not necessarily result in cost overruns if cost escalation is included in the budget....
  • Cost engineering
    Cost engineering

    The Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering defines cost engineering as:Key objectives of cost engineering are to arrive at accurate cost estimates and to avoid cost overruns....
  • Construction software
  • Earthquake engineering
    Earthquake engineering

    Earthquake engineering is the study of the behavior of buildings and structures subject to seismic loading. It is a subset of both structural engineering and civil engineering....
  • International Building Code
    International Building Code

    The International Building Code is a model building code developed by the International Code Council . It has been adopted throughout most of the United States....
  • Work breakdown structure
    Work breakdown structure

    A work breakdown structure in project management and systems engineering, is a tool used to define and group a project's discrete work elements in a way that helps organize and define the total work scope of the project....