Developing Twenty-first Century Civil Engineering - Essay Example

Developing Twenty-first Century Civil Engineering Introduction Civil engineering deals with designing, constructing and maintaining environment that has been built, both physical and natural. This includes such things as roads, other buildings, dams and bridges among many others. It is the oldest discipline in the other types of engineering. It can be sub-divided into several other disciplines like earth science, forensic, surveying etc. depending on the type of construction being done. Since this discipline constitutes most in comparison to all other sub-discipline, there is need to ensure that it meets competence in this twenty-first century. This paper attempts to look at the framework set in this twenty-first century to ensure that civil engineering is done with competence. It seeks to look at the historical bit of civil engineering and how it has evolved over some time. This paper also looks at the problems that emerge and how technology is affecting the framework of civil engineering. The framework to improve competence in this industry also seeks to balance economic and social goals and the environment objectives. History of Civil Engineering Engineering is a discipline that has been part of human activities since human existence. However, there was no clear distinction between this discipline and architecture in the old times due to lack of enough knowledge on the two fields. A good example of civil engineering in the old times is the construction of pyramids, the Great Wall of China among many other constructions (Vesilind, 2005). In the past most designs and construction involving civil engineering were done by artisans like carpenters and stonemasons. They applied principles to carry out their duties like the Archimedes’ principle. They also applied mathematics and arithmetic in their duties. The artisans did not undergo any formal training to make the designs or carry out the construction works. This led to creation of repletion in the buildings and other infrastructure that they built due to lack of much creativity and competence in their work. Later in the 18th century, civil engineering was incorporated to all other civilian types of engineering. There has been change in this trend due to factors like technology. It is for this reason that colleges and universities have been built to provide formal education on this discipline. The first college to offer formal education on civil engineering was known as Norwich University in the United States. They offered degree courses in this area to ensure that civil engineers came out competent and well equipped with all relevant skills (Seely, 1999, p.87). This has greatly led to an improvement in the construction industry. Developing Twenty-first Century Civil Engineering Civil engineering is a discipline that is changing rapidly. There has been a major development of civil engineering in the twenty-first century due to changes in technology and weaknesses in the old civil engineering methods. This is because this century offers solutions to many problems in the building and construction industry. This includes upcoming of many institutions that offer formal training of civil engineers to create professionals in the field. There are firms formed by civil engineers that look at the construction needs and challenges to find solutions. They also act as a standard setting institution to certify civil engineers before they get to the construction industry so that they are competent enough. This century presents many challenges in civil engineering. This is because most problems that the society faces today have a direct relationship with this field. For instance, some road accidents are associated directly with poor road construction which is under civil engineering (Seely, 1999, p.8). This perception by the society calls for a change in the framework of our structures for professional and educational bit of this discipline. To cub this challenges, the civil engineering discipline liaises with other related disciplines like surveyors and architects so that construction of buildings is carried out to meet quality standards. It is for this reason that a framework has been set to improve the competency of civil engineering in this century. The framework contains measures to enhance competence of civil engineers so that construction is done to meet quality standards that they set (Seely, 1999, p.8). This includes a body that is responsible for setting standards for the industry. A good example of such a body is the American Society of Civil Engineers which is in the USA and is formally registered. These bodies have the responsibility of inspecting constructions done by civil engineers to ensure that they are fir enough for use. They inspect buildings to make sure that they have been built with quality materials and that they are fit for people to use them. The use of latest technology has also greatly improved competence in the civil engineering industry like the use of computers and computer applications like AutoCAD. They also use electronic file transfers to move information from one source to another. They also use modern machines to carry out constructions (Seely, 1999, p.88). These machines are made using modern technology; hence, ensure that the final product is of high quality. For instance, using the latest machine to construct a modern road saves time and the road is constructed well. There is also the use of modern designs for construction, for instance the latest design to construct a building or road so that it does not become obsolete so fast. The machines to be used in the construction must be environmental friendly so that they do not pollute the environment. Another framework to ensure competence in this industry is ensuring formal education in the higher education sector for all civil engineers. Colleges and universities offering this course has to meet standards so it natures professionals in the industry. Institutions such as the Institution of Civil Engineers ensure that they train qualified professionals in the field of civil engineering. The institutions are expected to have missions that aim at improving competency in the civil engineering sector in this twenty-first century (Meiksins, 2008, p.8). They must have enough and relevant equipment to train students so that they come out with relevant education on this discipline. It also ensures that they have ethics and responsible enough (Loevinger, 2007, p.160). Conclusion This discipline takes place in all sectors both in the private and public sector. Civil engineers have to be careful when carrying out a survey of where to carry out a construction and ensure that it is done perfectly to avoid accidents due to poor construction. There is the need to improve the competence framework of this discipline to ensure that it has the best quality. This is because it deals with delicate constructions like buildings and roads. The framework will ensure that constructing buildings and other areas is done to meet certain standards so that the quality is high. This reduces risks that may come with constructing poor buildings that may end up coming down. Therefore, it is an important type of engineering that calls for competence while dealing with construction. References Meiksins, P 2008, "Professionalism and Conflict: The Case of the American Association of Engineers,"  Journal of Social History 19 (Spring): 3-21. Seely, B 1999, "The Other Re-engineering of Engineering Education, 1900-1965," Journal of Engineering Education, 85-94. Loevinger, L, 2007, “Enforcing ethical standards of professional associations.” Professional Ethics: A Multidisciplinary Journal. 5(1-2): 157-166. Vesilind, P 2005, “Evolution of the American Society of Civil Engineers Code of Ethics,” Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice. 121(1): 4-10. Read More