Your Guide to Civil Engineering

Have you ever wondered who designs airports or how dams remain so well-maintained? The answer lies within the civil engineering profession. Civil engineering deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the built environment. It includes public works projects, such as bridges, roads, sewer systems, buildings, and railways. In short, if it involves construction, you can guarantee a civil engineer had a hand in it. Here are some of the services civil engineering provides.

Conceptual Design
Conceptual design is phase one of any new development projects. Before anything else happens, a civil engineering firm will provide a big picture overview of the land plot, looking at the practical elements of design: the utility connections, drainage, land use. It gives a red light should it uncover any issue too great to overcome. Sometimes, conceptual design runs alongside 3D modeling. The result is a miniature version of the final build.

Utility Design
It may surprise you how much data-driven insight goes into the design of a water line or storm drain. The finished product, no matter how simple it looks, results from hours of civil engineering work. Every angle created, each material chosen, answers a strict brief. These types of utilities must meet safety laws and regulations to receive plan approval. They include every detail, from the location of each maintenance hole to placing each valve.

Street Improvement Plans
If you wish to make improvements to a street, consider whether your modifications are feasible. Will they allow enough space for a fire engine to turn around in? Is drainage affected? How about sidewalks? Civil engineering explores every aspect to make sure the new concept works structurally and operationally.

When you're responsible for any public works development, don't do anything until you've partnered with a civil engineering firm like Chris Nelson & Associates. They give you the confidence to proceed, knowing you have expert approval on every element.

Best Practices in Land Development

A land surveyor is helpful in instituting best practices in land development. Many municipalities are concerned with the human impact on the land and balancing that with economic gain. Land surveys provide a basis for developing land to meet both criteria.

Housing

With a growing population, housing becomes a concern. Using mix land uses such as commercial first floors with condos, apartments and town-homes above is one way to develop the land for efficient use and minimal environmental impact. Concentrating development allows for a smaller footprint and potentially lower costs.

Traffic

The more an area grows, the more traffic there is. A survey can help create a roadway map that works with the existing land to meet these changing needs. Dispersing traffic in effective ways can calm the number of cars on the road at the same time limiting their impact on the environment and local economy.

Ecosystems
Any development of land should focus on preserving existing ecosystems as much as possible. Creating areas that mimic nature and preserve some land help the entire area thrive. Parks are one example of this.

Using the experience and expertise of a land surveyor can help developers balance capital gains with the environmental impacts of a development. Surveys are valuable to help municipalities address growing population concerns.