9781422271438

(crude oil, natural gas, and coal) less damaging to the environment; the development of building materials and practices that are more environmentally friendly (this is known as green construction ); and work on a variety of other issues, such as recycling and environmental sustainability . Geotechnical engineering examines the behavior of natural geological materials (soil and rock) in engineered systems. Engineers and technicians in this specialty focus on soil and rock mechanics, soil-structure interaction ground improvement, slope stability and landslide stabilization, laboratory characterization of geomaterials and soil reinforcement, and liquefaction of soils and earthquake engineering. Hydraulic engineering involves the design, construction, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of hydraulic systems that are operated or fueled by the pressure of a fluid (e.g., water, oil, gas). Engineers and technicians most commonly work in the areas of water infrastructure and sewerage design and fluid transport. (Sewerage is the infrastructure [sewer system, pumping stations, treatment works, and all other works] that is necessary for the collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage.) Sanitary engineering addresses sanitation issues that affect public health, such as creating and maintaining systems that store and transport safe drinking water, and convey, store, and treat sewage. Structural engineering involves the design, construction, testing, troubleshooting, and repair of buildings, bridges, amusement park rides, and other structures. Transportation engineering focuses on the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of transportation systems that move people and goods. These components and systems include highways and other roadways, public transportation systems, railways, oil and gas pipelines, smart-enabled road infrastructure , and traffic control, automated transport, and space transport systems.

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What Do Civil Engineering Technicians Do?