9781422284827

Up High? Or Down Low? t the beginning of their studies, budding civil engineers will learn a lot about different structures. However, the person who plans a new freeway ramp is probably not the same one designing a new opera house. A new engineer will choose an engineering specialty , such as structural, environmental, water, transportation, geotechnical , or construction. Have you ever wondered how an underwater tunnel was made? Are you fascinated by skyscrapers? Do you like to build things? Then structural engineering might be the path for you. Structural engineers design and construct major projects. They know about the materials used to build things, and how those materials react to different forces, such as gravity, wind, or waves. They also know what kinds of extreme conditions might affect a building. If a building is in an earthquake zone, it needs to be able to withstand some serious shaking. Structures in hurricane-prone areas need to sway a little—but not too much—in super strong winds. Environmental engineers work to clean up or prevent contamina- tion of the air, soil, and water. How will a dam affect the animals and plants that live nearby? Does a bridge pollute the river around it? Is there a way to decrease the amount of water or electricity a building uses? Those are the sorts of questions an environmental engineer might ask. Elizabeth Marsh became an environmental engineer because she wanted to make a difference. Some of her proudest moments have occurred when she was part of an oil spill response team. “The team- work and adrenaline are amazing,” she said. “Long hours are rewarded

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