Bidhan Ghosh, Author at Adamas University

Scope of Environmental Engineering

Student Contribution: Anjushree Saha, Final year student (M.Tech., Civil Engineering), Adamas University

Environmental Engineering is the application of science and engineering principles that provide a better environment, to give healthy water, air and land for human habitation and other living things, and to rehabilitate polluted areas. In addition, it focuses on finding appropriate solutions in the field of public health, such as arthropod-related diseases, and in enforcing laws that promote adequate sanitation in urban, rural, and recreational areas.

The Importance of Environmental Engineering to Society

The world today faces many environmental problems, ranging from local problems such as groundwater depletion to global problems such as climate change. These problems can only be solved when everyone cares about the environment. Therefore, everyone needs to be informed about the various causes, consequences and remedies of environmental problems. It is therefore necessary to preface their consideration with the statements of the broader characteristic divisions such as-

It guides us on how our developmental and daily activities affect the environment and how we are affected by changes in environmental conditions.
It guides us to create a pollution free environment (which includes clean air, water, land and food) by adopting various methods of prevention and control of pollution.
It guides our natural resources such as water, forests, minerals and fossil fuels to be utilized in an efficient way, with maximum utility and minimum waste by adopting conservation and recycling strategies.
Adopts the above three characteristics, namely, knowing one’s environmental impact, prevention and control of pollution, and efficiently utilizing resources efficiently in daily activities to lead the general public in an environmentally friendly way.
It allows industries to operate in an environmentally friendly mode by adopting clean and efficient technology and installing pollution control systems.

Role of Environmental Engineering for Sustainable Development

So far as contribution of Environmental Engineering for protection of the environment is concerned, it can be said that role of environmental engineering is commendable. Some of the contributions of environmental engineering are as follows-

To protect soil erosion for safeguard of forest.
Using of Environmental Engineering technology degradation of bio social system can be prevented.
Air pollution can be minimized up to a maximum extent by utilizing Environmental Engineering.
Development of agriculture is necessary and the requirement can be fulfilled through Environmental Engineering.
Environmental Engineering is utilized for preservation of social energy.
Global crises on environment can be minimized by utilizing Environmental Engineering technology.
Facilitate for sustainable development of the society.
It helps for social and economical development.

Scope of the Environmental Engineering:

Three major areas of applicability of the Environmental Engineering are

Management of natural resources,
Conservation of ecosystem and biodiversity, and
Prevention and control of pollution.

Major career options related to the subject can be described as follows:

Industries: Industries need to comply with a number of environmental regulations. Thus, environmental experts are needed to guide industries in adopting clean technology, pollution control, waste disposal and environmental audit management.

Consultancy: Environmental consultations are employed by governments, industries and NGOs to conduct a variety of laboratory-based analysis or field-based studies, often required in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other compliance processes.

Research and Development: These opportunities in this area include studying different types of pollution and their many causes and effects. It is also includes development of clean and efficient technologies for future purpose. Scientists, researchers, and analysts are many of the common career profiles.

Academics: Environmental Engineering study is educated at almost every level of education, which is from school to university level. A large number of teachers or academicians are required to fulfill this need.

Green marketing: Skilled manpower is required to promote eco friendly products in local market. Environmental quality certifications like ISO-14000 are also being included in marketing strategy—this creates further career opportunities.

Green media: There is an urgent need for skilled manpower in print and electronic media to create environmental awareness. Some lot of magazines and newspapers regularly publish articles paper on environmental themes. For example, Down to Earth is a magazine published by the Center for Science and the Environment.

Green advocacy: Environmental lawyers are emerging as major players in ensuring proper enforcement of environmental regulations, laws, and programmers. Public Interest Litigation (PIL) empowers of ordinary people to fight against any anti-environment activity.

Government jobs: Many numbers of conventional and current common jobs are available in government bodies such as environmental ministry, pollution control boards, national parks, and biosphere reserves.

International agencies: Eligible human resources are required to implement environmental projects of various international organizations such as UNEP, IUCN, TSBF, and World Bank.

In a concluding remark, the career & job prospects of structural engineers are very bright in the coming future days. If you are focused and passionate, you can lead a bright career.

Further Studies

Scope of Structural Engineering

Student Contribution: Anjushree Saha, Final year student (M.Tech. in Structural Engineering), Adamas University

Structural engineering is the field of engineering that deals with the structural integrity and strength of a building or structure. Structural engineering is a specialty of civil engineering that ensures the structures are safe, stable and don’t collapse under applied loads. It is mainly focused on analysis and design of the structure.

Analysis of the structure

Careful analysis of the wind speed that can carry structural loads and the overall capacity and utility of the building also provides information.
Analysis of the structure according to the principles of structural engineering will make sure that the structure depends on all the necessary design codes.

Design of the structure

Structures have to be designed so that they can withstand their own weight as well as the loads and pressures that will be placed upon them.
Structural engineers take steps crucial information about the foundations, roof types, load types, beams, columns, material quality, retaining walls etc.

Responsibilities of a structural engineer

A structural engineer also plays a major role as a team among other professionals like surveyor, quantity surveyor, and architects engineers.

The following tasks must be performed by a structural engineer:

Design models of structures using software.
Assessing the reaction of structures to pressures and stress.
Finalizing the appropriate concrete materials that would be suitable for the structure.
Assessing budget of the project.
Liaising to ensure that newly erected buildings are structurally sound with construction contractors.
Using computers and computer-aided design technology for simulation purposes.

Skills required to become a Structural Engineer

It’s necessary for every structural engineer to possess the following skills:

Analytical skills
Detailed orientation
Creativity
Strong interpersonal skills
Communication skills
Knowledge of CAD software application like ETABS, SAFE, STAAD Pro, PROKON, RAVIT, ROBOT etc.
Excellent computer skills
Knowledge of construction management
Familiarity with codes and regulations specific with the industry
Up-to-date technical skills

Role of Structural Engineering in building design & sustainable development

Urbanization, buildings, and civil infrastructure are most important of the world for any economy. Require lots of natural resources and energy required for their construction, operation, maintenance and deterioration.
Structural engineers play an important role in the efficient design, construction and execution of a building. At the beginning of construction projects in collaboration with structural engineers, architects, owners and construction managers, architects decide on the effectiveness, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of concepts. As the project progressed to the design stage, structural engineers produced the first set of executive design documents.
Structural engineers have traditionally not identified themselves with environmental sustainability. Growing concerns for the natural environment, the rise of smart cities, and the growing importance of sustainability and energy efficiency are driving the demand for structural engineers.
Building construction consumes natural resources, potable water and energy. Secondly, the construction process also contributes to 30% of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Thus, a sustainable environment is not achievable without contribution of the building & construction sector, especially the structural engineering domain.
The renewable energy department is a great leading factor. The concept of sustainability is gaining popularity these days and it is clearly increasing the applicability in the energy sector.

Thus overall, the career & job prospects of structural engineers are very bright in the coming future days.

In a concluding remark, Structural Engineers are best suitable in Design Engineers as well as Project Engineers and Site Engineers. Also anyone can flourish career in research and teaching. If you are focused and passionate, you can lead a bright career.

Further Studies

Relevance of Civil Engineering studies in Every sector

Civil Engineering is one of the discipline of Engineering profession that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of all type of manmade structures like buildings, roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, and railways etc.

Civil Engineering is the only branch of engineering which contributes directly towards the society and it is the oldest branch of engineering.

The Importance of Civil Engineering to Society

Without the existence of Civil Engineering, society wouldn’t function properly. There would be no treated water to drink, no safe buildings and structures, no transportation infrastructure for travelling and no drainage and irrigation channel.

Variety of Specializations and Career Options

There are multiple sub-division and specializations in Civil Engineering which are in need of applications in various sectors.

Architecture engineering: Architecture engineering deals with the technological aspects to planning, design, construction and operation of buildings. Architecture engineering is closely related to Civil engineering.
Coastal engineering: Coastal engineering is alarmed with the specific construction issues in the adjacent area of the coast, as well as at the coast itself.
Construction engineering: Construction engineeringis concerned with review of contracts, logistic operations, and prices of supplied products.
Structural engineering:Structural engineering deals with the analysis of structures, as well as design of structures.
Earthquake engineering: Earthquake engineering is a sub-section of structural engineering. The main objectives of earthquake engineering are to analysis, design and construct structures to performat earthquake.
Environment engineering:Environment engineering deals with the issues related to environmental pollution and control of waste due to various activities.
Geotechnical engineering:Geotechnical engineering is concerned with the minerals, rock and soil. It’s applications are in military, mining, petroleum engineering other than Civil Engineering disciplines.
Transportation engineering:Transportation engineering is focused on the planning, functional designing, operation of any sort of mode of transportation.
Hydraulic and water resource engineering:Hydraulic and water resource engineering is concerned with the flow parameters of fluids like water and gas. It’s applications are in designing of bridges, dams, canals and also design of pipes.
Materials science and engineering: Materials science and engineering deals with characteristics of materials, such as cement, concrete, paint, and metals such as aluminum, bronze and steel, and polymers and carbon and steel fibers.
Nanoscienceand nanotechnology: Nanoscience and nanotechnology is a sub-discipline of Materials science and engineering. It studies systems and manipulates matter on atomic, molecular and supramolecular scales.
Urban engineering: Urban engineering deals with the infrastructure, services, environmental and land-use issues generally encountered in urban areas.

With the knowledge in various domains, Civil Engineers can cope with many job. In a nutshell,

Civil Engineers are welcomed at every field of engineering, which opens up lots of scope for job.
Every government organization from I.S.R.O to Nirman Sahayak needs civil engineers.
Great Opportunity for own start-up business like design consultancy.
All non-core and IT companies also recruit civil engineers for their own demand. Civil Engineering students have the distinguishing option to choose a career in core and non-core companies.
Over the years, civil engineers have a constant demand unaffected by the market fluctuations.

Being a Civil Engineer opens lot of job opportunity, lot of scope of career. There are plenty of opportunities in Govt. Sectors. If you are focused and passionate, you can lead a bright career.

Further Studies