Therefore, despite the common impression that civil engineers are mainly specialised in the construction of buildings and structural works, their field is diverse and often remote from structural works.

The term Civil Engineer was introduced after Napoleon’s wars. Until then there were only engineers from the Army Corps of Engineers (and there are still American Corp. of Engineers, Royal Engineers-UK etc.). This body has been extremely active and successful and for this reason it was decided to transfer its expertise and experience to classical academic circles. Engineers graduating from civilian universities were called “civilian” engineers (English. “civil engineer”. from the English translation civilization mechanics which means “engineers”. civilisation’), to distinguish them from the military engineers.

So the engineer is engineering. He uses his brain to find solutions.

The Civil Engineer in collaboration with the Architect and the other parts of the design team (Electrical, Mechanical etc.) should find the most appropriate and economical solutions for both the client and the building.

The spectrum covered by the science of civil engineering is wide, from the construction of a simple building to the study of the stability of a huge bridge, but also the spatial planning of an area through the creation of a proper urban planning program (drainage and stormwater management, design of roads, pedestrian walkways, pedestrian bridges, environmental study, maintenance of existing buildings, fire safety study, etc.)

The science of civil engineering is fundamentally different from that of the architect, since architecture works mainly from an aesthetic, artistic and ergonomic point of view, among other things. However, in full cooperation with the Architect, they must deliver a building or a project to the end user in a complete and ready-to-use state.

Whatever the position, the engineer (designer or contractor) must be correct, practical and professional.

They rely on his knowledge and his ability to offer them what they don’t have, his expertise and knowledge of manufacturing.

The best known occupation of Civil Engineering is Structural engineering. Civil Engineer is the scientist who deals with the design and construction of structural and technical works.

◾ It designs the load-bearing structure and the foundation of buildings but also deals with design for:

◾ Transport projects.

◾ Hydraulic works.

◾ Port and coastal engineering projects.

◾ Geotechnical and other infrastructure projects.

◾ Hydroelectric projects.

◾ Environmental engineering.

◾ Building materials.

◾ Studies the parameters, difficulties and constraints of a project, analyses the relationships between them, conceives, synthesises and designs the ways in which the project can be constructed safely and economically (decides in collaboration with the Architect, and advises the owner on the optimal way of construction e.g. concrete, wood or structural steel).

◾ Such projects are buildings (houses, offices, apartment buildings), factories, sports facilities, reservoirs, retaining walls, water towers, gantries, bridges, bridges, listed buildings, special metal structures, etc.