Civil Construction Explained: Scope, Types, and Key Processes

Civil Construction is a vast term that plays a central role in laying the foundation of a modern society. It basically involves designing, building, and maintaining infrastructure. From roads, highways, airports to building construction, and more, thus making it crucial for shaping the infrastructure around us.

In addition to that, it also ensures that a safe and efficient construction is done, meeting all the objectives set in the planning stage of a construction project. Beyond infrastructural developments, this field also provides public safety by ensuring seamless transportation along with accessibility.

With the help of this article, you can broaden your perspective on this field of construction. In this article, we are going to extensively discuss its scope, types, as well as what key processes are involved.

The Purview of Civil Construction

This line of construction is not just restricted to building projects. It spans across the following:

Infrastructural Development

It contributes significantly towards the development and upkeep of public infrastructure. The purpose of this infrastructure is to serve the entire communities or regions.

Urban Development

It also includes the planning and construction of urban development. This development mainly refers to urban buildings, streets, parks, and other key facilities that shape urban life.

Industrial Development

When it comes to industrial developments, this construction is an essential part. This specialized construction helps a great deal for large-scale industrial projects. For example, manufacturing and power generation plants.

Environmental Development

In relation to the aforementioned field of construction, another application involves restoring the damaged environment through this field. This aspect encompasses endeavors such as flood control and land refill, among others, thereby resulting in the restoration of the environment.

Construction Types for Civil Projects

The major types are as follows:

Structural Construction

This construction type ensures that the structure of a building or any other project that may include towers or high-rise skyscrapers ensures stability from a design and construction perspective.

Transportational Infrastructure

This infrastructure focuses on how efficiently a transportation network can perform. In other words, this work is related to traffic management. It includes the following:

• Roads & highways
• Bridges
• Tunnels
• Railways
• Airports

Water System’s Circulation

This construction encompasses everything, from the development of water treatment plants for consumption and water distribution systems to waste treatment facilities. Besides that, it also includes the following:

• Large-scale water storage facilities, such as dams and reservoirs, along with flood control, and hydroelectric energy generation.
• It also involves underground plumbing pipelines and a distribution network for the delivery of water.

Energy Infrastructure

This construction refers to energy generation facilities that are composed of power plants. It can be for fossil fuels, solar, wind, or hydro energy. Other than that, it will also include:

• Installation of high-voltage electrical transmission and distribution lines.
• Gas pipeline network for the distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial facilities.

Key Construction Processes in Civil Projects

This discussion outlines the key construction processes that take place in any civil project.

1) Project’s Analysis

For any project, the first step is to analyze how feasible it will be. An initial assessment is carried out in which its technology, financial, and environmental impact is checked.

In this stage, civil engineers collaborate with estimators and architects. Where estimators will perform Cost Estimating , and architects will work on drafting detailed technical drawings.

2) Site Conditions

This process is referred to as geotechnical exploration in construction. The data extracted from it helps in the construction of a project’s foundation. It includes the evaluation of the following:

• Soil composition
• Underground water level
• Bedrock depth
• Other surface conditions

3) Structural Designing

In the case of a building, a structural engineer is hired who is responsible for the structural design of a project. They are responsible for ensuring that the design is appropriate for the mechanical as well as the electrical systems that it will be handling.

For an MEP Estimator, it becomes essential to work with a structural engineer. This helps them in predicting the right system cost that can efficiently meet the demands.

4) Workflow Scheduling

Teamwork in any construction project is also important since it helps greatly in the development of the workflow schedule.

A more collaborative environment will ensure that all of the resources needed in construction will be allocated optimally.

5) Strategic Procurement

The role of the estimator cannot be overemphasized in the process of procuring materials for a construction project. For instance, by analyzing construction drawings and blueprints, a mechanical estimator will conduct an accurate HVAC Estimation process. This will ensure that the best system is chosen, one that is capable of handling all needs.

Critical Factors to Consider

Factors, which if ensured, ensure success in the construction of any civil project, include the following:

• Every construction project will be vulnerable to numerous safety risks. Thus, it will be important to strictly enforce the implementation of OSHA standards.
• In large-scale construction work, there are many details to be addressed. That is why it is essential to ensure proactive and efficient project management and estimation. It is paramount that manage the budget and control finances, along with seamless construction activities
• Integration of technology in any construction project can make the entire process seamless right from the start. Whether it’s for construction cost estimates, or construction activities itself. The best ways to attain detailed results involve using sophisticated tools like PlanSwift, Bluebeam, STACK, On-Screen Takeoff, and Building Information Modeling.

End Note

Civil Construction is integral to the development of any society. This is a vast field that encompasses the combination of various disciplines. From engineers and architects to estimators, everyone has a key role to play. And, for your estimation needs, you need to hire SMA MEP Estimate, a top-ranking firm that provides the assurance of accuracy at every step. Lastly, if you want to know what this field is composed of, then read this valuable article that will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of this field.