At the sight of a new mountain road, a sturdy bridge, or a clean water system, we forget the people that make it all possible. Every project calls for meticulous planning, accurate calculations and competent workers in the field.
Infrastructure is not built on guesswork. It goes from an initial design, through the close collaboration and coordination of engineering staff, contractors, and laborers.
To get a job in the construction industry, it helps to know how a civil project progresses from design to actual building. The two important posts involved are the civil engineer and the civil sub-engineer.
Both deal with similar issues though they have different responsibilities, powers, and duties. While the civil engineer usually deals with all aspects of the project, the civil sub-engineer tackles field supervision work, surveying, and laying out the works.
The Planner: Duties of a Civil Engineer
A civil engineer is a person with a Bachelor’s degree or a higher-level qualification in engineering. He/she designs the technical plans of an infrastructure project, which may either span the whole length of a project or begin from conceptual studies to completion.
1. Planning and Design
Before actual site preparation commences, the civil engineer draws up the project plan. He/she goes through survey reports, evaluates the site, the soil bearing capacity, and likely environmental impact.
Using computer-aided design tools, the engineer comes up with the project design, which may include details for roads, buildings, drains, bridges, and waterworks.
They also determine loads, stresses, and other factors for constructing strong and functional structures. All structures must meet building regulations, technical specifications, and other standards.
2. Estimating and Planning
The civil engineer works out the project budget. He/she prepares estimates, works out quantities, and plans for the proper allocation of labor and other materials.
They also ensure value for money is given to the owners against the expenditures made on a project. The work of the civil engineer ensures accountability of public funds as far as infrastructure projects are concerned.
3. Implementation and Safety Standards
A civil engineer carries great responsibility, which includes adherence to legal and professional requirements. They ensure that all project aspects meet building regulations and other legal requirements relating to the construction works.
They also evaluate safety issues associated with the project and take appropriate measures to avoid risks on the site and to the community.
They handle matters relating to contracts, liaise with government agencies and stakeholders, and deal with technical aspects of a project.
Where a project may have a detrimental effect on the local community, the civil engineer may need to attend community meetings and answer any queries raised by the residents about the project.
The Field Specialist: Duties of a Civil Sub-Engineer
The civil sub-engineer is the person responsible for making sure that the technical plans of a project are implemented on the ground. They may have a certificate or a diploma in civil engineering.
The civil sub-engineer spends most of his time on the construction site, supervising daily works and reporting to the civil engineer. Their duties include the following:
1. Layout and Supervision of Works
The civil sub-engineer ensures that all works are done according to plans and specifications. They mark out center lines of works, formation level, foundation lines, excavation lines or walls, and any other reference needed for construction works.
They also guide masons, foremen, and assistant workers during the implementation of works. The sub-engineer also evaluates the quality of work done and ensures they conform to set standards.
When a site agent or builder is about to do faulty work or one that does not meet standards, the civil sub-engineer prevents it early enough to avoid wastage of materials and extra costs.
2. Materials and Inspection of Works
The civil sub-engineer inspects materials used on site, including cement, sand, aggregate, bricks, and metals. They also ensure that the materials used conform to set standards.
They examine works such as concrete mixing, reinforcement works, masonry, plastering, and road construction. Whenever inferior materials or poor workmanship is noticed, the site sub-engineer gives a warning or stops the works if the problem persists.
In this way, the sub-engineer ensures quality materials and workmanship are used on site.
3. Quantity Surveying and Progress Reporting
The civil sub-engineer does daily site rounds and records all works completed. They evaluate quantities of excavated earth, concrete, masonry, pipes, road surfaces, and other works to help in the production of work statements, running bills, and progress reports.
The site engineer also produces reports to show the progress of work in terms of time, cost, labor, and materials. Contractors are paid according to quantities of work completed and materials used on site.
4. Community Liaison and Other Duties
It often happens that a sub-engineer is the only link between the local community and the project site. This is especially so in rural areas where community structures, such as drinking water schemes and roads, are concerned.
They address any queries by the community on the project, such as compensation to individuals whose properties may be acquired for the development.
The sub-engineer deals with minor labor disputes between contractors and workers. They are also in the best position to flag any local issues affecting the project.
How Their Roles Interlink
The technical expertise of a civil engineer and a civil sub-engineer is required for the smooth completion of a project. They each handle different aspects of a civil project. A civil engineer lays out the technical requirements of a project, whereas a civil sub-engineer takes care of the on-site implementation and supervision of works.
A civil engineer makes the technical drawings and approves major aspects of a project. They also make project-specific calculations, come up with a budget, and deal with government agencies.
On the other hand, a sub-engineer does site surveys and setting out, quantity calculations of materials and work done, material testing and inspection, supervision of workers, and local community issues.
A civil engineer can come across local site problems through a progress or site inspection report by a civil sub-engineer. These may include poor ground bearing capacity, underground service lines, drainage, or any other site order problem.
The reports by the sub-engineer enable the civil engineer to make modifications to the project designs or issue implementation instructions to the sub-engineer without too much delay.
Without a civil engineer, a project can run into mismanagement, poor technical designs, faulty works, and non-adherence to building regulations.
Without the civil sub-engineer, a project can be implemented with little or no on-site supervision.
Common Questions
1. What is the main difference between the civil engineer and a civil sub-engineer in terms of qualifications?
A civil engineer has a Bachelor’s degree whereas a civil sub-engineer has a diploma or proficiency certificate.
The civil engineer has a comprehensive knowledge of structural design and analysis, advanced project planning, and engineering principles.
A civil sub-engineer is more conversant with surveying and construction, drawing, estimating, and supervision.
2. Can a civil sub-engineer design a project?
A civil sub-engineer can make drawings, take surveys, and do estimates. However, major structural and super structural works design may be handled by a civil engineer.
Most structures need the approval and stamp of an engineering officer for a project to be considered official.
3. Why should civil engineers and sub-engineers maintain good communication?
In most cases, on-site physical conditions are not the same as those expected from surveys. This may mean that excavation will reveal underground services, difficult ground bearing, and other challenges.
The civil sub-engineer informs the civil engineer, who then comes up with a practical solution to the problem.
This cooperation ensures project specifications and standards are met.
Conclusion
Roads, bridges, buildings, and waterworks would not be possible without the combined efforts of many skilled people.
A civil engineer ensures projects are put in place after due consideration and calculations.
The civil sub-engineer ensures the plans are implemented practically.
Together they ensure good communication for the benefit of the community.