Page 16 - civ_env_sust_eng

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering (2014/02/09)
______________________________________________________________________________________

transformation of rapidly advancing and adapting high-value technologies in the material fixed “pre-preg”9

and design phases. Real-time monitoring, sensing, data acquisition, storage, and modeling have greatly

enhanced prediction time leading to informed decisions. Robotics, emulating the human factors, provide ano-

ther greater dimension for non-human intervention in high-risk areas of infrastructure.

Intelligent sensors have put productivity at an all-time high. Smart chip technologies enhance materials tra-

cking, speed construction, and reduce costs. Wearable computing devices facilitate communication among

onsite engineers, workers, and inspectors and provide access to remote documents and resources across glo-

bal divides.

2.2.2.4. Master Innovators and Integrators

In the civil engineering profession, project delivery has become an increasingly complex and diverse pro-

cess. Twenty-five years ago, an owner often hired a design professional to develop plans and specifications

that were given to a contractor who transformed them into a finished product. The design team of 2025 inclu-
des a multitude of participants, many of whom are not in the engineering profession, but in related areas of

management, environmental sciences, social sciences, legal, planning, geographic and other disciplines. Li-

kewise, the contractor’s team no longer comprises a few trades, but dozens of trades that are specialized in

particular areas coming together in a managed process to complete the constructed project.

As the master innovators and integrators, civil engineers are the leaders who help develop and implement

new technologies to create appropriate competitive advantages. Civil engineers are educated, trained, and

well-equipped to be at the forefront of adapting and integrating these new technologies into both design and

construction. Civil engineers recognize that a narrow focus on construction is no longer valid. Their focus
must be multi-faceted, multi-disciplined, and holistic.

2.2.2.5. Managing Risk

The world of 2025 presents a high-risk environment, with the ongoing threat of large-scale natural disasters

and possible acts of terrorism. Civil engineers are at the forefront in developing appropriate approaches and

designs to managing and mitigating risk, realizing that high reward can come from high-risk solutions.

Risk is clearly a major driver of innovation, as engineers evaluate what new materials, processes, and designs

might be used while weighing the potential for failure - balancing risk versus reward.

2.2.2.6. What Next?

Today’s civil engineers will need to transform themselves to meet the challenges of tomorrow. They must

stay abreast of changing technologies, market trends, and business developments. Civil engineers need to de-

velop and implement new methods and products that are sustainable and sensitive to the environment. Mo-

reover, they must cultivate the new technologies, direct the market, and develop new business practices to
lead the transformation into tomorrow.

Educating future civil engineers is also an essential component of the vision for the civil engineering profes-

sion in 2025. Fulfilling the vision requires an expanded set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, highlighting
the need for curricula reform today to develop that knowledge and those skills and attitudes needed in 2025.

Colleges and universities must examine their curricula as they relate to the future civil engineer so advance-

ment toward the vision can be realized.

______________________________________________________________________________________

16 / 76