Classification of Engineering Services

2.1 GENERAL

The needs for professional civil engineering services vary, and the civil engineering firms that meet these needs vary in organizational structure, size, and capability. Many civil engineering firms provide comprehensive services to the client, while other firms specialize in areas of engineering, such as geotechnical or structural, and transportation, water and construction management, and provide their services to a prime engineer, architect, or owner. Few civil engineering firms are qualified to provide complete service for all projects, and the use of associate professionals to provide specialized services is common.

Services provided by civil Engineers can be grouped into five broad categories:

1. Consultations, research, investigations, and reports.2. Design services for construction projects.3. Construction services.4. Special services for construction projects.5. Engineering support services.6. Academic services.7. Services as Employee

The types of infrastructure under the domain of civil engineering, pursuant to RA 544, as amended, include:

1. Streets, bridges, highways and railroads2. Airports and hangars3. Portworks, canals, river and shore improvements, light houses and dry docks.4. Buildings5. Fixed structures for irrigation, flood protection, drainage, water supply and sewerage works.6. Tunnels

The coverage of civil engineering has not been changed nor diminished by subsequent laws.

2.2 CONSULTATIONS, RESEARCH, INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS

These services deal primarily with collecting, interpreting, and reporting information, together with formulating conclusions and making recommendations. Typical services in this category are:

2.2.1 Preliminary and feasibility investigations and Reports

These services usually precede the authorization of a capital project and may involve extensive investigations, analyses of conditions, and comparison of several possible plans. These studies may include the impact of a project upon the environment, sustainable development, operating costs, life-

cycle cost, financing considerations, and expected revenues as bases for conclusions and recommendations regarding the advisability of undertaking a project.

2.2.2 Planning studies

These services may include the broad areas of developing the engineering requirements of master plans for long-range capital improvement programs; preparation of preliminary engineering of land development plans, urban plans, and regional plans; and the investigation of environmental conditions and preparation of environmental impact studies with subsequent engineering planning to improve or maintain existing conditions. Such planning often requires coordination of the work of many engineering and other disciplines.

2.2.3 Appraisals, valuations and rate studies

These services may include investigations and analyses of existing conditions; capital and operating costs; overhead costs and costs of financing; and revenues as needed to evaluate a property or to recommend establishment of prospective rates.

2.2.4 Assistance in Financial Matters

The civil Engineer may be engaged by a client who is planning to issue bonds, particularly revenue bonds, to finance a capital project. The scope of services may include an evaluation of capabilities of existing or proposed facilities to meet present and projected future needs, statements of probable construction costs, and an estimate of annual revenue requirements, with a determination of appropriate rates to provide this income.

2.2.5 Materials Engineering and Equipment Tests

These services include tests of materials and equipment under established codes and standards, specialized examination of equipment and materials used in construction and industry, and other inspections and monitoring required by a client.

2.2.6 Direct Personal Services

This includes services such as assistance in preparation for legal proceedings. Appearances before courts or commissions to render expert opinions and conclusions, and investigations of technical matters where specialized civil engineering knowledge, experience, and judgment is required.

2.2.7 Research and Development

Research is a specialized investigation and gathering of data from existing resources or through laboratory works and processes related to the purpose and object of the research. Research and development may cover the following:

a. Development of new construction materials and methods from concept to commercialization.

b. Improvement of construction materials and methods through exhaustive studies to reduce total construction cost and at the same time improve quality.

2.2.8 Special Services

These services can vary to suit special needs of the client and can include such diverse activities as:

Value engineering Appraisal and valuation Load testing Environmental evaluations Traffic engineering Forensic engineering for structural and other failures Operational assistance Materials process design Pilot studies Computer modeling Safety engineering Topographic, sounding and boundary survey engineering Toxic and hazardous waste evaluation Permit and application services Sales and marketing services Expert witness Representation of municipal or private entities in projects proposed for privatization.

2.3 DESIGN SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Civil engineering services are required for each of six typical phases of a construction project. All services are preferably furnished y the same civil engineer for consistency and efficiency, although at times services in various phases are furnished by different engineers or by the client. The services are supplemented by special services which may be provided by the client, a specialized engineer, or another civil engineer.

The six standard phases of a construction project and the engineering services needed for each are:

1. Study and report phase.2. Preliminary design phase.3. Final design phase.4. Bidding or negotiating phase.5. Construction phase.6. Operation phase.

2.3.1 Study and report phase

This phase involves determinations of project scope and economic and technical evaluation of feasible alternatives. The services performed during this phase may include:

1. Reviewing available data and consulting with the client to clarify and define the clients requirements for the project.

2. Advising the client as to the necessity of providing or obtaining from others additional data or services and assisting the client in obtaining such data and services. These additional services may include photogrammetry, reconnaissance surveys, property surveys, topographic surveys, geotechnical investigations and consultations, seismicity studies, compilation of hydrological data, traffic studies, materials engineering, assembly of zoning, deed and other restrictive land use information, and environmental assessments and impact statements.

3. Identifying and analyzing requirements of governmental authorities having jurisdiction to approve the design of the project and participating in consultations with such authorities.

4. Providing analyses of the client’s needs, planning surveys, comparative evaluations of prospective sites and solutions.

5. Providing a general economic analysis of the client’s requirements applicable to various alternatives.

6. Preparing a report and presenting alternative solutions available to the client with the civil engineer’s findings and recommendations. The report may contain schematic layouts, sketches, conceptual design criteria with appropriate exhibits to indicate clearly the considerations involved and the civil engineers conceptual opinions of probable costs for the project

2.3.2 Preliminary Design Phase

This phase involves the establishment of the general size and scope of the project and its location on the selected site. The preliminary design services may include:

1. Consulting with the client, reviewing preliminary reports, clarifying and defining the project requirements, reviewing available data, and discussing general scheduling. Conferences may also be required with approving and regulatory governmental agencies and applicable utilities.