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Limits of Civil Engineers

Limits of Civil Engineers

Limits of Civil Engineers

(OP)
Does a civil engineer have the ability to do any structural engineering work?  I have recently spoke with a civil engineer to repair a foundation and I am wondering if his licenses gives him any authority on a structural issue.

RE: Limits of Civil Engineers

It stems from 'way back when'... In Napoleonic times, there were two types of Engineers... Civil and Military... at one time Civil engineers did everything that was not engineered by the military.

Dik

RE: Limits of Civil Engineers

You should be consulting someone with an SE license (a licensed Structural Engineer). It's similar to a PE (professional engineer, which would be what a civil engineer would get).

The person you spoke with probably knows a little about a foundation design if they have a PE in civil engineering, although they'd know a lot more about it with an SE  

RE: Limits of Civil Engineers

It depends on what state you are in.
Most states do not have an SE license (I believe only five, but someone will correct me).
Apart from structural being a subset of civil, usually someone experienced in structures will call themselves a structural engineer.
In non-SE states, it is generally up to the engineer to decide whether something is within his area of expertise.  Of course, if someone is practicing outside of their area of expertise, their incompetence at the task should show and they can be reported to the state board.

Some who call themselves civil engineers are quite competent to design structural work.  Civil engineers also can be engaged in forensic work which would entail recommending solutions to a failure.

If you are concerned, you should ask the engineer for references or a statement of previous work performed.  It should be clear from the statement of work performed whether the engineer is qualified to do the work.

RE: Limits of Civil Engineers

Experience is really the only limitation.  I know civil engineers that only do structural and foundations, civil engineers that only do structures, civil engineers that only do foundations and civil engineers that do not a one of those and civil engineers that do all of the above and more.

What would you be doing, if you knew that you could not fail?

RE: Limits of Civil Engineers

Just about anyone with a CE - PE licence can call themselves an Structural.  I do - I have been doing it for almost 40 years and live in a state that has no particular test/designation for it.

Just make sure of his/her experience and insurance.

RE: Limits of Civil Engineers

Along the same line as the original question, is there a cutoff between Engineering and Architectural work? This question came up recently with a plan review and the plan reviewer stated that the “design” of a home had to be certified by a PE or a Registered Architect.

Robert Billings
www.newrivereng.com

RE: Limits of Civil Engineers

The division between engineering and architecture is generally covered by state law in the US. Some states have very distinct divisions, others have a lot of overlap. The best place to get more info would be your state's PE board.

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