Civil Engineering covers a wide range of disciplines that work together to design, build, and maintain the world’s infrastructure. The major fields include:

 

 

Structural Engineering – Focuses on the design and analysis of buildings, bridges, towers, and other structures to ensure safety, stability, and strength.

 

Geotechnical Engineering – Deals with soil and rock behavior, foundation design, and earth-retaining structures, ensuring stability from the ground up.

 

Transportation Engineering – Involves planning, design, and maintenance of roads, highways, railways, airports, and traffic systems for safe and efficient movement.

 

Environmental Engineering – Focuses on protecting the environment by managing water, air, and waste systems, promoting sustainable development.

 

Water Resources Engineering – Manages the collection, storage, and distribution of water through dams, canals, drainage, and flood control systems.

 

Construction Engineering and Management – Ensures successful project execution through proper planning, scheduling, and cost control of construction activities.

 

Urban and Regional Planning – Involves designing and developing sustainable cities, towns, and communities with proper infrastructure and land use.

 

Surveying and Geomatics Engineering – Uses advanced tools and technologies to measure, map, and analyze land for construction and design purposes.

 

Materials Engineering – Studies construction materials like concrete, steel, and bitumen to improve strength, durability, and sustainability of structures.

 

 

 

Tests In civil Engineering

Bitumen (বিটুমিন)

Bitumen is a vital material used in road construction and asphalt mixes. To ensure good performance, durability, and safety, several tests are conducted to evaluate its physical and chemical properties.

 

1. Bitumen Content (বিটুমিনের পরিমাণ)

Determines the percentage of bitumen in the asphalt mixture.


Purpose: Ensures the right proportion for strength, durability, and flexibility.

 

 

2. Design of Asphalt Concrete (A.C) Mixes (এ.সি মিশ্রণের ডিজাইন)

Involves selecting the right combination of aggregates and bitumen.


Purpose: Achieves the desired stability, flow, and void characteristics for road performance.

 

 

3. Ductility (নমনীয়তা/ডাকটিলিটি)

Measures how much bitumen can stretch before breaking.


Purpose: Indicates flexibility and resistance to cracking under temperature changes or traffic loads.

 

 

4. Flash & Fire Points (ফ্ল্যাশ ও ফায়ার পয়েন্ট)

Identify the temperatures at which bitumen vapors ignite.


Purpose: Ensures safe handling and heating during mixing or paving.

 

 

5. Float Test (ফ্লোট পরীক্ষা)

Measures the consistency of bitumen, especially soft grades.


Purpose: Evaluates the flow behavior of bitumen under specific temperature conditions.

 

 

6. Loss on Heating (LOI) (লস অন হিটিং)

Determines weight loss after heating the bitumen sample.


Purpose: Indicates volatility and possible hardening during mixing.

 

 

7. Softening Point (R&B) (সফটেনিং পয়েন্ট)

The temperature at which bitumen becomes soft.


Purpose: Shows heat resistance and suitability for hot climate pavements.

 

 

8. Solubility (দ্রাব্যতা/সলুবিলিটি)

Measures how much of the bitumen dissolves in a solvent.


Purpose: Checks purity and ensures absence of non-bituminous materials.

 

 

9. Specific Gravity (Sp. Gr.) and Theoretical Max. Sp. Gr. (আপেক্ষিক ঘনত্ব ও তাত্ত্বিক সর্বাধিক ঘনত্ব)

Specific gravity compares bitumen density to water, while theoretical maximum is used in mix design.


Purpose: Helps determine voids and material proportions.

 

 

10. Standard Penetration (স্ট্যান্ডার্ড পেনিট্রেশন)

Measures the hardness or consistency of bitumen using a needle under specific conditions.

 

Purpose: Classifies bitumen grades (e.g., 60/70, 80/100).

 

 

11. Viscosity (S.F.) (সান্দ্রতা/ভিসকোসিটি)

Standard viscosity test measures internal resistance to flow.


Purpose: Ensures proper flow during mixing and compaction.

 

 

12. Viscosity (Kinematic) (কাইনেমেটিক ভিসকোসিটি)

Measures flow rate under gravity at a specific temperature.


Purpose: Used for classifying bitumen grades and temperature susceptibility.

 

 

13. Water Content (ওয়াটার কন্টেন্ট)

Determines the amount of moisture in bitumen.


Purpose: Ensures material quality and prevents foaming during heating.

 

 

14. Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity (তাত্ত্বিক সর্বাধিক ঘনত্ব)

Represents the density of asphalt mix with no air voids.


Purpose: Used for calculating air voids and compactness in pavement.

 

 

15. Marshall Stability & Flow Test (মার্শাল স্থিতিশীলতা ও প্রবাহ পরীক্ষা)

Evaluates the strength and deformation characteristics of asphalt mixtures.


Purpose: Determines the mix’s ability to withstand traffic loads.

 

 

16. Coating & Stripping Test of Coarse Aggregate (পাথর এর কোটিং ও স্ট্রাইপিং পরীক্ষা)

Assesses the adhesion between bitumen and aggregates.


Purpose: Detects moisture sensitivity and bonding strength.

 

 

17. Resistance of Compacted Asphalt Mixture to Moisture Induced Damage / Moisture Affinity (সংকুচিত অ্যাসফল্ট মিশ্রণের আর্দ্রতার কারণে ক্ষতির প্রতিরোধ)

Tests how well asphalt resists water damage.


Purpose: Ensures long-term durability and prevents stripping.

 

(a) Freezing-Thawing Test (প্রতিঘন/আর্দ্রতার প্রতি আকর্ষণ)

Checks performance with/without casting during freezing and thawing cycles.
Purpose: Simulates cold climate conditions to test moisture damage resistance.

(b) Without Freezing-Thawing (TSR Test)

Tests moisture damage without temperature variation.


Purpose: Measures tensile strength ratio (TSR) to assess water susceptibility.