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

Water, Wastewater, and Sludge Testing

(পানি / বর্জ্য পানি পরীক্ষণ)

To ensure water is safe for consumption, industrial use, or proper discharge, it must be tested for a range of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. These tests help monitor pollution, health risks, and environmental impact.

 

1. Physical Characteristics

 

Tests Include:

Total Solids (TS)

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

Color

Turbidity

Purpose:
Measures the amount of solid material, clarity, and appearance of the water.

Turbidity indicates cloudiness, often caused by particles.

TSS and TS show the concentration of solids, both dissolved and suspended.

 

 

2. Chemical Properties

 

Parameters:

pH – Indicates acidity or alkalinity

Chloride, Fluoride – Common dissolved salts

Total Hardness – Due to calcium and magnesium

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – Total concentration of dissolved substances

Chlorine Content (Total and Free) – Used in disinfection

Bromine (Br), Iodine (I) – Trace elements affecting water quality

Purpose:
Determines chemical composition of water, influencing its safety, taste, corrosion potential, and treatment needs.

 

 

3. Organic and Nutrient Content

 

Parameters:

Organic Matter

Oil and Grease

Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO₃-N)

Nitrite-Nitrogen (NO₂-N)

Ammonia-Nitrogen (NH₃-N)

Phosphate (PO₄)

Total Organic Carbon (TOC)

Purpose:
Identifies pollution from organic waste, fertilizers, and industrial discharge. High nutrient levels (like nitrates and phosphates) can cause algal blooms and harm ecosystems.

 

 

4. Microbial Content

 

Tests:

Fecal Coliform (FC)

Total Coliform (TC)

Purpose:
Detects harmful bacteria indicating contamination by human or animal waste. Essential for ensuring safe drinking water.

 

 

5. Heavy Metals

 

Metals Tested:

Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Aluminum (Al),

Mercury (Hg), Barium (Ba), Copper (Cu),

Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Potassium (K),

Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn)

Purpose:
Identifies toxic metals that may be harmful to human health and aquatic life even at low concentrations.

 

 

6. Other Parameters

 

Tested Substances:

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Salt Content

Acidity, Carbonate (CO₃)

Break Point Chlorination

Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S)

Sulphite (SO₃)

Silica Content (SiO₂)

Purpose:
Evaluates other critical factors influencing corrosion, odor, taste, and water treatment effectiveness.

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Methods for Water, Wastewater, and Sludge Testing

 

 

🔹 1. Physical Characteristics

 

ParameterStandard Methods

Total Solids (TS)IS 3025 (Part 15) / ASTM D5907

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)IS 3025 (Part 17) / ASTM D5907

ColorIS 3025 (Part 4) / APHA 2120

TurbidityIS 3025 (Part 10) / ASTM D7315 / APHA 2130

 

 

 

🔹 2. Chemical Properties

 

ParameterStandard Methods

pHIS 3025 (Part 11) / ASTM D1293

ChlorideIS 3025 (Part 32) / ASTM D512

FluorideIS 3025 (Part 60) / ASTM D1179

Total HardnessIS 3025 (Part 21) / ASTM D1126

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)IS 3025 (Part 16) / ASTM D5907

Total/Free Chlorine (Cl₂)IS 3025 (Part 26) / ASTM D1253

Bromine (Br), Iodine (I)APHA Methods (Bromine: 4500-Br)

 

 

 

🔹 3. Organic and Nutrient Content

 

ParameterStandard Methods

Organic MatterIS 3025 (Part 18) / APHA 5310

Oil and GreaseIS 3025 (Part 39) / EPA 1664

Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO₃-N)IS 3025 (Part 34) / ASTM D3867

Nitrite-Nitrogen (NO₂-N)ASTM D3867 / APHA 4500-NO2

Ammonia-Nitrogen (NH₃-N)IS 3025 (Part 34) / APHA 4500-NH3

Phosphate (PO₄)IS 3025 (Part 31) / ASTM D515

Total Organic Carbon (TOC)ASTM D7573 / APHA 5310

 

 

 

🔹 4. Microbial Content

 

ParameterStandard Methods

Fecal Coliform (FC)IS 1622 / APHA 9221E

Total Coliform (TC)IS 1622 / APHA 9221B

 

 

 

🔹 5. Heavy Metals

 

(Common for both water and sludge testing)

Heavy MetalStandard Methods

Fe, Mn, Al, Cu, ZnIS 3025 (Part 53/54/55/56/64) / ASTM D1068

Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni, CrIS 3025 (Part 41/42/43/52/57) / ASTM D3559

Ba, As, KAPHA / ICP-OES / AAS methods

✅ Most heavy metals are tested using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) or Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES).

 

 

 

🔹 6. Other Parameters

 

ParameterStandard Methods

CO₂ (Carbon dioxide)APHA 4500-CO₂

Salt contentGravimetric or TDS by IS 3025

Acidity / Carbonate (CO₃)IS 3025 (Part 22) / ASTM D1067

Break Point ChlorinationIS 3025 (Part 26)

Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S)IS 3025 (Part 29) / ASTM D4658

Sulphite (SO₃)APHA 4500-SO₂

Silica (SiO₂)IS 3025 (Part 49) / ASTM D859