Finite element analysis consulting, as the process of breaking down a large problem or situation into smaller parts in order to solve the big picture, is used in areas such as the structural design of roads and gpr pavement, dams, bridges, oil pipelines, and much more. Civil engineer services are often called in when a structural or maintenance problem arises in any one of these operations in order to analyze and correct the trouble.
A civil engineering company will be called to evaluate problems with anything built by man, as mentioned before, also including buildings, canals, and harbors. Finite element analysis consulting is what they do in order to make it easier to locate the problem and work it through. For instance, it is a fact that, of the bridges already carrying traffic in the U.S., 25% of them are, at this time, needing major repair, or are allowing more weight to cross over them on a daily basis than they were constructed to handle. This is the type of situation where finite element analysis consulting is called upon. By breaking down a major problem into simple parts, it is easier and faster to find and put into action the solution to the problem. When coping with complications on such a large scale, taking the problem apart like the pieces of a puzzle and solving them section by section is the most reasonable way to go, and brings the most success.
Road systems throughout the United States are in need of constant repair. As time goes by and technology moves ahead, the network of roads built years ago become obsolete, in addition to suffering construction breakdown from tremendous wear and tear. Statistics show that at least one third of the most traveled roads throughout the United States are in poor condition, or, at best, only fair. Civil engineering services are on the job, reevaluating the construction of roads in order to bring them up to standard in terms of safety and efficiency.
The same holds true for dams that now stand in the United States. Nearly 4,100 dams have been inspected and determined to be unsafe by professionals. These professionals are also an integral part of the construction, and planning and design of future roads, bridges, airports, and seaports. Civil engineering is a necessary element in transportation, construction, architecture, engineering mechanics, and coastal engineering. The synchronization of traffic lights involves the implementation of finite element analysis consulting, as does mass transportation and air travel.
Civil engineers, just like professionals in any other field of work, sometimes learn through trial and error or as a result of natural disasters. Because of flooding or other natural happenings, civil engineers have had to rethink the planning and construction of not only road systems, but sewer systems, skyscrapers, oil pipelines, bridges, dams, and all other major infrastructures that help the country move. Any structures built before modern hi tech awareness and abilities will, by today’s standards, be obsolete.
Wind engineering is a more recent genre included in the field of civil engineering. It is the study of the hazards of wind and the damage it can cause. The truth is, within the past 20 years, approximately 75% of insurance claims for damage as the result of a catastrophe has been due to high winds from tornadoes and hurricanes. Civil engineering companies are there to assist after the storm, in order to help plan ways to rebuild structures according to their potential risks. As a result of investigating the weaknesses of the buildings or structures, they are able to plan a strategy for eliminating those weaknesses during their rebuilding.
Because of the increasingly tall buildings being constructed throughout the country, wind has become a more direct force to be reckoned with. With height, wind velocity and patterns change; therefore, the construction of buildings needs to adhere to those changes in order to avoid expensive and time wasting problems that could arise in the future. Weather patterns in locations where buildings and bridges are constructed are also an important consideration. For instance, a structure that is more slender, as would be a bridge, built where high winds are common, would have to be planned with a different approach than a dam or tall building.