Civil engineering is a profession many of us are familiar with—whether from our undergraduate studies or through our tito or family friend working in surveying, transportation, water resources, geotechnical engineering, or the ever-popular role of contractor in construction industry.
For some, the interest in this field was sparked early on, perhaps by our father dreaming aloud, “Patayo mo bahay natin, ‘Nak, pagkagraduate mo!”, or maybe by a college friend’s ambitious plans, “Abroad tayo sa Dubai, pagkagraduate natin!”
But did you know that civil engineering offers hundreds of unconventional career paths beyond the usual roles we know?
One intriguing example is forensic engineering, where professionals investigate structural or infrastructure failures to determine the causes of accidents or damage. This field blends technical expertise with detective-like skills and knowledge of legal procedures—a rare but valuable niche. (I actually imagined Shinichi Kudo wearing a white hard hat when I first came across this field while browsing my feed.)
But that’s not the focus of our discussion here. As of this writing, the Philippines is experiencing its 13th tropical cyclone, Typhoon Marce, with 4 to 7 more storms expected before the year 2024 ends, according to PAGASA. Interestingly enough, I recently came across a Reddit post discussing Coastal Hydraulics and Wave Prediction Analysis. This lesser-known yet critical field is highly valued abroad and has immense potential to address our country’s vulnerability to typhoons and flooding. Let’s now explore why this field deserves more prominence among Filipino engineers, both locally and globally.
When storms hit, their impact on coastal areas is not just about wind and rain; it’s also about the complex interplay of water movements, which engineers study through specialized analyses, to wit:
Coastal Storm Surge Analysis
This examines the surge of water driven towards the shore during a storm, combining the effects of normal tides and storm-induced factors. Variables such as storm strength, size, movement speed, and direction influence the height of the surge. To model these dynamics, engineers use the Storm Surge Stillwater Elevation (SWEL) method, which relies on historical storm data from the region.
Wave Setup Analysis
This focuses on the rise in water levels caused by waves breaking ashore during a storm. Factors like wave height, approach speed, and the slope of the seabed near the shore are key determinants.
Wave Runup and Overland Wave Modeling
Using tools like the Wave Height Analysis for Flood Insurance Studies (WHAFIS) model, engineers predict how waves move over land. This involves considering water depth, wind speed, vegetative cover, and even building density to define coastal Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) and accurate flood zone boundaries.
I came across this information on the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) website of the U.S. government, and I strongly believe that these studies and tools are crucial for building stronger coastal infrastructure and helping communities prepare for disasters. This is particularly important for typhoon-prone countries like the Philippines.
While many of us are already familiar with coastal engineering, I believe that this specialized branch deserves more recognition. Given the Philippines’ vulnerability storm surges, typhoons, and coastal flooding, it’s time for our country to prioritize, develop, and invest in this field. From storm surge modeling to wave runup analysis, these niche areas offer critical insights and solutions that can significantly enhance our disaster preparedness and resilience.
As we look beyond the traditional roles of construction and design, it’s clear that civil engineering in the Philippines holds vast untapped potential. By embracing new fields and specialized areas like coastal engineering, we can not only build stronger infrastructures but also create a more resilient and sustainable future for our communities. The journey of innovation and growth in this field is just beginning, and it’s up to us to lead the way for the next generation of engineers.
Let’s all strive to be the new breed of tito civil engineers that future Filipino kids will look up to and be inspired by.
All photos by Royal Academy of Engineering via Pixabay