Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam

Which engineering field focuses on the design and construction of infrastructure such as roads and bridges?

1. Environmental engineering

2. Structural engineering

3. Civil engineering

4. Mechanical engineering

The correct answer is: Civil engineering

The field that focuses on the design and construction of infrastructure such as roads and bridges is civil engineering. Civil engineering encompasses a wide range of engineering disciplines related to the built environment, including the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of various types of infrastructure. This includes not only roads and bridges but also buildings, airports, water supply systems, and sewage treatment facilities. Civil engineers are responsible for ensuring that these structures are safe, sustainable, and functional, addressing not only the technical design aspects but also considerations such as environmental impact, compliance with regulations, and integration with existing infrastructure. Their work is foundational to urban development and public safety, making this field critical in shaping modern society's infrastructure. In contrast, environmental engineering focuses on environmental protection and sustainability, structural engineering is a subset of civil engineering that specifically deals with the load-bearing aspects of structures, and mechanical engineering is primarily concerned with the design and operation of machinery and mechanical systems. These other disciplines, while occasionally overlapping in certain projects, do not specifically target the broader scope of infrastructure development as civil engineering does.