What is Civil: Definition and 236 Discussions

The civil service is a collective term for a sector of government composed mainly of career civil servants hired on professional merit rather than appointed or elected, whose institutional tenure typically survives transitions of political leadership. A civil servant is a person employed in the public sector by a government department or agency or public sector undertakings. Civil servants work for central government and state governments, and answer to the government, not a political party. The extent of civil servants of a state as part of the "civil service" varies from country to country. In the United Kingdom, for instance, only Crown (national government) employees are referred to as civil servants whereas employees of Local Authorities (counties, cities and similar administrations) are generally referred to as "local government civil service officers" who are public servants but not civil servants. A civil servant is a public servant but a public servant is not necessarily a civil servant.
The study of the civil service is a part of the field of public service. Staff members in "non-departmental public bodies" (sometimes called "QUANGOs") may also be classed as civil servants for the purpose of statistics and possibly for their terms and conditions. Collectively a state's civil servants form its civil service or public service. The concept arose in China and modern civil service developed in Britain in the 18th century.
An international civil servant or international staff member is a civilian employee who is employed by an intergovernmental organization. These international civil servants do not resort under any national legislation (from which they have immunity of jurisdiction) but are governed by internal staff regulations. All disputes related to international civil service are brought before special tribunals created by these international organizations such as, for instance, the Administrative Tribunal of the ILO. Specific referral can be made to the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) of the United Nations, an independent expert body established by the United Nations General Assembly. Its mandate is to regulate and coordinate the conditions of service of staff in the United Nations common system, while promoting and maintaining high standards in the international civil service.

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  1. A

    Advice for students who want to start research in Civil Engineering

    Summary:: I'm a Physics instructor (no formal Engineering training) in a private college. As part of my job I had to teach Statics and Mechanics of Materials. They now formed a student group to start activities looking to do research and they wanted me as advisor. Hello guys. So basically I...
  2. The Bill

    History of "percent grade" for slope esp. in civil engineering?

    What is the origin and/or history of the usage of the term "percent grade" for 100 times slope in, especially but not exclusively, civil engineering? The combinations of search terms I've tried so far only bring back the definition, examples of how to use quantities in this format, and other...
  3. T

    Did the South have a chance to win the Civil War?

    In Ken Burns' documentary The Civil War, Shelby Foote said, "The North fought the war with one hand tied behind their back. If there had been more southern victories, and i mean a lot more, i think that the North would have just took that other arm out from behind their back. I don't think that...
  4. J

    Engineering Hydrostatic Pressure Sluice Gate - Civil Engineering

    Please can you help with a question I am struggling with. I have done as much working out as I could until I was completely stumped: Calculate the concrete volume that is required to keep the sluice gate AB closed, assuming that the only resisting force is the friction between the concrete...
  5. okandrea

    Structural Systems: Steel and Reinforced Concrete (RC)

    I've been looking over precedents for a design project and I noticed that the most commonly used systems are either steel or reinforced concrete structural systems. Is it possible for a steel structural system to be connected to a reinforced concrete structural system? If so, how does it work...
  6. A

    What are best civil engineering books for beginners?

    Hi What are best civil engineering books for beginners. I want them to be easy to understand for an Egyptian I mean easy language and good content Thanks
  7. Waffle24

    Civil engineering - dike improvement

    [Moderator moved this thread from the homework section.] I'm a civil engineering student, and it's my first year at the University of Applied Sciences, and I'm doing an exercise but can't figure out one of its parts. The question: what are the advantages and disadvantages of reinforcement...
  8. okandrea

    Engineering How do I calculate the overall vapour flow?

    Step 1: Values are from textbook 'Building for a Cold Climate' Mbrick = 46 ng/s*Pa*m^2 Mgypsum = 2870 ng/s*Pa*m^2 (for 9.5mm) took the above value and used ratios to determine permeance for 10mm Gypsum board (2870/9.5 = X/10) Mgypsum (new value) = 3021.05 ng/s*Pa*m^2 Step 2...
  9. amare

    Practical application of engineering mechanics dynamics in civil engineering

    what is the practical application of engineering mechanics dynamics in civil engineering when civil engineers work on static analysis?
  10. person123

    Engineering Is a Career in Civil Engineering Conducive to Research Opportunities?

    Hello all. I'm going off to college this summer (yah!), and I'm planning on majoring in civil. I'm interested in the environment (I was considering environmental engineering for a while), but I also love physics and I thought civil would be a good combination. However, it seems like a career in...
  11. O

    Connecting Global Communities: Exploring Structural and Geotechnical Engineering

    Hi, My name is Oleg, I am a Civil engineering student nearing the completion of my BE. My primary interest lies in Structural engineering, although I am planning to do some geotechnical research in this coming semester (pretty excited about that as well). I have been a bit of a lurker on this...
  12. ChemAir

    Civil War Battlefield 'Limb Pit' Reveals Combat Surgeon Work

    "Scientists have uncovered a pit of human bones at a Civil War battlefield in Virginia. The remains are the amputated limbs of wounded Union soldiers. It's the first "limb pit" from a Civil War battlefield to be excavated, and experts say it opens a new window on what is often overlooked in...
  13. J

    Do you have to be good at hand-drawing for civil engineering?

    I am in high school and am really bad at drawing and want to know if you have to be good at hand drawing and designing at civil engineering?
  14. D

    Force-Deformation Equations Application

    Just found this forum--hope there isn't a max post limit haha. I have been a bit stumped on this, but when doing problems about deflection and axial loadings, I am confused when to use which equation. I think I know that axial member need to be 2 force members, loaded only at the ends, and...
  15. Sarah Jones

    Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering for Aerospace?

    Hello, I am currently a senior in high school, I will be attending college in the fall of 2018 to pursue a career in Aerospace Engineering. I am a bit worried about a few things in this field. I am not sure if I need to get a degree in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, when I look on...
  16. Kaitlyn M

    Programs Help deciding between civil engineering and physics

    Hello! So I am trying to decide what to do for my masters and would like some advice. I'm in Architecture as a major and physics as a minor currently, and want to master in either engineering physics or civil engineering. I find both very interesting and am pretty open to what I do after school...
  17. Astronuc

    News RIP, Dick Gregory, Comedian and Civil Rights Activitist, 84

    Dick Gregory, 84, Dies; Found Humor in the Civil Rights Struggle http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/dick-gregory-84-dies-found-humor-in-the-civil-rights-struggle/ar-AAqnhgc I appreciated his comedy and his activism.
  18. N

    Programs Looking for a minor with a Civil Engineering major

    Hello, I am going into my first year of college and going to be working torwards earning my major in Civil Engineering over the next five years. My school offers a chance to get an accelerated minor along with my major and I am unsure what to pursue. I have heard many other Engineers minor in...
  19. W

    Sound propagation with altitude/height

    Let's say we have a 3 floor/level building , and someone is making noise outside, i.e: Playing guitar, given that all the building has the same sound isolation everywhere, what can you say about the sound propagation? we have 2 cases a) when windows opened b) when windows closed Will the...
  20. Alex_C

    Engineering UOttawa vs UCarleton Civil Engineering

    Hello all, I have been accepted to Ottawa and Carleton both for civil engineering co-op, I was wondering if i could get some opinions on which might be the better choice! I have heard Carleton has a better social community, better administration and a focus on engineering. I have also read that...
  21. yecko

    Engineering Mechanical or Civil Engineering: Which Major is Right for You?

    hello everyone I am a year one engineering student and soon I need to choose my major, and I am still struggling mechanical or civil engineering. Background of me: compared to my engineering colleagues, my memorization, reporting skills (indeed i like oral or written presentation :) ) and...
  22. CivilSigma

    Other Which Branch of Civil Engineering is Math Heavy?

    I was wondering, which sub discipline of Civil Engineering in structures is math heavy? By heavy math, I mean something along the line of analysis of DE, integrals, differentials etc... not just basic arithmetic / statics. The highest level of maths I completed include Calculus 3 ( which dealt...
  23. deon0783

    Civil Engineering - Bar Question

    Hey everyone, I'm at my limits here trying to solve a question, I can't seem to figure out how the lecturer gets the solution to the following problem... Can someone please direct me the correct methodology or better yet give me some guidance on what to do? Thank you. The Questions and...
  24. T

    Civil Engineering BS and Physics Master

    Hi all. I am studying civil engineering BS.But I am so interested in astrophysics.Can i have physics graduate and PhD. If I can do this, what should i do to make my dreams come true. Please be a light for my path. ( Sorry about my English)
  25. T

    Engineering Mechanical, Civil, or Nuclear Engineering?

    Hey everyone, I need some help choosing what Engineering program I should pursue. I'm in grade 12 right now and conflicted which engineering is the best in terms of job market, salary, and overall. The Engineering programs I'm considering are; Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and...
  26. Isaac0427

    Who do you think won in Civil War: Disney or Marvel?

    I'm curious who those of you who saw Civil War think won. Feel free to comment what you chose and why!
  27. Daniel Lobo

    Captain America Civil War Physics Question (spoilers)

    Hello everyone, a question has popped up in my mind after watching the the new Captain America movie recently in theaters, obviously the prerequisite to answering it requires you to have watched the movie and so, even though it's nothing major, I'll leave an extra spoiler warning here just in...
  28. M

    Fluid mechanics civil engineering

    As shown in the attached image, a tank has an inclined wall at an angle of 450 to the horizontal. On this wall, there is a 1m square door that is hinged at A and has a simple latch at B. The distance between A and the free surface of sea water measured along the inclined wall is 2 m. (Specific...
  29. Simple is The best

    Engineering Switching from Civil to Mechanical Engineering: Is It a Good Idea?

    I'm currently in second year in Civil I want to do mech now but I'll have to start from 2nd year. That a good idea?
  30. T

    News Ferguson Police Dept Routinely Violated Civil Rights

    I think this deserves a thread: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-findings-two-civil-rights-investigations-ferguson-missouri
  31. M

    Engineering How hard it is to become a lecturer in civil engineering?

    So I'm planning to become a lecturer in civil engineering while obtaining my MS degree in Structural Engineering. Is there anyone here already took or taking the same path I'm planning to? How hard it is to do both? Thanks.
  32. M

    Should a civil engineer learn solidworks?

    Hi, I am in school majoring in civil engineering. Would it be worth it to practice using solidworks as well as autoCAD? or would that be a waste of time?
  33. M

    Civil to Biomedical engineering?

    Hi, I am a junior studying civil engineering. I am wondering if I could get into a biomedical engineering graduate program with a civil engineering bachelor's. I've read online that EE is the best bachelors degree to get into a BME grad program, but I would rather stay with civil because I am...
  34. M

    Programs CS minor with Civil Engineering Major?

    I am currently getting a bachelors in civil engineering. How useful would it be for me to do a minor in computer science? If it matters, I am a junior and am hoping to go to graduate school. I don't know for sure which area of CE I want to go Into but I'm leaning towards environmental...
  35. TMECLT

    Programs What Major Is Best For My Future?

    I know that when I get out of school I want to help develop solar roadways, bike paths, and parking lots. Potentially even help with the efficiency rate of solar panels. However, I'm currently a mechanical engineering student with a concentration in energy. The only way to get a concentration in...
  36. V

    Determining equations for tension in 3D statics problem.

    Homework Statement The steel beam is supported by cables AB and CD and a ball-and-socket joint at O. The position of the vertical point load, P influences the reaction at O as well as the tension in each cable. First you need to derive the equations for the tension in cable AB, the tension in...
  37. M

    Engineering Do civil engineers work with electricity?

    Hi, I just switched my major to civil engineering. I like the math and the mechanics, but I don't like having to learn about electricity (although it may just be my physics II professor and the lab TA). Do civil engineers ever actually work with electricity? meaning will I ever use this...
  38. K

    Bachelor's in Civil Engineering with a Master's in....?

    Hello, I am new to this community and appreciate greatly any insight or guidance you may have. I am currently in my fifth and final year pursuing my bachelor's in civil engineering with no emphasis. I've worked full-time and part-time for the past year for a larger local firm, and will...
  39. zyn

    Engineering MS in Physics with Civil Engineering Degree

    Hello. I've been wondering for almost a year or so if there's a possibility for me to take MS in Physics after having my degree in Civil Engineering. I always loved engineering and physics that's why I want to study both of them. If it is possible, can you help me guys on how I can apply for MS...
  40. A

    Civil Engineering vs. EE Electronics

    So i have been selected for Higher Studies but very Confused between Civil engineering and Electrical Engineering Electronics... I have been offered Civil Engineering from NUST and EE Electronics FROM GIK... can u please advice me? i like Both fields. please tell me which has more requirement...
  41. S

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering vs Civil Engineering

    Hello everyone, I know this has come up a lot in the past but my situation is slightly different. As is everyones. Currently a second year general engineering student with a decision to make soon, MEng Mechanical or MEng Civil? I enjoy both subjects equally. But I will be taking an...
  42. J

    Engineering From Civil Engineering undergrad to Physics grad

    Hello,i am an undergraduate Civil Engineering student.When i finish my undergrad studies i want to pursue a masters degree in Physics(my ultimate goal is to get a PhD in Physics).Due to limitations in money i couldn't drop out of civil engineering and pursue an undergrad degree in Physics,so i...
  43. J

    Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology

    Hello, all. I am currently a Junior in Mechanical Engineering. I was doing really well up until this current semester and my grades are starting to get lower and I have been losing interest in the material. I am considering switching to civil because their technical gpa requirements are a bit...
  44. Khronos

    Hello all

    Hey everyone, i just thought i would introduce my self, my name is *removed* I live and study in rural Australia. I am currently studying a bachelor of Civil Engineering and aspire to pursue a matsters in structural engineering. I joined these forums to improve my mathematic skills, seek...
  45. R

    Civil vs Mechanical vs Computing

    There are probably numerous threads like this, I have read them all but I'm still undecided. I am a high school senior and applying to UK universities - I have applied to more than one subject (three, actually: civil, mechanical engineering and computing, all from Imperial College) and received...
  46. P

    Which Type of Engineering Should I Choose: Mechanical or Civil?

    Hi everyone ! Iv read a lot of threads that brings up this subject . But couldn't find anyone that were in "my shoes" Im a 24 year old guy who lives in Sweden and works as a carpenter ( 5 years experience ) Iv been studying math , physics and chemistry at evenings and nights for 2 years...
  47. J

    Civil Engineering: What Skills Do I Need?

    I really like to be an engineer and I found that civil engineering is my interest.But I want to know what exactly I should be good at I am know in high school and I am good in math and physics.
  48. M

    Engineering Civil Engineering Bachelor's for a 29 year old

    My background: -BA Economics 2007 from a UC school -I took a year of Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, and a few Stats courses as well to prepare for grad school in Econ. -I never took General Chem or Physics -Worked in finance. I realized early on that my job was more about...
  49. R

    Can I Calculate Shear Force and Bending Moment for Partially Loaded Beams?

    Hi, I am designing a beam to replace a load bearing wall. I have produced 2 separate UDL diagrams which, one for floor load and one for wall load. I am trying to find shear force and bending moment as in one for the total of the two diagrams. I know how to do it if the loads are spread...
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