Types of maths found in civil engineering

Selection of maths is mainly dependent what section of Civil engineering you want to move your career to, and if you prefer to accomplish design/material selection, or more field type work that range from Constructability and Resident Engineer.

Most "Math" generally found is optimization algorithms and computer code in decision analysis. But several design engineers employ very complex maths in structural FEA, Watershed simulations, Material property selection and adjustments, etc.

Constructability Engineers generally deal with an order of magnitude or two less than design engineers in order that things like formwork, scaffolds, etc. can come up with the manufacturing or construction process.

As for instance, the design engineer might accomplish a comprehensive FEA on a structure, with calculus and software to produce stresses, strains, moments, at a rapid rate. It leads to a bearing pad for a standard size W-Flange column, and they require a 150mm square pedestal having 4 x 15mm anchor bolts at 120mm spacing centre to centre, centering on the pedestal.

But by some means they should be to be joined and cast in, or cored and grouted in place.

Here comes the importance of constructability. A grout can for an anchor bolt should have been 20mm round, i.e. 10mm of concrete exist among the can edge and the edge of the pedestal. This grout facilitates the schedule to be 3 days shorter, that leads to a small, but quantifiable savings to the owner. They'll tender an RFI to the design engineer, generally with supporting calculations or code references, requiring a sanction to modify construction, like forming the pedestal 175mm in each direction to obtain concrete cover requirements. As these calculations are essential for construction, the calculations are generally fast and complicated, so assumptions are created, and numbers are rounded. This math is normally algebraic at worst.