In this blog post, we will look at the true meaning of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, which is called “shoveling,” and its academic value of connecting people.
“Shoveling” as a “bridge” for people
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Seoul National University is one of the departments that has made significant contributions to the infrastructure and environmental management of South Korea over its long history. Numerous graduates have taken the lead in building national infrastructure and protecting the environment, and these achievements have become the tradition and pride of the department. The department, which was formerly called the Department of Earth and Environmental Systems Engineering, has changed to the current Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and covers a wider range of disciplines. It focuses on solving various engineering problems across society and making human life more convenient and safer.
When students at Seoul National University are asked about the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the most common answer is “shoveling.” This is because the department mainly covers subjects based on civil engineering, and students actually experience a lot of various practical training and work using shovels on site. However, this simple perception does not fully understand the broad possibilities of the department. As the name suggests, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering develops its studies around two main axes: construction and the environment. This interdisciplinary education focuses on training the best talent in the construction and environmental fields in South Korea.
Academic background and significance
One of the professors in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering explained that the department’s English name, “civil & environment engineering,” symbolizes the broad scope of the discipline. “Civil” is the opposite of “military,” which is a military term, and encompasses everything that is handled in the private sector. This is a discipline that builds and maintains the basic systems that make up society, and it is a discipline that directly affects people’s daily lives through the construction of infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and water and sewage systems. Among them, bridges are a representative example that people can easily understand.
Bridges are more than just physical connections to people. From small stone bridges over small streams in the countryside to large bridges spanning the wide and vast Han River, bridges are symbolic structures that have accompanied the development of humanity for a long time. These bridges have played an important role in promoting social, economic, and cultural exchanges by connecting people to people and cities to cities.
Structure and role of bridges
The structure of a bridge can be broadly divided into the upper structure and the lower structure. The upper structure bears the weight of vehicles and people passing over the bridge, while the lower structure plays an important role in supporting the upper structure. The upper structure consists of the floor slab, floor frame, main truss, bracing, and bridge abutments. It may look like a simple slab, but it requires a very complex design and sophisticated construction. If the bridge was made of a single plate, it could easily be damaged by concentrated loads, which could lead to a major accident.
The substructure of a bridge is mainly composed of piers, which transfer the load to the ground. The piers are either located on land or, when they are located on bodies of water such as rivers or oceans, are built on the continental shelf or on reefs. The role of the substructure is as important as that of the superstructure, and a stable bridge cannot be maintained without solid piers. However, it is the superstructure that determines the type of bridge. The form and function of a bridge vary depending on the superstructure, and this is how the types of bridges are distinguished.
The types of bridges commonly seen in Korea include girder bridges, truss bridges, arch bridges, suspension bridges, and cable-stayed bridges. Each bridge has its own advantages depending on its structural features and design. For example, a truss bridge uses a triangular frame to distribute the load, while an arch bridge combines aesthetic elements with structural stability. A suspension bridge supports the superstructure with cables, while a cable-stayed bridge uses multiple strands of cable connected to a single pillar to distribute the load.
Various examples and applications
Jamsu Bridge, one of the representative bridges in Seoul, is a bridge that attracts attention from Korea and abroad due to its special design that allows the bridge to be submerged in water depending on the water level. This is a symbolic example of how far South Korea’s civil engineering technology has advanced. The recently opened World Cup Bridge is a suspension bridge that uses the latest technology, enabling more efficient load distribution than conventional bridges while also enhancing its aesthetic value as a landmark in the city center. Such bridges are not just for connecting traffic, but are becoming symbols of the city and technological achievements.
The meaning of bridges and academic ideals
The various disciplines studied in our department go beyond physical labor, which is simply represented by shoveling. Rather, it can be said that these disciplines play an important role in making people’s lives more convenient through shoveling. Bridges are a prime example of this, as they are symbolic structures that help people move and interact in harmony with nature and humans. They can be said to be important monuments that have led the development of humanity beyond simple technological achievements.
The knowledge and skills learned in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are not limited to physical structures such as bridges and roads. After graduation, students will play an important role in modern society, including protecting the environment, sustainable development, and responding to climate change. They will also grow as responsible engineers in the construction of social infrastructure. What is learned in this department is not just about acquiring skills, but about developing the ability to change the world with engineering knowledge and create a sustainable future.
The various experiences and knowledge learned in the department will help students play an important role in the future. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is not just a discipline that involves shoveling, but is also an important discipline that makes people’s lives more convenient and helps them plan for the future. Through this, we will faithfully fulfill our engineering role of building bridges that help people move around.
