Best Civil Engineering Software Updated List 2023

Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Admin

There are many software available that is used in Civil Engineering. Due to technological advancement, the amount of software serving Civil Engineering and design needs has increased tremendously. Here is a list of civil engineering software that many civil engineers exorbitantly use worldwide for engineering homework help. Also, find below the best civil engineering software courses to be learned by every civil engineer.




Although there are various sub-disciplines like Transportation Engineering, Structural Design, Surveying, Geo-tech Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Construction planning, we have provided an extensive list of software used throughout the construction industry. We have listed essential software to learn to become a skilled civil engineer. Irrespective of the ranking, this software is very useful in Construction projects.

What is Civil Engineering Software?

Civil engineering software comprises a range of tools to help civil engineers throughout the design and construction processes. This software can help in every project stage, including drafting & documenting, designing, visualizing & analyzing.

Civil engineering software lists programs and applications used for civil engineering purposes. Civil engineering software is a program that can be used to design structures, roadways, and bridges and predict those designs’ outcomes.

Civil Engineering software is a list of programs specializing in designing and overseeing construction projects. Civil engineering software focuses on larger-scale projects, including buildings, transportation systems, bridges, and dams.

These programs are designed to calculate how much it costs to build and manage different infrastructure systems over time. They can also predict how complicated designs need more time and resources before construction begins.

Read About List of the Best Construction Management Software [2023 Updated]

The list of Important Civil Engineering software

Here is a list of software that many Civil Engineers widely use worldwide. Save time and resources by capturing survey data in hours versus days, and improve insights at each stage of your surveying and site development work; structural engineering, Transportation engineering, and Civil construction software are helpful for civil engineers.

If you are a construction engineer, you may not need to learn how to use the software in the industry. As a civil engineering CAD technician, you will use industry-leading software. Skills you need to succeed in this career, from 2D and 3D drawing.

Civil engineers ensure safe construction, operation, and maintenance. Learn how and when to remove this template message). Construction Engineering is a professional discipline that deals with designing and planning; individuals looking to obtain a construction engineering degree must ensure that the program is accredited by EAC or Technology Accreditation. Kindly check this article on the design engineering job description and salary details.



Here is the civil engineering software list; you can find the software courses for civil engineering students and download the civil engineering software; most of this software is free and can be downloaded from their respective websites.

These are the most relevant and essential civil engineering software courses for students and professionals in the civil and construction industry. This is the list of most used software in civil engineering, including the transportation engineering software list.

Stand Pro-civil engineering software, AutoCAD civil engineering software for beginners and professionals to harness their drafting skills. Find here the civil engineering software for estimation, costing, and accounting. Some of the construction management software is free to download for practice purposes.

Below is the list of the Best construction management Software for Civil Engineering, Architects & Design Professionals.

Buy Now: The Great Construction Career – A Career Blueprint E-book

Civil Engineering Software for Drafting or Drawing

When choosing a civil engineering drafting software program, it is important to consider the features and capabilities that are most important for your project. For example, if you need to create complex 3D designs, you will want a program that offers powerful modeling tools. On the other hand, if you need to create basic 2D drawings, a less feature-rich program may suffice.

Once you have determined the features and capabilities you need, you can narrow down your options and choose the best drafting software program for your needs. The following are the most essential, widely used drafting software in civil engineering.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD, developed by Autodesk, is an indispensable tool for civil engineers planning, designing, and managing construction projects. This computer-aided design (CAD) software allows for the precise drafting and modeling of civil engineering structures such as roads, bridges, drainage systems, and buildings.

Unlike traditional hand-drawn sketches, AutoCAD provides a platform for engineers to create detailed, scalable, and easily modifiable designs. The software offers specialized toolsets and features tailored for civil engineering tasks, including performing geospatial analyses, integrating GIS data, and simulating real-world scenarios.

With its 2D drafting capabilities, engineers can create blueprints and site layouts, while its 3D modeling functions allow for the visualization of completed projects before construction begins. AutoCAD’s compatibility with other software and its capacity for customization through various plugins and extensions make it a versatile solution for collaborative work.

By streamlining the design process and improving the accuracy of project plans, AutoCAD has become a cornerstone in civil engineering, enabling professionals to meet the complex demands of modern infrastructure development.

Click here to learn more about the AutoCAD online tutorials and training courses. 

SketchUp

SketchUp, formerly Google Sketchup, is a 3D modeling computer program for various drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, film, and video game design. Kindly check this to know more about the SketchUp online training SketchUp to LayOut.

PTC Creo

Creo Parametric, formerly known, together with Creo Elements/Pro, as Pro/Engineer and Wildfire, is a solid modeling or CAD, CAM, CAE, and associative 3D modeling application, running on Microsoft Windows.

PTC Creo is a newer software program that offers both 2D and 3D capabilities. It also has powerful parametric modeling tools that allow users to change design parameters and see the results in real time quickly.

Bentley Microstation

MicroStation is a CAD software platform for two- and three-dimensional design and drafting developed and sold by Bentley Systems and used in the architectural and engineering industries. It generates 2D/3D vector graphics objects and elements, including building information modeling features.

Software for Project Planning and Project Management/ Construction Planning/Project Planning.

There are many different software options available for project planning and project management. The most crucial factor to consider when choosing software is whether it will be able to meet the specific needs of your project.

There are a few general categories of project management software: task management, resource management, time tracking, and budgeting. Within these categories, there are many different features that you may need or want. Following are some of the best project planning and project management software widely used in civil engineering and construction.

MS Excel 

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications and is used for almost everything. Execution, surveying, planning, contracts, budgeting, designing, quality control, quantity estimation, you name it. Whichever profile you get into, you get to use this.

Everyone uses MS Excel. All sort of calculation is done on it. It’s easier to interpret or modify the data as needed in Excel.

Click here to know more about the MS Excel online training complete excel 2016 – Microsoft Excel Beginner to Advanced.

Primavera P6

One of the best civil engineering software courses. Primavera is an enterprise project portfolio management software. It includes project management, collaboration, and control capabilities and integrates with other enterprise software like Oracle and SAP’s ERP systems.

Click here to know more about the Primavera P6 online training Course Project Management with Primavera P6.

Microsoft Project (MS Project)

Microsoft Project is a project management software product developed and sold by Microsoft. It is designed to assist a project manager in developing a plan, assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress, managing the budget, and analyzing workloads.

Click here to learn more about the MS Excel online training course.

There are many great project planning software programs out there. Apart from the above, here is a list of what we feel are the best ones:

• Wrike
• Smartsheet
• Trello
• Asana
• Basecamp
• ProofHub
• Jira
• Quire
• Podio

Civil Engineering Software for 3D modeling of structure/Architecture

Autodesk 3ds Max

Autodesk 3ds Max, formerly 3D Studio and 3D Studio Max, is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games, and images. It is developed and produced by Autodesk Media and Entertainment. Kindly check this to know more about the Autodesk 3ds Max online training Course 3ds Max Mastery in 7 Hrs: Project Based Intro for Beginners.

Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya, commonly shortened to Maya, is a 3D computer graphics application that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, originally developed by Alias Systems Corporation and currently owned and developed by Autodesk, Inc.

Check out more about the Autodesk Maya online training Course Maya for Beginners: Complete Guide to 3D Animation in Maya.

Autocad Civil 3d

AutoCAD Civil 3D software is a design and documentation solution for civil engineering that supports building information modeling (BIM) workflows. One of the best civil engineering software courses.

By learning to use AutoCAD Civil 3D, you can improve project performance, maintain consistent data, follow standard processes, and respond faster to change. Know more about the AutoCAD Civil 3d online training Course Learning AutoCAD Civil 3D 2016

Software for Geotechnical work

GeoStudio 2018 R2: GeoStudio is an integrated software suite for modeling slope stability, ground deformation, and heat and mass transfer in soil and rock.

Geo5: Used for Excavation design, Shallow foundation and deep foundation design, stability analysis, settlement analysis

FLAC3D: Advanced geotechnical analysis of soil, rock, and structural support in three dimension

Q GIS: QGIS is a free, open-source cross-platform desktop geographic information system application that supports viewing, editing, and geospatial data analysis.

ArcGIS: ArcGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) for working with maps and geographic information. It is used to create and use maps, compile geographic data, analyze mapped information, share and discover geographic information, use maps and geographic information in various applications, and manage geographic information in a database.

EDUSHAKE:  for earthquake and Geotechnical analysis,

PLAXIS:  is a program developed specifically for the analysis of deformation, stability, and flows in geotechnical engineering. The input procedures enable the enhanced output facilities to provide a detailed presentation of computational results.

Download: Civil Engineering Interview Questions and Answers eBook

Road Designing & Analysis

MX –Road: MX Road. MX Road is an excellent string-based modeling tool that enables the rapid and accurate design of all types of roads. Individuals such as civil engineers, designers, surveyors, system designers can access 3D modeling, construction-driven engineering, and other analysis all in one engineering application.

Bently Road Network: Civil Design Software for Road Networks. Civil Design Software for Road Networks For more than three decades, Bentley has provided design and analysis products for civil engineering professionals and highway agencies worldwide.

Software for Structural Analysis and Design

STAAD Pro

STAAD or (STAAD.Pro) is a structural analysis and design software application initially developed by Research Engineers International in 1997. In late 2005, Research Engineers International was bought by Bentley Systems.

Learn  about the STAAD Pro online training Course Bentley STAAD Pro – Structural Analysis & Design Software

SAP2000

SAP2000 is a general-purpose civil-engineering software for analyzing and designing structural systems. Created by engineers for practical engineering, SAP2000 is the ideal software tool for designing any structural system for users of any experience level.

Learn about the SAP2000 online training Course SAP2000 Complete Course: From Beginner To Pro

ETABS

ETABS is an engineering software product that caters to multi-story building analysis and design. Modeling tools and templates, code-based load prescriptions, analysis methods, and solution techniques all coordinate with the grid-like geometry unique to this structure class.

Revit Structure

Revit Structure is Autodesk’s BIM software solution for structural engineering companies and structural engineers that provides a feature-rich toolset helping to drive efficient design processes in a BIM (Building Information Modelling) environment or when working with other construction disciplines using Autodesk CAD software such as Autodesk® Revit® Architecture and Autodesk® Revit® MEP.

Midas Gen: Midas Gen is an intuitive and powerful building design and analysis solution that allows practicing engineers to conveniently and efficiently perform structural design and analysis of buildings and general structures.

SAFE: SAFE is the ultimate tool for designing concrete floor and foundation systems. From framing layout to detail drawing production, SAFE integrates every aspect of the engineering design process in one easy and intuitive environment.

Abaqus:  Abaqus FEA is a software suite for finite element analysis and computer-aided engineering, originally released in 1978. The name and logo of this software are based on the abacus calculation tool. The Abaqus product suite consists of five core software products: Abaqus/CAE, or “Complete Abaqus Environment.”

Buy Now: The Great Construction Career – A Career Blueprint E-book

Civil Engineering Software for Cost Estimation and Quantity Estimation

Estimator™ 2.0: is Estimation and Project Management Software for Architects, Builders, Contractors, and Engineers. With Estimator™ 2.0, you can prepare various Estimates and Rate analyses of residential and commercial buildings. You can also schedule Detailed Estimate, Abstract Estimate, Tenders, Measurement Book, Cost Abstract, Labour and Contractor’s Bill, Purchase Order, and other Project Management documents.

Software for Project Control

Candy Software: Project Control. The ultimate Construction Project Management Software, Candy is unique, powerful, and dynamically focused on project control in the construction & engineering industry.

Microsoft Project: This software is very popular and is considered the industry standard for project control. It offers a lot of features and is very user-friendly.

Primavera P6: This software is also quite popular and is used by many large organizations. It offers many features and functionality but can be complex to use.

TaskJuggler: This software is open-source and free to use. It is less feature-rich than the other two options but much simpler.

GanttProject: This software is also open source and free to use. It offers basic project control features but is not as feature-rich as the other two.

Software for Project Accounting

Tally: Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is an Indian multinational company that provides enterprise resource planning software. It is headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The company reports that more than 1 million customers use its software.

NetSuite: NetSuite Inc. is an American cloud computing company founded in 1998 with headquarters in San Mateo, California, that provides software services to help manage business finances, operations, and customer relations.

SAP ERP Core Finance: SAP ERP Core Finance Software. SAP S/4HANA is an integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) software suite designed to serve businesses of size and kind. SAP ERP is used to address the needs of many industry verticals, including manufacturing, retail, service, and distribution industries.

Software for Risk Analysis 

@RISK : (pronounced “at risk”) is a software developed by Palisade. It performs risk analysis using Monte Carlo simulation to show you many possible outcomes in your spreadsheet model—and tells you how likely they are to occur. Learn About Managing Project Risks and Changes

Software for Fluid Mechanics

• AMBIT is geometry and mesh generation software for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. AMBIT can import geometry from virtually any CAD/CAE software in Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, IGES, or native CATIA V4/V5 formats.
• Ansys FLUENT:
• Ansys CFX
• Flowmaster
• HEC-RAS
• EPANET: This is not very common software, but if you are more into water and effluent transport, this is a boon. A water pipe distribution network can be done using the same.

Transportation Engineering Software

Transportation Engineering Software serves as the backbone for modern infrastructure planning, design, and management in the realm of transportation systems. These specialized software tools enable engineers to simulate complex traffic scenarios, optimize signal timings, evaluate road capacity, and much more.

By integrating capabilities like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), traffic modeling, and real-time data analytics, these software solutions provide a comprehensive platform for tackling the multifaceted challenges of modern transportation.

Whether it’s planning a new subway line, optimizing a network of traffic signals, or assessing the impact of a new highway, transportation engineering software equips professionals with the tools they need to make data-driven decisions and create sustainable, efficient, and safe transportation systems.

PTV Vissim

• Developer: PTV Group
• Purpose: Microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic traffic simulation
• Features:
  • Simulates individual vehicles and their interactions
  • Supports public transport modeling
  • Allows for pedestrian simulation
  • Highly customizable through scripting
• Applications:
  • Traffic impact studies
  • Signal timing optimization
  • Roundabout design and analysis
  • Public transport planning

Synchro

• Developer: Trafficware
• Purpose: Traffic signal timing and optimization
• Features:
  • Signal timing calculations
  • 2D and 3D visualization
  • Traffic volume handling
  • Intersection design
• Applications:
  • Signal coordination
  • Traffic impact studies
  • Intersection capacity analysis
  • Corridor planning

HCS (Highway Capacity Software)

• Developer: McTrans Center, University of Florida
• Purpose: Highway capacity analysis
• Features:
  • Implements the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) methodologies
  • Signalized and unsignalized intersection analysis
  • Freeway and arterial analysis
  • Roundabout capacity analysis
• Applications:
  • Level of Service (LOS) analysis
  • Traffic impact assessments
  • Roadway planning
  • Traffic flow optimization

TransCAD

• Developer: Caliper Corporation
• Purpose: Transportation planning and GIS
• Features:
  • GIS-based data handling
  • Route planning and optimization
  • Demand modeling
  • Public transport service planning
• Applications:
  • Long-range transportation planning
  • Transit planning
  • Freight logistics
  • Emergency evacuation planning

Additional Software

Aimsun

• Developer: Aimsun
• Purpose: Traffic modeling and simulation
• Features:
  • Microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic simulation
  • Real-time traffic prediction
  • Multi-resolution modeling
• Applications:
  • Traffic management
  • Urban planning
  • Traffic forecasting

CORSIM

• Developer: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• Purpose: Microscopic traffic simulation
• Features:
  • Intersection analysis
  • Freeway segments simulation
  • Traffic control measures evaluation
• Applications:
  • Traffic impact studies
  • Signal timing
  • Traffic control strategies

VISSIM

• Developer: PTV Group
• Purpose: Traffic simulation
• Features:
  • Pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle simulation
  • Public transport modeling
  • Real-time traffic management
• Applications:
  • Traffic impact analysis
  • Urban planning
  • Signal timing optimization

EMME

• Developer: INRO
• Purpose: Multimodal transportation planning
• Features:
  • Transit network modeling
  • Traffic assignment
  • Demand forecasting
• Applications:
  • Long-range transportation planning
  • Transit service design
  • Traffic assignment and forecasting

These software tools are essential for transportation engineers to analyze, plan, and implement effective and efficient transportation systems. Each tool has its own set of features and applications, making them suitable for different aspects of transportation engineering.

Software for Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Find the best BIM software below and learn about BIM’s uses and benefits in construction projects.

Autodesk Revit

Autodesk Revit is building information modeling software for architects, landscape architects, structural engineers, MEP engineers, designers, and contractors developed by Autodesk.

Autodesk Revit represents a significant advancement in the field of Building Information Modeling (BIM), offering architects, engineers, and construction professionals a comprehensive platform for planning, designing, managing, and constructing buildings and infrastructure.

Unlike traditional CAD software, which often focuses solely on geometry or drafting, Revit integrates multidimensional, real-time information to facilitate a more collaborative and efficient design and construction process. It allows users to create a unified model from which various teams—ranging from structural engineers to HVAC specialists—can work simultaneously.

This centralized approach not only enhances coordination but also enables real-time error checking, reducing the likelihood of costly mistakes during the construction phase. Revit’s parametric modeling capability allows for design elements to be automatically updated across the model when changes are made, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

The software also incorporates various analytical tools for sustainability, energy efficiency, and structural integrity, allowing professionals to make data-driven decisions. With its robust cloud-based collaboration features, Revit is increasingly becoming the go-to solution for large-scale, complex projects that require seamless integration between multiple disciplines. Its role in facilitating the digital transformation of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry cannot be overstated.

Learn about the AutoCAD Civil 3d online training Course Autodesk Revit Architecture 2018

Navisworks

Navisworks (known for a while as JetStream) is a 3D design review package for Microsoft Windows. They are used primarily in construction industries to complement 3D design packages (such as Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and MicroStation).

Navisworks allows users to open and combine 3D models, navigate around them in real-time, and review the model using a set of tools, including comments, redlining, viewpoint, and measurements.

Click here to know more about the AutoCAD Civil 3d online training Course, The Complete Autodesk Navisworks Course (BIM Tool)

Autodesk BIM 360

Autodesk® BIM 360™ Build is a cloud-based field management service for construction professionals combining a mobile application with collaboration and reporting at the point of construction. BIM 360 Design connects distributed project teams, allowing them to collaborate on shared Revit models.

Learn Autodesk Revit Structure for Beginners & Professionals

Tekla BIMsight

Tekla BIMsight. Tekla BIMsight is a professional tool for construction project collaboration. The entire construction workflow can combine their models, check for conflicts, and share information using an easy-to-use BIM environment.

Learn About Tekla Structures – Complete Beginners Course




Related Posts:

• List of the Best Construction Project Management Software for 2023
• BIM | Building Information Modeling | A Great Career Option For Engineers
• What is Civil 3D Software, and why is it Important to Learn in 2023?
• All you need to know about Autodesk Revit Software
• Revit Modeler Job Description and Salary Details
• How to become AutoCAD Certified Professional [2023 Updated Guide]
• 4 Must-Have Software Additions to Building Material Websites
• 15 Best BIM Software [2023 Updated BIM Software List]
• AutoCAD vs. SOLIDWORKS: which CAD software is right for you?
• Autodesk Revit Software Online Tutorials and Courses [2023 Updated]

FAQs