ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Engineering economics (civil engineering)

Engineering economics in civil engineering is all about making decisions as a civil engineer that makes sense for the people who need it and doesn't waste the money. Imagine you can only buy one toy from the store, and you have 10 dollars. You would want to make sure you pick the toy that you'll enjoy the most, right? That's like what it's like being a civil engineer - you have to choose the best option from a lot of different choices, but you have to be careful and think about what's worth it and what's not.

In civil engineering, you need to know how to weigh the cost of a project against the benefits of the final product. You have to know if the project will be profitable or if it will lose money. It's like if you want to buy a toy that you want, but it doesn't fit in your budget. You may have to save up some more money or choose a different toy. That's kind of what this is like - you have to figure out if you can afford certain projects and if they are really worth it.

Say you're building a bridge. You need to think about how much it will cost to build it, how long it will take, and how much money you'll make in return. If it costs too much, it might not be worth it. If the bridge is too small or too weak, it might not function well and cause more problems in the long run. That's why engineers have to think about all the different factors when making decisions and trying to keep costs low.

Overall, engineering economics in civil engineering is all about being practical and smart. You have to know when a project will be profitable and when it is not worth pursuing. You have to consider all the different factors that can impact a project and make the best choices for everyone involved. It's like using your toys, but also sharing them with others and making sure no one gets hurt or disappointed.