Best Civil Engineering Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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Civil Engineering Books are essential for students and professionals in the field. These books cover a wide range of topics, including structural analysis, construction materials, geotechnical engineering, and transportation engineering. They provide in-depth knowledge and guidance for designing and building infrastructure such as bridges, highways, airports, and buildings. Some of the most popular books in this category include Structural Analysis by R.C. Hibbeler, Soil Mechanics and Foundations by Muni Budhu, and Fundamentals of Transportation Engineering by Jon D. Fricker. With the help of these books, civil engineers can stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques, and successfully tackle the challenges of modern infrastructure development.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

The Pipe Fitters Blue Book Cover#TOP 1
The Pipe Fitters Blue Book
ftb score rating icon9.8
PPI FE Civil Review - A Comprehensive FE Civil Review Manual Cover#TOP 2
PPI FE Civil Review - A Comprehensive FE Civil Review Manual
ftb score rating icon9.7
PPI PE Civil Reference Manual, 16th Edition, A Comprehensive Civil Engineering Review Book Cover#TOP 3
PPI PE Civil Reference Manual, 16th Edition, A Comprehensive Civil Engineering Review Book
ftb score rating icon9.5

Top 10 Civil Engineering Books

#TOP 1

The Pipe Fitters Blue Book

W. V. Graves
Dec 30, 1974
The Pipe Fitters Blue Book Cover
The Pipe Fitters Blue Book
ftb score rating icon9.8
FTB Score

The Pipe Fitters Blue Book by WV Graves is a must-have for those in the civil engineering industry. It provides comprehensive information on pipe fitting, including tables, formulas, and calculations. However, buyers need to be cautious as counterfeit copies are being sold on Amazon. It is essential to purchase from authorized sellers only to ensure the quality and integrity of the book. Overall, The Pipe Fitters Blue Book is an invaluable resource for pipe fitters, and its attention to detail makes it stand out from other books in the field.

PPI FE Civil Review - A Comprehensive FE Civil Review Manual

Lindeburg PE, Michael R.
PPI, a Kaplan Company
Jun 15, 2017
PPI FE Civil Review - A Comprehensive FE Civil Review Manual Cover
PPI FE Civil Review – A Comprehensive FE Civil Review Manual
ftb score rating icon9.7
FTB Score

PPI FE Civil Review is a comprehensive review manual for the NCEES Civil FE exam. It covers all exam knowledge areas with concise explanations, exam-like example problems, and step-by-step solutions to reinforce fundamental concepts. The book also includes equations, figures, and tables from the NCEES FE Reference Handbook, which is the only reference allowed on exam day. With thousands of terms indexed for easy cross-referencing, this book is a trustworthy exam preparation tool. Overall, PPI FE Civil Review is an excellent resource for those seeking to pass the Civil FE exam on their first attempt.

PPI PE Civil Reference Manual, 16th Edition, A Comprehensive Civil Engineering Review Book

Lindeburg PE, Michael R.
PPI, a Kaplan Company
Apr 23, 2018
PPI PE Civil Reference Manual, 16th Edition, A Comprehensive Civil Engineering Review Book Cover
PPI PE Civil Reference Manual, 16th Edition, A Comprehensive Civil Engineering Review Book
ftb score rating icon9.5
FTB Score

The PPI PE Civil Reference Manual, 16th Edition, is a comprehensive review book that follows NCEES PE Civil exam specifications and is updated to the current exam specifications and design standards. The book is a complete exam review for the Breadth portion of the PE Civil exam and covers all exam topics, including project planning, means and methods, soil mechanics, and more. The book also contains up-to-date codes and recommendations for a study schedule to keep you on track. The PE Civil Reference Manual, 16th Edition, is a must-have for anyone preparing for the PE Civil exam and will serve as an invaluable reference throughout your civil engineering career.

PPI FE Civil Practice - Comprehensive Practice for the NCEES FE Civil Exam

Lindeburg PE, Michael R.
PPI, a Kaplan Company
Jun 15, 2017
PPI FE Civil Practice - Comprehensive Practice for the NCEES FE Civil Exam Cover
PPI FE Civil Practice – Comprehensive Practice for the NCEES FE Civil Exam
ftb score rating icon9.5
FTB Score

PPI FE Civil Practice is a comprehensive practice book designed to help you pass the NCEES FE Civil exam. It features over 460 exam-like practice problems with clear solutions and step-by-step calculations using equations and nomenclature from the NCEES FE Reference Handbook. The book covers all knowledge areas tested on the exam, including structural design, transportation, and geotechnical engineering. Michael R Lindeburg PE, the author, is a well-known author of engineering textbooks and references who has authored over 40 engineering reference and exam preparation books. This book is highly recommended for anyone preparing for the FE Civil exam.

#TOP 5

The Pipe Fabricators Blue Book

W. V. Graves
Dec 31, 2003
The Pipe Fabricators Blue Book Cover
The Pipe Fabricators Blue Book
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

The Pipe Fabricators Blue Book is a valuable resource for professionals in the pipe trades industry. This pocket-sized reference guide by W. V. “Duffy” Graves, the author and publisher, is well-illustrated and contains tables and diagrams that are useful for instructors, students, and fabricators alike. The book’s durable water-resistant cover makes it easy to take anywhere. As a companion to The Pipe Fitters Blue Book, The Pipe Fabricators Blue Book is widely used by individuals, schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs across the country. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone in the pipe trades industry.

PPI PE Civil Practice Problems, 16th Edition - Comprehensive Practice for the NCEES PE Civil Exam

Lindeburg PE, Michael R.
PPI, a Kaplan Company
Mar 1, 2019
PPI PE Civil Practice Problems, 16th Edition - Comprehensive Practice for the NCEES PE Civil Exam Cover
PPI PE Civil Practice Problems, 16th Edition – Comprehensive Practice for the NCEES PE Civil Exam
ftb score rating icon9.3
FTB Score

The PPI PE Civil Practice Problems, 16th Edition is a comprehensive practice guide for the NCEES PE Civil Exam. With over 900 problems, the book reinforces knowledge of individual engineering concepts and familiarizes readers with codes and standards used in the exam. It covers topics such as project planning, geotechnical engineering, transportation, and water resources. The book is an excellent resource for those preparing for the PE Civil exam, and the frequent references to figures, tables, equations, and appendices in the PE Civil Reference Manual make it easier to navigate. Overall, this book is an essential tool for successful exam preparation.

Advances in Urban Geotechnical Engineering (Sustainable Civil Infrastructures)

Kim, S. Sonny
Moghal, Arif Ali Baig
Yao, Jia-liang
Springer
Jul 14, 2021
Advances in Urban Geotechnical Engineering (Sustainable Civil Infrastructures) Cover
Advances in Urban Geotechnical Engineering (Sustainable Civil Infrastructures)
ftb score rating icon9.2
FTB Score

The book "Advances in Urban Geotechnical Engineering (Sustainable Civil Infrastructures)" is a compilation of studies presented at the 6th GeoChina International Conference. The topics covered in the book include transportation geotechnics, geomechanics, rock mechanics, and geosynthetics reinforced soils. The authors, Dr. S. Sonny Kim and Prof. Arif, are both experts in the field of civil engineering and have contributed significantly to the research in transportation geotechnics and geoenvironmental engineering. Overall, this book is an essential resource for professionals and researchers interested in sustainable civil infrastructures and the latest advances in geotechnical engineering.

Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, 5th Edition

Sclater, Neil
McGraw Hill
Aug 12, 2011
Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, 5th Edition Cover
Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, 5th Edition
ftb score rating icon9.2
FTB Score

The Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, 5th Edition is a comprehensive reference for mechanical engineering enthusiasts, covering proven mechanisms and mechanical devices. The book contains thousands of illustrations that represent design concepts that can be easily recycled for new or modified mechanical products. The latest advances in rapid prototyping, renewable power generation, and 3D digital prototyping and simulation are also discussed. The book is a practical guide that covers classical mechanical devices as well as hot new topics in mechanical engineering. Overall, this book is an essential resource for anyone interested in mechanical engineering.

Excavation & Grading Handbook

Nick Capachi
John Capachi
Craftsman Book Co
Jun 30, 2005
Excavation & Grading Handbook Cover
Excavation & Grading Handbook
ftb score rating icon9.2
FTB Score

The Excavation & Grading Handbook is an updated and comprehensive reference for those in the excavating and grading business. Written by Nick Capachi and his son John, who have almost 70 years of experience between them, the book covers a range of topics from reading topo maps to using GPS and sonar technology. The CD-ROM included provides review questions for each chapter in an interactive format, making learning fun. This book is an excellent resource for both experienced operators looking to brush up and trainees preparing to enter the business.

#TOP 10

Civil Engineering PE Practice Exams: 2 Full Breadth Exams

Practice, Civil PE
Jan 25, 2018
Civil Engineering PE Practice Exams: 2 Full Breadth Exams Cover
Civil Engineering PE Practice Exams: 2 Full Breadth Exams
ftb score rating icon9.1
FTB Score

Civil Engineering PE Practice Exams: 2 Full Breadth Exams is a comprehensive guide that includes two full breadth practice exams for the Civil Engineering PE Exam. The book contains 80 representative problems designed according to the latest NCEES specifications. The questions were created by practicing civil engineers, and each question comes with a detailed solution to help students study efficiently and effectively. This book is an excellent resource for students preparing for the Civil Engineering PE Exam.

Buying Guide Image

Finding the Best Civil Engineering Books to Enrich Your Life

Importance of Choosing the Right Civil Engineering Books

As a civil engineer, having a strong foundation in the fundamentals of your field is crucial to your success. Whether you are just starting out in your career or are looking to advance to higher levels, the right books can provide valuable knowledge and insights that can help you excel in your chosen profession.

Consider Your Current Level of Knowledge

One important factor to consider when choosing civil engineering books is your current level of knowledge. If you are a beginner, it may be best to start with books that provide a broad overview of the field and its key concepts. This will help you gain a solid foundation in the basics before moving on to more advanced topics.

On the other hand, if you are an experienced engineer looking to deepen your knowledge in a specific area, you may want to choose books that are more specialized and focused on a particular topic or application.

Look for Books Written by Experts in the Field

Another important factor to consider is the author of the book. It is always best to choose books written by experts in the field who have a deep understanding of the subject matter. These authors are likely to provide accurate and up-to-date information that is relevant to your work as a civil engineer.

Consider the Book's Reputation and Reviews

Before purchasing a book, it is a good idea to do some research and read reviews from other readers. This can give you a sense of the book's reputation and help you determine whether it is likely to provide valuable information and insights.

Take Advantage of Online Resources

In addition to traditional books, there are also many online resources available that can provide valuable information for civil engineers. Websites, blogs, and forums focused on civil engineering can be a great source of knowledge and can help you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.

Conclusion

Choosing the right civil engineering books can be a valuable investment in your career. By considering your current level of knowledge, looking for books written by experts in the field, and taking advantage of online resources, you can ensure that you have access to the information and insights you need to excel in your chosen profession.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is civil engineer easy?

Civil engineering is relatively hard. Consider the amount of work-related skills needed to succeed in this profession. Additionally, since practical experience is valued so highly in this field, you might also have to spend your summers interning just to get your foot in the door.

Editor's Notes

During our civil engineering book research, we found 1,200+ civil engineering book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 11,812 customer reviews through our big data system to write the civil engineering books list. We found that most customers choose civil engineering books with an average price of $85.64.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.