Library Class and Subject Guides: Civil Engineering : Find Articles using Databases

Find Articles for Most Civil Engineering Topics

These search tools, also known as databases, will help you find peer-reviewed journal articles, an essential resource for assignments. Visit our Articles guide for detailed instructions.

ASCE Library This link opens in a new window
Searchable and browsable collection of full image articles published in American Society of Civil Engineers journals, covering all aspects of civil engineering, including planning, construction management, environment, transportation, and waterways. The default search goes to the index for ALL content from ASCE, not just what we pay for. If you are asked to login or register for access, this means that we do not have access to that particular book, conference proceedings or standard. You can request these materials through interlibrary loan.
ASME Transactions Journals This link opens in a new window
Our subscription to the publications of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers is partial. We subscribe to 24 of their current publications from 2000-present. In your results list, please ignore the shopping cart icon and try the PDF or View Article link. However, if after clicking either of these, you are prompted to Sign In or you do not see the full-text, this means that we do not currently have access and you should request this article through interlibrary loan.
IEEE Xplore Digital Library This link opens in a new window
The IEEE Xplore Digital Library is the premier database for research in electrical engineering, electronics, computer science and related disciplines. IEEE Xplore includes access to over 5 million full-text documents, including IEEE journals, magazines, conferences, and standards, as well as IET journals, magazines, and conferences with a backfile to the late 1800s for select titles.
ScienceDirect
science direct elsevier
This link opens in a new window
Provides citations, abstracts, and selected full text to articles covering a broad range of disciplines, including agriculture, biology and genetics, arts and humanities, biochemistry, business, chemical engineering, chemistry, computer science, earth and planetary sciences, economics, environmental science, mathematics, medicine and dentistry, physics and astronomy, social sciences, and veterinary science and medicine.
Springer Journal Package This link opens in a new window
1500+ journals from Springer
Wiley Online Library This link opens in a new window
Provides access to the world's broadest and deepest multidisciplinary collection of online resources covering life, health and physical sciences, social science, and the humanities.

Types of Sources

	Scholarly Publications	Substantive/Trade Publications	Popular Publications	Sensationalist Publications
Audience	Academics, professors, students.	Educated audiences, practitioners.	General public.	Gullible audiences.
Author	Scholars, experts, and specialists; credentials are listed.	Credentialed journalists; professionals and industry experts; credentials are usually listed.	Professional writers: journalists, staff, freelance writers; not necessarily experts in the field; authors and/or credentials not always listed.	Anyone.
Publisher	Academic presses and professional organizations.	Nationally and internationally recognized organizations.	Commercial businesses.	Varies. Ranges from individuals to politically-minded groups to hate groups.
Purpose	Report on scholarship and research.	Share news and trends with industry professionals.	Information and/or entertainment.	Cater to superstitions; elicit emotions and strong feelings for or against a particular topic.
Tone	Factual, technical, and scholarly language.	Formal, technical language. Often uses industry jargon.	Relatively simple language.	Sensational terms. Propaganda. Often uses inflammatory or derogatory language.
Appearance	Usually plain. May have tables, graphs, charts, and formulas. If photographs are present, they are directly associated with the topic.	Tables, charts, graphs, and images related to the article. More graphic design elements than scholarly publications.	Eye-catching and colorful.	Eye-catching and colorful; sometimes newspaper-like. Often only available online.
Advertisements	Limited to advertisements for books and journals.	Most often limited to advertisements for items directly related to the publication or trade; some paid advertisements.	Paid advertisements.	Paid advertisements, often making their own sensationalist claims. Clickbait.
Review Process	Reviewed by scholars. All data and interpretations of data are checked.	Reviewed by professional editors employed by the publication. Facts are checked.	Reviewed by professional editors employed by the publication. Facts might be checked.	No apparent or consistent review process.
Sources	Always contains a bibliography, works cited, or references.	Often contains in-text citations. May contain references list.	Rarely identifies sources.	Rarely identifies sources. If sources are listed, they may not actually be reliable sources of information.
Examples	Journal - American Water Works Association; Journal of Environmental Engineering; Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice; Water Environment Research	Engineering News Record (ENR); Civil Engineering (from ASCE); Treatment Plant Operator; Government reports and datasets.	Field and Stream, Sports Illustrated; Time; Newsweek	Globe; National Enquirer; Star; Weekly World News