Dagmar Evjakova

Name: Dagmar Evjakova
Job: Graduate engineer
Area of work: Bridges
Employer: Gifford
Qualifications: BEng civil engineering, Brno University of Technology and Open University, 2005; MSc bridge engineering, University of Surrey, 2009 

My grandfather was a civil engineer who designed houses. When I was little I found his drawings amazing because they were so clear – how could he draw something so complicated?! I considered architecture but chose civil engineering because I like physics and maths. I decided to specialise in bridges because each bridge is different – there’s always something new so you never stop learning.

A range of projects

I’m currently working on a bridge for the Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine, which is a 1.2km-long bridge of pre-cast concrete. I’ve been involved in a range of other projects, from motorway bridges in Ireland to a tunnel in Gibraltar. I really enjoy the variety, and I have found it challenging to work on many aspects of the schemes, including design, checking and management. My work involves reviewing drawings and giving information to technicians, making sure that the design calculations comply with British Standards. I also write design statements and related documents.

Seeing the real thing

My highlight so far was seeing the first bridge I’d worked on – I’d been involved in designing seven bridges for the N11 in Ireland. One of them was a 35m single-span bridge: it was amazing to see it in real life as I really hadn’t appreciated its size from the A3 drawings in the office.