History Of Civil Engineering by Saeed Nageeb Elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3 Civil engineering is the application of physical and scientific principles, and its history is intricately linked to advances in understanding of physics and mathematics throughout history. Because civil engineering is a wide ranging profession, including several separate specialized sub-disciplines, its history is linked to knowledge of structures, material science, geography, geology, soil, hydrology, environment, mechanics and other fields. Until the recent era, there was no major difference between the terms civil engineering and architecture, and they were often used interchangeably. en-us 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC 2026-01-19 10:45:15 UTC hello@padlet.com VIDEO saeed_elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616271 Video explains history of civil engineering]]> 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616271 The recent achievements of civil engineering saeed_elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616272 for example the construction of the Burj Khalifa which began in 2004, with the exterior completed five years later in 2009. The primary structure is reinforced concrete. The building was opened in 2010 as part of a new development called Downtown Dubai. It is designed to be the centrepiece of large-scale, mixed-use development. The decision to construct the building is reportedly based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition. The building was originally named Burj Dubai but was renamed in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan,  Abu Dhabi and the UAE government lent Dubai money to pay its debts. The building broke numerous height records, including its designation as the tallest tower in the world.
Burj Khalifa was designed by Adrian Smith, then of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), whose firm designed the Willis Tower and One World Trade Center. Hyder Consulting was chosen to be the supervising engineer with NORR Group Consultants International Limited chosen to supervise the architecture of the project.
]]> 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616272 Civil Engineering in the 18th - 20th Century. saeed_elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616273 In the 18th century, the term civil engineering was coined to incorporate all things civilian as opposed to military engineering. The first engineering school, The National School of Bridges and Highways, France, was opened in 1747. The first self-proclaimed civil engineer was John Smeaton who constructed the Eddystone Lighthouse. In 1771, Smeaton and some of his colleagues formed the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers, a group of leaders of the profession who met informally over dinner. Though there was evidence of some technical meetings, it was little more than a social society.
In 1818, world’s first engineering society, the Institution of Civil Engineers was founded in London, and in 1820 the eminent engineer Thomas Telford became its first president. The institution received a Royal Charter in 1828, formally recognizing civil engineering as a profession.

]]> 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616273 Civil engineering is considered to be the first main discipline of engineering, and the engineers were in fact military engineers saeed_elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616274 civil engineering is considered to be the first main discipline of engineering, and the engineers were in fact military engineers with expertise in military and civil works. During the era of battles or operations, the engineers were engaged to assist the soldiers fighting in the battlefield by making catapults, towers, and other instruments used for fighting the enemy. However, during peace time, they were concerned mainly with the civil activities such as building fortifications for defense, making bridges, canals, etc.]]> 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616274 The earliest scientific approach saeed_elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616275 One of the earliest examples of a scientific approach to physical and mathematical problems applicable to civil engineering is the work of Archimedes in the 3rd century BC, including Archimedes Principle, which underpins our understanding of buoyancy, and practical solutions such as Archimedes’ screw. Brahmagupta, an Indian mathematician, used arithmetic in the 7th century AD, based on Hindu-Arabic numerals, for excavation (volume) computations.]]> 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616275 A treatise on Architecture, Book called Vitruvius' De Archiectura. saeed_elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616276 A treatise on Architecture, Book called Vitruvius' De Archiectura, was published at 1AD in Rome and survived to give us a look at engineering education in ancient times. It was probably written around 15 BC by the Roman architect Vitruvius and dedicated to his patron, the emperor Caesar Augustus, as a guide for building projects.

Throughout ancient and medieval history most architectural design and construction was carried out by artisans, such as stonemasons and carpenters, rising to the role of master builder. Knowledge was retained in guilds and seldom supplanted by advances. Structures, roads and infrastructure that existed were repetitive, and increases in scale were incremental.
]]> 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616276 Ancient historic civil engineering constructions saeed_elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616277  Ancient historic civil engineering constructions include the Qanat water management system (the oldest older than 3000 years and longer than 71 km,) the Parthenon by Iktinos in Ancient Greece (447-438 BC), the Appian Way by Roman engineers (c. 312 BC), the Great Wall of China by General Meng T’ien under orders from Ch’in Emperor Shih Huang Ti (c. 220 BC) and the stupas constructed in ancient Sri Lanka like the Jetavanaramaya and the extensive irrigation works in Anuradhapura. The Romans developed civil structures throughout their empire, including especially aqueducts, insulae, harbours, bridges, dams and roads.]]> 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616277 The construction of Pyramids in Egypt (circa 2700-2500 BC) by Imhotep saeed_elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616279 The construction of Pyramids in Egypt (circa 2700-2500 BC) might be considered the first instances of large structure constructions.
Around 2550 BC, Imhotep, the first documented engineer, built a famous stepped pyramid for King Djoser located at Saqqara Necropolis. With simple tools and mathematics he created a monument that stands to this day. His greatest contribution to engineering was his discovery of the art of building with shaped stones. Those who followed him carried engineering to remarkable heights using skill and imagination.]]> 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616279 The earliest practices of Civil engineering saeed_elbelacy https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616280 The earliest practices of Civil engineering may have commenced between 4000 and 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia (Ancient Iraq) and  Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) when humans started to abandon a nomadic existence, thus causing a need for the construction of shelter. During this time, transportation became increasingly important leading to the development of the wheel and sailing.]]> 2017-12-03 16:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/saeed_elbelacy/g6bptpe7f5a3/wish/212616280