CIVIL ENGINEERING HISTORY
Engineer
• The one who “designs” or “makes”, or “put to practical
use” engines or machinery
• One who “designs” or “constructs” public works
Engineering
• Derived from the Latin words “INGENIUM” which
means “cleverness” and “INGENIARE” which means
“to contrive or devise”.
• Defined as the creative application of “scientific
principles to design or develop structures, machines,
apparatus, or manufacturing process for an intended
function.
Civil Engineer
• One who “plans” and “builds” railways, docks as
opposed to military engineers and mechanical
engineers who makes machine.
• Civil engineers design, build, and maintain the
foundation for our modern society – our buildings,
roads and bridges, drinking water and energy systems,
sea ports and airports, and the infrastructure for a
cleaner environment, to name just a few.
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Civil Engineering
• The professional engineering discipline focusing on
design, construction and maintenance of
infrastructures that serve the general public
• Defined by Cambridge Dictionary as the “planning and
building of public roads, bridges, and buildings”
• Is considered to be of the “oldest” and the “broadest”
engineering discipline
The Beginnings of Engineering
The Agrarian Societies
• Believed to be developed about 3300 BCE and started
in four areas:
- Mesopotamia
- Egypt and Nubia
- The Indus Valley
- The Andes Mountains of South America
• Major Engineering Contributions:
- Irrigations
- Farming implements
- Shelters
Mesopotamia
• Known as the “cradle of civilization” and was home to
many civilizations
• Located between two rivers, Tigris and Euphrates
where its fertility came from.
• Engineering contributions:
- Irrigations
- Dams and aqueducts to control water
- Mathematical system (60minute-hour, 24hour-day,
360degrees circle)
Egyptian Engineering
• Excellent knowledge on geometry and measurement
evident on the accuracy of the pyramids
stone – used for tombs and eternal dwellings of the
dead
mud brick – used for domestic dwellings, palaces,
temple walls
• Engineering contributions:
- Irrigation systems
- Palaces, temples, domestic & eternal dwellings
Greek Engineering and Architecture
• Concerned with simplicity, proportion and perspective.
• Adoption of the form of column and beam lintel
construction
• Engineering innovations:
- Temples, theaters, stadia
- Use of marbles in public buildings
- Mastery of iron
