The story of Structural Engineering dates back to the
very dawn of civilization when man first gave up his nomadic and
cave-dwelling existence and began to build structures.
Although the primitive structural engineering efforts would have been
very much a trial and error type of operation, it is obvious that the
application of science and mathematics to structure began very early.
The Pyramids of Egypt that were built between 2700-2500 B.C. represent
feats of structural engineering that are not only still standing 5000
years later, but boggle the mind on how they could have been built by
such a primitive society. The fact that many people advance theories
that the structural engineering work must have been done by Aliens from
Outer Space shows the complexity of this construction project.
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| For most of the early history of structures, no distinction was made
between architect and engineer. Indeed, little distinction was made
between craftsman and engineer.
Yet, the work that would mark the field
of structural engineering was being done by the builders of such
structural wonders as the Parthenon in Athens or the Appian Way of Rome.
The principles of engineering were being developed and the science and
understanding of matter and energy were continuing although at a very
slow pace. |
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The organization of craftsmen into guilds that passed on the knowledge
of building from generation to generation actually hindered advances in
knowledge. The guilds tended to be rigid and not open to change. Even
religion seemed to be the enemy of science during so many centuries and
some of the most advanced thinkers, and engineers, of ancient times were
reviled and unappreciated in their lifetimes.
It is a sad commentary of humankind that the real advances in
engineering came in the area of Military Engineering. This trend has
really continued into modern times. One example of this was the swamp
land just south of Washington, D.C. For almost 50 years prior to the
American Civil War, the railroad from Washington to Richmond, Virginia
either swung on a wide detour around these swamps, or traveled the final
miles by steamboat to avoid them. Yet, military necessity in the war led
engineers to find a way to drain the swamps and push the railroad
through in a matter of months.
The very term, Civil Engineering, was coined to separate Military
Engineering from more peaceful pursuits. It was in 1771, that some men
began to call themselves "engineers." In the last century, the
tremendous explosion of scientific knowledge and technological advance
made the field of Civil and Structural Engineering into distinct
professions. This explosion has hardly reached its peak, and it is the
Engineers that will guide its force into making things that are "useful
to man."
Aazdak Alisimo writes about issues confronted by
structural engineers for StructuralEngineersUSA.com
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