History: Civil Engineering As A Discipline

History
Civil Engineering as a Discipline
Civil engineering is the application of physical and scientific principles for solving the
problems of society, and its history is intricately linked to advances in the
understanding of physics and mathematics throughout history. Because civil
engineering is a wide-ranging profession, including several specialized sub-
disciplines, its history is linked to knowledge of structures, materials science,
geography, geology, soils, hydrology, environment, mechanics and other fields.
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.
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.
Civil Engineering Profession
Engineering has been an aspect of life since the beginnings of human existence. The
earliest practice of civil engineering may have commenced between 4000 and 2000
BC in ancient Egypt, the Indus Valley Civilization, and Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq)
when humans started to abandon a nomadic existence, creating a need for the
construction of shelter. During this time, transportation became increasingly
important leading to the development of the wheel and sailing.
Leonhard Euler developed the theory explaining the buckling of columns.
Until modern times there was no clear distinction between civil engineering and
architecture, and the term engineer and architect were mainly geographical
variations referring to the same occupation, and often used interchangeably. The
construction of pyramids in Egypt (circa 2700–2500 BC) were some of the first
instances of large structure constructions.
Pyramid of Egypt
Other ancient historic civil engineering constructions include the Qanat water
management system (the oldest is 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).
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China by General Meng T'ien under orders from Ch'in
Emperor Qin Shi Huang (c. 220 BC) with 13171 miles (21196 km) 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, harbors, bridges,
dams and roads.
The northeast column temple also covers a channel that funnels all the rainwater
from the complex some 40 meters (130 ft) away to a rejollada, a former cenote.
In the 18th century, the term civil engineering was coined to incorporate all things
civilian as opposed to military engineering.
The first self-proclaimed civil engineer was John Smeaton, who constructed
the Eddystone Lighthouse which is 49 meters high located in United KIngdom. He is
born 8 June 1724, Austhorpe, United Kingdom and died 28 October
1792, Austhorpe, United Kingdom. He pioneered the use of hydraulic lime (a form
of mortar that will set under water) in concrete, using pebbles and powdered brick
as aggregate. Identifying the compositional requirements needed to obtain
"hydraulicity" in lime; work which led ultimately to the invention of Portland
cement.
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.
John Smeaton, the "father of civil engineering"
In 1818 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. Its charter defined civil engineering as: the art of directing the great
sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man, as the means of
production and of traffic in states, both for external and internal trade, as applied in
the construction of roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, river navigation and docks for
internal intercourse and exchange, and in the construction of ports, harbors, moles,
breakwaters and lighthouses, and in the art of navigation by artificial power for the
purposes of commerce, and in the construction and application of machinery, and
in the drainage of cities and towns.

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History

Civil Engineering as a Discipline

Throughout ancient and medieval history most architectural design and

One of the earliest examples of a scientific approach to physical and mathematical

Leonhard Euler developed the theory explaining the buckling of columns.

Great Wall of China

John Smeaton, the "father of civil engineering"

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