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Civil Engineering History

• In the beginning, Civil Engineering included all engineers that did not practice military engineering; said to have begun in 18th century France.

• First “Civil Engineer” was an Englishman, John Smeaton in 1761.

• Civil engineers have saved more lives than all the doctors in history — development of clean water and sanitation systems.

• Henry H. White, first KY Civil Engineering Graduate from Bacon (Georgetown) College in 1840.

• Fall of 1886, “State College” (UK) established civil engineering degree.

• John Wesley Gunn of Lexington received first Civil Engineering degree from A & M College (UK) in 1890.

ORIGINS OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Civil engineering has evolved tremendously in aspects relating to building, designing and maintaining the world’s built and natural environments. Historically, the term ‘civil engineering’ did not exist. It is only recently that engineers whose duties were civil and non- military were categorized as civil engineers to differentiate them from military engineers. A military engineer is one who makes ‘machines of war’. In ancient times the bridge, waterways, fortifications and machines of war were all projects also projects undertaken by the military engineer. Kings, Queens, Emperors or Pharaohs required these military building services from their engineers in order to build massive structures that created a powerful and imposing image of themselves. This was the ultimate form of self-promotion. The reason the ‘civil’ and ‘military’ engineers were grouped as one, was because the techniques of designing these projects were similar and one who worked on military construction projects also worked on civil projects. Also the structures such as roads, dams, buildings and bridges facilitated for the military agendas of certain rulers. Definitely, before the term civil engineer was coined, civil engineers were in existence. Millennia ago when the pyramids of the Mayan and Egyptian empires were building pyramids, the people designing and supervising the construction of the pyramids must have been an engineer. Certainly, those endowed with the responsibility of devising ways to solve the day to day problems of construction, transportation, water irrigation, city planning were engineers. The engineers of the past often worked on technical problems of their day by using mechanics, available materials and technicians of the day and often worked in areas that ranged from mechanical, military inventions to architecture, which involved the design of aesthetic structure and the overall shape and form of structures.

Taken from book named – “An Introduction to Civil Engineering” by Valdengrave Okumu

451 comments on "Civil Engineering History"

John william says:

Its very useful for civil Engineers and the history really superb. please add more it’s a kind request

K.Arun Prasad says:

It is one of the most useful web site for the civil engineers, who are especially for the quality related persons.

ayua says:

This is more of an essential web especially to the upcoming Civil Engineers as well as those in the field

sudha says:

This is very good web for civil engineers….

NWOGU VICTOR says:

I want to be a part of many historical construction.
m just entering the the world next to god. ie. civil engineering!!! the field i like more than anythin!!!

I think this site will be of great help in my studies

aditya says:

i am pursuing b.tech in civil
presently a third year student
this site helped me a lot in my field as well as theory works
its an awesome site for gaining knowledge in civil engg

Kolajo Ibrahim Adedayo says:

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This site is wonderfully helping me.I pray for more blessings of God.
Thanks

james dusu says:

i am studying structures and i don”t know which project topic to use pls help me.final year

A R Rashid says:

Its an effective n informative website

Thankful

Regards

A R Rashid

mamata kulkarni says:

hi,,its really a great website..actually i opted civil engineering branch by chance..but after visiting this web site i got inspired n this yr i m going to give inspiration speech on the topic “importance of civil engi”to my juniors..thanks a lot:-)

mehboob elahi says:

I really love to a civil engineer .Because civil engineer serve the people and its country

mehboob elahi says:

I really love a civil engineer .Because civil engineer serve the people and its country
by making design of mega structures which are durable,more safer and of high strength.A civil engineer also keeps the economy in his mind while designing mega structure Dams,Bridges,Skyscrapers,roads,canals

mehboob elahi (civil engineer) says:

civil engineering is really a best engineering in the world .i wnted to a project in structure but luck took to hydraulics.But i am contented with this

Vikas Rana says:

hi frnd this really help full for civil engg

mehboob elahi(civil engineer) says:

civil engr. must familiar with the soil mechanics,design of steel structure,theory of structure,strength of material,R.C.C and transportation engg.

Arun Kumatr says:

I’m a civil enginner and in service sector.we awering masons and others persons who are involved in construction. it is surprising a people still taking technique of civil work as easy that they commiting a lot of mistake in daily job ultimatlyy structure get weakness and service life comes nearly half of estimated life of structure. in revenue points of view, it cost min. 150 % after only 50 years.
1% viods reduced strength of conc. mimm 6%.
take easy but according plan and respect of work.

Aseem Geete says:

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humayun khan says:

i’m doing BSc civil engineering.I LOVE civil engg. from my heart and want to serve human
being.

ramapathi says:

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joseph alapa e says:

hmm! the world of civil engineerin is simply the best. i’m a 300 level student of civil engineering.

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