The engineering design process is a crucial concept to understand engineering and the engineering mindset. However, people doing research on the Internet may find it strange that there are different versions of this process. Some champion a brief model with as few as four steps, while others propose a 12-step process. Faced with these diverging…
While bridges are structures essential to modern life, their origins date back to antiquity. Egyptians, Minoans, and Assyrians developed techniques to build bridges. However, it was with the Romans that bridge construction reached a degree of excellence that almost defies belief. Bridges and bridge building were part and parcel of life in Ancient Rome. The…
People tend to use the terms “cement” and “concrete” interchangeably; however, they are different materials. Cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mix of aggregates and paste. The aggregates are sand and gravel, while the paste consists of water and Portland cement. But what is Portland cement? Read on to learn more…
The term “tilt-up” was coined in the 1940’s to refer to a construction method that is quick and cost-effective and eliminates the formwork that is necessary for pour-in-place concrete walls. An Apt Term As you will see, the name is quite apt, since this construction method entails casting slabs of concrete horizontally on the construction…
What are the most important qualities a project manager must have? Project management is a complex discipline that requires both a hands-on inclination and a knack for abstract thought. Although this may sound like a contradiction in terms, a great project manager meets these requirements and then some, as we are about to see. A…
The Golden Gate Bridge is an achievement of civil engineering. When it opened great acclaim on May 27, 1937, it was the world’s longest suspension bridge, and still stands as an enduring symbol of the power of resilience and ingenuity., Against the Odds The builders of the Golden Gate Bridge faced all sorts of difficulties.…
Filippo Brunelleschi is one of the earliest heroes of Engineering Design. Read on to discover how he accomplished the construction of the Dome of the Florence cathedral, a formidable achievement that still amazes to this day. Brunelleschi, a True Renaissance Man Brunelleschi was a true renaissance man. Before tackling architecture, he distinguished himself as a…
Most people believe they have a basic understanding of what a project is. After all, the term is commonly used in a wide array of situations, from building bridges to creating a new operative system or designing a piece of furniture. But, as it often happens, things become more complicated when we ask questions. For…
From small, domestic jobs to massive projects, concrete is everywhere. In fact, it’s the most widely used construction material in the world, In strictly technical terms it consists of a hard, particulate substance bonded together by cement and water. The mix is simple: sand, gravel, water and Portland cement. But behind this simplicity lies a…
The concept of “project” is wide-ranging and includes everything from creating a marketing strategy for a small business to building a bridge. Although apparently these two projects could not be more different, the underlying framework is the same. In fact, project management provides a four-phase process to ensure that any kind of project is completed…