history of civil engineering

History of Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is arguably the oldest engineering discipline. It deals with the built environment and can be dated to the first time someone placed a roof over their head or laid a tree trunk across a river to make it easier to get across.

The history of civil engineering can be divided into several eras:

Ancient Civilizations

• Mesopotamia and Egypt: The construction of pyramids, ziggurats, and irrigation systems. Imhotep, the architect of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, is considered one of the first engineers.
• Indus Valley: Advanced urban planning with drainage systems.
• China: The Great Wall of China and the Grand Canal.
• Rome: Famous for roads, aqueducts, bridges, and the use of pozzolana cement.

Medieval and Renaissance

• The development of Gothic cathedrals with flying buttresses.
• Leonardo da Vinci's contributions to mechanics and hydraulics.

Modern Era

• The Industrial Revolution brought new materials like iron and steel.
• Formal education in engineering began with the establishment of École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in France in 1747.
• John Smeaton was the first to call himself a "civil engineer" to distinguish from military engineers.

Civil Engineering in the Philippines

• Pre-colonial: Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras.
• Spanish Era: Construction of churches, fortresses (Intramuros), and bridges using stone and brick.
• American Era: Introduction of reinforced concrete and modern infrastructure systems.