About Civil Engineering

1. Until modern times there was no clear distinction between civil engineering and architecture, and the terms engineer and architect often referred to the same person until the 18th century.



2. In the 18th century, the term “civil engineering” came into use to describe engineering work that was performed by civilians for nonmilitary purposes.



3. The first self-proclaimed civil engineer was John Smeaton who constructed the Eddystone Lighthouse.



4. Civil engineers frequently work on complex projects which involve many technical, economic, social and environmental factors.



5. Civil engineering takes place on all levels: in the public sector from municipal through to national governments, and in the private sector from individual homeowners through to international companies.



6. Civil engineers also help to preserve the environment by assisting in the cleaning up of existing pollution and planning ways to reduce future pollution of air, land and water.



7. The first private college to teach Civil Engineering in the United States was Norwich University, Vermont, founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge.



8. The first degree in Civil Engineering in the United States was awarded by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1835.



9. The first civil engineering degree to be awarded to a woman was granted by Cornell University to Nora Stanton Blatch in 1905.



10. The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) was founded in a coffee shop in London in 1818 by eight young civil engineers, the youngest was 19.



11. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) was founded in 1852. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States.



12. All 50 States and the District of Columbia require licensure for engineers who offer their services directly to the public.



13. According to a 2009 survey, people with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering started at $52,048 a year on average.

Civil Engineering Sub-Disciplines

14. Coastal engineering is concerned with managing coastal areas. The term coastal defense is the more traditional term, but coastal management has become more popular as the field has expanded to include techniques that allow erosion to claim land.



15. Construction engineering involves planning and execution of the designs from transportation, site development, hydraulic, environmental, structural and geotechnical engineers.



16. Earthquake engineering is dedicated to reducing earthquake risk by advancing the practice of this science.



17. Environmental engineering can be involved with pollution reduction, green engineering, and industrial ecology and involves protecting the environment and human health.



18. Geotechnical engineering is an area of civil engineering concerned with the rock and soil that supports civil engineering projects.
19. Materials engineering and sciences deals with materials such as concrete, mix asphalt concrete, metals as well as paints and finishes.



20. Municipal or urban engineering involves specifying, designing, constructing, and maintaining streets, sidewalks, water supply networks, sewers, street lighting, municipal solid waste management and disposal, storage depots for various bulk materials used for maintenance and public works, public parks and bicycle paths.



21. Structural engineering is concerned with designing structures to be safe and serviceable for their users



22. Transportation engineering is concerned with moving people and goods efficiently, safely, and in a manner conducive to a vibrant community.



23. Water resources engineering is a discipline that combines hydrology, environmental science, meteorology, geology, conservation, and resource management.

Civil Engineering Feats

24. The longest street in the world is Toronto’s Yonge Street, listed as 1,178 miles (1,896 km) in length — roughly the distance from San Diego, California, to Seattle, Washington.



25. A civil engineer created the slippery part of the water slide. Without the right flow of water, there is no ride.



26. The Channel Tunnel is one of the greatest civil engineering projects of the 20th century, has an ultimate design capacity of 600 trains per day each way under the English Channel.



27. The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, has the longest central span of any suspension bridge. The central span is a staggering 1,991 meters, or 6,532 ft.



28. It took a century to overcome deep waters, strong winds, and high chance of earthquakes to build the Rion-Antirion Bridge. Completed in 2004, it spans the Gulf of Corinth and won an Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement award.



29. The Itaipu Dam, located at the Brazilian-Paraguayan border, is the largest operating hydroelectric facility in terms of annual generating capacity.



30. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world and has become an internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco and California.



31. The Empire State Building was built in just 18 months during the Great Depression and was one of the first to employ the then new fast track construction technique. Following the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, the Empire State Building again became the tallest building in New York City and New York State.



32. the Hoover Dam, standing 726.4 feet high, is one of the tallest concrete dams ever built and created one of the largest man-made lakes in the U.S.



33. The Burj Al Arab is a 5-star luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 m (1,053 ft), it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world. The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a ship.



34. The Netherlands North Sea Protection Works is a marvel of coastal engineering created to protect a large area of land around the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta from the sea.



35. The Millennium Force Roller Coaster in Sandusky, Ohio, is the world’s tallest (310 feet) and fastest (92 mph) roller coaster, and is supported by 226 footers using 9,400 yards of concrete. It took 175 truckloads of steel to create the frame.

Whether studying for an engineering degree or just have a passing interest in earth materials, you can find loads of captivating images and information in these 25 amazing galleries on geotechnical engineering. They are authored by those who teach it, practice it for a living, or happen to have a camera whenever it happens.

Amazing General Galleries on Geotechnical Engineering

1. Geo Photo Album Visit here to get an official geotechnical photo album from the University of California, Davis. They have images on loads of categories including compaction, erosion, excavations, and much more. You can also learn more about each professor’s work.


2. Geotechnical Engineering Stop here to get information on the practice from the U.S. Department of Transportation. They have items on Earth retaining structures, hazards, ground improvement, and more. You can also look up related engineering on the site.


3. Chemistry and Materials See the latest discoveries made by the National Science Foundation here. In this section, science, engineering, education, and technology all are acknowledged. There are also awards in just engineering and Earth.


4. Building Collapsed in Shanghai See what happens when geotechnical engineering goes wrong in this gallery. It shows a building overseas that collapsed. Reader’s comments are also worth a look.


5. Geotechnical Engineering Projects See actual geotechnical engineering practice with a visit here. HVJ Associates specializes in it and has a special section on each project they are working on. You can also view other items they are working on.


6. Geotechnical Videos Get more than just an image by stopping here. This video gallery was started by Dr. Usama Karim. It has several choices and more on each video.


7. United States University Council on Geotechnical Education and Research The USUCGER is an organization dedicated to geotechnical engineering. There is a slideshow on the topic right on the homepage. You can also browse through their archives for more.


8. Geotechnique A picture may be worth a thousand words, but what if you need words? Stop here to get two free eBooks on the topic of geotechnical engineering and even a few pictures. Both “Site Investigation” and “Critical State Soil Mechanics” are available.

Amazing Galleries on Geotechnical Engineering by a Publication

9. Earth This magazine used to be known as “The Geo Times.” However, it still has the latest in Earth science and its uses today. Each story has images and even videos to go along with it. There is also the Geomedia with more.


10. Geo-Strata Whether reading about what micro-blasting is or what it’s like to be an actual geotechnical engineer, this magazine covers it. It comes for free with a membership to the Geo-Institute. They even have a special group for students.


11. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering One of the standout options of clicking here is that you can go all the way back to 1996 and the premiere volume of this publication. You can also check out their most recent issue with a click. There is even a Geotechnical Hall of Fame.


12. Multimedia/ Photos Fewer periodicals have the professional photographing capabilities of “The New York Times.” In this special section, they feature all the photos and such from the archaeology and anthropology section. There are many impressive features that showcase the best in the present and past.


13. Geology This magazine is published by the Geological Society of America. Stop by to get previews or review the archives. There are also many other resources for geologists on the main page.


14. GSA Pubs Need more like the above? Then stop here to see all the publications available from the GSA. They include a bulletin, Geosphere, Lithosphere, and more.


15. Civil Engineering News Read about and see the latest in civil engineering breakthroughs here. They have loads of entries to read on the homepage, or you can check out more with a subscription. They also offer continuing education and other resources.


16. Mechanical Engineering This is the magazine of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. They have items on everything from transportation to replacing lost fingers. You can also check out the online community and white paper library.

Other Amazing Galleries on Geotechnical Engineering

17. Geologic Images and Maps Andrew Alden is a science writer, photographer, editor, and blogger with a lifelong passion for rocks, minerals, fossils, and the planets they come from. In this special section of About Geology, he gathers all of his images and maps into various galleries. Choose from everything from igneous rocks to plate tectonics here.


18. NEES Stop here to get the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation at the University of Texas. They have research, documentation, and more on earthquakes. They also have a project warehouse with more.


19. International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering The ISSMGE represents the interests and activities of engineers, academics, and contractors across the world. You can visit to check out more on your regional branch. They also have documents and publications available for the viewing.


20. American Society of Civil Engineers The ASCE has loads of headlines and news for the engineer, including right on the homepage. You can narrow by your preferred field of study. They also have loads of chapters and branches across the nation.


21. Reverse Engineering They are a blog that tries to make learning engineering fun. They have a special section on geotechnical engineering, which includes successes and failures. You can also learn more in other engineering areas.


22. Earth Science World The Image Bank here is provided by the American Geological Institute. With over 6,000 images, they cover volcanoes, petroleum, dunes, and many others. You can even submit a photo of your own.


23. Geological Sciences 101 A course all geotechnical engineers will have to take, get a literal preview with a visit here. The folks at Cornell University share their image gallery here. It includes rivers, hydrologic, sedimentary structures, and many others.


24. Geology Field Images Both learning and imagery combine here. Simply click on a geological term to get more on it, including images. Photographs are by the University of Georgia’s Bruce Railsback.


25. U.S. Geology Get an image gallery for it all by stopping here. Geology.com shows the U.S. in many geological variances including earthquakes, energy, gold, and more. There are also world maps and satellite images for the viewing.

If you’re in the need for some engineering know-how, have a look at the below 25 Q&A sites for engineers. They can help connect you with professional engineers, professors, weekend engineers, and much more.

Q&A Sites for Engineers

1. MIT Engineering The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a leader in educating some of the leading engineers in the field. In this special section of their School of Engineering, you can browse through a series of questions submitted by visitors to the site and answered by MIT Engineering faculty. Both questions for those in the know and those outside engineering, such as “Will Cars be Able to Drive Themselves,” are tackled.



2. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Got an engineering question for air or space? Then visit the AIAA to read many user submitted questions and answers, or send in one of your own. Everyone from K-12 students to practicing engineers is welcome to participate.



3. Ask @ Engineering Simply choose an engineering arena from aerospace to transportation to get started with the Q&A here. In addition to answering puzzling questions, you can also get fun and challenging items just for the engineer. The site also has videos, job information, blogs, and a library.



4. Physics Forums Similar to the above, this is an active forum with many sections, including one for engineers. Thousands of threads and posts are on general engineering, systems and design, mechanical engineering, and even nuclear. The main site also has more.



5. Try Engineering This is a portal about engineering and related careers. It is intended to help young people understand better what engineering means and how an engineering career can be made part of their future. There are many sections, lesson plans, and even the option to send your questions in to an expert.



6. Adafruit Industries They feature a weekly show on electrical engineering that you can participate in. Join other engineers as they build amazing products out of regular household items, such as the solar powered. There are also loads of how-to’s and much more.



7. Gearslutz Get a more one on one experience here. These engineering forums are visited by students and career engineers on a regular basis. This particular section features all the Q&A sessions with expert engineer Phil Brown.



8. Ask the Engineer This Q&A form is brought to you buy ARK Engineering and Technical Services, Inc. Simply fill in the form to send in your questions. They specialize in electrical interference analysis and mitigation design, as well as mitigation system installation.

Q&A Blogs for Engineers

9. Crazy Engineers Their goal is to unite engineers across the world. Experts stop by regularly to update the blog and homepage. Be sure not to miss the forums with much more for your Q & A needs.



10. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog Don’t let the name fool you. John Hunter’s blog may sound suited for a child, but his expertise in engineering is fit for readers of any age. He focuses on technology, research, education, gadgets, and plenty of DIY entries.



11. Knovel Blog Share ideas on engineering information and productivity on this blog. Knovel is a web based application used by many engineers and scientists in Fortune 500 companies and hundreds of universities. Learn more about what it does, as well as some of the discoveries it has made, on the blog.



12. Learn Electrical Engineering for Beginners Don’t know the difference between the black wire and the white one? Then stop here to get Donny’s tips for electrical engineers at all levels. Must reads on the blog include an electrical engineering syllabus, jobs, and even the board exam.



13. Joel on Software Software engineering has been a popular arena since the earliest days of Windows. Joel Spolsky continues in that tradition with over one thousand articles sure to answer any questions on software engineering. He even has a Top Ten list which includes “Things You Should Never Do.”



14. The Art of Engineering Thought of as just a science, engineering becomes an art in this blog. Duncan Drennan spreads ideas on engineering and the environment via his blog. Creating a better, cleaner world is the goal.



15. Engineering Science This blog is part of Phd.org, where all grad students can stop by to get help and answers to their questions. Everything from education to engineering policy is discussed here.



16. Science and Engineers for America If your first question is how much is a membership to the SEA, your first answer is “free.” They encourage all Americans, not just engineers, to become informed participants in society. Read about their latest studies, research, and much more on how engineering affects everyday life.

Specific Q&A Sites for Engineers

17. Engineer Girl Who says engineering is just for boys? This site takes a special look at the profession with the female student in mind. You can learn more about a career as an engineer as well as read profiles of true life women engineers. You can also enter the essay contest, get fun facts, and more on becoming an engineer.



18. Machine Design Learn everything about machines from toasters to tablets on this site. Categories include basics of engineering design, hydraulics, materials, safety, and many others. You can also get eBooks and a video library.



19. Ocean Engineering Chris Baxter and James Miller bring you a blog all about engineering under and over the sea. They often feature ocean engineering items in the news along with their commentary.



20. Civil Engineering Learn everything there is to know about civil engineering, including construction and project management, on this site. They have the latest codes, insurance, safety, and other information. You can even get help making bids and estimates.



21. Twitter Engineering Micro-blogging sensation Twitter is now being taken on by engineers. Actual engineers from the company stop by to share tips for utilizing the site and other related areas. There are also tips for keeping your account safe, maximizing your computer, and much more.



22. Engineering Ethics As with everything, ethical implications are always a must know. Kaydee works as a consulting engineer and professor at Texas State University. Stop by for both questions and answers for engineering from an ethical perspective.



23. Engineering Exchange Want to learn how to make a real Wall-E robot? This and the answers to many of your other design engineering questions can be answered here. Design World offers many other resources on their main site as well.



24. EE Web Get an online electrical engineering community here. Over a dozen experts range from design engineers to directors of research. Stop by to read what they have to say, or query the many other users in the forum.



25. Chair Force Engineer Get the blog of an actual aerospace engineer here. Mr. X takes on one of the major players in aerospace engineers, The Air Force, in his blog. The recent end of shuttle missions was the latest topic.