There have been many incredible civil engineering projects that showcase the capabilities of humans at the top of their profession. Every now and then, we like to take a moment to marvel at these achievements of engineering and enjoy the science and artistry behind them. It inspires us in our work for clients in Rockville, MD.
Here are a few of the top civil engineering projects of all time—you’ll likely recognize many of them!
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai stands as the current tallest building in the world, at 829.8 meters. To be able to allow the building to stand at this height, the engineers for the project had to create a “buttressed core,” a type of hexagonal core within the building that works to support the height.
The project cost approximately $1.5 billion, and has been featured in popular culture in numerous movies. It has more floors than any other building (211), in addition to setting the record for building height.
Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most recognizable bridges in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge’s beauty is internationally renowned. The project opened in 1937 and was a $27 million project, designed to connect the city of San Francisco with Marin County across the bay. It’s been classified as a Wonder of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Hoover Dam
Another incredible piece of engineering in the American West, the Hoover Dam was constructed during the Great Depression in the Black Canyon in the Colorado River. The dam created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in America. The project was so large for its time that there were small temporary towns that had to be built during the construction to hold thousands of workers there.
President Herbert Hoover was its namesake. The project cost a modern equivalent of $660 million and took five years to build, which was actually two years faster than anticipated.
The Colosseum
It is a testament to the quality of its engineering that the Colosseum of ancient Rome still stands in any form. It is the largest amphitheater ever built. It still has a capacity of 50,000 to 80,000 people, even at 2,000 years of age. It remains one of the most recognizable structures in the world, and sees millions of tourists every single year.
The Great Wall of China
Another wondrous piece of engineering from the ancient world, the Great Wall of China dates back more than 2,000 years and is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions every single year. The Chinese people refer to it as Cheng, meaning both “wall” and “city.” It measures 13,171 miles in length with all its branches. Modern calculations say it likely would cost between $13 billion and $65 billion to create today—an unthinkable amount of money and a massive project.
English Channel Tunnel
The “Chunnel” connects the southern shore of the United Kingdom with Pas-de-Calais in France, making it the longest undersea portion of any tunnel in the world (23.5 miles). It is 75 meters below the sea bed and 115 meters below sea level at its deepest point.
Interested in working with a company in Rockville, MN that’s continually inspired by these and more of the greatest civil engineering projects? Contact the team at EMC2 Inc. to learn more about our services!