Activity 1.1.

1 History of Civil
Engineering and Architecture
Introduction
Can you name any of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? Each was a feat of
civil engineering and architecture. What causes structures such as these to fill us
with awe even today? What is it that makes them seem more wondrous in our time
of modernization? These structures have paved the way for many new advances in
the design of the structures you see today.
n this activity you will learn a!out the history of civil engineering and architecture.
"ou will see differences !etween the two professions and learn of their !eginnings.
Equipment
#istory of Civil Engineering and Architecture presentation
Procedure
n this activity you will investigate the history of civil engineering and architecture.
"ou will see differences !etween the two professions and learn of their !eginnings.
$. %efine civil engineering.
Civil Engineering is the design of structures used for purposes other than
inhabitance.
&. %efine architecture.
Architecture is the design of structures used for human living and woring.
'. %escri!e the origination of the concept of architecture?
!he concept of architecture has been around ever since humans have been
building homes.
(. n ancient times how were !uilding materials chosen?
Availability and climate
). *ive two e+amples of vernacular architecture.
Igloo"s use ice and snow# Egyptian pyramids use mud and stone
,. -ame and descri!e the type of system used to create many early !uildings.
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!he Post and $intel system has been used throughout time. It%s a vertical
post& and a hori'ontal lintel.
5. What was the purpose of the Egyptian pyramids? 6e+ican pyramids?
Egyptian Pyramids were used for burying ings& (e)ican Pyramids were
used for religious rituals
7. What kind of construction method was used to !uild the .arthenon? 6ade a
simple sketch to illustrate.
!he post and $intel system.
8. What pro!lem in architecture led to this form of construction?
Post and $intel system allows an entrance and holds up the roof
$2. E+plain how an arch is created.
*locs are placed in a curved formation and at the top where they connect is a
ey stone
$$. #ow is the vault used in civil engineering?
+or the construction of bridges& walways& and other passages.
$&. *ive an e+ample of an arch and dome system.
!he ,oman Coliseum and gothic cathedrals.
$'. *ive an e+ample of a modern material we have that was not availa!le to the
ancients. #ow did this restrict construction in ancient times?
-e have steel today which is light weight and strong. !hey were restricted
because the strong materials they used were heavy and would cause a building
to collapse under its own weight.
$(. What was the purpose of the 9oman a:ueducts?
!o bring water from the mountains to the city of ,ome
$). Compare ancient *reek roads to ancient 9oman roads.
.ree roads were built to transport goods whild the ,omans used roads to
transport troops. !hus the ,oman roads were smoother.
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$,. %escri!e an ancient 9oman !ridge.
!hey were the first large and lasting bridges built. !hey were built with stone and
used arches as their main structure.
$5. #ow did !uilding materials and methods change after the 9omans?
,oads were better constructed and arches and domes began to become more
used.
Conclusion
$. *ive an e+ample of a modern pyramid not shown in the presentation. #ow does
its function differ from that of the Egyptian pyramids? What do you think accounts
for this difference?
!he louvre in Paris& the pyramid is a aesthetic choice
&. *ive an e+ample of a modern structure that uses an arch and dome system.
'. What is the main purpose of modern roads? #ow is the cost of modern roadways
defrayed?
,oads nowadays are used for cars to drive on. /owadays we use asphalt instead
of stone blocs& a much cheaper alternative.
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