Structural Engineering
Science Or Art Of Navigaitng
Computer Softwares
Engr. Ihsan Ullah., Structural Engineer.
Throughout ancient and medieval
history most architectural design and
construction was carried out by arti-
sans, such as stone masons and
carpenters, rising to the role of master
builder. No theory of structures
existed and understanding of how
structures stood up was extremely
limited, and based almost entirely on
empirical evidence of 'what had
worked before'. Knowledge was
retained by guilds and seldom
supplanted by advances. Structures
were repetitive, and increases in scale
were incremental.
No record exists of the first calcula-
tions of the strength of structural
members or the behavior of structural
material, but the profession of struc-
tural engineer only really took shape
with the industrial revolution and the
re-invention of concrete. The physical
sciences underlying structural engi-
neering began to be understood in the
Renaissance and have been develop-
ing ever since.
The history of structural engineering
tion to increased loads).
ARLY DEVELOPMENT.
dates back to at least 2700 BC when
Another notable engineering feat from
The recorded history of structural engi-
the step pyramid for Pharaoh Djoser
antiquity still in use today is the Qanat
neering starts with the ancient
was built by Imhotep, the first engineer
water management system. Qanat
Egyptians. In the 27th century BC,
in history known by name. Pyramids
technology developed in the time of
Imhotep was the first structural engi-
were the most common major struc-
the Medes, the predecessors of the
neer known by name and constructed
tures built by ancient civilizations
Persian Empire (modern-day Iran)
the first known step pyramid in Egypt.
because it is a structural form which is
which has the oldest and longest
In the 26th century BC, the Great
inherently stable and can be almost
Qanat (older than 3000 years and
Pyramid of Giza was constructed in
infinitely scaled (as opposed to most
longer than 71 km) that also spread to
Egypt. It remained the largest man-
other structural forms, which cannot
other cultures having had contact with
made structure for millennia and was
be linearly increased in size in propor-
the Persian.
considered an unsurpassed feat in
architecture until the 19th century AD.
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Issue 71 December 2013
2013 71

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