Seven Wonders of the World
From the International Space Station to
the Millau Viaduct, we take a tour of the landmarks that have made civil
engineering history.
The International Space Station.
Image credit: Shutterstock
We’ve all heard of the Seven Wonders of the World, but what about the seven
wonders of the engineering world? As part of #EngineeringSummer, ICE looks at
some amazing civil engineering landmarks– old and new— that are sure to leave
you awe-inspired.
The International Space Station
It was also a truly global effort: nations ranging
from America to Russia provided parts for and assembled the ISS. The assembly
alone took more than 30 missions.
The ISS aims to provide more information about
space, facilitating further space exploration, including NASA’s Journey
to Mars. It also benefits life on earth in several ways,
from developing better vaccines to making inoperable tumours operable.
Travelling at 17,500 mph and orbiting the earth
every 90 minutes, the ISS is an engineering achievement that is truly out of
this world.
The Golden Gate Bridge
As one of America’s most famous landmarks, the film-lovers among you might recognise the Golden Gate suspension bridge as a backdrop to the film A View to a Kill (1985). Joseph Baermann Strauss originally designed it for less glamorous reasons, to connect San Francisco to Marin Country in California, which previously involved ferrying across San Francisco Bay.
At 1.7 miles long and painted in its signature
burnt red, the Golden Gate Bridge was considered an incredible engineering feat
when it opened in 1937. It’s not just Hollywood who have an eye for it – it’s
also the most photographed bridge in the world!
The Channel Tunnel
It’s been 27 years since the Channel
Tunnel opened to the public. Queen Elizabeth II and the then-French President,
François Mitterrand, opened the tunnel – a physical representation of Britain
and France’s unity.
As the longest undersea tunnel in the world, the
Channel Tunnel comprises three tunnels that run parallel to each other – two
are rail tunnels, while the third is a service tunnel.
Although it’s considered a modern wonder, plans to
create an interconnecting passage between England and France date back to 1802,
with French engineer Albert Mathieu-Favier first proposing the idea.
Hundreds of years later, the British and French
governments agreed that creating a link across the Channel was needed. Its
inauguration would stimulate the economy and increase commerce and tourism – cutting the travel time between England and France by up to
four-and-a-half hours.
Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa, Dubai. Image credit:
Unsplash
At 828 metres high and with 160 stories, Burj
Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest building in the world.
If that’s not impressive enough, it’s also home to the world’s highest mosque,
fountain, and observation deck. Designed by Adrian Smith, Burj Khalifa is in
the 2km2 area known as 'Downtown Dubai'.
Following its opening in 2010, it's become the
headquarters of numerous businesses, restaurants, corporate offices, and is
home to 900 residents. In total, Burj Khalifa can hold up to 10,000 people at a time.
Its reputation has made it a major tourist attraction, with its
observation decks and Sky Lounge allowing enviable views of Dubai by day or
night.
The Great Wall of China, China. Image credit: Pixabay
Celebrated as one of the most outstanding
achievements of engineering and construction ever completed, the Great Wall of
China was over 2,000 years in the making.
The wall only started to resemble today’s wonder
when the Ming Dynasty came to power in the 14th century. To
protect China from Mongolian tribes, The Ming Dynasty ensured the wall was more
robust by constructing it using bricks and stone instead of tamped earth and
wood. They also installed watchtowers, pagodas, and bridges, ultimately creating
a formidable refuge.
At over 13,171 miles long and spanning 15
provinces, principalities, and regions, over 10 million people visit the Great
Wall of China each year. The structure is a testament to the phenomenal talents
of Chinese engineers, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to explore Chinese
history, enjoy the spectacular natural scenery, and snap some stunning
pictures.
Hoover Dam, Colorado River. Image credit: Unsplash
One of the most significant undertakings civil
engineering has ever seen, over 21,000 men worked on Hoover Dam throughout
The Great Depression, with an entire city – known as Boulder City – erected to
house the workers.
Today, Hoover Dam is considered an incredible
legacy. It plays a vital role in flood prevention of the Colorado River, and its 17 turbines generate electricity that power 1.3 million homes. Its
role in American history, and its part in industrial evolution, make it a true
wonder of the modern world.
The Millau Viaduct
The Millau Viaduct, France. Image credit: Shutterstock
Designed by British architect Norman Foster and
French engineer Michel Virlogeux, at 343 metres (1,125 feet), the Millau Viaduct is
the tallest bridge in the world.
To put that into context, that’s even taller than
the Eiffel Tower! A multi-span cable bridge, the viaduct spans the Gorge Valley
of the River Tarn in the South of France.
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