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The Structural Engineer, Volume 86, Issue 14, 2008
Along with tall buildings long-span structures appear as landmarks in the development of structural and constructional engineering. Record breaking bridge spans and the column free enclosure of vast spaces enable engineers to showcase the technological concepts that enable their construction and of course there is always an interest in record breaking.
The craft of building is of course ancient, but was originally just a skill lacking scientific backing. The development of engineering as applied science came much later and sprang from more general discoveries, from curiosity and from the practical needs of society. The desire to understand how our world works has motivated many, and polymaths like Leonardo da Vinci, were at least part engineers. In later times, groups gathered to learn and share their interests and in that sense, our Institution is the child of a long line of Learned Societies. In Britain, the Royal Society dates from 1660. Its first curator of experiments was Robert Hooke whom we might claim as one of our own. Newton was President from 1703 to 1727 and Thomas Young was a member (1773 to 1829), lecturing and writing prolifically with many of his works underpinning our current engineering understanding. These were the origins of where we are now and of the scientific method which is promulgated via Journal papers.
This paper will attempt to offer insight into future challenges and changes for structural engineers in their ever-broadening field. While the past century and a half has witnessed manifold developments and achievements in all areas related to structural engineering, the presently increasing rate of material discovery and widespread optimisation will inevitably lead to unforeseen design possibilities. Inevitably, structural realisations will be attained which would be considered improbable today. This exploration will consider facets of praxis, building systems, materials science, and construction methods which will affect structural engineering and related fields, as well as their relationships to each other.