HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
It is difficult to determine the history of emergence and beginning of
civil engineering, however, that the history of civil engineering is a mirror of the
history of human beings on this earth. Man used the old shelter caves to
protect themselves of weather and harsh environment, and used a tree trunk
to cross the river, which being the demonstration of ancient age civil
engineering.
Civil Engineering has been an aspect of life since
the beginnings of human existence. The earliest practices
of Civil Engineering may have commenced between 4000
and 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (Ancient
Iraq) when humans started to abandon a nomadic
existence, thus causing a need for the construction of
shelter. During this time, transportation became
increasingly important leading to the development of the
wheel and sailing.
Until modern times there was no clear distinction between
civil engineering and architecture, and the term engineer and architect
were mainly geographical variations referring to the same person,
often used interchangeably. The construction of Pyramids in Egypt
(circa 2700-2500 BC) might be considered the first instances of large
structure constructions.
Around 2550 BC, Imhotep, the first
documented engineer, built a famous stepped pyramid
for King Djoser located at Saqqara Necropolis. With
simple tools and mathematics he created a monument
that stands to this day. His greatest contribution to
engineering was his discovery of the art of building with
shaped stones. Those who followed him carried
engineering to remarkable heights using skill and
imagination.
Ancient historic civil engineering constructions include the Qanat water management system (the oldest
older than 3000 years and longer than 71 km,) the Parthenon by Iktinos in Ancient Greece (447-438 BC), the
Appian Way by Roman engineers (c. 312 BC), the Great Wall of China by General Meng T’ien under orders from
Ch’in Emperor Shih Huang Ti (c. 220 BC) and the stupas constructed in ancient Sri Lanka like the Jetavanaramaya
and the extensive irrigation works in Anuradhapura. The Romans developed civil structures throughout their
empire, including especially aqueducts, insulae, harbours, bridges, dams and roads.
1
Other remarkable historical structures are Sennacherib's Aqueduct at Jerwan built in 691 BC; Li Ping's
irrigation projects in China (around 220 BC); Julius Caesar's Bridge over the Rhine River built in 55 BC, numerous
bridges built by other Romans in and around Rome(e.g. the pons Fabricius); Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct,
Nimes, France) built in 19 BC; the extensive system of highways the Romans built to facilitate trading and (more
importantly) fast manoeuvring of legions; extensive irrigation system constructed by the Hohokam Indians, Salt
River, AZ around 600 AD; first dykes defending against high water in Friesland, The Netherlands around 1000 AD;
El Camino Real - The Royal Road, Eastern Branch, TX and Western Branch, NM (1500s AD).
2
Machu Picchu, Peru, built at around
1450, at the height of the Inca Empire is
considered an engineering marvel. It was built in the Andes Mountains assisted by some of history’s most ingenious
water resource engineers. The people of Machu Picchu built a mountain top city with running water, drainage
systems, food production and stone structures so advanced that they endured for over 500years.
A treatise on Architecture, Book called Vitruvius'
De Archiectura, was published at 1AD in Rome and
survived to give us a look at engineering education in
ancient times. It was probably written around 15 BC by the
Roman architect Vitruvius and dedicated to his patron, the
emperor Caesar Augustus, as a guide for building projects.
Throughout ancient and medieval history most
architectural design and construction was carried out by
artisans, such as stonemasons and carpenters, rising to
the role of master builder. Knowledge was retained in
guilds and seldom supplanted by advances. Structures,
roads and infrastructure that existed were repetitive, and
increases in scale were incremental.
One of the earliest examples of a scientific approach to physical
and mathematical problems applicable to civil engineering is the work of
Archimedes in the 3rd
century BC, including
Archimedes Principle, which
underpins
our
understanding of buoyancy,
and practical solutions such as Archimedes’ screw. Brahmagupta, an
Indian mathematician, used arithmetic in the 7th century AD, based on
Hindu-Arabic numerals, for excavation (volume) computations.
3
CIVIL ENGINEERING DURING THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES
It was not until the 18th century that the term “civil engineering” was
coined. The first civil engineering school was opened in 1747 in France. It was
called The National School of Bridges and Highways. The first self-proclaimed
civil engineer was a man named John Smeaton. Smeaton would eventually
form the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers, who acted as leaders in the
profession. And although this was more a social society than a technical
group, the networking, and conversation that took place there influenced the
design and construction of more than a few buildings of the 18th century.
It was not until 1818 in London that the world’s first engineering
society was set up as the Institution of Civil Engineers. It was in 1828 that the
Institution of Civil Engineers received a Royal Charter and formally recognized
civil engineering as a profession. Here is what the charter said: Civil engineering is the application of physical
and scientific principles, and its history is intricately linked to advances in understanding of physics and
mathematics throughout history. Because civil engineering is a wide ranging profession, including several
separate specialized sub-disciplines, its history is linked to knowledge of structures, material science,
geography, geology, soil, hydrology, environment, mechanics and other fields.
HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES
The history of the architecture and civil engineering profession in the Philippines were almost synonymous
to each other. In more than three-and-a-half centuries of Spanish subjugation, there were no Filipino civil engineers.
Social prejudice constrained the repressed indio builders to content themselves to be called mere Maestro de
Obras (Master Builders) even if they could design and build any type of structure that technology could allow at
that time. Master Builders as of today were equivalent to Construction Foreman.
Civil Engineering, as practiced in the
Philippines during the Spanish era, was not by virtue of
an academic title. There were no civil engineering
schools in the country at that time and the only
architects/engineers with academic degrees were
Spaniards.
The walled city in Intramuros was established
by the Spaniards as a model community. The Friar
Architects/Engineers during that time were the ones
who built the government buildings, bridges, residential
and other structures, incorporated European standards
in engineering and architectural installations.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Filipino engineers were assigned the task of maintaining, repairing
and/or remodelling infrastructure systems in all pueblos or towns including churches, convents and government
buildings. Maestro de Obras were called by the Ilustrados or the elite group to build structures in villas and
mansions.
1571
Miguel Lopez de Legaspi founded the City of Manila on June 24, 1571 The Spaniards started building
Fort Santiago (Fuerte de Santiago) after the establishment of the city of Manila under Spanish rule on June 24,
1571.
4
The fort has a perimeter of 2,030 feet (620 m), and it is of a nearly
triangular form. The fort is one of the most important historical sites in Manila.
Several lives were lost in its prisons during the Spanish Empire and World War
II. José Rizal, one of the Philippine national heroes, was imprisoned here before
his execution in 1896.
1584
Fort San Antonio Abad was built. It was captured by the British in 1762 and
rebuilt at the beginning of the nineteenth century, when it was called La Polvorista
because it was used as powder magazine.
1599
St. Augustine Church is the oldest stone church in the
Philippines. Plans were approved in 1586. Construction started in 1587
and completed in 1607. It is an immense structure of thick walls of
Corinthian and Ionic designs. It has withstood many earthquakes from
1645 up to the present and survived the British invasion in 1762, the
Spanish–American War in 1898 and the Japanese invasion in 1942.
1621
In 1621, Don Bernardino Castillo, a generous patron and a well-known devotee of St. Sebastian, Patron
of Archers, donated his lot, which is now the present site of the San Sebastian Church. The original church, which
was made of wood, was burned in 1651 during a Chinese uprising. The succeeding structures were destroyed
twice by fire and an earthquake in 1859, 1863, and 1880 respectively.
Father Esteban Martinez, the parish priest at that time, approached the Spanish Architect Genero
Palacios with a plan to build a fire and earthquake-resistant church made entirely of steel. Ambeth Ocampo states
that the present San Sebastian church was ordered knockdown in steel parts from Brussels, Belgium.
Two Belgian engineers supervised
the construction of the church. On June 12,
1888, the first shipments of steel parts were
brought to the Philippines. For two years, the
church was assembled with local artists and
craftsmen joining the Belgian firm in applying
the final finishing touches on this new church
of steel. The stained-glass windows were
imported from the Henri Oidtmann Company,
a German stained-glass firm. The
engineering technique used in the
construction of the church, including metal
fixtures and the overall structure, were from
Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the Eiffel Tower.
This was confirmed when Chinese-American
architect, I. M. Pei, visited the Philippines in
the late 70’s. He came to confirm what he
heard about Gustave Eiffel designing a steel
church in Asia.
5
1632
Puente Grande was the first bridge to be erected across the grand Rio del Pasig. Built in 1632, this
wooden bridge connects Intramuros and Binondo together, making it easier and relatively faster to travel from one
end to the other. It underwent several reconstructions and renovations as it was always heavily damaged by
earthquakes. After the 1863 earthquake, Puente Grande was renamed to Puente de España. The bridge was
replaced in 1875 widening its spans to masonry of six and two central houses. It can accommodate both
pedestrians and vehicles including horse or carabao drawn carts and carriages, and tranvia. This bridge was
replaced for the last time with a neo-classical design by Juan Arellano in the 1930s, and was called the Jones
Bridge.
1686
IRRIGATION AND WATER SYSTEM
The first artesian wells were built in Betis, Pampanga by Fr.
Manuel Camanes. The water system in Manila (now Metropolitan
Waterworks and Sewerage System) had its beginning from the
water works constructed by Fr. Juan Peguero in 1686. The first
irrigation system was constructed in Tanay, Rizal by Fr. Jose Delgado.
1846
The Pasig River Light House was the first lighthouse (masonry-built) erected in the Philippines. It was first
lighted on 1846 and deactivated on 1992. It was then located on the north jetty at the mouth of Pasig River, (San
Nicolas, Manila) marking the entrance to the river for vessels around Manila Bay, looking to dock on the
ports along the banks of the river in Manila. The lighthouse was
demolished in 1992 and was replaced with an architecturally simpler
lighthouse with the new tower built on the foundation of the old one. The
Philippine Coast Guard Station of Manila is located adjacent to the
lighthouse and the community that developed from the reclaimed lands
is now known as "Parola" (Filipino for "lighthouse").
The present tower is a white conical concrete structure with a
height of 46 feet (14.02 m) and a focal plane of 43 feet (13.11 m). The
old tower was taller at 49 feet (14.94 m). Lighthouses in the Philippines
are maintained by the Philippine Coast Guard.
1852
Puente Colgante (which is the term for a suspension bridge in Spanish; literally, hanging bridge) was the
first suspension bridge built in Southeast Asia when it was started in 1849 and completed in 1852. It was built and
owned by Ynchausti y Compañia, the business headed by Jose Joaquin de Ynchausti. He commissioned the
6
design from Basque engineer Matias Menchacatorre. The
bridge was first named Puente de Claveria, likely in honor
of the Governor-General of the Philippines Narciso
Clavería, who served from 1844-1849.
Puente Colgante was the first suspension
bridge, not only the Philippines but in South East Asia as
well, and, probably the first toll bridge of its kind in the
Philippines, a precursor of the modern Sky Way, albeit for
pedestrian use only.
The suspension bridge measured 110 metres
(360 ft) long and 7 metres (23 ft) wide, and had two lanes
that allowed passage of horses and carabao-drawn
carriages. It was also opened for pedestrians traveling on
foot between Quiapo and Intramuros and nearby areas.
In 1854, Ynchausti brought together the
Ynchausti family holdings under the above name. A
Basque Spaniard born in Cadiz, de Ynchausti immigrated to the Philippines in the second quarter of the nineteenth
century and built a business empire. In 1889, Ynchausti y Compañia was the largest company in the Philippines.
The 20th-century writer Nick Joaquin described the bridge as it was in the 1870s: “Across the city’s river
now arched & the amazing Puente Colgante, suspended in the air, like a salute to the age of science and
engineering. The Industrial Age found its expression in the Philippines in the form of a bridge unparalleled
throughout Asia.”
1867
The project for public supply of fresh water to the city dates from
the early 18th century. Before this, the city had to be content with a fresh
water supply based on cisterns. In 1867, the town council decides to take
on the challenge of a project to supply fresh water to the whole of the
city. In 1882, the first public water fountain gushed forth its waters, and
shortly after this, the technology of the times was successful in providing
Manila with a fresh water supply from sources up-river. The Carriedo
Fountain was built in May 1882 as part of the Carriedo water works
system and was inaugurated by Governor-General Fernando Primo de
Rivera on July 24, 1882.
1868
It was in 1868 when the Bureau of Public Works and Highways (Obras Publicas) and Bureau of
Communications and Transportation (Communicationes y Meteologia) were organized under a civil engineer
known as “Director General”.
1878-1918
The Founding of Carriedo Waterworks
Manila didn’t get running water until 1878, when the municipal waterworks was established by Governor
Domingo Moriones, with money from a fund that by then had become legendary as the Carriedo Legacy. A “publicspirited citizen”, Don Francisco Carriedo y Peredo was a Basque who during his life conferred immense benefits
on the Philippines, having migrated in the Philippines early in the 18th century. One of his “obras pias” (pious
works), was a legacy he left in his will for the building of a Manila water system. Though Señor Carriedo did not
live long enough to see his legacy since he died in 1743, Manila was to be without running water for more than a
7
century longer. Thanks to Governor Moriones who acted on providing Manila with running water that the Carriedo
Legacy was finally fulfilled.
1875
On June 25, 1875, King
ALFONSO XII of Spain promulgates
the Royal Decree directing the Office of
the Inspector of Public Works of the
Philippines to submit a general plan of
railroad in Luzon.
1876
The General Plan for
Railways was drawn up in 1876 for the
island of Luzon, and included a
network totalling 1,730 kilometers. A
195.4 km. stretch of track was
constructed between Manila and
Dagupan. This operated a regular service as from 1892. The most outstanding works carried out on the railway
system were the bridge over the great Pampanga River and the building of Tutubán Station, in the Tondo district.
The tremendous growth of the city of Manila led the administration to contemplate, in 1878, the setting up of a
public transport network.
1878
The concession for constructing five tramways in Manila and its suburbs was approved. The plan
included a main station at San Gabriel and the crossing of the river via the
"Puente de España"
1880
School for Maestro de Obras called Escuela Practica y Artes
Oficios de Manila was founded. Its first Filipino graduates were Julio
Hernandez (1891), Isidro Medina (1894), Arcadio Arellano (1894) and
Juan Carreon (1896).
Puente de Convalecencia or better known as the Ayala Bridge
was completed in 1880. Originally it is composed of two separate spans
connected by the Isla de Convalecencia, which is home to Hospisio de San
Jose, dropping point for abandoned babies, the bridge over this island was
originally made of wooden arched trusses.
1887
On July 31, 1887, construction of the ManilaDagupan railroad was started
1892
On November 24, 1892, the entire line from Manila
to Dagupan, with a total length of 195.4 kms, was completed
and put into commercial operations.
8
Road work in the Philippine Islands during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, under the Spanish
regime, consisted in the opening of routes of communication throughout the Islands, in a very thorough manner,
and leaving a very valuable asset to the present Government in the matter of the width of right of way, which was
incorporated into the law and became a part of the public domain. The location of these routes has been justified,
inasmuch, that few changes have been made in the general alignment, except when new sections have opened
up and a change in location justified. Grades have been improved and method of construction changed. The right
of way, as established by law, has made possible the construction methods of today.
Two types of construction under Spanish regime were practiced: First, pavement of cut spanish road, cut
adobe stone pavement. This was usually of the adobe quality, probably used because it is easily quarried, cut, and
handled, the size used called ''ordinario" 20 by 20 centimeters and 50 centimeters long. This makes a very smooth
and pretty pavement, but, where an ordinary amount of traffic is encountered, wears very rapidly.
Second, rubble-stone pavement, cobblestones. The pavement of cobblestone consisted of boulders
probably taken from river beds varying in size from 10 to 30 centimeters in diameter. This type was very durable
and lasting, so long as the individual stones retained their position in a bed of earth. Owing to the size used there
was no bond, and stones were easily displaced, unless covered with earth, sand, or gravel. This pavement was
very rough and, had a second or top course of small gravel been used and bound together with a binding material,
would have been in use today.
1898
The Organic Decree issued by Gen. Emilio Aquinaldo establishing the Philippine Revolutionary
Government created four (4) government departments among which was the Department of War and Public Works.
Though once included in the Department of War, now Department of National Defense, its functions as builder and
maintainer of roads, bridges and other public works structures are inherent in the present Department. The
inclusion of public works in the War and Department can be explained by the exigencies of the revolutionary period.
The construction of fortifications and trenches was needed in the cause for freedom which our heroes had fought
for.
When Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States in 1898, the public works and activities were
placed under the U.S. Army engineers.
1899
The Malolos Constitution was ratified during a general assembly of Congress, and the first Council of
Government of the First Philippine Republic was created.
From January 21, 1899 to May 7, 1899, with Apolinario Mabini as President of the Cabinet (i.e. Prime
Minister), Gracio Gonzaga served as the Secretary of Public Welfare, which included the transportation and
communications portfolio.
When Mabini was replaced by Pedro Paterno as President of the Cabinet, among the seven departments
set up was the Communicaciones y Obras Publicas (i.e. the Communications and Public Works Department).
Maximo Paterno was appointed as Secretary of Public Works and Communications. Since then, Public Works,
Transportation, and Communications have been grouped into one department.
The coming of the Americans brought about drastic changes in our engineering culture. The new
colonizers pursued “benevolent” policies that focused on English education, public health, free enterprise, and
representative governance thus bringing with them were military engineers, Thomasite teachers, doctors and
evangelist.
Highways, bridges, schools, hospitals, and government buildings steadily transformed the Philippine
landscape.
9
1899
In his letter dated January 4, 1899 to Filipinos, US Major-General Elwell S. Otis, the Military Governor of
the Philippines, announced US President William McKinley’s instructions for the islands’ Benevolent Assimilation.
The instructions stated that the management of public property and revenue, and the use of all public means of
transportation, were to be conducted by the military authorities (i.e. by the US Army) until such time that they would
be transferred back to civilian authority. Thus, the Bureau of Engineering was placed under the supervision of
American military engineers. The ports were opened to commerce for all foreign nations.
1900
Foundation of the Liceo de Manila, a private institution offering academic course
for maestro de obras and headed by Leon Ma. Guerrero. The first private school to offer an
academic title for Maestro de Obras (the forerunner of formal education in
architecture/engineering).
The introduction of reinforced concrete in the Philippines was in the 1900s and its
use in the construction of the Masonic Temple (Grand Lodge of the Philippines), the first
multi-structure in Escolta, Manila.
Early 1900’s
Transportation in the Philippines was depended largely on trails,
waterways, railroad, earth roads and partially-gravelled roads. Highway in
the Philippines at that time is nothing more than a dream to most Filipinos.
The US government initiated the development of roadways in the Philippines
connecting towns, cities and provinces. The popular Macadam road type was
introduced. It gained acceptance because of abundant supply of stones and
gravel.
10
1909
Wawa Dam (also known as Montalban Dam)
is a gravity dam constructed over the Marikina River in
the municipality of Rodriguez in Rizal province,
Philippines. The slightly arched dam is situated in the
360-metre (1,180 ft) high Montalban Gorge or Wawa
Gorge, a water gap in the Sierra Madre Mountains, and
east of Manila. It was built in 1909 during the American
colonial era to provide the water needs for Metro
Manila. It used to be the only source of water for Manila
until Angat Dam was built and Wawa was abandoned.
Due to insufficiency of water supply for Metro Manila,
there was a strong clamor to reuse the dam.
11
12
13
1940
Highway 54 was the former name of the Epifanio delos
Santos Avenue (EDSA). Stretching some 54 kilometers,
Highway 54 serves as a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of
Filipinos passing or doing business in Metro Manila.
14
1942
On Philippine soil, to mitigate the sufferings of the people under the iron-clad rule of the Japanese, the
Philippine Executive Commission was established. Under President Jose P. Laurel’s administration,Quintin
Paredes served as Minister of Public Works and Communications.
Caliraya Dam is an embankment dam
located in the town of Lumban province of
Laguna, in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range
of the Philippines. The reservoir created by the
dam, Lake Caliraya, initially supplied one of the
oldest hydroelectric plants in the Philippines,
and later became a popular recreational area
for numerous water sports and fishing. The
dam construction was started in 1939 and a
small hydroelectric plant was operated in 1942.
After the Second World War, the new
independent Philippine government continued
the rehabilitation and construction of roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructures, through the reparations
and war damages paid by the Japanese government. Other financial grants and aids received from the US
government were used in the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructures.
15
1950-1956
The Ambuklao dam was the highest and
biggest in the Far East. It is made of earth and rockfill
which measures 129 meters in height and 452 meters
in length. The elevation of its crest is 758 meters and
the roadway that runs through the top of the dam has
an elevation of 756 meters. The gross storage capacity
of the dam's reservoir is 327,170,000 cubic meters and
it has a usable storage capacity of 258,000,000 cubic
meters. Construction began on July 1950 and opened
on December 23, 1956.
16
17
18
1961-1967
Angat Dam located at Norzagaray, Bulacan started its
construction on November 1961 and opened on October 16, 1967
with height of 131 meters, length of 568 meters and base width of 550
meters. The source of dam is the Angat River, with a capacity of 850
million cubic meters
19
20
21
22
23
24