5 Contemporary Engineering Marvels of the World

Design

From the Birds Nest stadium in China to the Millau Viaduct in France, explore five of the latest feats of architecture and engineering that have left a notable mark on the planet.

Civil engineers are master problem-solvers, excelling at making our lives easier. Talented and tenacious, they transcend limitations and defy all odds. Architects of amazing structures, engineers link us to the world at large. Here are examples of engineering genius and their corresponding marvels.

National Stadium—Beijing, China

Nicknamed the "Bird's Nest" due to its woven appearance, this structure was originally built for the 2008 Olympics. Viewed from (and pictured) above, it also resembles a doughnut. The stadium's exterior is enclosed in a network of 26 miles of steel.

Since the end of the Beijing Olympics, the stadium has served as a sports arena for domestic and international competitions. It's also the largest ski resort in the city. In 2022, the coliseum will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

The amphitheater is two half-circles joined together and spaced 50 feet apart. The steel framing is unwrapped. The top surface is covered by waterproof air bubble film. This semi-transparent material allows sunlight to filter into the stadium, enabling its grass to flourish. The Bird's Nest is the most eco-friendly stadium in the world. Cisterns collect rainwater for restrooms and irrigation. During winter, underground geothermal pipes are the source of heat. Illumined at night, the arena casts a golden glow.

Burj Al Arab Hotel—Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Burj Al Arab is the tallest and most luxurious hotel in the world. Its design depicts the billowing sail of an Arabian ship. The "mast" consists of two wings in a "V" shape. A gold-framed atrium occupies the space between the wings.

Even more impressive than the hotel's amenities is its architecture. The pile foundation isn't secured by bedrock. It's built on sand and held in place by the friction of silt. What a classic example of engineering magic! Above the foundation is a surface layer of rock, reinforced with concrete in a honeycomb pattern. The concrete protects the wood from rot and the sand from erosion. The island the hotel rests on is man-made. It's reinforced by concrete columns measuring 130 feet long, driven into the sand. The diagonal frames on the side of the building have the weight of 20 buses. The long spine forming the "mast" transfers most of the building's vertical load.

Bailong Elevator—Zhangjiajie, China

Built into the side of a craggy cliff, this is the world's tallest lift. Likewise known as the "Hundred Dragons Elevator," it's also the heaviest. The Bailong Elevator is also the scariest to ride. Passengers enter from underground into a small, three-sided glass room. Then they zoom upwards at 10 feet per second to sandstone mountain peaks. This speed is the fastest on record for a passenger elevator. Standing before the immense glass wall, jagged rocks whiz by. Looking downward they diminish in size, resembling a child's building blocks. The ride is two minutes long.

The lift was built to spare mountain trails damage from tourist traffic. The location was carefully chosen from thousands of quartz sandstone columns. To construct the lift, shafts and tunnels were dug into the column. Earthquake detectors were installed, so workers could quickly evacuate at the first trembling of a tremor. Construction took three years to complete.

Palm Islands—Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Regarded as the eighth wonder of the world, the Palm Islands are the largest artificial islands fabricated to date. Each reef takes the shape of a palm, consisting of a tree trunk, 16 fronds, and a topmost crescent. Of the two isles comprising the project, one of them is open to tourists, called Palm Jumeirah. The other, Palm Deira, is still under construction.

The islands are the result of an engineering process known as "rainbowing." Ships dredge the ocean floor and spray sand to form an island's base. A Global Positioning System (GPS) directs the sand to a specific location. The term "rainbowing" refers to the rainbow-like arcs produced when sand is sprayed into the air.

Millau Viaduct—Millau, France

This award-winning bridge is considered the greatest engineering feat of all time! It's the highest and longest cable-stayed span in the world. The bridge is notable for its seven "sails." Other elements contributing to its elegance are tall, tapered towers. The slight curve of the roadway lends a sense of grace. A wind barrier along the edges of the deck has a streamlined design.

The viaduct solved the problem of crossing the Tarn River in southern France. The more expensive and disruptive option was tunneling through the hills. The bridge saves motorists four hours of travel time they would otherwise spend circumventing the river. It also reduces traffic jams in Millau during the summer tourist season.

Celebrate Greatness

Civil engineers are vital to the creation of outdoor structures, and usually they have completed an in-campus or online master’s in civil engineering. They design, construct, operate, maintain, and supervise large construction projects to meet human needs. Their genius is evident in every building, road, airport, sidewalk, and wall. Let's honor the great minds behind the conveniences we often take for granted. Engineers not only analyze our world but make it a better place.

By Anica Oaks

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Author Bio - A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.

5 Contemporary Engineering Marvels of the World

Thursday, March 24, 2016