CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ITS HISTORY IN THE PHILIPPINES
The term Engineering is derived from the LATIN word Ingenium, meaning “cleverness”.
Civil Engineering is the design and construction of public works. It is one of the oldest branches of
engineering.
Subfields/Sub-disciplines OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ✔ Coastal Engineering
✔ Construction Engineering
✔ Control Engineering
✔ Earthquake Engineering
✔ Forensic Engineering
✔ Geotechnical Engineering
✔ Materials Science Engineering
✔ Outside plant Engineering
✔ Structural Engineering
✔ Surveying Engineering
✔ Transportation Engineering
✔ Water Resources Engineering
✔ Materials Science Engineering
✔ Outside plant Engineering
✔ Structural Engineering
✔ Surveying Engineering
✔ Transportation Engineering
✔ Water Resources Engineering
Work Environment
INDOOR-OUTDOOR
✔ Planning - Monitoring Operations
✔ Designing - Solving onsite problems ✔ Office work
Foundation/Founder
FATHERS OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
John Smeaton - 18th century, the term civil engineering was coined to incorporate all things civilian as
opposed to military engineering. He is the first self-proclaimed civil engineer who constructed the
Eddystone Lighthouse.
Imhotep - The First Documented Engineer, an Egyptian chancellor to the pharaoh Djoser, probable
architect of the Djoser’s step pyramid, and high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis.
History of Civil Engineering
, HISTORICAL STRUCTURES BUILT BY CIVIL ENGINEERS
▪ Pyramids in Egypt (circa 2700-2500)
▪ Great Wall of China by General Meng T’ien
▪ Julius Caesar’s Bridge over the Rhine River, 55 BC
Duties
Analyzed long-range plans, survey reports, maps, and other data to plan and design projects
Consider construction costs, government regulations, potential environmental hazards, and other
factors during the planning and risk-analysis stages of a project
Compile and submit permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies, verifying that projects
comply with various regulations
Oversee and analyze the results of soil testing to determine the adequacy and strength of
foundations
Analyze the results of tests on building materials, such as concrete, wood, asphalt, or steel, for use
in particular projects
Prepare cost estimates for materials, equipment, or labor to determine a project’s economic
feasibility
Use design software to plan and design transportation
systems, hydraulic systems, and structures in line with industry and government standards
Perform or oversee surveying operations to establish building locations, site layouts, reference
points, grades, and elevations to guide construction
Manage the repair, maintenance, and replacement of public and private infrastructure
Important Qualities
▪ DECISIONMAKING SKILLS
▪ LEADERSHIP SKILLS
▪ MATH SKILLS
▪ ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
▪ PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
▪ SPEAKING SKILLS
▪ WRITING SKILLS
Working knowledge
Civil Engineers need an in-depth understanding of physics, mathematics, geology, and hydrology. They
must know the properties of a wide range of construction materials, such as concrete and structural steel, and
the types and capabilities of construction machinery. With this knowledge, engineers can design structures that
meet requirements for cost, safety, reliability, durability, and energy efficiency. Civil engineers also need a
working knowledge of structural and mechanical engineering.
The History of Civil Engineering (and Its Profession) in the Philippines
In more than three-and-a-half centuries of Spanish subjugation, there were no Filipino civil engineers. The
walled city of Intramuros was established by the Spaniards as a model community
MAESTRO DE OBRAS - Indio Builders
1571 - Miguel de Legazpi founded the City of Manila on June 24, 1572.
1591 - 1634.Santiago castle/fortress
1599 - St. Augustine Church - oldest stone church in the Philippines.
1632 - Puente Grande- first bridge in grand Rio del Pasig. Irrigation and Water System
1686 - The first artesian wells were built in Betis, Pampanga by Fr. Manuel Camanes.
th
The term Engineering is derived from the LATIN word Ingenium, meaning “cleverness”.
Civil Engineering is the design and construction of public works. It is one of the oldest branches of
engineering.
Subfields/Sub-disciplines OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ✔ Coastal Engineering
✔ Construction Engineering
✔ Control Engineering
✔ Earthquake Engineering
✔ Forensic Engineering
✔ Geotechnical Engineering
✔ Materials Science Engineering
✔ Outside plant Engineering
✔ Structural Engineering
✔ Surveying Engineering
✔ Transportation Engineering
✔ Water Resources Engineering
✔ Materials Science Engineering
✔ Outside plant Engineering
✔ Structural Engineering
✔ Surveying Engineering
✔ Transportation Engineering
✔ Water Resources Engineering
Work Environment
INDOOR-OUTDOOR
✔ Planning - Monitoring Operations
✔ Designing - Solving onsite problems ✔ Office work
Foundation/Founder
FATHERS OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
John Smeaton - 18th century, the term civil engineering was coined to incorporate all things civilian as
opposed to military engineering. He is the first self-proclaimed civil engineer who constructed the
Eddystone Lighthouse.
Imhotep - The First Documented Engineer, an Egyptian chancellor to the pharaoh Djoser, probable
architect of the Djoser’s step pyramid, and high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis.
History of Civil Engineering
, HISTORICAL STRUCTURES BUILT BY CIVIL ENGINEERS
▪ Pyramids in Egypt (circa 2700-2500)
▪ Great Wall of China by General Meng T’ien
▪ Julius Caesar’s Bridge over the Rhine River, 55 BC
Duties
Analyzed long-range plans, survey reports, maps, and other data to plan and design projects
Consider construction costs, government regulations, potential environmental hazards, and other
factors during the planning and risk-analysis stages of a project
Compile and submit permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies, verifying that projects
comply with various regulations
Oversee and analyze the results of soil testing to determine the adequacy and strength of
foundations
Analyze the results of tests on building materials, such as concrete, wood, asphalt, or steel, for use
in particular projects
Prepare cost estimates for materials, equipment, or labor to determine a project’s economic
feasibility
Use design software to plan and design transportation
systems, hydraulic systems, and structures in line with industry and government standards
Perform or oversee surveying operations to establish building locations, site layouts, reference
points, grades, and elevations to guide construction
Manage the repair, maintenance, and replacement of public and private infrastructure
Important Qualities
▪ DECISIONMAKING SKILLS
▪ LEADERSHIP SKILLS
▪ MATH SKILLS
▪ ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
▪ PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
▪ SPEAKING SKILLS
▪ WRITING SKILLS
Working knowledge
Civil Engineers need an in-depth understanding of physics, mathematics, geology, and hydrology. They
must know the properties of a wide range of construction materials, such as concrete and structural steel, and
the types and capabilities of construction machinery. With this knowledge, engineers can design structures that
meet requirements for cost, safety, reliability, durability, and energy efficiency. Civil engineers also need a
working knowledge of structural and mechanical engineering.
The History of Civil Engineering (and Its Profession) in the Philippines
In more than three-and-a-half centuries of Spanish subjugation, there were no Filipino civil engineers. The
walled city of Intramuros was established by the Spaniards as a model community
MAESTRO DE OBRAS - Indio Builders
1571 - Miguel de Legazpi founded the City of Manila on June 24, 1572.
1591 - 1634.Santiago castle/fortress
1599 - St. Augustine Church - oldest stone church in the Philippines.
1632 - Puente Grande- first bridge in grand Rio del Pasig. Irrigation and Water System
1686 - The first artesian wells were built in Betis, Pampanga by Fr. Manuel Camanes.
th
