Eight Of the Most Amazing Engineering Achievements

Mankind has achieved remarkable and breath-taking engineering accomplishments that can be seen all around the world. Here is a diverse list of 8 such achievements, from incredible technology achievements, to man-made structures. These achievements from thousands of years ago up to the present day, show when individuals work together, they can accomplish amazing things.

The International Space Station

The International Space Station was launched in 1998 and has been orbiting Earth ever since. The station holds a crew of 6 astronauts, and is the largest artificial object in orbit – being 72.8m (239ft) in length, 108m (356ft) wide, and around 20m (66ft) in height.

Amazingly the International Space Station is so big, it’s possible to see it from earth with the naked eye. The International Space Station is used for research in different fields of science.

Built in the years 1998-2008, the LHC is the largest particle collider in the world. It was built by thousands of scientists and engineers from hundreds of universities and from more than 100 countries. The LHC is a 27km (17 mi) long tunnel, 175 metres (574ft) deep in the ground beneath the borders of France and Switzerland.

The LHC enables scientists to reproduce the state of the universe very shortly after the Big Bang, and test relevant theories. In 2013, an experiment in the LHC proved the existence of the Higgs boson particle.

The Panama Canal

This is an engineering marvel. Built from 1881 until 1914, the Panama Canal is a 77.1km (48mi) long artificial ship canal that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific through Panama, creating a significantly important route in the international maritime trade that cuts shipping time and cost.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

This is the oldest and largest of 3 pyramids of Giza, and is the oldest still standing structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built around 2560-2540 BC and with a height of 146.5 meters (481ft), it has inspired architects and engineers for thousands of years.

The Channel Tunnel (The Chunnel)

Opened in 1994, the Channel Tunnel is an undersea connection between England and France. The tunnel holds the record for longest undersea portion, at 37.9km (23 mi) out of a total length of 50.5km (31.4 mi). the tunnel reaches a depth of 75m (250ft) and allows trains to travel at 160km (99 mph). With this tunnel, passengers can travel from London to Paris in just 2 hours 15 minutes!

Burj Khalifa Building

This building in Dubai is by far the tallest free-standing structure in the world, at a height of 828 metres (2,717ft) and 163 floors. Completed in 2010, the immense building is an engineering accomplishment like no other, designed to stand earthquakes, strong winds, and other hazards.

The Millau Viaduct

This bridge building overcomes natural obstacles like rivers and canyons. The Millau Viaduct bridge is the tallest bridge in the world, standing 343 metres (1,125ft) tall. Opened in 2004, this 4-lane bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the valley of the River Tarn near Millau in southern France. The bridge is the tallest structure in France – taller than the Eiffel Tower!

Delta Works Flood Barrier and the Oosterscheldekering

The Delta Works is the largest flood barrier project in the world, and one of the largest man-made barriers in history It protects a large area of land in the Netherlands, consisting of a number of features including dams and surge barriers.

The Oosterscheldekering is one of those surge barriers, at a length of 9km (5.6 mi), it’s the largest surge barrier in the world. Located a 1.5-hour drive from Amsterdam, the Delta Works is crucial to the Netherlands as over a quarter of the country is below sea level.

At Dean group, we understand the importance engineers have had on the world, and as a company, we are always looking to the future of the engineering industry. If you would like to find out more about our products and services, get in touch with a member of our team.