From Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s invention of London’s first super sewer that wiped out cholera to life-saving actions in natural disasters.
Civil engineers have accomplished many incredible feats – from making space travel possible to designing the tallest building in the world.
But they also design, build, and maintain the infrastructure that forms an (often invisible) safety net keeping millions alive every day.
In London, the summer of 1858 was like no other. Years of using night-soil collectors to remove human waste had caught up with the city. The River Thames had become little more than an open sewer itself.
As the ‘Great Stink’ descended on London, water-borne diseases, including cholera and typhoid, threatened to overwhelm the population. In 1853, the cholera endemic had claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Londoners.
Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the chief engineer of the Metropolitan Board of Works, was drafted in to design a new sewerage system to meet the demands of London’s growing population.
It was an unforgettable feat of engineering, with 82 miles of brick-lined intercepting sewers and 1,100 miles of street sewers. A set of new embankments contained the sewerage system.
Although many people were involved in the construction and engineering of London’s first sewerage system, Bazalgette was hands-on every step of the way. He reviewed hundreds of proposals to find the ideal design.
He insisted on using more extensive tunnels and durable Portland cement, meaning that the Victorian sewerage system could accommodate the growth in London’s population.
It was built to support around 4 million people. Today, the UK capital is home to more than 9 million Londoners.
As such, it was time for a new super sewer, and the Thames Tideway Tunnel is fulfilling that role.
As well as its super sewer, London has an extensive network of 34 treatment plants, creating a resilient system that ensures a continuous, safe water supply.
These plants use advanced biological treatment processes that remove harmful pathogens from wastewater before it’s discharged, preventing waterborne diseases from breaking out like they did during the Great Stink.
Lighthouses have been saving lives since 280 BC.
Traditionally, their source of light came from gigantic fires built on hilltops.
It wasn’t until the 19th century when civil engineer and physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel invented the first lens rotating system.
Called ‘the invention that saved a million ships’, Fresnel lenses work by concentrating the light rays into a blazing beam that can be seen up to 20 miles away.
The Cordouan, located at the mouth of the Gironde estuary in France, was the first lighthouse to have a Fresnel lens installed.
Since Fresnel’s invention, the Cordouan has undergone changes to its power supply, with the light first being converted to petroleum gas and later electricity before becoming fully automated.
It’s been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and to this day, it keeps a watchful eye over the ocean’s many inhabitants.
Designed by civil engineer and Yorkshireman Donald Bailey, these bridges became an unlikely hero in World War II.
The genius of these truss bridges is in the simplicity of their design.
In addition to being portable and light, the bridges could be built by soldiers in under 24 hours, with little need for the use of heavy equipment.
If required elsewhere, they could be dissembled quickly before being re-deployed.
The Royal Canadian Engineers of the Second Corps built the largest Bailey bridge, dubbed the ‘Black Friars bridge’ over the Rhine River in Europe.
The floating section of the bridge was given a Military Load Class 40 rating, meaning that tanks as heavy as 40 tons could safely pass over the bridge.
Throughout the war, an incredible 70,000 panels were manufactured and assembled into Bailey bridges – that’s long enough to stretch from London to Saint Petersburg, Russia!
Bailey bridges are still regularly used today for humanitarian purposes and as a mitigating measure in natural disasters.
In Mali, West Africa, between 20 and 40 people were dying each year while crossing the Bakoye River by canoe or boat. Building Bailey bridges meant individuals could avoid the treacherous route.
In 2007, the British government also deployed versions of these bridges to Kashmir, Pakistan, to assist in aid efforts after an earthquake devastated the region and its local people
Natural disasters, from earthquakes to tsunamis, can wreak havoc on the environment, communities, housing, and people’s lives.
Joshua Macabuag is a disaster-risk engineer, whose role involves modelling building damage caused by natural disasters.
Joshua was a keynote speaker at the 14th Brunel International Lecture series, where he spoke about the disaster management cycle, and the roles engineers play at each stage.
Analysing of buildings, pre-and post-disaster, is vital to reducing the likelihood of catastrophes.
Joshua also volunteers at Search and Rescue Assistance in Disasters (SARAID), where he uses his knowledge of civil engineering to locate and remove people trapped in collapsed buildings.
Beyond search and rescue, civil engineers also help provide access to sanitation systems, including sewerage and water, build humanitarian shelters and plan safe evacuation routes.
Natural disasters have taught engineers a lot about building resilient infrastructure. As global warming leads to more intense climate shocks, this is becoming increasingly important.
In London, the Shard building, which stands 310 metres tall, can withstand significant earthquake activity.
Its reinforced concrete core and steel frame are designed to flex and absorb energy from the earth’s movement, while its deep foundation system transfers loads safely to the bedrock underground.
The London Eye, the UK capital’s 135-metre observation wheel, is designed to withstand extreme wind loads and ground movement.
It uses advanced structural analysis and flexible connections that allow the structure to move safely without failure.
These same engineering principles are applied to earthquake-resistant design worldwide.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the Military Assessment Team for 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group provided a rapid response, helping build the Nightingale Hospitals in just a few weeks.
Major Angela Laycock and her colleagues played a pivotal role in the nationwide rollout of the Nightingale hospitals becoming a reality.
They were able to assess suitable locations, while Angela used her background in civil engineering to provide technical expertise on construction.
When Ninewells Hospital opened its doors in 1974, it was the first new teaching hospital built in the UK since the 19th century.
Since its inauguration, Ninewells has become the leading medical centre in Dundee, introducing keyhole surgery and leading in cancer management and robotic surgery.
As a teaching hospital, Ninewells is at the forefront of providing specialised research and teaching that enhances patients' care.
The first in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) baby in Scotland was also born in Ninewells, so it’s a hospital that’s helped bring lives into the world, as well as saving them.
When you’re driving, riding a bike or travelling by train, you may not stop to think about the civil engineers that made these transport options not only possible, but safe.
Regardless of your chosen route, engineers work hard to ensure people can travel from A to B as safely as possible.
For example, around the UK, Network Rail’s bridge monitoring system uses sensors and AI to predict maintenance needs before critical failures can occur.
This system has prevented potential train derailments by detecting stress fractures, scour damage, and structural fatigue, protecting rail passengers from potentially fatal accidents.
Meanwhile, Transport for London's traffic management system can automatically adjust traffic light timings, close dangerous routes, and redirect emergency services during incidents.
During the 2017 London Bridge terror attack, automated systems helped emergency services reach the scene quickly while preventing civilian vehicles from entering dangerous areas.
On the road, the UK's roundabout revolution has transformed intersection safety across the country.
With over 25,000 roundabouts nationwide, the UK demonstrates how proper engineering can reduce fatal crashes at intersections by up to 90%.
The engineering principles include optimal entry angles, sight lines, and pedestrian refuges that are now in use globally.
Giulia Cere, project manager at Hinkley Point C, explains how this sustainable source of energy works and explores the pros and cons.
A new standard, which will guide the sector in optimising productivity, is set to launch in 2026. Public consultation is open from 3 June to 1 July.
At its April meeting, the ICE Council heard more about our carbon management plan, discussed State of the Nation recommendations and received a presentation from the trustee responsible for finance, assurance and risk.
