To continue our historical theme this month, we’re diving into the long history of geotechnical engineering. As a civil engineering company, we here at Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring are thankful to the advancements in engineering which came before us and have enabled us to move into the future and provide our clients with safe, reliable shotcrete and shoring services. From our headquarters in Colorado, we provide a variety of engineering services to the Denver area, the whole of Colorado and states in the surrounding region.
- Egyptian Pyramids and Mesopotamian Ziggurats
Ancient engineers used complicated math to shore up steep slopes with large load concentrations to honor their dead. We can’t imagine taking on such a project without modern machinery and tools. The ancients also used shoring techniques to build dams and irrigation structures.
- Ancient Greece
The Greeks used solid foundations and sturdy columns to erect huge temples to their gods. They even used iron clamps to spread the heavy loads and provide rudimentary earthquake protection. To create their beautiful structures among their hilly terrain, the Greeks became experts at retaining walls and slope stabilization.
- Ancient Rome
The Romans not only brought us huge, impressive structures like the Colosseum and their aqueducts, but they also invented the first concrete. Shotcrete couldn’t exist if concrete didn’t come before it, so this is one of the most important pieces of history for us here at Thorcon. The Romans mastered many engineering feats, including hydraulic management, road networks, solid base foundations and massive structures.
We might be a long way from the ancient parts of the world, but here in Littleton, Colorado, we know we benefit from ancient advancements every day. The work of ancient engineers has helped us to keep the general public safer and better connected through infrastructure. Next week, we’ll continue our journey into the middle ages and beyond as we keep looking at the history of geotechnical engineering.