Schexnayder, C; Celaya, M; Recavarren, G C; Fiori, C and Jaselskis, E J (2011) Engineering with the elements. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 137, pp. 755-761. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The engineers of the Inka Empire had a unique consciousness of nature-the elements that strike brute mischief on man's structures-because the foundation of their engineering knowledge was agriculture. These engineers, with a tradition of observing nature, succeeded in building their Andean road network because they learned to work with nature instead of trying to control it by domination. Close examination and reverse engineering of the past accomplishments of these ancient engineers can lead to thoughtful solutions to current engineering challenges, particularly the effort to construct sustainable infrastructure.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction; construction engineering; construction planning; natural forces; nature; sustainability |
| Index terms: | engineer, consciousness, construction engineering, construction planning |
| Subjects: | human factors and perception, profession, engineering methods, construction planning |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Site Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here