Engineering in Plain Sight

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8 Construction

Introduction

All infrastructure has one thing in common: it must be built. You can’t buy a sewer system or electrical grid off the shelf at a store. Rather, these complex facilities are constructed in place by humans and machines. Construction can be both a nuisance and a joy, depending on your perspective (or your commute). It often seems noisy, disruptive, and slow. However, the giant-sized equipment and the urgency of effort evoke a sense of wonder and awe in the attentive observer. There is nothing quite like witnessing a structure take shape from raw materials and hard work, and it’s often difficult to walk past any construction ...