Civil Engineering: The Hoover Dam Project

Paper Summary:

The paper reviews the growth of civil engineering principles from the 19th century into 20th century business practices. The writer details the history of Colorado River flooding, and shows why there was a need to dam the river. The writer examines the players in the planning and bidding for the project, and explains how they successfully landed one of the largest construction contracts of the era. The paper describes the complex architectural and building challenges of the project. The writer concludes that the Hoover Dam, as an attempt by man to control the forces of nature, epitomizes the spirit of civil engineering in modern America.

From the Paper:

"What makes Hoover Dam such an important milestone in dam construction and Civil Engineering's part in it? "The beginning of the Boulder Canyon project in 1930 with (now) Hoover Dam as its principal feature marked a significant advance in engineering for dams. The whole project was distinguished by extraordinary planning and achievement. The various phases of investigation, planning and design of this multiple-purpose project transcended all previous efforts." [6] The massive size and great height of Hoover Dam exceeded all past conceptions for dam design. Large-scale generation of hydroelectric power for general industrial and public use at places far removed from the project area was included as a major feature of the project plan."

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