Understanding the World’s Greatest Structures: Science and Innovation from Antiquity to Modernity

The Giza pyramids. Brunelleschi’s dome. The Brooklyn Bridge. Each of these structures is iconic. They are visited by millions of people each year because they provoke a sense of awe and wonder. They are as beautiful to behold as they are fascinating to study: just how did the engineers who designed these structures accomplish these feats? Award-winning professor and civil engineer Stephen Ressler will lead you on a tour of engineering genius from the age of the pyramids through the modern era. This amazing adventure will take you around the world and uncover the stories behind these remarkable structural masterpieces. Begin by studying the scientific principles that govern structural elements and the building blocks that compose nearly all structures from arches to columns to cables. Once you’ve grasped these basics, you can apply them to more than 150 iconic structures from Paris to Dubai to New York City, gleaning insights into some of mankind’s most impressive buildings, bridges, and towers. Throughout your journey, you will come back to the classroom to witness hands-on demonstrations of structural engineering and stunning 3-D animations that allow you to see the structure behind the facade, giving you a view that is unmatched by any book, video, or guided tour. This engaging learning experience will forever change the way you see and think about the buildings around you.