Vols. 76 , 83-93 include Reference and data section for 1929 , 1936-46 (1929- called Water works and sewerage data section)

Vols. 76 , 83-93 include Reference and data section for 1929 , 1936-46 (1929- called Water works and sewerage data section)

Vols. 76 , 83-93 include Reference and data section for 1929 , 1936-46 (1929- called Water works and sewerage data section)

I am pleased to present a work which marks a milestone in the history of public works and, more precisely, in that of permanent structures—a comprehensive dictionary of Civil Engineering terms. Since the beginning of time, Man has always tried to find a means to clear the obstacles which nature erected to displace him. With the first tree trunk thrown across a river, man sought to improve the crossing structure. After the invention of the wheel, and to satisfy his thirst for conquest (Roman ways), and comfort (aqueducts), man built bridges that became a preremptory necessity to move quickly. Thus, Man started to build wooden and masonry works. With the passing centuries, the builders became masters in the art of building masonry works. Then came the Industrial Revolution and the advent of the steel (1864), which was closely followed by the invention of the reinforced concrete (1855). The need for railways and improving the road network inspired great works of crossing such as viaducts and tunnels. The boom of the railway network and the development of the car required the construction of an increasing number of new structures. This phenomenon continues today with hundreds of structures built each year throughout the world.

Life-Cycle Civil Engineering contains the papers presented at the First International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE 08), held in Villa Monastero, Varenna, Lake Como, Italy, 10-14 June, 2008. It consists of a book and a CD-ROM containing 150 papers, including eight keynote papers and 142 technical contributions from 28 countries.