New Civil Engineer celebrates its 40th anniversary in May. Throughout 2012 we will be looking back at the successes and the changes and reminding ourselves of how far we have come. Here you will find our rundown of the 40 most momentous moments and our pick of the big news stories. Check back often for features and competitions.
NCE 40 years - reader survey
What will the civil engineer's world look like in 2052?
As NCE prepares to celebrate its 40th birthday, we are looking 40 years ahead to 2052 and asking our readers to tell us what they think their world will look like.
NCE's 40 memorable moments
No.12 Disaster at Chernobyl
A flawed reactor design operated by poorly trained staff resulted in the biggest ever nuclear accident when one of the four reactors exploded at Chernobyl’s power plant in April 1986.
No.11 Nicoll Highway collapse
The Nicoll Highway collapse in Singapore was possibly the greatest civil engineering disaster of the last decade.
No.10 Hillsborough disaster
If ever an argument for the value of an engineer’s advice was needed, the tragic events of April 15 1989 provided it.
No.9 Thames Barrier
As one of the world’s largest movable flood barriers in the world, the Thames Barrier already qualifies for a high class status, but its elegant stainless steel clad exterior has ensured it also become one of London’s most iconic structures.
No.8 Eden Project opening
The Eden Project stole the show at the British Construction Industry Awards (BCIA) in 2001, taking the major project honour. OK, it was a millennium project that didn’t officially open until 17 March 2001. But the honour was well justified.
No.7 Heathrow Terminal 5 opens
The Queen officially opened Heathrow Airport’s stunning £4.3bn Terminal 5 at lunchtime on Monday 14 March 2008, 53 years after opening the airport’s first passenger terminal in 1955.
No.6 Mont Blanc Tunnel fire
Tunnel designers and operators across the globe got a wake-up call in April 1999 when a lorry fire wreaked havoc in the 11.6km, single bore Mont Blanc road tunnel which links France and Italy.
No.5 Wembley Stadium handover
Wembley Stadium’s iconic arch is now a familiar sight to Londoners and football fans alike. But engineers will not have forgotten the delays, cost overruns and legal battles that made this project truly memorable.
No.4 Sizewell B completion
When it opened in February 1995, Sizewell B - Britain’s newest nuclear power station - was seen as vital to Britain’s new nuclear aspirations.
