9 stories tagged civil-engineering, newest first.
166 points by sohkamyung | 162 comments
Practical Engineering article and video transcript on the history of exterior fire escapes in US cities and why building codes replaced them with enclosed stairways.
![Screenshot of youtube.com: Stopping sand from destroying a hydropower turbine [video]](https://hn.urlbox.com/shots/renders/2026/10/15/9d16476b-9bd9-4ae0-949f-03da952aece7.jpg)
24 points by CaliforniaKarl | 3 comments
YouTube video from Hydro Vision explaining how engineers prevent sand and sediment from eroding hydropower turbines.
397 points by michaefe | 197 comments
A Practical Engineering blog post and embedded video explaining the engineering and history of the Los Angeles Aqueduct.
399 points by crescit_eundo | 96 comments
Practical Engineering blog post and video explaining the engineering behind airport runways, including their design, pavement, and safety features.
471 points by chmaynard | 189 comments
Practical Engineering blog post and video examining whether the world is actually running out of sand used in construction and industry.
471 points by impish9208 | 292 comments
Practical Engineering blog post and embedded video explaining the hidden engineering behind modern landfills.
688 points by chmaynard | 177 comments
A Practical Engineering blog post with an embedded video explaining how French drains work to manage groundwater and drainage.
577 points by mrzool | 392 comments
Practical Engineering blog post with an embedded video explaining why desalinating seawater into drinking water is technically and economically difficult.
654 points by Twixes | 269 comments
AlphaRail blog post explaining why railway tracks are laid on crushed stone ballast.