Historical research: a guide for civil engineers

Abstract

Around half the work undertaken by civil engineers in today's developed world involves working with existing structures or brownfield sites, a proportion that will inevitably increase. Coupled with a growing emphasis on managing project risks—particularly the risk of unforeseen conditions—it is vital the profession becomes more skilled at unravelling the history of such structures and sites before work starts. This paper provides guidance on how to dig out whatever historical information is available, ranging from the published material in libraries and archives to more unpublished documents and private records.