World's Civil Engineering Awards

Recognition sometimes motivates professionals to exceed boundaries and strive for excellence. Internationally, there are numerous civil engineering awards that acknowledge the remarkable achievements and contributions of civil engineers. This blog will explore some of the world’s most famous civil engineering awards. For civil engineers aiming to leave a lasting impact on the field, these awards serve as sources of inspiration and motivation.

Here's a breakdown of some of the most prominent awards for civil engineers and structures:

1. For Structures:

The Structural Awards | IStructE

Judging Criteria: Planet, People, Process and Profession

Type of Project: open to projects of all sizes from around the world

For over 50 years the Structural Awards have showcased structural engineering excellence. Organized by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Structural Awards recognize excellence in structural engineering across various categories, including bridges, buildings, and infrastructure projects. Creative design and outstanding structural engineering always endure and are always celebrated at the Awards. The only requirement is that your project celebrates the incredible skill of structural engineers in relation to at least one of the four key attributes of Planet, People, Process and Profession.

In 2023, from a shortlist of 35 projects 11 winning projects were selected and Nancy Pauw Bridge won the Supreme Award.

If you're curious about why this bridge could receive this award, please refer to the judge's comments below.

“This spectacular timber arch bridge has an exceptionally low profile and an 80m clear span. The technical challenges of the incredibly shallow arch were expertly overcome by the engineers. Vibration damping was well considered, and an innovative tuned mass damper was installed.”

The Outstanding Structure Award (OStrA) / IABSE Project and Technology Awards | IABSE

Judging Criteria: Sustainability, Creative innovation, Elegant solutions, Structural Excellence

Type of Project: 11 categories (up to a maximum of two)

The IABSE Outstanding Structure Award (OStrA) was established in 1998. Presented by the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), this award honors outstanding examples of structural engineering excellence, highlighting innovative design, technical ingenuity, and sustainable solutions. It is one of the highest distinctions awarded by IABSE and recognises, in different regions of the world, some of the most remarkable, innovative, creative, or otherwise stimulating structures. Sustainability and respect of the environment is also an important factor.

The two bridges featured on our website, the 'Millau Viaduct,' the tallest bridge, and the '1915 Çanakkale Bridge,' the longest cable suspension bridge in the world, have been recipients of this prestigious award. Additionally, the Nancy Pauw Bridge, which won The Structural Awards, also received this award in 2023.

Until 2021, there were only two categories, "bridges" and "buildings." However, starting from 2022, IABSE Awards Committee has recategorized the Project and Technology Awards depending on the type and size of the structures. Previously IABSE Awards were limited with few categories and it was not fair for the project owners. The new 11 categories for Project and Technology Awards are as follows:

1. Small Projects
2. Small Building Structures (Area ≤ 10,000 m2)
3. Large Building Structures (Area > 10,000 m2)
4. Pedestrian and Cycle Bridges
5. Small Road and Rail Bridges (Area ≤ 5,000 m2)
6. Large Road and Rail Bridges (Area > 5,000 m2)
7. Infrastructure
8. Rehabilitation
9. Innovation in Construction
10. International Community Development
11. Gold Star

The ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards | ACI

Judging Criteria: Architectural merit, engineering merit, creativity, innovative construction techniques or solutions, innovative use of materials, ingenuity, sustainability and resilience, and functionality and end-use suitability

Type of Project: 8 categories

The ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards celebrate innovation and aim to inspire excellence within the global concrete design and construction community. It provides a platform to recognize concrete projects at the forefront of innovation and technology, showcasing these projects to inspire excellence in concrete design and construction worldwide.

The awards program will request the global network of ACI chapters to submit successful projects in the following 8 specific categories:

1. Low-Rise Structures (up to three stories)
2. Mid-Rise Structures (4-15 stories)
3. High-Rise Structures (more than 15 stories)
4. Bridges
5. Decorative Concrete
6. Flatwork
7. Infrastructure
8. Repair and Restoration

In 2023, overall “Excellence” Award Winner/First Place went for Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney, Australia, in Repair and Restoration Category. Also it has been named the winner of the Best Tall Building Worldwide 2023 title by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). For more information, watch this video: 2023 ACI Excellence Awards

The Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Award | ASCE

Judging Criteria: Originality and Innovation, Resourcefulness in Planning and Solving Design Challenges, Sustainability and Resiliency Considerations, Project Planning and Delivery

Type of Project: Any civil engineering project that has been completed within the past 24 months and meets at least one of the requirements listed below.

1. Bridges, tunnels, waterways, railways, roads (other than toll)
2. Toll or similar regional roads
3. Water supply, flood control dams
4. Power dams
5. Power plants
6. Buildings, other structures, and facilities
7. Airports and other similar large developments
8. Water supply, water treatment, and waste disposal
9. Port, coastal, ocean, and wetlands projects and offshore structures
10. Military projects

Established in 1960, this prestigious ASCE award honors the project that best illustrates superior civil engineering skills and represents a significant contribution to civil engineering progress and society. Honoring an overall project rather than an individual, the award celebrates the contributions of many engineers. The 2023 OCEA Award Winner was ‘Climate Pledge Arena.’ More information is available on this vedio link: 2023 OCEA Award Winner - Climate Pledge Arena

11 projects have been selected for 2024 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award, if you’re interested in, please visit: Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Award

2. For Civil Engineers:

Professional associations | ASCE, IABSE, ACI, IStructE, ICE

Professional associations like ASEC and ICE often award numerous honors for exceptional research and papers. Because there are so many, I'll just highlight a few.

ASCE has the ASCE Arthur M. Wellington Prize, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the structural engineering profession through publications or distinguished research. Additionally, there are numerous other awards provided by ASCE. Refer to this table for the whole list. (Source: ASCE Awards & Honors)

The awards mostly bear the names of individuals who have made significant contributions to civil engineering. There is an award named after Moisseiff, which was featured on our MOTIVE platform. There's also the Fazlur R. Khan Medal, named after Fazlur R. Khan, who appeared in 'Interesting History of Structural Engineering'. There are also awards related to journalism, which I aspire to win as a MOTIVE project manager.

There are many awards given by other associations such as ICE, ACI that recognize outstanding papers or exceptional civil engineers in the field of civil engineering, not just structures. In my country, Korea, we have the Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE), where winning awards for the best papers or best structures is a great honor. I believe other countries also have similar associations and awards representing their respective nations.

Media, Education

Being featured in the media is also a way to gain honor and motivation. Like Yanling Leng, who is active as a MOTIVATOR, one could be selected for the ENR's National Top 20 Under 40 Award in 2023. If one is active in academia, like our motivator Osvaldo Vitali, one could also receive awards for outstanding research or teaching at their university.

Conclusion

There are indeed many civil engineers in the world, and there are countless awards as well. If you put in the effort, you may be able to win multiple awards. Like any industry, the field of civil engineering is constantly evolving. Exploring award-winning projects can be one way to stay updated of engineering trends.

Have these awards motivated you? I hope you consider challenging yourself for these prestigious awards. MOTIVE aims to create a platform where civil engineers can motivate each other through knowledge sharing. If you wish to continue being motivated, click "Subscribe" above. If you want to share your expertise, press the "Be a MOTIVATOR" button above and join the knowledge-sharing efforts for a better world.

References

The Institution of Structural Engineers - Structural Awards 2024

International Association For Bridge And Structural Engineering - Outstanding Structure Award

American Concrete Institute - The ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards

American Society of Civil Engineers - Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Award

Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)

Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE)

Thumbnail image source: Michigan Technological University, photograph by Jason Dixson Photography

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