Engineering hoaxes
In this lift in the Marriott Hotel in Guam, there is no button for the 13th floor. |
This article presents a list of construction industry traditions, superstitions, pseudoscience, obsolete scientific theories and supernatural occurrences associated with engineering.
Some of the concepts have been superseded by modern research. Others have been discredited based on further investigation, lack of repeatable scientific evidence or inability to provide logical proof. Despite this, some of these methods continue to be used by practitioners who believe in their effectiveness or embrace their theories.
- Broken ceramic statues (in Ancient Rome).
- Calling of an engineer ritual.
- Coins in mortar (dated the year construction began).
- Concealed shoes.
- Cornerstone rites.
- Crop circles.
- Dowsing.
- Feng shui.
- Foundation sacrifices (or ritual offerings).
- Ley lines.
- Mandala.
- Miasma theory.
- Religious building orientation.
- Rule of thumb.
- Pannenbier.
- Tetraphobia.
- Topping off or topping out.
- Triskaidekaphobia.
- Vastu Shastra.
- Walking under ladders.
- Witchmarks in timber (or witch posts).
See also:
Featured articles and news
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
National Retrofit Hub unveils new guide
Digital Building Logbooks and Retrofit: An Introduction.
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.