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11 Engineering Megaprojects That Will Blow Your Mind

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1. Shanghai Tower, China

Shanghai Tower is the second-largest building in the world. Its special twisty shape isn't purely cosmetic either; it was created this way after wind-tunnel tests and is "designed to reduce wind load by 24% during typhoons."

2. The Panama Canal, Panama

Construction on the Panama Canal began over 100 years ago and took 10 years to complete. "50,000 people from more than 30 countries" all lent a hand in the development of this lock-system waterway. An expansion project began in 2007, designed to add "two new sets of locks" and a third lane in the system, allowing bigger, and more cargo boats through.

3. Burj Khalifa, Dubai

The Burj Khalifa holds at least seven world records, including the big one: tallest building in the world. It only took 1,325 days from the day of excavation for the building to be completed.

4. The Palm Islands, Dubai

The Palm Islands are a cluster of three palm-tree-shaped islands on the gulf side of Dubai. The only completed island, Palm Jumeirah, is one of few man-made objects that's visible from space (as evidenced in the picture above). The project started in 2001 and was considered "one of the world's biggest undertakings" because of all the natural materials and factors that went into construction.

5. Millau Viaduct, France

6. Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines

The Rice Terraces around northern Luzon have been around for over 2,000 years, which means they were most likely carved by hand (which is INSANE to think about). They were designed as a solution for growing rice on a terrain that is known for "vertigo-inducing angles." As of 2009, all the crops grown in the terraces have been declared GMO free.

7. Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia

8. Lærdal Tunnel, Norway

9. Itaipu Dam, on the border of Paraguay and Brazil

A deal was reached between Paraguay and Brazil to build the Itaipu Dam on their border in the summer of 1966; however, work didn't start on it until 1971. It wasn't opened till the 1980s partly, perhaps, due to the need of diverting the flow of the Parana River, which is one of the biggest rivers on the planet. Over 50 million tons of earth and rock had to be moved in order to achieve this. The American Society of Civil Engineers believes the dam is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

10. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Look at that — a curved building! The Marina Bay Sands is made up of three structures (mainly used as a hotel) and connected by a three-acre SkyPark at the top. The SkyPark is so long it could "park four and a half A380 jumbo jets" comfortably. It was completed in 2010 and cost roughly $5.7 billion.

11. And The Willis Tower, Chicago

Are you an engineering student? Start building your next mind-blowing masterpiece with Autodesk educational software. It's free!