Top 5 Innovative Engineering Projects
Top 5 breakthrough engineering projects
We’re in an amazing period of development with bigger, better and more efficient engineering projects that are changing the industry. At JCB, we pride ourselves on being at the centre of engineering innovation – consistently pushing boundaries and even breaking world records.
Let’s explore some of the most innovative engineering projects over the last few years – and see what affect they have had on the industry.
Channel Tunnel
One of the biggest engineering projects is the Channel Tunnel. This is the world’s longest stretch of underwater tunnel at 32 miles, linking Folkestone, England, and Coquelles, France. A joint venture between England and France, construction on The Tunnel began in 1988 and was completed in 1994.
The train can reach speeds of 100 miles per hour and plays a critical role in connecting the two countries, serving the transport needs of over 7 million people a year who travel on the Eurostar.
JCB Dieselmax
The JCB Dieselmax is a streamliner car that holds the world diesel-powered land speed record. Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah in 2006, the car is powered by two modified JCB 444 engines and achieved an unbeaten average speed of 350mph.
JCB’s team of engineers took 21 months of endless commitment to achieve the speed record. The team was made up of 35 people from JCB, including engineers, manufacture specialists and vehicle designers.
Beijing National Stadium
Nicknamed the Bird’s Nest, one of the best engineering projects is the Beijing National Stadium. This is the world’s largest steel structure, built for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic games with seats for up to 80,000 people.
The structure consists of 26 miles of unwrapped steel, made up of two independent frames that are set 50 feet apart – an inner concrete red bowl for seating and an outer steel frame that weighs 42,000 tonnes. It’s also one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly stadiums in the world.
The Large Hadron Collider
The largest and highest-energy particle accelerator is the Large Hadron Collider. This engineering breakthrough lies underground in a 574ft deep circular tunnel with a 17-mile circumference.
Using superconducting magnets, the LHC directs two beams of atomic particles that travel at high speeds and then collide into each other. It was built to further develop technologies such as medical imaging, electronics, the radiation process, and new manufacturing processes.
JCB Hydromax
JCB’s next engineering project is a 32-foot long land speed record car, attempting to become the fastest hydrogen-powered car. Powered by twin hydrogen engines generating a combined 1,600bhp, JCB aim to exceed 350mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
The hydrogen internal combustion engines will drive all four wheels through a twin-transmission and clutch system – a display of real engineering prowess and a drastic step forward for JCB’s engineering.
JCB Hydromax
Meet the JCB hydrogen engine powering the latest land speed record attempt: the JCB Hydromax.
The JCB Dieselmax Engine: The tech and design behind the innovation
Take a look at the Dieselmax engine and innovative engineering behind JCB’s record-breaking run.
Engineering the future: JCB’s history of innovation
From our first Backhoe Loader to our upcoming record attempt in hydrogen, take a look back through JCB innovations over the years.