The author presents new and rediscovered information about the use of physical models in design processes carried out by architectural and civil engineers. Over the last three centuries these have included mechanical models, form-finding models and measurement models. Measurement models especially were and are particularly important for innovative engineering projects that lie beyond current experience or are without precedent. In these cases, to supplement their own experience and current engineering science, engineers require additional evidence that their innovative designs will function as intended, will be safe, and in which they can have sufficient confidence to allow construction to begin. The author argues that physical models have played and continue to play an essential role in innovation in engineering and that they have made a contribution equal to that of engineering theory in helping to achieve progress in engineering. Examples are taken from the history of structural engineering, especially reinforced-concrete and grid shells and from architectural acoustics.

作者介绍了有关在建筑和土木工程师执行的设计过程中使用物理模型的新信息和重新发现的信息。在过去的三个世纪中，这些模型包括机械模型、找形模型和测量模型。测量模型对于超越当前经验或没有先例的创新工程项目尤其重要。在这些情况下，为了补充他们自己的经验和当前的工程科学，工程师需要额外的证据来证明他们的创新设计将按预期发挥作用，将是安全的，并且他们有足够的信心开始施工。作者认为，物理模型已经并将继续在工程创新中发挥重要作用，并且它们在帮助实现工程进步方面做出了与工程理论相同的贡献。例子取自结构工程的历史，特别是钢筋混凝土和网格壳以及建筑声学。