Revolutionizing Infrastructure with 4D Technology

From a young age, Carolina Araújo Moreira Delci envisioned reshaping the world through engineering. Her fascination with bridges, dams, and skyscrapers grew into a lifelong passion for transforming urban landscapes and improving lives through infrastructure. Today, as a civil engineer at Salum Construções in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, she leads high-impact projects that merge innovation with sustainability, proving that thoughtful engineering can build not just structures, but safer, smarter communities.

Born in the mountainous town of Itabirito, Delci credits her parents for nurturing her curiosity and ambition. Her father ran a furniture store, while her mother worked as an artisan, both encouraged her to dream big. In 2012, she began her civil engineering studies at Centro Universitário de Belo Horizonte, opting for a unique “sandwich bachelor’s program” that included international study. A Science Without Borders scholarship took her to Hungary, where she immersed herself in English language training and civil engineering coursework at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. An internship at Budapest Waterworks further deepened her practical knowledge across engineering, project management, and water treatment.

Returning to Brazil, Delci completed her degree in 2017 and soon added a technical diploma and a postgraduate qualification in project management. Her early professional experience included an internship at Delphi Automotive Systems, where she gained hands-on skills in industrial plant maintenance. In 2020, she joined Salum Construções as a trainee engineer, quickly advancing to work on critical environmental remediation projects.

One of her most significant assignments involved the Vale Vargem Grande complex in Brazil’s Iron Quadrangle region. In the wake of the tragic Brumadinho dam collapse in 2019, which claimed over 200 lives, Delci contributed to efforts aimed at reducing reliance on traditional tailings dams. She helped implement new government safety standards and explored innovative methods like dry stacking, a technique that processes fine rock waste into stable piles instead of hazardous sludge. Though large-scale adoption requires further study, her work represents a meaningful step toward safer mining practices.

Now a full civil engineer at Salum, Delci oversees multiple large-scale projects, employing advanced tools like artificial intelligence and 4D building information modeling (BIM). This approach integrates 3D models with construction timelines, enabling teams to predict and mitigate risks before they cause delays. She also applies lean manufacturing principles to minimize waste and enhance efficiency. Her commitment to digital engineering has drawn industry attention, underscoring how technology can reduce costs, save time, and improve safety.

Delci is also helping to change the face of a traditionally male-dominated field. “Heavy civil construction didn’t intimidate me; it motivated me,” she says. “I wanted to show that engineering talent has no gender.” Her published research, including widely cited papers on digital monitoring and project planning, reflects her influence in the field. Recognition as an IEEE senior member in 2024 affirmed her impact and expanded her access to a global network of innovators.

Through IEEE, she now volunteers as a reviewer and engages with technical committees, embracing the opportunity to collaborate and give back. Looking ahead, Delci aims to focus on sustainable solutions, mentor emerging engineers, and advocate for policies that promote environmental responsibility. Her advice to aspiring engineers is clear: “If you’re curious and want to solve real problems, engineering is for you. Don’t let stereotypes define your path. We need all kinds of minds to build a better world.”

(Source: Spectrum IEEE)