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| Engineers at their best... |
Engine[er]
Showing posts with label structural engineering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label structural engineering. Show all posts
23 Mar 2012
We all love Engineers! They're great.
Engine[er]
24 Feb 2012
5 Top Tips for Engineering Students - Do your maths
5 great tips for students in engineering college [university]. This movie edit was inspired by a great little find on YouTube [here]. In this 'how to' video by UCaccend - they talk of how to refine your study strategy for surviving in university, if you are taking an engineering degree. "Do your maths homework".
Please pop over and tell them how good their videos are ;-)
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We decided to add our own personal touches to create our video - a kind of a parody. For fun and your entertainment, we also added a backing track, and spliced in some more engineering video clips which were brought to our attention over the last few weeks. Thank you!
We hope you enjoy this, and it is an experiment - much the same as the crowd funding venture which we kick-started a week ago [here]. Please please click on the link and show your support. Even if it is just a message, we welcome it :-)
We believe that it is as important that we as engineers not only innovate using building materials, and during the construction process BUT it is becoming more and more important that we engage and support engineering social endeavours too. This being one of them.
So, if you have any questions about what it is I am trying to do - then first have a read of the link above and then email me.
OK, time for a bit of fun now.... enjoy.
Engine[er]
23 Feb 2012
27 Jan 2012
#EpicFAILS [Structural Engineering]
"At med school I was an obsessive compulsive. I did very well, and I graduated with honours. And I came out of medical school with the impression that if I memorized everything and knew everything, or as much as possible, as close to everything as possible, that it would immunize me against making mistakes. And it worked for a while, until I met Mrs. Drucker." Dr Brian Goldman - emergency-room physician in Toronto and radio show host.
The TED Talk from which the quote above came from is something that every Engineer should really take a close look at. It will hopefully kick-start some reflective thoughts on whether we have what it takes to assume the mantle of technical and social responsibility that we shoulder. Or at the very least, as Dr Brian Goldman suggests, force us to talk about it - get it out there. Discuss it.
For this post I have been Google and Wiki-researching a number of pertinent structural failures from our past. This post is not intended to cover every major disaster, nor every recent engineering screw-up. What I have done is look at them for you, and highlighted some interesting ones, based upon a few different key factors;
The TED Talk from which the quote above came from is something that every Engineer should really take a close look at. It will hopefully kick-start some reflective thoughts on whether we have what it takes to assume the mantle of technical and social responsibility that we shoulder. Or at the very least, as Dr Brian Goldman suggests, force us to talk about it - get it out there. Discuss it.
For this post I have been Google and Wiki-researching a number of pertinent structural failures from our past. This post is not intended to cover every major disaster, nor every recent engineering screw-up. What I have done is look at them for you, and highlighted some interesting ones, based upon a few different key factors;
- Size and magnitude of destruction.
- Who's fault was it?
- The fall out. What happened as a result?
- Can we learn anything from this.
I don't mean to scare you [OK I do], but as it happens there is a mind boggling wealth of subject matter to choose from should you decide to look into historical structural failures. Many lives lost.
I intend to stretch a few posts out over the next week, and deal with 15 such disasters.
So let's get this morbid show on the road. In no particular order of importance or significance - here are the Structural Engineering failures which would have, undoubtedly rocked many peoples worlds, in a very sad way.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel Walkway Collapse, Kansas City, USA [1981]
#Killed [injured] - 114 [216]
Structural Engineers - Jack D. Gillum & Associates
Contractors - Haven Steel
This disaster easily makes it way into my blog post, because this costly failure was considered to have been caused by a lack of communication between the Structural Engineers - Jack D. Gillum & Associates, and the specialist steelwork subcontractors - Havens Steel.
This was also one of the very few structural engineering mistakes which was case studied during my Civil Engineering degree course at Nottingham Trent University.
My thoughts on this disaster are that this quite possibly is one of the worst possible modern failures of a Structural Engineer to carry out their duties.
The engineers involved were convicted of criminal negligence and also had their license to practice engineering removed.
As a direct result of this tragedy, $140million dollars was award to the victims and their families. Also, and most importantly, the now retired owner of JD Gillum's, Jack Gillum, has been involved in the occasional speaking engagement for engineering conferences - sharing his experiences and those of his company. In the hope that a disaster like this will never be repeated again. [please check the wiki-link for full information].
The Dee Bridge Disaster, Chester, England [1847]
#Killed [injured] - 5 [9]
Structural Engineer - Robert Stephenson
Material - Cast Iron Girders
The cause for the disaster was eventually explained by the Railway Inspectorate to be a design error. Specifically, by making a poor choice of materials - in this case, cast iron girders. The hugely celebrated Civil and Locomotive Engineer vehemently argued that the fault for the failure lay elsewhere, and was not caused by a fracturing of the girders due to poor ductility.
The disaster never had much of an effect on the career of Robert Stephenson as his very close friends Isambard Brunel and Joseph Locke [who were called to be expert witnesses in the trial] refused to criticise Roberts design. Afterwards, a number of similar failures occurred using cast iron girder designs.
This and other structural failures halted the design and construction of identical bridges across the globe. Steel began to replace cast iron very quickly afterwards. It was believed that the increased ductility and less likelihood for hidden internal defects made it a better material to design and build bridges with.
Versailles Wedding Hall Disaster, Talpiot, Jerusalem [2001]
#Killed [injured] - 23 [380]
Structural Engineer - Eli Ron [and 3 other Engineers]
Construction Method - Pal-Kal
At the time, until footage was rescued, it was believed due to the visible amount of devastation, that a terrorist had bombed the hall. Later it would prove to be a series of structural engineering mistakes and alterations to the building during construction and afterwards which led to the floor collapsing and claiming 23 lives.
The light weight coffered concrete floor system which had been innovated by the Structural Engineer responsible for the disaster, was believed to be the main contributor to the floor collapsing. As it happens, partitions erected directly below the floor spread the load well enough to support the loads temporarily. That was up and until the wedding hall owners decided to remove them.
When the floor began to excessively deflect [this being the sign of imminent failure], instead of consulting the Engineers, they levelled off the floor using a concrete screed. Effectively worsening the situation. Please refer to the [link] here for a more detailed report.
As a result the Engineer responsible for the system of construction [Eli Ron] was found guilty of manslaughter and the building owners also convicted of causing death by negligence.
Each of the structural failures include very different reasons for the mistakes. Some were related to a quick succession of engineering mishaps combined with construction difficulties. One in particular will register heavily with many of us - design developments due to onsite buildability issues.
My advice is as soon as you hear the words, not "do you remember..." but "can we change...", then you all should be reaching for the design file, and thinking well on what you are about to say to a screaming contractor.
Next time I will be briefly looking at The Quebec Bridge Disaster, The I-35W Mississippi River Bridge Disaster amongst others.
Until then, please don't have nightmares.
If you have spotted any engineering project which is suspiciously lack lustre or feel under pressure not to spend enough time on a project that deserves it then please follow this link to the CROSS and SCROSS structural safety website. There you will find advice on how to report your findings.
Engine[er]
I intend to stretch a few posts out over the next week, and deal with 15 such disasters.
So let's get this morbid show on the road. In no particular order of importance or significance - here are the Structural Engineering failures which would have, undoubtedly rocked many peoples worlds, in a very sad way.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel Walkway Collapse, Kansas City, USA [1981]
#Killed [injured] - 114 [216]
Structural Engineers - Jack D. Gillum & Associates
Contractors - Haven Steel
This disaster easily makes it way into my blog post, because this costly failure was considered to have been caused by a lack of communication between the Structural Engineers - Jack D. Gillum & Associates, and the specialist steelwork subcontractors - Havens Steel.
This was also one of the very few structural engineering mistakes which was case studied during my Civil Engineering degree course at Nottingham Trent University.
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Photo sourced from
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The engineers involved were convicted of criminal negligence and also had their license to practice engineering removed.
As a direct result of this tragedy, $140million dollars was award to the victims and their families. Also, and most importantly, the now retired owner of JD Gillum's, Jack Gillum, has been involved in the occasional speaking engagement for engineering conferences - sharing his experiences and those of his company. In the hope that a disaster like this will never be repeated again. [please check the wiki-link for full information].
The Dee Bridge Disaster, Chester, England [1847]
#Killed [injured] - 5 [9]
Structural Engineer - Robert Stephenson
Material - Cast Iron Girders
The cause for the disaster was eventually explained by the Railway Inspectorate to be a design error. Specifically, by making a poor choice of materials - in this case, cast iron girders. The hugely celebrated Civil and Locomotive Engineer vehemently argued that the fault for the failure lay elsewhere, and was not caused by a fracturing of the girders due to poor ductility.
This and other structural failures halted the design and construction of identical bridges across the globe. Steel began to replace cast iron very quickly afterwards. It was believed that the increased ductility and less likelihood for hidden internal defects made it a better material to design and build bridges with.
Versailles Wedding Hall Disaster, Talpiot, Jerusalem [2001]
#Killed [injured] - 23 [380]
Structural Engineer - Eli Ron [and 3 other Engineers]
Construction Method - Pal-Kal
At the time, until footage was rescued, it was believed due to the visible amount of devastation, that a terrorist had bombed the hall. Later it would prove to be a series of structural engineering mistakes and alterations to the building during construction and afterwards which led to the floor collapsing and claiming 23 lives.
The light weight coffered concrete floor system which had been innovated by the Structural Engineer responsible for the disaster, was believed to be the main contributor to the floor collapsing. As it happens, partitions erected directly below the floor spread the load well enough to support the loads temporarily. That was up and until the wedding hall owners decided to remove them.
When the floor began to excessively deflect [this being the sign of imminent failure], instead of consulting the Engineers, they levelled off the floor using a concrete screed. Effectively worsening the situation. Please refer to the [link] here for a more detailed report.
As a result the Engineer responsible for the system of construction [Eli Ron] was found guilty of manslaughter and the building owners also convicted of causing death by negligence.
Each of the structural failures include very different reasons for the mistakes. Some were related to a quick succession of engineering mishaps combined with construction difficulties. One in particular will register heavily with many of us - design developments due to onsite buildability issues.
My advice is as soon as you hear the words, not "do you remember..." but "can we change...", then you all should be reaching for the design file, and thinking well on what you are about to say to a screaming contractor.Next time I will be briefly looking at The Quebec Bridge Disaster, The I-35W Mississippi River Bridge Disaster amongst others.
Until then, please don't have nightmares.
If you have spotted any engineering project which is suspiciously lack lustre or feel under pressure not to spend enough time on a project that deserves it then please follow this link to the CROSS and SCROSS structural safety website. There you will find advice on how to report your findings.
Engine[er]
6 Jan 2012
Tools of the Trade [Super Engineer]
When first introduced to a new project you can expect a set of planning drawings, perhaps if you are lucky a project specification and/or a brief. You'd hope for at least a sketch or two though.
You will most definitely be offered an opportunity to take a closer look at the property by way of a site inspection. During this initial visit, it benefits everyone if the Engineer [that's you] can take away the maximum amount of information possible. Unless of course you live just round the corner.
Again, if you are a fortunate Engineer, you may well have access to the services of a builder, who will help you access hidden structure during the investigation.
But what happens if you don't?
Quite often the projects can be simple and straight forward, and if the Gods of Engineering smile sweetly upon you, then like the Red Sea parting, access will be granted and all will be revealed.
If not, then pulling up a bit of carpet reveals the direction of the floor boards, and hence the joist span direction. Tapping on a wall may reveal a light weight partition, or a load bearing block work wall.
This is all well and good, but what if the floor has a floating timber floor over, or tiled? How about a dot and dabbed block work wall, when you are expecting an non-load bearing one?
The truth is, the initial site visit made by the Engineer can quite often be revealed to have been an opportunity not taken advantage of.
So we make educated assumptions, and extensively caveat our work - SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION BY CONTRACTOR.
For everyone involved, this is less than satisfactory. It allows the contractor to adjust their costs [upwards], taking advantage of the proverbial 'foot in the door' position which they have. Also the Architect may [with good reason] withhold construction drawings until further investigation has taken place.
There isn't a single thing wrong with this process, it happens for most refurbishment projects. Although, from the clients point of view, it looks pretty wasteful, and frustrating.
So, what can we do? Not enough unfortunately, but we can be proactive, and give ourselves a better understanding of the building by being prepared. So I have learned.
"Fortune favours the prepared mind" Louis Pasteur
Below is a snap shop, and list of investigative tools which could very well push the odds back in our favour.
This list is not exhaustive or indeed THE optimum bag of tricks. It does however represent a great starting point. Add to the list as you see fit, and please tell me of your experiences too!
1. Collapsible step ladder. Trust me, not everyone owns an access ladder into their loft or roof space. If you carry some - you can actually look like you know what you are doing. [mine cost £80, you can buy smaller versions for around £50]
2. A million candle spot light/torch. When 999,999 candles just won't cut it... having this piece of kit with you will make you look like Superman. This is a great tool. [£3.99 from any petrol forecourt when you spend £30 on fuel]
3. Clip board. Simple, easy to use. Everybody knows that the guy or gal with the clip board is the one worth knowing. Kudos is only 50p away. Buy one.
4. Claw hammer and a few blocks of wood. Smash stuff and open up plaster board ceilings with one bound. [try and spend atleast fiver on this item]
5. Essential tool alert! Tape measure. [try and spend atleast fiver on this item]
6. Bonus weapon. Electric cutter. Can be very useful to cut accurate and tidy holes. Be careful though, pull out one of these and you start looking like a builder who turns up to work in a suit everyday. I like them, so I have one. [cordless will cost you around £100]
7. Wrecking bar. Tasty leverage, light weight and bullish. You can wreck all day with this tool without breaking into a sweat. [a good one will cost around £7]
8. Screwdrivers. An assortment of them will help out tremendously. [you could spend a minor fortune here, a fiver]
9. Pliers/pincers. I like them, you may not. [£5 from any good hardware shop]
10. Scissors or Stanley knife [other bladed knives are freely available]. Great at trimming and making good an edge. [£1 down Poundland]
11. Brush. Not absolutely necessary, but I keep one just in case I make a huge mess. [£1 down Poundland]
12. Digital Camera. I use the camera on my phone. Taking pictures during an investigation has helped me no end in the past and a serious investigator needs one. [Price? Where do I start?]
A number of other tools have not been included; for example a hand shear vane tester, engineers note book, reference material and calculator etc.
Please add to this as you see fit, and enjoy your new Super Engineer status.
Many thanks to Alexander from Building Doctors, and Brian Bonnett for the inspiration behind this post.
IMPORTANT ADDENDUM and warning
Please check your professional, employers and public liability insurances before personally taking on any of the invasive investigations mentioned over. If in doubt, always ask that a builder is present to open up structure. Thank you for your input Baz! [see below for Baz's comment]
Engine[er]
You will most definitely be offered an opportunity to take a closer look at the property by way of a site inspection. During this initial visit, it benefits everyone if the Engineer [that's you] can take away the maximum amount of information possible. Unless of course you live just round the corner.
Again, if you are a fortunate Engineer, you may well have access to the services of a builder, who will help you access hidden structure during the investigation.
But what happens if you don't?
Quite often the projects can be simple and straight forward, and if the Gods of Engineering smile sweetly upon you, then like the Red Sea parting, access will be granted and all will be revealed.
If not, then pulling up a bit of carpet reveals the direction of the floor boards, and hence the joist span direction. Tapping on a wall may reveal a light weight partition, or a load bearing block work wall.
This is all well and good, but what if the floor has a floating timber floor over, or tiled? How about a dot and dabbed block work wall, when you are expecting an non-load bearing one?
The truth is, the initial site visit made by the Engineer can quite often be revealed to have been an opportunity not taken advantage of.
So we make educated assumptions, and extensively caveat our work - SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION BY CONTRACTOR.
For everyone involved, this is less than satisfactory. It allows the contractor to adjust their costs [upwards], taking advantage of the proverbial 'foot in the door' position which they have. Also the Architect may [with good reason] withhold construction drawings until further investigation has taken place.
There isn't a single thing wrong with this process, it happens for most refurbishment projects. Although, from the clients point of view, it looks pretty wasteful, and frustrating.
So, what can we do? Not enough unfortunately, but we can be proactive, and give ourselves a better understanding of the building by being prepared. So I have learned.
"Fortune favours the prepared mind" Louis Pasteur
Below is a snap shop, and list of investigative tools which could very well push the odds back in our favour.
1. Collapsible step ladder. Trust me, not everyone owns an access ladder into their loft or roof space. If you carry some - you can actually look like you know what you are doing. [mine cost £80, you can buy smaller versions for around £50]
2. A million candle spot light/torch. When 999,999 candles just won't cut it... having this piece of kit with you will make you look like Superman. This is a great tool. [£3.99 from any petrol forecourt when you spend £30 on fuel]
3. Clip board. Simple, easy to use. Everybody knows that the guy or gal with the clip board is the one worth knowing. Kudos is only 50p away. Buy one.
4. Claw hammer and a few blocks of wood. Smash stuff and open up plaster board ceilings with one bound. [try and spend atleast fiver on this item]
5. Essential tool alert! Tape measure. [try and spend atleast fiver on this item]
6. Bonus weapon. Electric cutter. Can be very useful to cut accurate and tidy holes. Be careful though, pull out one of these and you start looking like a builder who turns up to work in a suit everyday. I like them, so I have one. [cordless will cost you around £100]
7. Wrecking bar. Tasty leverage, light weight and bullish. You can wreck all day with this tool without breaking into a sweat. [a good one will cost around £7]
8. Screwdrivers. An assortment of them will help out tremendously. [you could spend a minor fortune here, a fiver]
9. Pliers/pincers. I like them, you may not. [£5 from any good hardware shop]
10. Scissors or Stanley knife [other bladed knives are freely available]. Great at trimming and making good an edge. [£1 down Poundland]
11. Brush. Not absolutely necessary, but I keep one just in case I make a huge mess. [£1 down Poundland]
12. Digital Camera. I use the camera on my phone. Taking pictures during an investigation has helped me no end in the past and a serious investigator needs one. [Price? Where do I start?]
A number of other tools have not been included; for example a hand shear vane tester, engineers note book, reference material and calculator etc.
Please add to this as you see fit, and enjoy your new Super Engineer status.
Many thanks to Alexander from Building Doctors, and Brian Bonnett for the inspiration behind this post.
IMPORTANT ADDENDUM and warning
Please check your professional, employers and public liability insurances before personally taking on any of the invasive investigations mentioned over. If in doubt, always ask that a builder is present to open up structure. Thank you for your input Baz! [see below for Baz's comment]
Engine[er]
12 Nov 2011
Films to watch out for
Over the last few weeks, I have unofficially researched and curiously paid interest to what our industry has to offer on video platforms such as Vimeo and YouTube.
I am referring to of course online structural engineering videos which have been 'set free' over the web during the last 5 years or so. The assumptions are that these videos have been attentively shot, edited and uploaded in order to inform prospective graduates, graduates, the public at large, and our very own structural engineers upon what it is that our industry is currently up to. Added benefits could also include answering questions like, why we are best positioned to carry out construction project management and design, and to ultimately celebrate in our successes.
WHY VIDEO?
The current thinking is that the search engine optimising benefits which have been pervasively touted by SEO marketers and advisers the world over, are not the only benefits to be gained from a well executed video campaign. Of the many advantages which have been highlighted are increased brand awareness, credibility, and extra opportunities to advertise on searchable ranking websites - like YouTube. Also, we must recognise as a general rule of thumb, that we prefer to watch videos rather than read long essays.
With this in mind, I set about hunting out some easily searchable examples to review. I used the following keywords on Vimeo and YouTube; IStructE, structural engineering, and structural design. I deliberately restricted the keywords to these. My wish was to emulate the searches of a person who is interested in what our industry might be doing.
THE AUDIENCE
We have already touched upon who we might be communicating to through our video submissions. The types of questions which could very well be on the mind of someone searching for more information are as follows;
I am referring to of course online structural engineering videos which have been 'set free' over the web during the last 5 years or so. The assumptions are that these videos have been attentively shot, edited and uploaded in order to inform prospective graduates, graduates, the public at large, and our very own structural engineers upon what it is that our industry is currently up to. Added benefits could also include answering questions like, why we are best positioned to carry out construction project management and design, and to ultimately celebrate in our successes.
WHY VIDEO?
The current thinking is that the search engine optimising benefits which have been pervasively touted by SEO marketers and advisers the world over, are not the only benefits to be gained from a well executed video campaign. Of the many advantages which have been highlighted are increased brand awareness, credibility, and extra opportunities to advertise on searchable ranking websites - like YouTube. Also, we must recognise as a general rule of thumb, that we prefer to watch videos rather than read long essays.
With this in mind, I set about hunting out some easily searchable examples to review. I used the following keywords on Vimeo and YouTube; IStructE, structural engineering, and structural design. I deliberately restricted the keywords to these. My wish was to emulate the searches of a person who is interested in what our industry might be doing.
THE AUDIENCE
We have already touched upon who we might be communicating to through our video submissions. The types of questions which could very well be on the mind of someone searching for more information are as follows;
- What exactly does a Structural Engineer do? On a day to day basis.
- Do I have what it takes to be an Engineer?
- How interesting or fun might a career in Engineering be?
- Are Engineers widely respected?.. and are they paid well?
- Where can I find an Engineer near to me?
The questions above are only a taster of possible lines of enquiry. I feel that without understanding the 'why' part of why someone may search out knowledge of our industry, then reviewing these videos may lose most of its meaning. Box ticked.
SO... WHAT DID WE FIND?
This is it. I typed in the keywords and let the video platforms do their thing, then chose my guinea pigs from the first page of results only. I reviewed and marked them on Presentation, Information, Interest and Call-to-action. Presentation - this includes editing quality, music & audio quality. Information - how well do they answer the questions which may have brought you to the video in the first place? Interest - does the video hold your interest and convey the engineering 'spirit'? Call-to-Action - Is there an under lying message and how inspirational was it?
1. Structural Engineering - produced by the Yorkshire Branch [254views]
This is it. I typed in the keywords and let the video platforms do their thing, then chose my guinea pigs from the first page of results only. I reviewed and marked them on Presentation, Information, Interest and Call-to-action. Presentation - this includes editing quality, music & audio quality. Information - how well do they answer the questions which may have brought you to the video in the first place? Interest - does the video hold your interest and convey the engineering 'spirit'? Call-to-Action - Is there an under lying message and how inspirational was it?
1. Structural Engineering - produced by the Yorkshire Branch [254views]
Presentation:2/5 Information: 4/5 Interest: 2/5 CTA:1/5 TOTAL = 9/20
It is a shame that the first minute of this film had to be plagued with an annoying sound track. Further investigation has led me to believe that the music may be some kind of unofficial IStructE theme tune. My advice would be this. Lose the music. Do it now. I did love the 'stupid street' style interviews and the presenter was quite... well... well presented. I did not feel inspired, but would have felt educated [if I didn't know most of what was coming anyway]. Good start, but lots to improve upon if we are really serious about inspiring students and Engineers to surpass their wildest dreams. Hit the snooze button on this one.
2. Structural Engineer - produced by CBIA Videos [16,858 views]
Presentation:1/5 Information: 3/5 Interest: 2/5 CTA:1/5 TOTAL = 7/20
Again quite a low score. A self titled 'day in the life of an Engineer'. What has always been a bug bear of mine, is people not being able to describe what it is we do without using the word Architect in the sentence. There is nothing interesting about this video, yet it has landed 16,858 views. Go figure. Perhaps it was more to do with the attractive looking Engineer and her rather impractical site boots? Please let me know if you see the more to this video than I. Less said about the music the better. Grrrrrr......
3. Civil and Structural Engineering, the ICE - produced by the University of Bradford SoEDT [7,024views]
Presentation:3/5 Information: 4/5 Interest: 3/5 CTA:3/5 TOTAL = 13/20
This is the first video to make double figures and has a quite healthy viewer count too. All in all I enjoyed it and felt that they have managed to build into the film a feeling of pride and awe at what the featured Engineers have accomplished thus far in their careers. A great touch was the interview and pithy one liners from Dan Cruikshank "it is the Engineer, at the end of the day who is the heart of every building project".
4. What is Structural Engineering? - produced by the University of Strathclyde, Architecture [82 views]
Presentation:3/5 Information: 5/5 Interest: 2/5 CTA:2/5 TOTAL = 12/20
What I most liked about this video is that it did exactly what the title promised, and guess what - it managed to describe what we do with razor like precision, WITHOUT having to evoke the relationship between Engineer and Architect. I felt that my time hadn't been wasted by watching it [unlike most of the earlier films] - and would recommend that it is reviewed by those who are looking to understand what it is that we do. Just goes to show that if you keep to a plan, you may well achieve a desirable result.
5. Wildcard films [210,000 approx views between them]
I decided to research a few other films which were recommended to me, or found through accident. All of them are related to Engineering and therefore should be considered. You need to watch each and every one of these films, they are incredible.
i] Chartered Engineers - by Engineers Ireland. Presentation:5/5 Information: 3/5 Interest: 5/5 CTA:5/5 TOTAL = 18/20. Simply gorgeous film.
ii] 'Engineers are Cool' - by Arup. Presentation:5/5 Information: 3/5 Interest: 5/5 CTA:5/5 TOTAL = 18/20. Very clever and energising. Inspirational.
iii] 'The Knack' - by Dilbert. Presentation:4/5 Information: 2/5 Interest: 5/5 CTA:3/5 TOTAL = 14/20. Random but has a great message. Pokes fun at Engineers. Very very funny.
iv] 'Hi I'm an Engineer' - by Create Film Festival. Worth a look!
The wild card films featured above for all intents and purposes fulfilled the need to be creative and deliver an awe inspiring message. They advertised our potential and celebrated our successes as Engineers. Albeit from a more holistic point of view. The first four films do not seem to be able to exact the same response. Never has the theory behind selling the sizzle, rather than the sausage itself ever been more pertinent.
It goes without saying that the viewing figures for the final three films are astronomical when compared to the initial four examples.
Conclusions? Yes - we have a long way to go before the use of film can be accepted as one of the strings to our marketing bow. All the first four films sent my non-engineering test subjects to sleep before the message had been delivered. The remaining three films both delighted and intrigued the audience.
The question remaining is. Do we want to engage potential engineering students and the public or not?
Engine[er]
11 Nov 2011
Engineering a safe existence
UPDATED 12/11/11 - Links checked etc.
I have decided to dedicate this weeks post to the unfortunate victims of the earthquakes which have plagued Turkey recently. My initial response as an Engineer is that some of these losses were avoidable. Massive condolences to those more personally affected than I. A gut wrenching loss of life.
"earthquakes don't kill people, buildings do"
There are organisations such as 'Build Change' who are proactive in their approach and will save many lives due to their efforts. A completely awesome engineering resource and charity [cap doffing]. For this post, I do not wish to debate whether there are adequate amounts of volunteered expertise ready and waiting to help mitigate these kinds of problems. For example, the ones faced by developed countries sitting on a convergence of destructive fault lines. Like Turkey.
Neither am I planning to dive into technical requirements for buildings in earthquake zones, or teaching locals how to build and engineer a safer home. However. I would like to put forward a suggestion as to why we engineers are the way we are. I hope that this will help you understand the thoughts and processes which have contributed to an engineers 'misconceived' conservativeness.
As Structural Engineers, we [predominantly] exist in a state of knowledge limbo. We aim to utilise our experience and carry out our designs as economically as possible, but what does that really mean? It means that we attempt to be as confident as we can, and by aiming at a 90-95% utilisation of the strength of the materials that we design with. This figure does not include for the mandatory factors of safety which we are obligated to adhere to either. These essential factors of safety average out another 30-35% of under utilisation due to inconsistencies in material strength, and inaccuracies in construction and loading assessments. If we consider that their ultimate load bearing capacities are only using 60% of their strength... then this results in an over design of approximately two thirds! Guilty as charged. In our defence though, the above calculations are rather more complicated in reality and I have neglected to mention permissible stresses, load combinations and various clauses and sub-clauses, all of which are used to help us economise on design. Trust me, the above statement has been extensively rationalised so that I could attempt to come up with figure for you.
No wonder we are viewed with suspicion when from time to time we are able to 'magic' up additional capacity where once there was none, using nothing but our Engineering judgement.
I was out running a few weeks ago, and I run through quite a busy golf course. At times I have had to take refuge behind trees or protect my head as I sprinted past a golfers tee. This one time, I ran over the crown of some dense grassland and happened upon an excellent view of a 90 yard par 3 hole. This part of the course looked like it had been designed as a training hole, to allow golfers to hit an entire bucket of balls undisturbed.
The green was peppered with tiny white balls. They were also everywhere else too! On the fringe, in the rough, in the bunker, right next to the flag... and my immediate thought was, WOW. This guy is destined to do well with all that practice. He will try and try and try, and eventually he will stumble upon that perfect swing, which will then go on to become his most consistent. For golfers, the amount of practice is directly proportionate to their level of consistency and success... as with most things in life.
Not in engineering though.
Mistakes, failures and testing costs time and money, sometimes it costs lives. When we step up to the tee, as an engineer - we only have one ball, one hole. So we have to settle ourselves that our judgement is correct. Safety takes presidence.
OK, so we test in laboratories, but these are laboratories - and not building sites We also proverbially increase the diameter of the hole somewhat, because we are better equipped to break down and therefore understand the problems facing us. Most of the 'edge' which we have comes from the pervasive application of factors of safety... driven by the fact that the repercussions of our failure are horrendous.
I hope that I have given you a better idea as to why we are keen to maintain control of what is carried out during construction, and are infact best placed to aide project managers and contractors build with more efficiency and confidence than anyone other single member of the design team.
We have pride, safety, connectivity, and are educated, motivated, hard working, creative.... and altruistic. Every construction project needs an Engineer on board*.
Engine[er]
*I would however draw a line at asking an Engineer to say design your garden decking or specify the foundations of a dwarf garden wall which passes near tree roots. You may not like the answers that you get. Certain small building projects perhaps need the touch of an experienced builder rather than an Engineer who invokes the protection from their indemnity insurances...
I have decided to dedicate this weeks post to the unfortunate victims of the earthquakes which have plagued Turkey recently. My initial response as an Engineer is that some of these losses were avoidable. Massive condolences to those more personally affected than I. A gut wrenching loss of life.
"earthquakes don't kill people, buildings do"
There are organisations such as 'Build Change' who are proactive in their approach and will save many lives due to their efforts. A completely awesome engineering resource and charity [cap doffing]. For this post, I do not wish to debate whether there are adequate amounts of volunteered expertise ready and waiting to help mitigate these kinds of problems. For example, the ones faced by developed countries sitting on a convergence of destructive fault lines. Like Turkey.
Neither am I planning to dive into technical requirements for buildings in earthquake zones, or teaching locals how to build and engineer a safer home. However. I would like to put forward a suggestion as to why we engineers are the way we are. I hope that this will help you understand the thoughts and processes which have contributed to an engineers 'misconceived' conservativeness.
As Structural Engineers, we [predominantly] exist in a state of knowledge limbo. We aim to utilise our experience and carry out our designs as economically as possible, but what does that really mean? It means that we attempt to be as confident as we can, and by aiming at a 90-95% utilisation of the strength of the materials that we design with. This figure does not include for the mandatory factors of safety which we are obligated to adhere to either. These essential factors of safety average out another 30-35% of under utilisation due to inconsistencies in material strength, and inaccuracies in construction and loading assessments. If we consider that their ultimate load bearing capacities are only using 60% of their strength... then this results in an over design of approximately two thirds! Guilty as charged. In our defence though, the above calculations are rather more complicated in reality and I have neglected to mention permissible stresses, load combinations and various clauses and sub-clauses, all of which are used to help us economise on design. Trust me, the above statement has been extensively rationalised so that I could attempt to come up with figure for you.
No wonder we are viewed with suspicion when from time to time we are able to 'magic' up additional capacity where once there was none, using nothing but our Engineering judgement.
I was out running a few weeks ago, and I run through quite a busy golf course. At times I have had to take refuge behind trees or protect my head as I sprinted past a golfers tee. This one time, I ran over the crown of some dense grassland and happened upon an excellent view of a 90 yard par 3 hole. This part of the course looked like it had been designed as a training hole, to allow golfers to hit an entire bucket of balls undisturbed.
The green was peppered with tiny white balls. They were also everywhere else too! On the fringe, in the rough, in the bunker, right next to the flag... and my immediate thought was, WOW. This guy is destined to do well with all that practice. He will try and try and try, and eventually he will stumble upon that perfect swing, which will then go on to become his most consistent. For golfers, the amount of practice is directly proportionate to their level of consistency and success... as with most things in life.
Not in engineering though.
Mistakes, failures and testing costs time and money, sometimes it costs lives. When we step up to the tee, as an engineer - we only have one ball, one hole. So we have to settle ourselves that our judgement is correct. Safety takes presidence.
OK, so we test in laboratories, but these are laboratories - and not building sites We also proverbially increase the diameter of the hole somewhat, because we are better equipped to break down and therefore understand the problems facing us. Most of the 'edge' which we have comes from the pervasive application of factors of safety... driven by the fact that the repercussions of our failure are horrendous.
I hope that I have given you a better idea as to why we are keen to maintain control of what is carried out during construction, and are infact best placed to aide project managers and contractors build with more efficiency and confidence than anyone other single member of the design team.
We have pride, safety, connectivity, and are educated, motivated, hard working, creative.... and altruistic. Every construction project needs an Engineer on board*.
Engine[er]
*I would however draw a line at asking an Engineer to say design your garden decking or specify the foundations of a dwarf garden wall which passes near tree roots. You may not like the answers that you get. Certain small building projects perhaps need the touch of an experienced builder rather than an Engineer who invokes the protection from their indemnity insurances...
3 Nov 2011
[Blog On The Run] Keeping it together
I always did feel nervous when about to present a speech to strangers, or when asked to talk about myself and my future plans. Did I say nervous? I meant petrified.
Mastery of my jitters had always been a particularly difficult personal challenge.
I once interviewed for a place on the new series of ITVs Kyrpton Factor. It went fine, and I managed to ace the intelligence test, but found myself in trouble when a rolling camera was turned towards me. From behind the camera came the words... "so, let's hear about you Glen"... I swallowed hard and then quite simply fell apart. This became a huge lesson to me. I had failed miserably.
Afterwards I was acutely aware that if I was ever going to do well in my career and surpass my goals - I had to be able to articulate my own story, AND hold it together. The valuable skill of self promotion, and selling myself to a wider audience got written into my business plan. My first step? I joined the BNI.
After 4weeks, I still struggle with it all, even though I have plenty to say! The feelings of self consciousness remain, and I wish it would just go away.
Today, I met with two astute and friendly engineering examiners at the headquarters of the Institute of Structural Engineers. The professional review was very engaging, and I haven't sweated so much since I presented a financial planning topic to an auditorium of 40 students at university. My interviewers handled the process very professionally and asked some searching questions. It turned out that I was their first associate member looking to take the exam for full membership. An upgrade? Not necessarily... but that's a post for another week.
My favourite question which was put to me by the interviewers was this; "now that you are working for yourself, how are you finding working on your own as a soletrader?"
Good question. Very good.
My answer was this; "I have never felt alone, both personally and professionally. I have a wealth of experienced Engineers to turn to and discuss my work and planned decisions with. I contribute to discussions on LinkedIn forums, and as a result I feel like I am part of a large organisation of helpful work colleagues. There are people who are looking out for me and I am forging new relationships all the time". Being alone only exists if you choose to cut yourself off. I do not intend to hide myself away, and nor should the members of our Institution or our graduate members. Life is an open forum, stake your claim.
I will be seeking help for my 'stage fright', and hunting out public speaking opportunities to test myself on. Maybe one day I will be as confident talking to strangers in person, as I am writing about my experiences.
How do you cope with talking to strangers?
Engine[er]
Mastery of my jitters had always been a particularly difficult personal challenge.
I once interviewed for a place on the new series of ITVs Kyrpton Factor. It went fine, and I managed to ace the intelligence test, but found myself in trouble when a rolling camera was turned towards me. From behind the camera came the words... "so, let's hear about you Glen"... I swallowed hard and then quite simply fell apart. This became a huge lesson to me. I had failed miserably.
Afterwards I was acutely aware that if I was ever going to do well in my career and surpass my goals - I had to be able to articulate my own story, AND hold it together. The valuable skill of self promotion, and selling myself to a wider audience got written into my business plan. My first step? I joined the BNI.
After 4weeks, I still struggle with it all, even though I have plenty to say! The feelings of self consciousness remain, and I wish it would just go away.
Today, I met with two astute and friendly engineering examiners at the headquarters of the Institute of Structural Engineers. The professional review was very engaging, and I haven't sweated so much since I presented a financial planning topic to an auditorium of 40 students at university. My interviewers handled the process very professionally and asked some searching questions. It turned out that I was their first associate member looking to take the exam for full membership. An upgrade? Not necessarily... but that's a post for another week.
My favourite question which was put to me by the interviewers was this; "now that you are working for yourself, how are you finding working on your own as a soletrader?"
Good question. Very good.
My answer was this; "I have never felt alone, both personally and professionally. I have a wealth of experienced Engineers to turn to and discuss my work and planned decisions with. I contribute to discussions on LinkedIn forums, and as a result I feel like I am part of a large organisation of helpful work colleagues. There are people who are looking out for me and I am forging new relationships all the time". Being alone only exists if you choose to cut yourself off. I do not intend to hide myself away, and nor should the members of our Institution or our graduate members. Life is an open forum, stake your claim.
I will be seeking help for my 'stage fright', and hunting out public speaking opportunities to test myself on. Maybe one day I will be as confident talking to strangers in person, as I am writing about my experiences.
How do you cope with talking to strangers?
Engine[er]
29 Oct 2011
The future of Structural Engineering
"It's the old frontier that actually presents the most interesting opportunities, because the shine has worn off. This is your platform for real innovation, innovation in a place or a market or a situation that truly is ready for it..." Seth Godin
I quote Seth an awful amount. Why? Because the future of our industry lies in connections and connecting the dots. Seth's words plants seeds, I will attempt to grow one of those here, and you - I hope, will reap a very special reward.
For many many years our industry has provided a HUGE service to the built environment and society. To coin a phrase which cropped up during one of my discussions on LinkedIn, "we are the understated risk takers of society". To be honest, I do not know where this was quoted from, or indeed if it was the first time to be mentioned... but this is who we are. Structural Engineers... risk taker extraordinares!!
If you are not a structural engineer then you probably would not have heard of the following engineering quote too. It is scary, and I urge you read it: this describes our profession quite eloquently.
"Structural engineering is the art of modelling materials we do not wholly understand into shapes we cannot precisely analyse so as to withstand forces we cannot properly assess in such a way that the public at large has no reason to suspect the extent of our ignorance."
I'm probably not going to be hunted down by a gaggle of engineering ninjas hell bent on my destruction for writing that, as this quote is available on google anyway. BUT I'm sure that sharing this revelation to the general public was not on the mind of the very first engineer to make that statement. Truth is many engineers after that event have also been drawn to similar parallels.
OK, I wanted to share with you a revelation I have had. It has to do with our future, our employers future, the future of our industry. We have been surviving for the last 150 years or so, dining out on the efforts of engineers during the industrial age, such as the Brunels and Telford [to mention only a few]. These incredible engineers were unbound and able to guide a wave of industrious innovation, fed by huge sums of private and public funding. They sold engineering to the masses. The world ate it up.
For this post I will deftly gloss over the historical roots of Engineers - coming to you in a post very soon.
It was not all high 5's and slaps on backs though. During this time many lives were lost due to pushing the envelope and gambling with risk over certainty. Trust me, safety was a high priority, but writing the instruction manual WHILST engineering a new future led to costly delays and fatal mistakes.
So where are we now? Engineering is a technical specialism. The risks associated with our profession have forced even our most talented practitioners to focus like a laser beam on what it is, beneath our noses. Good? Absolutely. Our attention to detail has saved lives, money... and consequently, provided respite to shareholders, the public, and government officials from overburdening themselves with the stress of potential costly mistakes. AND, in a rather melodramatic way, I believe that our greatest gift to construction and society has been strangling the life out of our industry.
It's like this, if you found a thick, rich vein of mathematically minded problem solving gravity defying magicians who - GET THIS - not only loved being shut away to deal with the technical needs of your clients/employers BUT revelled in the risk taking... then you had better hold onto them! You take them at an early age and you teach them to survive in a world of uncertainty. Not only that, you create a system where the best and the most experienced write rule books and teach the new waves to do the very same thing! Sound familiar? Society benefits. Farm after farm of eager engineering students begin their life long journey of learning and enlightenment. Once they are ready, they pass on their knowledge. There you have it, a system perfect at delivering the slightly autistically natured, mathematically minded volunteers to the coal face for another generation of built environmental servitude.
You may be reading this and thinking, WOW, this guy seems pretty cynical about engineering as a whole. Wrong. I love my profession, the opportunities are massive! You may be thinking WOW, this guy has a point... but how would we go about changing any of that? What is the point in discussing it. If you didn't feel that way and were an engineer - then I would be closely scrutinising your qualifications... we are trained very very well.
My answer: nothing needs to be done. It's already happening. Connections, connecting the dots.
Today, I am able to speak more freely with more of my engineering brethren than ever before. But not in that 'false' way were we are mildly interested in what it is that the engineers across the road are doing. I am connecting in a very real way. We are sharing thoughts, we are sharing experiences. It is early days, but the result of this kind of communication and connection is leading us all down a very singular path. We are beginning to share a common goal. For the first time since I have been an engineer, I can see the green sprouts of collaboration on a huge scale! I can visualise that one day I will freely pass work to my specialist engineering neighbours for the sake of education and giving the client the very best possible skills available.
Once engineering again becomes an infectious passion amongst us and not a life sentence of proud servitude, then we will control our destiny, our businesses and our freedom to innovate.
I make no predictions here, it is happening. Get on board, add me on Twitter, follow each other AND KEEP INSPIRING ONE ANOTHER.
Engine[er]
As promised, an additional post came to my attention. Please feel free to check out this link written a few years ago by Jeff Asher, S.E., M.ACSE for the STRUCTUEmag. It is because of editorials and posts like these, that we must try and find a way to join in and push each other on...
I quote Seth an awful amount. Why? Because the future of our industry lies in connections and connecting the dots. Seth's words plants seeds, I will attempt to grow one of those here, and you - I hope, will reap a very special reward.
For many many years our industry has provided a HUGE service to the built environment and society. To coin a phrase which cropped up during one of my discussions on LinkedIn, "we are the understated risk takers of society". To be honest, I do not know where this was quoted from, or indeed if it was the first time to be mentioned... but this is who we are. Structural Engineers... risk taker extraordinares!!
If you are not a structural engineer then you probably would not have heard of the following engineering quote too. It is scary, and I urge you read it: this describes our profession quite eloquently.
"Structural engineering is the art of modelling materials we do not wholly understand into shapes we cannot precisely analyse so as to withstand forces we cannot properly assess in such a way that the public at large has no reason to suspect the extent of our ignorance."
I'm probably not going to be hunted down by a gaggle of engineering ninjas hell bent on my destruction for writing that, as this quote is available on google anyway. BUT I'm sure that sharing this revelation to the general public was not on the mind of the very first engineer to make that statement. Truth is many engineers after that event have also been drawn to similar parallels.
OK, I wanted to share with you a revelation I have had. It has to do with our future, our employers future, the future of our industry. We have been surviving for the last 150 years or so, dining out on the efforts of engineers during the industrial age, such as the Brunels and Telford [to mention only a few]. These incredible engineers were unbound and able to guide a wave of industrious innovation, fed by huge sums of private and public funding. They sold engineering to the masses. The world ate it up.
For this post I will deftly gloss over the historical roots of Engineers - coming to you in a post very soon.
It was not all high 5's and slaps on backs though. During this time many lives were lost due to pushing the envelope and gambling with risk over certainty. Trust me, safety was a high priority, but writing the instruction manual WHILST engineering a new future led to costly delays and fatal mistakes.
So where are we now? Engineering is a technical specialism. The risks associated with our profession have forced even our most talented practitioners to focus like a laser beam on what it is, beneath our noses. Good? Absolutely. Our attention to detail has saved lives, money... and consequently, provided respite to shareholders, the public, and government officials from overburdening themselves with the stress of potential costly mistakes. AND, in a rather melodramatic way, I believe that our greatest gift to construction and society has been strangling the life out of our industry.
It's like this, if you found a thick, rich vein of mathematically minded problem solving gravity defying magicians who - GET THIS - not only loved being shut away to deal with the technical needs of your clients/employers BUT revelled in the risk taking... then you had better hold onto them! You take them at an early age and you teach them to survive in a world of uncertainty. Not only that, you create a system where the best and the most experienced write rule books and teach the new waves to do the very same thing! Sound familiar? Society benefits. Farm after farm of eager engineering students begin their life long journey of learning and enlightenment. Once they are ready, they pass on their knowledge. There you have it, a system perfect at delivering the slightly autistically natured, mathematically minded volunteers to the coal face for another generation of built environmental servitude.
You may be reading this and thinking, WOW, this guy seems pretty cynical about engineering as a whole. Wrong. I love my profession, the opportunities are massive! You may be thinking WOW, this guy has a point... but how would we go about changing any of that? What is the point in discussing it. If you didn't feel that way and were an engineer - then I would be closely scrutinising your qualifications... we are trained very very well.
My answer: nothing needs to be done. It's already happening. Connections, connecting the dots.
Today, I am able to speak more freely with more of my engineering brethren than ever before. But not in that 'false' way were we are mildly interested in what it is that the engineers across the road are doing. I am connecting in a very real way. We are sharing thoughts, we are sharing experiences. It is early days, but the result of this kind of communication and connection is leading us all down a very singular path. We are beginning to share a common goal. For the first time since I have been an engineer, I can see the green sprouts of collaboration on a huge scale! I can visualise that one day I will freely pass work to my specialist engineering neighbours for the sake of education and giving the client the very best possible skills available.
Once engineering again becomes an infectious passion amongst us and not a life sentence of proud servitude, then we will control our destiny, our businesses and our freedom to innovate.
I make no predictions here, it is happening. Get on board, add me on Twitter, follow each other AND KEEP INSPIRING ONE ANOTHER.
Engine[er]
As promised, an additional post came to my attention. Please feel free to check out this link written a few years ago by Jeff Asher, S.E., M.ACSE for the STRUCTUEmag. It is because of editorials and posts like these, that we must try and find a way to join in and push each other on...
24 Oct 2011
I got Ideas, lots and lots and lots...
As an Engineer this is a subject which has always both tickled me and confused me over the years. Many times have I heard this very same statement repeated by entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs in waiting. "I'm the ideas man/woman", "I think about what it is that we need to do, and someone else should worry about how we do it!".
Well it goes without saying that without the 'completer finishers' or 'specialists, then not much would get done. Of course this is not the whole story as a good ideas person and manager will get the very best out of a 'specialist'. If we use the single business owner or entrepreneur as an example, then to begin with, you are the manager, you are the specialist, you are the co-ordinator, and the implementer etc. There is no-one else to hide behind. Exciting hey? Perhaps. This does mean that implementing your strategies and delivering on promises is the only currency that you should concern yourself with.. in the beginning.
As a structural engineer, you are very fortunate if you can begin designing structural elements on your first graduate assignment - day one. It does happen, and happens quite often - I am just saying that you would be very lucky to. My experience is that for the first 24 months as a trainee design engineer, I was generally filing, visiting sites with my mentor, tracing details and learning how to use CAD. It wasn't until I pushed my boss hard that I managed to wiggle my way into my first designer role.
All these experiences have been incredibly formative for me. Humble beginnings and thankful for all the knowledge which was freely passed over to me. All I had to do was turn up, look eager and make awful coffee. I got better at making coffee though.
My route to Engineering has been a long one and I appreciate that this is not for everyone. My opinion though, is that if you don't pick a route long enough for you to learn a thing or two about your chosen career then you are doing yourself out of an education! Check this post out by Seth Godin - see if it rings any bells or speaks to you some how.
Giving your career enough time to mature,and taking every opportunity to learn from the expert practitioners of construction materials and gravity defying structures gives you an incredible advantage.
Then one day, you get to practise 'conceptual design'. This is as close as you can get to being creative from a strictly technical engineering point of view. All those years of experience, poured out during project conception to enhance the buildability of the projects that you lead. You become the ideas man/woman.
In this role, there are no nooks and crannies to hide, you are surrounded by experienced, battle hardened contractor/managers and of course - other Engineers. You have to be at the top of your game. Whether you are an Engineer or a fledgling entrepreneur - it is important to do your learning first!
My question is to those who wish to jump straight in and practice business management, lead an industry, come up with the next billion dollar, highly scalable, all-singing-all-dancing, glow-in-the-dark, mutha of a corporation is quite simply this; What are you doing about it? What have you done about? Who have you impressed and why should I believe your words... as actions, like the span variable in a bending moment equation IS the only thing that really matters. Isn't it?
Follow me on your news feed! Beam me direct to your mobile direct with an app!
Engine[er]
Well it goes without saying that without the 'completer finishers' or 'specialists, then not much would get done. Of course this is not the whole story as a good ideas person and manager will get the very best out of a 'specialist'. If we use the single business owner or entrepreneur as an example, then to begin with, you are the manager, you are the specialist, you are the co-ordinator, and the implementer etc. There is no-one else to hide behind. Exciting hey? Perhaps. This does mean that implementing your strategies and delivering on promises is the only currency that you should concern yourself with.. in the beginning.
As a structural engineer, you are very fortunate if you can begin designing structural elements on your first graduate assignment - day one. It does happen, and happens quite often - I am just saying that you would be very lucky to. My experience is that for the first 24 months as a trainee design engineer, I was generally filing, visiting sites with my mentor, tracing details and learning how to use CAD. It wasn't until I pushed my boss hard that I managed to wiggle my way into my first designer role.
All these experiences have been incredibly formative for me. Humble beginnings and thankful for all the knowledge which was freely passed over to me. All I had to do was turn up, look eager and make awful coffee. I got better at making coffee though.
My route to Engineering has been a long one and I appreciate that this is not for everyone. My opinion though, is that if you don't pick a route long enough for you to learn a thing or two about your chosen career then you are doing yourself out of an education! Check this post out by Seth Godin - see if it rings any bells or speaks to you some how.
Giving your career enough time to mature,and taking every opportunity to learn from the expert practitioners of construction materials and gravity defying structures gives you an incredible advantage.
Then one day, you get to practise 'conceptual design'. This is as close as you can get to being creative from a strictly technical engineering point of view. All those years of experience, poured out during project conception to enhance the buildability of the projects that you lead. You become the ideas man/woman.
In this role, there are no nooks and crannies to hide, you are surrounded by experienced, battle hardened contractor/managers and of course - other Engineers. You have to be at the top of your game. Whether you are an Engineer or a fledgling entrepreneur - it is important to do your learning first!
My question is to those who wish to jump straight in and practice business management, lead an industry, come up with the next billion dollar, highly scalable, all-singing-all-dancing, glow-in-the-dark, mutha of a corporation is quite simply this; What are you doing about it? What have you done about? Who have you impressed and why should I believe your words... as actions, like the span variable in a bending moment equation IS the only thing that really matters. Isn't it?
Follow me on your news feed! Beam me direct to your mobile direct with an app!
Engine[er]
13 Sept 2011
A SLOW week in the life of a SMALL business owner
[Checks his calender] (that's me checking my calender by the way - in case you couldn't tell).
I needed to check my where-a-bouts, as last week was akin to an almighty explosion of nothing... Pffffizzzzzz POOF! Here, for your enjoyment is a rare glimpse into what a slow week may look like, should you decide to take up the NEW START-UP CHALLENGE... and begin working for yourself. I'm quite proud and puzzled at the same time. Enjoy.
Monday. Early to rise, seriously. Speak to free business listing website for 25minutes and discuss how my free listing is not as good for my business exposure as the £[insert random price] sponsored deal is. Go figure. Arranged to meet with my local hair dresser during lunch to sell him the FREE professional services of my friend who has agreed to build Facebook pages for small businesses to earn himself some pocket money, but needs a couple of portfolio jobs to get started first. Then spent 2 hours setting up the business page on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare so that my mate could hit the ground running. Do a little bit of work for an Architect on a local project. Meet Steve Brown of Browns Barber Shop at lunch, snap a bunch of photos for his Facebook page. I leave a very happy man behind me, with promises of a sparkling brand new way of marketing his business - FREE of charges of course. Get home, email business friend regarding a personal project I am doing for him. He is very very happy. Call Paul and email to him the reel of photos from the afternoons photo shoot. Everyone knows what they are doing... and relax.
Tuesday. Late up. Social media morning. Continue design for local Architect. Receive a phone call from gentleman who found me on LinkedIn. He loved my company profile and hoped that I could help him with his structural problems. We hit it off well and I agreed to visit his home next week. Spoke with an ex-work colleague and Architect regarding a meet-up for tomorrow. Finished off my application to apply for next years Chartership Examination - Institute of Structural Engineers.
Wednesday: Chase member signatures for my Chartership review interview then drive to meet old work colleague to speak about business and how we can help each other. Had an awesome discussion about new-starters, marketing, branding, pricing and of course buildings and work-work. During the conversation, my Architect friend gave me a huge compliment - I'm sure that it was meant as a compliment, but I don't think she realised how important it was for me to hear it. She said to me that reading my blog, and company profile and how I presented myself in the electronic world is a complete echo of who I am in the real world. Obviously she has had the opportunity to work with me in the past and reaffirmed that I am marketing myself in the way that I intended - being true to my personality and future plans . I was 'made up' that afternoon. Was called up by a contact who wished to push some work my way. I agreed to meet the client on site the very next day.
Thursday: On site after braving horrendous traffic. Agreed to silly deadlines [mentally shifting work around] and left site brimming with happiness and hope - interesting new job and 2 rather encouraging new contacts for the future. Time to pop back to the home office and chase signatures for my Chartership application... squeeze in a small amount of work too ;-) Mid afternoon - met with young developer who is trying to do good things in and around Herts and North London. Quality contact and a very focussed customer. Polished looks, business man like, and obviously design orientated. Score! - I could see him becoming more and more interested in what I had to say about my business and we hit it off well. Promises were made to send some work my way and again I left a happy and re-charged man. Final stop was a visit to my friend and past mentor to talk about my application to next years Chartership Exam, and sign a form for me. Good to catch up - even if it was only for 30minutes. Worked until 11pm on Architects project. Yawn.
Friday: Posted all information that was required to IStructE (Structural Engineers Institute) and then flew down the motorway to an already active job - to discuss plans with builder. Chatted through the plans for the third time - and wondered why I bothered creating drawings if they weren't being read.
First meeting with possible new Architect colleague in St Albans. Awesome chat. More promises made with regard to giving me a chance to estimate for some of their current projects and indeed one did arrive later that day. A cool extension on a GradeII listed cottage, on a side of a hill (nay cliff?) in Devon. More drawing work and finally issued structural input for a local project. The end of the day saw me sat at my computer working away on social media input (like this blog) and waiting for someone to make use of my FREE Weekly Structural Surgery offer... no takers again. This could take a while to find it's audience I think....
Engine[er]
I needed to check my where-a-bouts, as last week was akin to an almighty explosion of nothing... Pffffizzzzzz POOF! Here, for your enjoyment is a rare glimpse into what a slow week may look like, should you decide to take up the NEW START-UP CHALLENGE... and begin working for yourself. I'm quite proud and puzzled at the same time. Enjoy.
Monday. Early to rise, seriously. Speak to free business listing website for 25minutes and discuss how my free listing is not as good for my business exposure as the £[insert random price] sponsored deal is. Go figure. Arranged to meet with my local hair dresser during lunch to sell him the FREE professional services of my friend who has agreed to build Facebook pages for small businesses to earn himself some pocket money, but needs a couple of portfolio jobs to get started first. Then spent 2 hours setting up the business page on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare so that my mate could hit the ground running. Do a little bit of work for an Architect on a local project. Meet Steve Brown of Browns Barber Shop at lunch, snap a bunch of photos for his Facebook page. I leave a very happy man behind me, with promises of a sparkling brand new way of marketing his business - FREE of charges of course. Get home, email business friend regarding a personal project I am doing for him. He is very very happy. Call Paul and email to him the reel of photos from the afternoons photo shoot. Everyone knows what they are doing... and relax.
Tuesday. Late up. Social media morning. Continue design for local Architect. Receive a phone call from gentleman who found me on LinkedIn. He loved my company profile and hoped that I could help him with his structural problems. We hit it off well and I agreed to visit his home next week. Spoke with an ex-work colleague and Architect regarding a meet-up for tomorrow. Finished off my application to apply for next years Chartership Examination - Institute of Structural Engineers.
Wednesday: Chase member signatures for my Chartership review interview then drive to meet old work colleague to speak about business and how we can help each other. Had an awesome discussion about new-starters, marketing, branding, pricing and of course buildings and work-work. During the conversation, my Architect friend gave me a huge compliment - I'm sure that it was meant as a compliment, but I don't think she realised how important it was for me to hear it. She said to me that reading my blog, and company profile and how I presented myself in the electronic world is a complete echo of who I am in the real world. Obviously she has had the opportunity to work with me in the past and reaffirmed that I am marketing myself in the way that I intended - being true to my personality and future plans . I was 'made up' that afternoon. Was called up by a contact who wished to push some work my way. I agreed to meet the client on site the very next day.
Thursday: On site after braving horrendous traffic. Agreed to silly deadlines [mentally shifting work around] and left site brimming with happiness and hope - interesting new job and 2 rather encouraging new contacts for the future. Time to pop back to the home office and chase signatures for my Chartership application... squeeze in a small amount of work too ;-) Mid afternoon - met with young developer who is trying to do good things in and around Herts and North London. Quality contact and a very focussed customer. Polished looks, business man like, and obviously design orientated. Score! - I could see him becoming more and more interested in what I had to say about my business and we hit it off well. Promises were made to send some work my way and again I left a happy and re-charged man. Final stop was a visit to my friend and past mentor to talk about my application to next years Chartership Exam, and sign a form for me. Good to catch up - even if it was only for 30minutes. Worked until 11pm on Architects project. Yawn.
Friday: Posted all information that was required to IStructE (Structural Engineers Institute) and then flew down the motorway to an already active job - to discuss plans with builder. Chatted through the plans for the third time - and wondered why I bothered creating drawings if they weren't being read.
Engine[er]
9 Jul 2011
Teach yourself how to run, Part One.
Because this has taken me so long, I'd like to apologise to all those who I promised to write a masterclass on how to run... well we all know how to run really - don't we? What I mean is, give tips and inside knowledge with regard to training and motivation.
Ooo I love this new Blogger post page... it saves automatically for me!
Anyway - here goes. One thing you must get into your head right now, and please forever mull it over whilst you are pummeling the pavements, the lanes and inevitably your knees, is that you have limitations. I do not mean to be nasty, but I quite obviosuly have not subscribed to the belief that you can do anything you put your mind to [physically]... so don't think that donning your running gear for the first time since you left school will magically make you 'fit as a fiddle'. Your enthusiastic move to join the joggers gang will not remove all those metal blocks which may have been stiffling your desire to grow mentally BUT... but, this is a great place to stage a come back.
You may be thinking, "all i wanted was a few tricks on how to make running easier for me!"... but stay with me - I will try to explain. Running well and enjoying yourself doing it is like anything worth having in this world - bloody hard work. This is your first and primary objective, you are to train oneself to enjoy running by positive reinforcement. Don't worry, there are some cool things that you can do to help yourself.
Firstly, drop the watch, or the timer - remove the aspect of clock watching and concentrate on how the training makes you feel before, during and after. Remove the clock and you remove the anticipation of possibly failing to make the time that you think that you deserve. Trust me, we all think this way arfter running for a few weeks. You are looking for ways to prove to yourself that you are achieving a better performance. Well there are better ways than simply timing yourself.
Kit. Buy kit that feels comfortable! Not rocket science. Buy trainers that fit and keep your feet warm/ventillated/dry - or whatever floats your boat. Aim to feel good, not look good. Bright red faces and sweating like piggies looks raw.... even if you are wearing the latest Gore-tech running gear.
Next on the list is group running. I must admit that I never tried this. I love running with a partner or on my own. I find the thought of running in the midst of runners who are wide rangining in ability and fitness - quite disruptive. Running is hard enough without macho alpha males or overly competitive semi-pros trying to break your spirit with their achievements. Group running for me is a good way to find someone on par with you, someone who runs at the same times as you and the same frequency. I would consider group running a kind of match making exercise... I may get some flak for that comment ;-)
Once you have a route planned, and if you want my advice, do not choose a run less than 2miles and more than 4miles to begin with. Use distance as a measure of success. Note; running and stopping and running and stopping for 4miles is not a success! The whole idea behind running is that you start running and do not stop until you have completed the distance originally intended. THIS IS KEY!! Running is mental fortitude and can be torture for the ill prepared, if you start out and allow yourself to be beaten - you will always have that excuse to stop again and again. Injuries are different, do not run with injuries.
Your first run. The pace is likely to be erratic. You may not be able to find your 'forever pace' for a good number of runs - so take it slow and relax. Your target is to run the circuit without stopping so that you can do the same thing every other day without compounding any injuires or soreness. During the run you need to think about what you are doing. Aim to run straight and with some level of consisitency, also take time to think about where you want to be in say 6months. Do you want to be running the same route? Would you prefer to be hitting up a lush forest path with a treasured running partner, enjoying the sights and smells? Could it be that with every stride (not step, stepping is WALKING) you are imagining your legs becoming more energised and fitter. Tightening muscles, fat burning and your strong lungs pushing bad air out and sucking freash clean air in... it is important to imagine. During your every-day duties you will never have the opportunity to think as clearly or with as much awarness as you are capable with a fresh and nimble runners mind. Try music to inspire yourself into imagining your future or great aspects or your past that you would love to experience again.
That's it for now. I have much more to say on the subject and will be imparting as much of my experiences of running with you all over the next few weeks. In the meantime, go for a chilled out run - take some music, or enjoy a good chat with a running partner. Feel good.
Engine[er]
Ooo I love this new Blogger post page... it saves automatically for me!
Anyway - here goes. One thing you must get into your head right now, and please forever mull it over whilst you are pummeling the pavements, the lanes and inevitably your knees, is that you have limitations. I do not mean to be nasty, but I quite obviosuly have not subscribed to the belief that you can do anything you put your mind to [physically]... so don't think that donning your running gear for the first time since you left school will magically make you 'fit as a fiddle'. Your enthusiastic move to join the joggers gang will not remove all those metal blocks which may have been stiffling your desire to grow mentally BUT... but, this is a great place to stage a come back.
You may be thinking, "all i wanted was a few tricks on how to make running easier for me!"... but stay with me - I will try to explain. Running well and enjoying yourself doing it is like anything worth having in this world - bloody hard work. This is your first and primary objective, you are to train oneself to enjoy running by positive reinforcement. Don't worry, there are some cool things that you can do to help yourself.
Firstly, drop the watch, or the timer - remove the aspect of clock watching and concentrate on how the training makes you feel before, during and after. Remove the clock and you remove the anticipation of possibly failing to make the time that you think that you deserve. Trust me, we all think this way arfter running for a few weeks. You are looking for ways to prove to yourself that you are achieving a better performance. Well there are better ways than simply timing yourself.
Kit. Buy kit that feels comfortable! Not rocket science. Buy trainers that fit and keep your feet warm/ventillated/dry - or whatever floats your boat. Aim to feel good, not look good. Bright red faces and sweating like piggies looks raw.... even if you are wearing the latest Gore-tech running gear.
Next on the list is group running. I must admit that I never tried this. I love running with a partner or on my own. I find the thought of running in the midst of runners who are wide rangining in ability and fitness - quite disruptive. Running is hard enough without macho alpha males or overly competitive semi-pros trying to break your spirit with their achievements. Group running for me is a good way to find someone on par with you, someone who runs at the same times as you and the same frequency. I would consider group running a kind of match making exercise... I may get some flak for that comment ;-)
Once you have a route planned, and if you want my advice, do not choose a run less than 2miles and more than 4miles to begin with. Use distance as a measure of success. Note; running and stopping and running and stopping for 4miles is not a success! The whole idea behind running is that you start running and do not stop until you have completed the distance originally intended. THIS IS KEY!! Running is mental fortitude and can be torture for the ill prepared, if you start out and allow yourself to be beaten - you will always have that excuse to stop again and again. Injuries are different, do not run with injuries.
Your first run. The pace is likely to be erratic. You may not be able to find your 'forever pace' for a good number of runs - so take it slow and relax. Your target is to run the circuit without stopping so that you can do the same thing every other day without compounding any injuires or soreness. During the run you need to think about what you are doing. Aim to run straight and with some level of consisitency, also take time to think about where you want to be in say 6months. Do you want to be running the same route? Would you prefer to be hitting up a lush forest path with a treasured running partner, enjoying the sights and smells? Could it be that with every stride (not step, stepping is WALKING) you are imagining your legs becoming more energised and fitter. Tightening muscles, fat burning and your strong lungs pushing bad air out and sucking freash clean air in... it is important to imagine. During your every-day duties you will never have the opportunity to think as clearly or with as much awarness as you are capable with a fresh and nimble runners mind. Try music to inspire yourself into imagining your future or great aspects or your past that you would love to experience again.
That's it for now. I have much more to say on the subject and will be imparting as much of my experiences of running with you all over the next few weeks. In the meantime, go for a chilled out run - take some music, or enjoy a good chat with a running partner. Feel good.
Engine[er]
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