What is Structural Enigneering
What is Structural Enigneering
(OP)
I am reading a book titled “Three Dimensional Static and Dynamic Analysis of Structures” by Edward L. Wilson. The book came along with the documentation for ETABS software. In the beginning of his book he has the following definition of structural engineering which he adapted from an unknown author.:
Structural Engineering is:
The art of using materials that have properties which can only be estimated,
To build real structures that can only be approximately analyzed,
To withstand forces that are not accurately known,
So that our responsibility with respect to public safety is satisfied.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Structural Engineering is:
The art of using materials that have properties which can only be estimated,
To build real structures that can only be approximately analyzed,
To withstand forces that are not accurately known,
So that our responsibility with respect to public safety is satisfied.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Regards,
Lutfi






RE: What is Structural Enigneering
Sorry
Regards,
Lutfi
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
We the unwilling
lead by the incompetent
to do the impossible
for the ungrateful
'Nam 1968'
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
"Structural Engineering is the art (art, mark you) of controlling people whose behaviour you cannot really predict, to fabricate materials whose properties you do not really understand, into shapes that you cannot really analyse, to resist forces that you cannot really assess, in such a way that the public does not really suspect."
Vale FB.
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
Seriously, hard to say whether the definition is praising or demeaning. Looks very dramatic though.
Ciao.
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
"We the willing led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing."
AND
"Structural engineering is the art of molding materials we do not wholly understand into shapes we cannot precisely analyze so as to withstand forces we cannot readily assess in such a way that the community at large has no reason to suspect the extent of our ignorance."
It gives people an idea of my morbid sense of humor before they deal with me.
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
How many times do we find ourselves fighting (not literally) with gray code issue or building official's interpretations?
Regards,
Lutfi
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
Thanks SacreBleu.
Regards,
-Mike
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
Hymn of Breaking Strain
The careful text-books measure
(Let all who build beware)
The load, the shock, the pressure
Material can bear.
So when the buckling girder
lets down the grinding span,
the blame of loss, or murder,
is laid upon the man.
Not the stuff - the Man!
Structural engineering is man's attempt to control the forces of nature (gravity, wind, snow, etc.) in an effort to create an object of use to society.
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
SOUND RIGHT TO ANYONE ELSE?
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
The difference between a Mechanical Engineer and a Structural Engineer is as such that once the Mechanical Engineer is finished with his design and it DOESN'T move... he's in trouble; while, with the Structural Engineer, once he is finished with his design and it MOVES... he's in touble!
There's a lot of truth in this light-hearted comparison.
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
"The mechanical engineer builds weapons; the civil engineer builds targets!"
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
The mechanical engineer developes a prototype, and then after extensive testing, development, and revisions, builds his creation . . . whereas people are currently occupying the civil engineer's prototypes!
engphila
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
There I was, sitting here thinking this was a forum with serious people asking serious questions.........:)
Ob, by the way Flamby: that raise you mentioned is probably the impossible thing we're after...
RE: What is Structural Enigneering
And we haven't even touched on Concrete design codes...(ouch)
Don't get me started. Maybe that's why I design railcar structures now.
I truly enjoyed this great thread, everyone.
tg