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Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

(OP)
I'd like to start getting into structural glass design as a way to create some niche opportunities for my firm. Of course, as we all know, glass engineering is pretty nebulous field at present. And no one else at my firm can lay claim to any glass design expertise. So my question is this:

If I'm willing to sink a whack of time and energy into researching glass structural design, is it something that I can realisitcally expect figure out on my own? Or will I be sunk without a mentor on the payroll to teach me the ropes?

Thanks,

KootK

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

I don't know, but I know that there's a lot of glass used out there in curtainwalls, stair assemblies, etc. and I'd imagine it's a refined science at this point. The various manufacturers (PPG, Corning, 3M, etc.) have probably developed industry standards and/or may have reference manuals. I would think a good finite element package capable of analyzing plates would be an indispensable tool in this field.

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

i doubt anyone will say you Have to have a mentor. There is, no doubt, a body of knowledge that needs to be absorbed. There are several ways to do this (on-the-job, in school, self-taught, ...) but at the end of the day when you're applying this in a structure you need to be sure about what you're doing. I would think that the EOR of the project would have a huge input (on what you have to prove, and how to you have to prove it) and this'll depend on his experience (whether or not he knows structural glass).

Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

Why are you thinking that a mentor would need to be limited to your company? you would be surprised who is willing to help you if you ask.

Facade engineering is what I assume your trying to learn, which in Australia is it's own discipline.

http://www.nceng.com.au/
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning."

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

(OP)
I'll mostly be looking at point supported glass. Lots of canopys, handrails, and window walls. Hopefully the odd staircase and pedestrian bridge. I'm planning to procure the AU glass codes. I understand that they're more developed than ours in North America.

So... whom should I ask that might be willing to help? Glass suppliers? Friendly competitors? Researchers? Facade companies?

I had imagined that I'd have to reach out to the glass design community at large. I'm more worried about situations where I've got an impending deadline and I'm stuck having to call around to busy folks not on our payroll in order to keep a project moving. Depending on the kindness of strangers as it were.

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

You can do some networking, i.e. go to conferences and meet people, to find someone that is a glass "expert". Then just show interest in his knowledge and ask lots of questions. At the end of the conference ask if it's ok to contact him with questions about glass design. Most people I know in the engineering community are more than willing to help someone out regardless of who they work for as long as you don't become a nuisance and aren't using them directly as designers and more as a teacher.

Do your own research as much as possible. When you have a potential problem that you want clarification or an opinion on, have a solution already determined no matter how crazy you think it may be. If you go to someone with a solution that you've derived from your own research then it at least looks as though you've attempted to do it yourself. They may tell you that your solution is "wrong" but then they will tell you why and what the proper direction is.

At least that has been my experience. I've talked to a few people from other firms about things when no one at our office had seen the problem before. Never once has any of them failed to help nor seemed annoyed by my pestering. A real engineer is happier knowing that all things are being designed better instead of just their projects.

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

A good reference that I have found is "Structural Use of Glass" by Matthias Haldimann, Andreas Luible, and Mauro Overend. 2008 by the international association of bridge and structural engineering. You will know whether or not you want to pursue this after studying this book. All glass is flawed and will eventually break. True, but somewhat discouraging.

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

I think all glass engineers have to go to a far away planet and find this little guy living in a swamp to lead them to to the ways of facade engineering. Design of glass you wish to do? (It's Friday...)

Most of us are probably largely self-taught, even with a mentor they are there for guidance more than spoon feeding. But my experience is that I can get the theory and learn the formulas and all that stuff on my own, but the devil of structural engineering is in the DETAILS. And I would think that would apply even more to facade engineering, where you have different types of materials combined together that must accommodate movements due to expansion/contraction, and to structural movements. This is where a mentor would be invaluable to you. And this is more of a non-traditional form of structural engineering, like forensic engineering, where some architectural and materials science knowledge beyond norm SE may be required. And then there are the connections and other details that are industry standards that you may not know from a book, seminar, etc. that comes with experience.

If you can find a consultant outside of your geographic area that you would not be competing with for business, then you may find a willing party that can consult with you on an hourly basis or something as you need. They could help you out with details and QC your work for constructability. Most of all, they can help you to learn what not to do and avoid costly errors or mistakes.

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

^^ I actually heard Yoda speaking in my head when I read that.

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

I would find out if anyone is on a code committee or association in the neighborhood that deal with the subject and go from there.

http://www.nceng.com.au/
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning."

RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?

(OP)
Great advice guys, thanks.

I ordered the Haldimann book. It should be here by Wednesday. I skimmed through it on Google Books and it looks like a great place to start regarding contemporary design methods.

I am lucky in that I have ready access to a glass expert who is very knowledgeable with regard to detailing practice and product availability. My friend is not involved with the engineering side of things however. I'll need to engage other resources when it comes to the more esoteric technical aspects.



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