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
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?
RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?
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?
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?
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?
RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?
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?
RE: Do I Need a Mentor to Learn Glass Design?
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?
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.