I passed the Civil PE exam in 1993 and the SEII a few years ago but that and my 20 years of experience isn't good enough for Illinois. Yet you can seal structural drawings as an RA.
Because they let architects play with pretty colored pencils and draw things that cannot conceivably be built - even from Kryptonite....and workmen with 14 very tiny hands that can lift or move 2,000 lbs each....
The architects didn't get these ridiculous "structural" laws passed that exclude engineers. Structural engineers did with the help of ASCE.
This is one of the reasons I quit ASCE. ASCE is of the position that only the "structural" engineering clique can do structural design or use the title "structural engineer". Also, ASCE doesn't want people to be engineers unless they have at least a masters degree.
It is confusing to the public when they want structural design work done by an engineer--but the title "structural engineer" is reserved via a successful (self-interest) lobbying effort.
Okay. I'll bite. Why did Illinois enact their "structural engineer practice"? Why do you feel this special title is necessary? What purpose does it serve the public? Why have other states not followed suit in the last nearly hundred years? From what I've heard of Illinois a lot of special interests get their way in that state--but your assertion is that it wasn't special interests. Was there a disaster that could have been remedied by a special title for structurals, so it was enacted?
Never know maybe you know something I don't and have a better point of view. I'm here to learn. So what is it? What is the special reason?
Illinois and the Chicago area in particular has a lot of old structural firms, and good noes at that. I have had occasion to work a few of them. Maybe they want to keep Illinois work in Illinois? I don't know.
But, the fact that an Illinois RA can seal structural drawings is a flat out joke. That's where the special interest is. Maybe I am uninformed but I doubt I could find a RA that could run seismic numbers and design for me.
And after that swing-stage window washing platform blew off the side of a skyscraper and killed a few people, the city of Chicago in its infinite knowledge demanded that ALL scaffolds be permitted and sealed by an SE!!
Actaully - they should have licensed rope tying persons or windoe washers - they were the ones who screwed that up...
The process to apply can be a long one. I submitted my application in July after passing the SE II in April and it took until August to get the deficiencies corrected (primary problem was that NCEES did not have my testing data updated prior to sending my record to Illinois). Unfortunately, my information was not completely accepted until after the August SE Board meeting. The SE Board only meets quarterly, so I am still awaiting approval from their meeting the last week of October.
The fact that there are so many roadblocks for legitimate structural engineers to practice in Illinois while an architect with little to no structural knowledge can freely stamp drawings borders on ridiculous.
Not of the exact reason but Chicago had the infamous fire in 1871 and it reasons that buildings built following the fire were perhaps not the best constructed given that the city, like others, would want to build fast to minimize disruption. Buildings also changed from mainly wood to masonry, iron-eventually steel, and concrete. So that along with the wind and the skyscrapers likely had something to do with it.
My own familiarity with the act is that it was reinstated in 1989 following the Loma Prieta earthquake. Most all of southern Illinois say I-64 and south is affected by the New Madrid Seismic Zone. North of I-64 is also affected by the more active Walbash Valley seismic zone.
Perhaps someone with knowledge of the original enacted can provide some info.
Regards,
Qshake
Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.
FYI a scan of the original Illinois Practice Act is attached. $10 fee, $1 renewal. One of the qualifications is to be "of good moral character and temperate habits" - still good advice.
Actually TTUengr51, they had their meeting yesterday. I have yet to hear anything.....I checked the licensee lookup and I don't see myself yet.
Yeah, I was a little shocked what my NCEES record didn't contain too. I had to get my base state to send them the results for my SE I & II. (A little nuts considering NCEES writes and grades the exam. And I just recently took the SE II.)
They've posted the new licenses; the good news is: I was approved. The bad news is: I've got to but another seal and get a new certificate framed......but am very happy just the same.
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