Category Archives: A Structural Engineer’s Manifesto for Individual Growth

“Just do it” from Nike is fine but it seems to be about finishing something you need to finish, not necessarily because you want to finish (say avoiding procrastination).  So that isn’t enough.  “Don’t not do it” is about doing … Continue reading →

Mathematical abstraction or physical laws are secondary to the primary feel (direct apprehension) and intuition of structures.   If you don’t believe me, please read from our greatest engineers like Peter Rice’s An Engineer Imagines, Eduado Torroja’s The Philosophy of Structures, … Continue reading →

The computer will never replace the importance of a physical model out of cardboard, balsa wood, paper, glue, etc.   Architects build these all the time, we should too.

Go to Home Depot and buy stuff to have in your office while you design on the computer.   Having the material in your hand is the best way to proportion members later on the computer.  I recommended:  Wood Sizes (2×4, 2×6, 4×4 and … Continue reading →

Drawing 1 to 1 will help you make a better design decision on a particular component of a project.   Try drawing a 6×6 wood post on paper with the joist hanger, or a L4x4x5/16 steel framing angle with bolts to scale.   See … Continue reading →

Worrying about your design will make you better.   You will be better able to prioritize which part of the project needs more attention and hopefully this worry comes prior to construction so it can be corrected if needed.  James Gorden … Continue reading →

Robert Pirsig complained about a bad motorcycle mechanic when writing Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance after dropping off his bike at a shop after the engine had caused up and caused the rear wheel to lock up. When … Continue reading →

I admit, this is sort of a luxury I have.  I haven’t needed an alarm clock for 15 years.   The most important part of my day as an engineer is lying in bed awake for about 20 minutes or so after … Continue reading →

How do structural engineers design beautiful works of “structural art”?  Nervi and Salvadori give us some clues.   In the forward to Nervi’s inspiring and wonderful book Structures, Mario Salvadori reminds the readers: Nervi’s results are not achieved by consciously trying to meet aesthetic demands, … Continue reading →

Knowing our history, our leaders, our heroes, our world’s architecture is not something that needs an explanation.   How is this not part of the curriculum? ABET may be failing our profession so we need to join ABET and change it.  … Continue reading →