On Monday, Could 6, a 5-storey constructing collapsed in George.
As a structural engineer with greater than 10 000 structural design research beneath my belt, the query arises whether or not pc packages can change expertise in structural engineering.
Most advances in earthquake design have been the outcomes of observations of buildings which were subjected to extreme earthquake situations. Analytical and pc modelling play an vital function in structural engineering evaluation, however its limitations ought to all the time be borne in thoughts.
Then again, expertise is a really costly trainer and fortuitously, we shouldn’t have to relive all of the experiences of those that went earlier than us, particularly the failures. It’s subsequently vital for engineers to check structural failures in as a lot as they research structural successes.
Irrespective of how tragic a failure may be, it might be far worse if a failure may have been anticipated and thus prevented.
Pc software program is each a curse and a blessing. A pc doesn’t work with concepts however is greatest suited to quantity crunching. It’s subsequently vital for an engineer to know how you can use this device in structural design.
Additionally, structural evaluation and design packages are advanced and are sometimes written by folks with restricted expertise in design, development and web site expertise.
The vital query is: “Can the civil engineer assure that the outcomes and the modelling of the pc program are right and is he/she proficient with the pc program?”
All younger civil/structural engineers should keep in mind that earlier than one can draw lovely diagrams, they have to be certain that they’re accustomed to the necessities and the constraints of that particular design, and that the mathematical calculations underpinning the designs are right to avert a disaster.
In conclusion, if I had been to decide on between a super-computer program and a civil engineer with forty years’ expertise, I’ll select the engineer.
So, in my view pc packages can’t change expertise and if somebody desires to be a very good structural or civil engineer, then he/she should be certain that he/she learns one thing every single day from the experiences of different engineers.
* Ishaq Ebrahim, Rondebosch.
** The views expressed right here are usually not essentially these of Impartial Media.
Cape Argus
Do you may have one thing in your thoughts; or need to touch upon the massive tales of the day? We’d love to listen to from you. Please ship your letters to [email protected].
All letters to be thought of for publication, should comprise full names, addresses and get in touch with particulars (not for publication)
