Hi Rudra!
Thank you for your outreach. You asked BIG questions. My thoughts:
Composites: YES! Fiber composites is definitely a next generation structural material. I visited the
Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (
IACMI – The Composites Institute) a couple of years ago and was so inspired by the advancement underway. Fast forward to today and you see composite molds used in making architectural precast. So it is just a matter of time before we see the expanded use of the these materials. It is likely that they get a boost from 3D printing. As a judge on the NASA centennial challenge to 3D print a human habitat for the Moon or Mars, I saw how the use of plastics made all the difference in tackling the performance challenges outlined by NASA.
Computational methods: What an expertise to possess! This should open many doors especially with firms supporting clients with unique structural challenges. Consider structures constructed of advanced or non-traditional materials or unusual shapes, or iconic structures including super-tall and mega-tall buildings and global sports facilities, or even art installations constructed of unusual materials. This expertise might open other doors to work on rockets, hyperloop vehicles and infrastructure, regenerative organs and so much more. Structural Engineers can be found tackling a lot of different challenges.
Researcher-Practitioner partnership: This is such a high-potential and high-value partnership. I have the privilege of seeing the value of this first-hand working with the Charles Pankow Foundation, where industry and academia work together advancing better ways to design and build. A good example of this is the advancement of SpeedCore, a
revolutionary prefabricated concrete-filled composite steel plate shear wall system used on tall buildings and which takes 40% less time to build than conventional methods. Innovation is essential to the health of any industry. So when interviewing for your next job, be sure to ask if they are innovators, early adopters, or more main stream, even laggards in new ways and new practices. the answers will be revealing. As you can tell, I have passion for new ways. There are many at SEI making way for innovation through advancement of performance-based design, embodied carbon, and so much more. If you don't find what you are looking for at SEI, check out some of the other ASCE institutes and programs including Future World Vision. What a time to be an engineer!
Regards,
Anne
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Anne Ellis P.E., F.ASCE
Executive Director
Charles Pankow Foundation
McLean VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2020 12:56 PM
From: Rudraprasad Bhattacharyya
Subject: Meet the Leaders: Ask Me Anything
Hi Anne and John,
I am a PhD candidate at Vanderbilt University. My dissertation title is 'Development of constitutive relation for multiscale modelling of CFRP composites under uncertainty'. My research area comes under computational mechanics. The CFRP composites I'm working on are recently being used extensively in aircraft structures. As I am very close to defend my dissertation I am thinking about my future job opportunity. I have work experience in steel design in India, but not in US. I have knowledge of AISC 360, ACI 318, ASCE 7. I've not yet got a PE in US. In my personal experience most of the structural engineering professionals think PhDs as people for academia only. I believe there is still a cultural (?) barrier in the structural engineering profession to accept people with PhD. As a structural engineer I believe, in addition to the traditional structural materials like steel, concrete, masonry or timber, we should now focus on lightweight and high-strength advanced materials like CFRP composites. I have 3 questions to both of you.
1. What do you think about the prospect of fiber composites as a next generation structural material?
2. How can a structural engineer with PhD/ research background in computational mechanics may help the structural engineering profession?
3. Do you think the current cultural barrier in our profession should change by embracing new ideas developed by the researchers in practical application?
Thank you for your time.
Rudra
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Rudraprasad Bhattacharyya CPEng,P.E.,ENV SP,M.ASCE
Vanderbilt University
Nashville TN
Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2020 07:01 PM
From: Brittany Boyce
Subject: Meet the Leaders: Ask Me Anything
Hello all,
Welcome to the June edition of Meet the Leaders: Ask Me Anything! Featuring @Anne Ellis and @John Cleary. (Review their bios).
One of the staple events at SEI's Structures Congress is the Meet the Leaders breakfast where students and young professionals get the chance to sit down with leaders in small groups and pick their brains in an informal mentoring session and gain career insights. With the pandemic and (most) everyone working from home we've moved this online.
In April we had David J. Odeh, P.E., S.E., SEC, F.SEI, F.ASCE, and Cherylyn Henry P.E., F.SEI, M.ASCE, join us for the inaugural thread. In May we had SEI President Glenn Bell P.E., S.E., SECB, C.Eng, F.SEI, F.ASCE, and Rose McClure, P.E., S.E., M.ASCE for a great discussion. Review the previous threads along with the bios of the leaders to help frame your questions and guide the discussion.
This month Anne and John have agreed to answer your questions on this thread. We have asked the leaders to keep their answers concise. This thread will be open for questions until 4:00 p.m EST Friday, June 12. The leaders will reply to all questions by Monday, June 15. Please skim the thread before posting to avoid duplicate questions. Please make sure to direct your question to a specific leader or both if you would like them both to respond. Moderators reserve the right to remove or consolidate duplicate questions.
Just a reminder – questions must comply with the ASCE Collaborate Code of Conduct.
See you in the thread!
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Brittany Boyce Aff.M.ASCE
Senior Coordinator, SEI Communications & Operations
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