I've been working since 1979. The biggest code and requirement changes I've seen (all these are positive improvements in requirements) :
- Clean water requirements strengthened, including cleaning all water before it leaves construction sites
- Greater emphasis on storm water flow effects on natural channels, more storm water detention and treatment is required.
- Preservation of lower quality wetlands is required
- Complete and complex investigation of archaeological and historical sites
- Dust control is required and enforced
- Track out elimination is required and enforced
- Structure shading impact is now evaluated
- Noise level limits coming from construction and permanent installations are in codes and enforced.
- Finite element design enables the most efficient designs, same with computational fluid dynamics.
Technology changes
- Major improvements with base mapping, drawing management, document management . It takes about the same time to set up a plan sheet on CAD and ink, but changes and copying on CAD is at light speed.
- Much easier to find needed information - codes, standards, phone numbers, material catalogs, standard practices, just about everything
- Schedule and project management advancements through technology have enable us to develop detailed work plans. Can track budgets and expenses on a daily basis, can determine earned value, can know the "cost at completion" at all times.
- Easier to write reports
- Improved communication, can communicate with almost anyone in the world. Multiple ways to communication.
The down sides of the changes:
- Since more can be done with technology, more is expected and required. This has increased overall cost of projects.
- Too much email. We still need to respect the time of others. We need to ask - is it important for this person to know this information now? can it wait until the project update or the update report?
What changes are still needed:
- More emphasis on resiliency. Development of and funding of maintenance plans for all new installations/projects.
- More emphasis on low environmental footprint of projects.
Just some of my thoughts -
Susan Everett
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Susan Everett P.E., M.ASCE
Design Manager
Seattle WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-11-2021 09:14 AM
From: Daniel Bressler
Subject: How Has Engineering Changed Over the Years
Speaking with the more senior engineers in the industry I am beginning to understand how engineering was approached before computers and advanced programs.
Not Using AutoCAD! No Excel! These are my nightmares!
I wanted to start a discussion on what methods and practices have changed in Engineering over the years?
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Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY
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