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  • 1.  How to learn more about Structural Engineering outside of school?

    Posted 09-25-2018 03:22 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 10-04-2018 01:25 PM

    If I wanted to learn more about structural engineering outside of school, how could I do that?  For example, say I had a client approach me and ask me to check all the loads on a custom built wood-framed home, how would I go about doing that let alone knowing where to start?

    I'm a recent graduate and I've got a B.S. in civil engineering, but I'm finding I lack the technical knowledge on how to accomplish on what feels should be an easy task.   I'm looking for ways to fill those gaps in my education.  Does anyone have suggestions on text books I could buy, webinars or other online resources I could try?

    Thanks.



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    Ryan James S.M.ASCE
    Logan UT
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  • 2.  RE: How to learn more about Structural Engineering outside of school?

    Posted 09-26-2018 10:28 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 10-04-2018 01:25 PM
    There are 2 discussions on this forum that relate to this question: Do advanced degrees matter? And should the PE exam be split between bridges and buildings?  The answer to this question covers both.

    General knowledge of engineering principles provides the professional with some versatility in its application.  Judgement is developed over years of experience, not in a classroom.  

    After receiving my BS in civil engineering, I had to go back for a summer course on steel design, because my employer required it and it is what I do.  The second course offered during that session was Timber design... why not while I am at it?  These courses were critical to my career, but not required for my BS!  2 classes down and only 8 more to receive my MS... add a little healthy peer pressure and I got my masters.  Neither degree will help you build a house.

    Ask a carpenter.  Ask a building inspector.   Ask a draftsmen.  Builders are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to practical design.  Courses will teach you how to analyze a structure and its members.  Builders and draftsmen know how to read tables, understand code, and apply common practices. Even the lumber yard can assist in design (with limitations).  Get experience in the field or an understanding of what engineering technicians do and you will have a good working relationship with them throughout your career.  You will be a licensed authority by the state, but do not ever stop listening to the folks who turn your work into reality.

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    Chad Morrison P.E., M.ASCE
    Professional Engineer
    Greenville RI
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: How to learn more about Structural Engineering outside of school?

    Posted 09-26-2018 12:59 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 10-04-2018 01:25 PM
    While I'm still learning in my third decade of engineering, there are some solid standby's to refer to.  The best are by: 
    • Michael Lindeberg.  His PE reference prep manuals have been doing it since before I was licensed.  His no nonsense approach to statics and material strengths for beam and column design should set you straight.
    • Also, McCormac for "Design of Reinforced Concrete" is excellent.
    • Steel design.. again Lindeberg's civil reference manual.
    • Wood and Timber... While Lindeberg is a good start.. the American institute of Timber Construction puts out the Timber Construction Manual... excellent.
    Basically start with Lindeberg and then get McCormac for concrete and AITC manual for wood.. between those three there's a great education that should allow you to start calculating beams and structures.  

    Keep learning by keep getting new texts as you get older.. I'm still learning!

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    Thomas Petracca P.E., M.ASCE
    CE
    Petracca Design and Engineering, PC
    Smithtown NY
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: How to learn more about Structural Engineering outside of school?

    Posted 09-30-2018 08:02 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 10-04-2018 01:25 PM
    (Structural Engineering version of my thoughts)

    If you are employed at an engineering firm, I would do the tutorials and solve the example problems included with each piece of software available.  I would mix in the software that you think you may not need because a career often has some twists and turns.  If you get to the place where you have a question, ask.  Ask a peer, mentor, fellow ASCE member, user forum, or whatever you can find.  Keep chasing the answer down the rabbit hole until you are satisfied, although you may find that att he end you know about a lot more than you originally intended to learn.

    If you are not employed at an engineering firm, ask around to see if you can come to a firm and learn the software that they have available.  Don't mess up their workflow by using licenses that they need for production; make it easy on them to help you.  Just asking is a good way to connect with firms and attending their office helps with visibility.  Ask if you can independently solve a problem they are working on and it could be a good situation for both parties.

    Study, not just read, the codes and standards that you will be using.  For production engineering, these are possibly more important than reading additional textbooks.  I would start with the IBC and then follow up with the national model codes for steel (AISC 360) and concrete (ACI 318).  I would start building toolboxes for each topic or material.  Over the years I have created Steel Tools.<g class="gr_ gr_337 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="337" data-gr-id="337">xlsm</g>, Concrete Tools.<g class="gr_ gr_320 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="320" data-gr-id="320">xlsm</g>, Soil Tools.xlsm, etc.  I now have about thirty different tools coded up and regularly use around five of them.  I use Excel and either use Excel functions or program in VBA; I have tried MathCAD several times because I like the concept but it has never stuck.  I find that I can do everything I need to do in Excel and it is more commonly available.

    After studying the major codes and references, you could look around for marine-related references (search for "UFC marine"), dam safety references (FERC, ASDSO, USBR, USSD), Army Corps of Engineers references ("USACE Publications", has great information on steel, concrete, gates, navigation locks, etc.) or whatever topics interest you.  I have created a reference library of magazine articles (from when print media was common) in file folders and 3-ring binders and about 18Gb of digital references.

    You can dig further into the details of your selected topics by studying Vendor or Manufacturer material.  For a Structural Engineer, Hilti and Simpson have great information on anchoring to concrete and timber connectors, respectively.  Trelleborg has great information on marine-related engineering.

    This process can start at any time, I suggest yesterday would have been the best time to have started.  I don't know how long it will take to complete, I have been at it 36 years and still read and clip articles from magazines (Civil Engineering, Structure, GeoStrata, Modern Steel Construction), study the codes and standards, update and expand my tools, and work tutorials and example problems.

    I wish you a long and interesting career,

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    Perry Cole P.E., S.E., F.ASCE
    Redmond WA

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    Original Message


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