The Structural Engineer's Professional Training Manual

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The Structural Engineer's Professional Training Manual

The Structural Engineer's Professional Training Manual

Authors: Dave Adams

Published: October 2007

eISBN: 9780071593991 0071593993 | ISBN: 9780071481076

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

1 The Dynamics of Training

1.1 Making the Transition from Academics to Practice

1.1.1 Making Sense of It All

1.1.2 The Engineer's Toolbox

1.2 Training and Being Trained

1.2.1 A Philosophy of Training

1.2.2 Mentoring

1.2.3 How to Teach Others

1.3 What is Structural Engineering?

1.3.1 Analysis and Design

1.3.2 Uncertainty and Error

1.3.3 The Experience

2 The World of Professional Engineering

2.1 The Road to Licensure

2.2 Affiliations and Societies

2.3 Ethics

2.4 Civil Liability

2.4.1 Standard of Care

2.4.2 Managing Risk

2.4.3 Who's Responsible?

2.5 Design Regulations

2.5.1 The Role of Government

2.5.2 Codes

2.5.3 Design and Construction Standards

2.5.4 Other Regulations and Considerations

2.6 Responsibility to Society

2.6.1 A Healthy Workforce

2.6.2 The Ring Ceremony

2.7 International Issues

2.8 Advocacy

3 The Business of Structural Engineering

3.1 Places of Employment

3.1.1 Typical Hierarchy

3.1.2 Government

3.1.3 Private Consulting Firms

3.1.4 Industry

3.1.5 Colleges and Universities

3.2 How Does an Engineering Business Survive?

3.2.1 Management

3.2.2 Employees

3.2.3 Projects

3.2.4 Procedures

3.2.5 Communication

3.2.6 Qualifications

3.3 Clients and Consultants

3.4 Engineering Services

3.4.1 Contracts

3.4.2 Scope of Services

3.4.3 Estimating Your Work: Time and Cost

3.4.4 Estimating Your Worth: Fair Compensation

3.5 Crisis Management

3.5.1 Philosophy of Conflict Resolution

3.5.2 Working with Difficult People

3.5.3 Legal Means of Resolution

3.5.4 Litigation

4 Building Projects

4.1 Building Systems

4.1.1 Structural

4.1.2 Plumbing

4.1.3 Mechanical

4.1.4 Electrical

4.1.5 Fire Protection

4.1.6 Egress and Circulation

4.1.7 Weatherproofing

4.2 The Building Team

4.2.1 Owners

4.2.2 Architects

4.2.3 Engineers

4.2.4 Contractors and Subcontractors

4.3 Land Development

4.3.1 Ownership and Legal Interests

4.3.2 Surveying

4.3.3 Civil Engineering Work

4.4 Project Phases

4.4.1 Design Phase

4.4.2 Approval Phase

4.4.3 Bidding Phase

4.4.4 Construction Phase

4.4.5 Occupancy and Continued Use

5 Bridge Projects

5.1 Types of Bridges

5.1.1 Highway

5.1.2 Railway

5.1.3 Others

5.2 Size and Function of Bridges

5.2.1 Reasons to Span

5.2.2 Scour

5.2.3 Elements of Bridges

5.3 Bridge Systems

5.3.1 Slab Spans

5.3.2 Steel

5.3.3 Prestressed Concrete

5.3.4 Timber

5.3.5 Movable

5.4 Other Issues

5.4.1 Drainage

5.4.2 Joints

5.5 Project Phases

5.5.1 Approval Phase

5.5.2 Design Phase

5.5.3 Construction Phase

6 Building Your Own Competence

6.1 Technical Growth

6.1.1 Continuing Education Regulations for Licensure

6.1.2 Advanced Educational Degrees

6.1.3 Active Professional Involvement

6.1.4 Seminars, Conferences and Personal Research

6.1.5 Making Proper Use of Technical Research

6.2 The Art of Problem Solving

6.2.1 Critical Thinking

6.2.2 Reaching a Conclusion

6.3 Improving Your Productivity

6.3.1 How Quickly Can (or Should) You Design?

6.3.2 Time Management

6.3.3 Developing Consistency and Clarity

6.4 Building Your Confidence

6.4.1 Working Within Your Means

6.4.2 Computer Usage

6.4.3 Defending Your Results

6.5 Communication Skills

6.5.1 Philosophy of Good Communication

6.5.2 Verbal

6.5.3 Writing

7 Communicating Your Designs

7.1 Structural Calculations

7.1.1 Analysis and Design

7.1.2 Presentation

7.2 Project Specifications

7.2.1 General Organization

7.2.2 Bidding Documents and General Project Conditions

7.2.3 Technical Section

7.2.4 Special Sections or Conditions

7.3 Project Drawings

7.3.1 Goals and Methods

7.3.2 Presentation

7.3.3 Reviewing the Work of Other Consultants or Clients

7.3.4 Responsibility

7.4 Engineering Reports

8 Engineering Mechanics

8.1 Static Loads

8.1.1 Dead

8.1.2 Live

8.1.3 Snow

8.1.4 Soil Pressure

8.1.5 Others

8.2 Dynamic-Type Loads

8.2.1 Understanding Structural Dynamics

8.2.2 Wind

8.2.3 Seismic

8.2.4 Blast, Impact, and Extreme Loads

8.3 Combining Loads and Forces

8.3.1 Design Methods

8.4 Introduction to Building Materials

8.4.1 Common Construction Materials

8.4.2 Environmentally Sensitive Materials

8.5 General Behavior of Structural Elements

8.5.1 Solid Body Mechanics

8.5.2 Serviceability

8.6 General Behavior of Structural Systems

8.6.1 Horizontal Systems

8.6.2 Vertical Systems

8.6.3 Redundancy and Reliability

8.7 General Behavior of Completed Structures

8.7.1 Buildings

8.7.2 Bridges

8.7.3 Progressive Collapse

9 Soil Mechanics

9.1 Character of Different Soil Types

9.1.1 Rock/Granite

9.1.2 Gravel

9.1.3 Sand

9.1.4 Silt and Clay

9.1.5 Other Soil Types

9.2 Preparing a Site for Construction

9.2.1 Geotechnical Reports

9.2.2 Clearing and Excavation

9.2.3 Grading

9.2.4 Compaction

9.3 Behavior of Foundation Types

9.3.1 Spread Footings

9.3.2 Continuous (Strip) Footings

9.3.3 Combined or Mat-Type Footings

9.3.4 Deep Foundations

9.3.5 Other Types or Systems

9.4 Buried or Retaining Structures

9.5 Factors to Consider in Foundation Design

9.5.1 Consequences of Poor Soils

9.5.2 Settlement

9.5.3 Risk

9.6 Codes and Standards

10 Understanding the Behavior of Concrete

10.1 Common Terms & Definitions

10.2 Elements of Concrete

10.2.1 Aggregate

10.2.2 Hydraulic Cement

10.2.3 Water

10.2.4 Admixtures

10.3 Characteristics of a Final Mix

10.4 Behavior of Concrete Elements

10.4.1 Plain Concrete

10.4.2 Reinforced Concrete

10.4.3 Precast and Prestressed Concrete

10.5 Behavior of Concrete Systems

10.5.1 Rigid Frames or Cantilevered Columns

10.5.2 Shear Walls

10.5.3 Horizontal Diaphragms

10.5.4 Shell-Type Structures

10.6 Construction

10.6.1 Risks in Design and During Service

10.7 Quality Control

10.7.1 Crack Control

10.8 Codes and Standards

11 Understanding the Behavior of Masonry Construction

11.1 Common Terms and Definitions

11.2 Elements of Masonry Assemblies

11.2.1 Masonry Units

11.2.2 Mortar

11.2.3 Grout

11.2.4 Reinforcement

11.3 Behavior of Masonry Assemblies

11.3.1 Beams and Columns

11.3.2 Walls

11.3.3 Frames

11.3.4 Prestressed Assemblies

11.4 Construction

11.4.1 Constructability

11.4.2 Risk in Design and During Service

11.5 Quality Control

11.6 Codes and Standards

12 Understanding the Behavior of Structural Steel

12.1 Common Terms and Definitions

12.2 Where Does Steel Come From?

12.2.1 Mining and Refining

12.2.2 Mills and Suppliers

12.2.3 Regulations

12.3 Behavior and Characteristics of Steel Shapes

12.3.1 Hot-Rolled Shapes

12.3.2 Plate Girders

12.3.3 Tubular and Pipe Sections

12.3.4 Composite Members

12.4 Behavior and Characteristics of Steel Connections

12.4.1 Bolts

12.4.2 Welds

12.4.3 High Strength Bolted Connections

12.5 Behavior of Steel-Framed Systems

12.5.1 Stability of Beams

12.5.2 Stability of Columns and Plates

12.5.3 Frames

12.5.4 Steel-Panel Shear Walls

12.6 Fabrication and Erection

12.6.1 Risks in Design and During Service

12.7 Quality Control

12.8 Codes and Standards

13 Understanding the Behavior of Wood Framing

13.1 Common Terms and Definitions

13.2 Where Does Sawn Lumber Come From?

13.2.1 Lumber Supply and Harvest

13.2.2 Milling and Finishing

13.2.3 Species

13.2.4 Grading Rules and Practices

13.3 General Characteristics of Wood

13.3.1 Structure

13.3.2 Mechanics

13.3.3 Moisture Content, Temperature, and Chemical Treatment

13.3.4 Engineered Lumber

13.4 Behavior of Wood Elements

13.4.1 Panels or Sheathing

13.4.2 Connections

13.4.3 Influence of Defects

13.5 Behavior of Wood-frame Systems

13.5.1 Horizontal Diaphragms

13.5.2 Laminated Decks

13.5.3 Frames

13.5.4 Trusses

13.5.5 Structural Wood Panel Shearwalls

13.5.6 Nonwood Panel Shearwalls

13.5.7 Wood Systems Combined with Other Materials

13.6 Construction

13.6.1 Risk in Design and During Service

13.7 Quality Control

13.8 Codes and Standards

References

Index