What is Engineering An overview What is Engineering

What is Engineering? An overview

What is Engineering? Engineering is “the application of mathematical and scientific principles to practical ends, as the design, construction, and operation of economical and efficient structures, equipment, and systems. ”* The word itself comes from the Latin “ingenerare”, to create * Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary But is there more. . . ?

Engineering is art. Aesthetics as well as function counts Museum of Civilization: Ottawa, Canada architect: Douglas Cardinal Prowler Daimler Chrysler

Engineering is approximation. The mathematics of engineering systems are often too complicated to solve analytically.

Engineering is measurement River flow noise in a communication system scatter in a laser beam earthquake characteristics. . . all require measurement

Engineering is modeling and simulation Often the only efficient means to confirm that an idea or design will work is to experiment with a scale model or computer simulation. Model of the X-33 being tested in the NASA Langley Mach 20 helium wind tunnel

Engineering is communication. Making presentations, producing technical manuals, coordinating teams for large scale projects are all fundamental to engineering practice. $125 M communication error Richard Feynman during the Challenger disaster hearings.

Engineering is politics. The best functional solution is not necessarily the best practical solution. Alaskan pipeline Three-mile island NIMBY

Engineering is finance. Design, construction, operation, and maintenance costs determine the viability of projects. The Big Dig: Boston’s $14. 2 billion construction project

Engineering is invention. New devices, materials, and processes are developed by engineers to meet needs that existing technologies do not address.

Engineering is ethics. The services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.

Challenger Explosion 1986

From a “process” point of view, i. e. , what an engineer does 1) Communication a) proposal presentation b) development of assembly/construction plans c) reporting and interpreting of laboratory results d) research synthesis (written) 2) Project management a) time/team management b) design c) construction d) testing

“process” (cont. ) 3) Experimentation a) measurement b) application of principles c) application of data 4) Tools a) approximation b) statistics c) computer software i) simulation ii) spreadsheet/presentation iii) graphics/drawing

Our course. Units of Study 1) Structures/statics 2) Auto Safety 3) Automation/robotics 4) Energy 5) Take Home Project Threaded concepts: Behavior of materials electricity mechanics fastening

Assignment Send me email. birdhead 25@yahoo. com Tell me who you are. Tell me what engineering discipline interests you. Visit our class page and prepare a reaction to the “Something to Ponder” link. http: //www. gateschili. org/webpages/starbird/

End of Part 1

Engineering Concepts Understanding Systems Open loop Closed loop

Open loop model Input Process Output Input - what is the goal Process - what is done to try to meet the goal Output - what was actually accomplished

Closed Loop Adjust Process Monitor/ compare Monitor/compare - How am I doing? Adjust - Make necessary changes to the process(s). Output

Modeling. . . is a communication technique used to describe an engineering solution.

Descriptive models Pictorial drawing/sketches/renderings flow charts Comparative graphs Symbolic mathematical Verbal

Functional Models Static - visual resemblance of final product but may be scaled. i. e. : Dynamic - perform in a similar fashion to the actual product. i. e. : Virtual - software generated and tested. i. e. :

Optimization What restrictions are placed on the design? Time, money, materials, laws, social/cultural issues etc. Now that it works, How can we make it better? lighter, faster, cheaper, smaller, etc. Understanding “trade-offs” “If I implement this, what effect does it have?

Design Factors Functionality Does it do what it’s supposed to? Quality Does it do the job well? Safety Does it present any known or foreseen hazard? Anthropometrics Has it been designed for the intended user? Appearance Is it attractive? Economics Can it be made with a reasonable profit? Environmental Is it inert within the environment?

Analysis tools Cost/Benefit Analysis (CBA) Risk/Benefit Analysis (RBA)

CBA Process of quantifying the perceived benefits of a project with its cost. example: A parking lot for seniors only is being proposed. It will be located adjacent to the “fitness center”. How much would you pay for the privilege of parking there? $100, $75, $50, $20, $0

CBA Lot will hold 200 cars (a number arrived at by analyzing student driving permits over the past 10 years. It will cost $250, 000 Payoff in 20 years.

CBA $250, 000/20 = $12, 500/year Senior class survey results: Respondent Fee Value ($) s 43 0 $0 71 20 1420 60 50 3000 41 75 3075 10 1000

CBA $8495 -$12, 500 = -$4005 Negative CBA suggests the project will die

RBA Risk Benefit is similar but. . . an inherent or perceived danger. . . is compared to the benefits achieved. . . if the danger is lessened.

The Beginning. . .