This page is in the development stage. Stop by soon to read about issues
and events affecting the building industry. We'll use this page to highlight
interesting topics related to structural and civil engineering, along
with items pertinent to building code applications, including life-safety
matters and code development issues within and outside California. Stay
tuned!.
In the mean time, just some thoughts from others worth
pondering.
TOPIC ONE
Food for thought (1)...
"Engineering is the art of modeling materials
we do not wholly understand, into shapes we cannot precisely analyze
so as to withstand forces we cannot properly assess, in such a way that
the public has no reason to suspect the extent of our ignorance."
Dr. A. R. Dykes, British Institution of Engineers,
1976
To follow soon: Editorial stuff from Doug and/or
Dave

TOPIC TWO
Food for thought (2)...
"(Engineering) is a great profession. There is
the fascination of watching a figment of imagination emerge through
the aid of science to plan on paper. Then it moves to realization in
stone or metal or energy. Then it brings jobs and homes to men. Then
it elevates the standards of living and adds to the comforts of life.
That is the engineer's high privilege."
"The great liability of the engineer compared
to men of other professions is that his works are out in the open where
all can see them. His acts, step by step, are in hard substance. He
cannot bury his mistakes in the grave like doctors, He cannot argue
them into thin air or blame one judge like the lawyers. He cannot, like
the architects, cover his failures with trees and vines. He cannot,
like the politicians, screen his shortcomings by blaming his opponents
and hope the people will forget. The engineer simply cannot deny he
did it. If his works do not work, he is damned..."
"...To the engineer falls the job of clothing
the bare bones of science with life, comfort and hope. No doubt as years
go by the people forget which engineer did it, even if they ever knew...the
engineer himself looks back at the unending stream of goodness which
flow from his successes with satisfactions that few professions may
know. And the verdict of his fellow professionals is all the accolade
he wants."
Herbert Hoover, date unknown
To follow soon after: More editorial stuff from
Dave and/or Doug

Want to suggest a topic to discuss? E-mail us HERE.
|