Becoming a Better Structural Engineer

[zero1238]

I wasn't exactly sure how to pose this question but here goes. My practice of structural engineering, focusing heavily on residential construction with some small commerical thrown in from time to time, has been rapidily growing at a pace that I did not anticipate. I am constantly trying to refine my practice and get better at what I do but there is only so much time in a day. There are a lot of topics that I want to understand more clearly, such as wind design, concrete design, etc. but I have trouble relying on reviewing old textbooks or watching youtube tutorials. Has anyone ever found a good online class or even a mentor that has helped in these areas or with these types of subjects? Open to any and all feedback. This is probably a very vague question but the world of SE is so vast and when running my own business and doing all of my own work, finding time to educate myself is becoming more and more tricky.

 

[Lomarandil]

Boy, are you in the right place.

Most of what I've learned (including during school, and including studying for exams), I've learned right here... reading posts on relevant topics and creating discussions when something unique or puzzling came up.

 

[canwesteng]

Spend some time here, do some light reading (the best text recommendations have also come from here). Studying for the SE has also been good to me, opened my eyes to some stuff I don't deal with (unfortunately also exposed me to bridges).

 

[human909]

• For me personally nothing has improved my skills more than broadening my experiences. And I suspect that most people would agree here.

If you are running your own business, as you seem to imply, then seek out other work. Start small and only just beyond your current area of knowledge. Expect to make less money in other work in your first dozen jobs. Both your knowledge and your work flow will hamper your productivity. But better to get paid to learn, even if it is at a third of your rate than to spend time with textbooks and online tutorials.

• Second to that has been Eng-Tips.

Eng-Tips exposes you to know problems and challenges that your engaged and enthusiastic peers are facing. Both listening and contributing help to build and cement your knowledge. For me at least, spending time on this forums has greatly broadened my knowledge and occasionally in some of the deep threads it deepens it.

• Courses etc: Including industry webinars, in-person courses, online YouTube structural blogs, textbooks and free online courses/tutorials.

All of these have provided some benefit roughly in the order listed. You have to be engaged and you might find that 90% of the presentation is telling you what you already know. But that last 10% adds to your knowledge or could trigger a whole chain of questions that cascade into significant growth.

• Never stop learning!

If you find yourself completely repeating the same things over and over again then you likely will start learning less. Have your engineer brain switch on 90% of the time. Sounds a bit intense when I say it outload but that has been what I've done over my relatively short career and I'm managing to charge ahead in leaps and bounds!


(One final comment.) You don't need to be a jack of all trades. Structural is a broad field. Personally I still struggle with residential both in experience, knowledge and workflow. I sometimes wonder if I should persist as I currently don't enjoy it. But for the moment it is still on my radar so I can keep my client base broad. I suspect I might never try to branch into concrete construction beyond foundations and retaining walls. But who knows what the future holds. My current area of expertise is keeping me busy, paid and challenged. I'm also getting referrals so my client base is broadening organically.

Thus, I haven't felt the need to broaden significantly outside what my existing work asks of me. (Residential for me is annoying and I don't chase the work, but I continue at it and hope I eventually improve my interest and productivity.)

 

[human909]

Here are three Youtube channels that I occasionally view. They are all Australian based. All pitched at a strucutral engineering audience but generally for targeted toward those just beginning their career. I still find them a little useful as they a palatable and can cement knowledge or add a question to your current knowledge.

BEng The Brazilian Engineer in Australia

Content for individuals and companies in the structural engineering and building industry. Disclaimer: While the contents of this video are believed to be accurate and complete, the information given is intended for general guidance and does not replace the services of professional advisers on...

www.youtube.com

Brendan Hasty

I am a structural engineer based in Australia with over 20 years of experience. My portfolio encompasses diverse projects, from modest undertakings to some of the largest and most prestigious in the Southern Hemisphere. I have a passion for good structural design and teaching/mentoring...

www.youtube.com

BEng Hielscher

Helping you to become a better engineer Hey! I’m Ben, a structural engineer. I make videos about tech, engineering, productivity and self-development. If you want to get in touch with me, please leave a comment on any of my videos, or for anything business related, send me an email at...

www.youtube.com

Please let me know if there are similar channels that you find productive.

 

[LOTE]

Since opening my practice, I have been niching down and being hyper focused on my niche. I have found trying to become one of the most knowledgeable people in my niche has both helped me grow as an engineer and helped my business become more profitable.

Getting involved on committees (like TRB and AASHTO), reviewing papers for publication, and subscribing to every webinar related to my niche are ways I keep sharp. Even if I can nearly give 90% of the presentation myself, there is usually one gold nugget in there that makes sitting through the rest of the presentation worth it.

I have also found attending contractor trainings helpful. I am usually the lone engineer there, and I will have a dozen contractors approach me with questions that help me think outside of engineering numbers and look more at practical solutions a contractor can implement (in addition to gaining clients that are trying to broaden their knowledge as well).