Bridge or vertical

[brye127]

I started as bridge engineer, and enjoyed it for the last 5 years. I may have a very nice offer coming in for vertical structures soon. I've really enjoyed doing bridges, but this offer might be too good to pass up. Are there any structures people out there that have switched? Are vertical structures (the offer is for a company that does wind tunnels, rocket testing facilities, nuclear, government and defense contracts, etc.) as "interesting" as bridges? Would I get bored? I really enjoy learning new things, and being involved in interesting projects. Without knowing much about vertical structures, should I take the money?

 

[HTURKAK]

Would I get bored ?

IMO , probably yes ... My vote would be bridge or industrial plants . I would prefer keep far away from the architects ..

 

[ALK2415]

My vote for the Tall Buildings. Much more challenging than Bridges

 

[brye127]

My vote for the Tall Buildings. Much more challenging than Bridges

But as a 5 year engineer what would I specifically be designing? I've heard stories that on projects like that one could be designing the same beam over and over. Seems a little repetitive. With bridges, every bridge is different; designing prestressed girders or steel or trusses with any combination of different size and types of substructures and columns. And then piles or drilled shafts, etc.

 

[human909]

I think in general bridges, tunnels and industrial structures offer far more interest and variation than commercial, residential structures.

Of course it all depends on your role and the breadth of it. I'm sure there can be interest and highly boring roles in all areas of engineering and it also depends on who you are working for. There are also specialist subsets. Working on existing structures can involve lots of headaches but also exciting challenges. Trying to fit equipment into places where there is next to no room and under capacity can be a nightmare but a successful job is very satisfying and stretches your skills far more than most new designs.

Sure if you are at the pointy end of high-rise design it is would be damn challenging and interesting, but how long will it take to get there and will it be more interesting than similar roles in bridge design?

But as a 5 year engineer what would I specifically be designing? I've heard stories that on projects like that one could be designing the same beam over and over. Seems a little repetitive. With bridges, every bridge is different; designing prestressed girders or steel or trusses with any combination of different size and types of substructures and columns. And then piles or drilled shafts, etc.

I think you've said it yourself. Also I'd be asking the company that is making the offer some detailed questions. Only they can answer where they intend on positioning you.

Personally I'd keep doing bridges enjoy it and build your experience.

 

[ALK2415]

But as a 5 year engineer what would I specifically be designing? I've heard stories that on projects like that one could be designing the same beam over and over. Seems a little repetitive. With bridges, every bridge is different; designing prestressed girders or steel or trusses with any combination of different size and types of substructures and columns. And then piles or drilled shafts, etc.

My Friend,
for Tall structures, your job will be mostly dealing with structural modeling, structural analysis (on higher level). As you mentioned some large scale of steel towers (wind tunnels, rocket testing facilities). These projects filled with advanced structural analysis (problems solver), one of them structural optimizations (reducing structure weight). 2nd one Dynamic/seismic analysis of buildings under various lateral forces (seismic forces and high winds). Soil-structure, aerodynamics analysis is plus and finally you will learn/face higher level software (modeling and simulations like ANSYS and ABAQUS) . Third one DoD-Energy projects also has higher (sophisticated) technical requires...
All above are real challenges, iam sure they will over you some mentoring process from which you will learn and gain much experience...