Engineering Principles 3

[owg]

Does anyone know of a good definition of "Engineering Principles"? There are a few circular definitions around that use the word engineering to define engineering principles. There are some flip definitions like "An engineer can do for $1 what most others can do for $2". I am looking for a functional definition.

 

[jeanesse]

you should see the book:

"The Engineer and Ivory Towers" by Hardy Cross
"El ingeniero y las Torres de Marfil" by Hardy Cross


The original book is in English, but I can´t remember well the title in English. The Spanish version have good comentaries about this topic. It is an excellent book.

 

[mainepepmp]

How about:
"When knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgement to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind."

Attributed to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). (They ought to know.)

 

[RDK]

Take a look at any provincial law governing the practice of engineering. They tend to be simular but slightly different.

http://www.apem.mb.ca

for the Manitoba (Canada) site. They have links to all other Canadian sites any everyong I've looked at (about half) have links to their provincial acts.
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[ifegermany]

From my personal engineering context (finite element based digital prototyping) engineering principles are, focus on a grasp on physics, i.e. causes and effects and linking these facts to the real thing, i.e. practical design questions, desired functionality of parts and products (e.g. the ability to distinguish between effects of impact and secondary issues) - interest in and overview wrt commonly used math tools is a asset

Engineering principles in general sense I'd specify
as given below:

Good grasp on classic physics arguments (esp. in/for innovative product design), manufacturing (esp. in innovative production related job functions), awareness of standard design elements - obtained by way of ones professional education plus selective autodidactics, and by way of practical experience (observation and hands on, i.e. doing things). To make it all gear up well one needs communications skills, emotional stability/intelligence i.e. personality (esp. managerial positions)

Cheers, Frank

http://www.ife.subito.cc

Bonn Germany

 

[abeltio]

to hulkhogan... you brought to my memory a very ole comment: we've lost an excellent engineer and with the same movement got ourselves a lousy manager.
cheers.
a.

 

[ifegermany]

Hi abelito,

didn't mean that a able engineer or other professional should use his communication skill etc to fake his way up, but instead, to stand his cause e.g. intelligent arguments, against bluff buddys of the kind - which might be working mates on same carrier level as well - a so called manager (which is just a word, saying that you are in charge of a group of people, a product or service) might need be a good engineer too, hopefully besides good comm skills, for the same reasons

Cheers, Frank

http://www.ife.subito.cc

Bonn Germany

 

[abeltio]

hulkhogan
what i meant is the not so uncommon situation where a very able technical professional is promoted to manage a group of people and even being an excellent person and tech-type fails to grasp the basics of group dynamics.
What i mean is the difference between a leader (with no particular need to know all the technical details) and a specialist.
Merry Xmas and Happy new year!
a.

 

[ifegermany]

Hello abelito,

that response took some time
I agree that a good tech-guy is not nessesarily a good leader, but in a tuned up high-tech environment, it might earn him/her respect from the group members if he/she is.

I am not sure if born leaders exist, I know for sure that quite some industries have leaders which lead by pressure, not by emotional intelligence EI(a style, state of mind, culture, concept perhaps adopted by fewer, but sure of future potential).

Still, in line with yours, there have to be people of a natural authority (as opposed to rule by pressure) to defend a EI driven environment against being overtrown by the pressure types (as happens ever so often). This type of leader sure cannot be simply equated to being a got scientist, engineer or technician.

Merry Xmas and Happy new year too you too!

Frank

http://www.ife.subito.cc

Bonn Germany