This presentation is about electronic style calculations for structural engineers. It deals with why we have a problem, how we have problem and how change.
1. Engineers in the Computer Age By Robert Mote Motagg Solutions Presented to CPGCE June 13 2007, Danish Club
2. More than ten years experience applying the specialised principles for electronic calculations in: - ABB Lummus Global, Holland, departmental procedure established 1999, applied extensively to all projects. Part of QA/QC procedures. - AMEC London, Macro development and word reports. - Fluor Camberley, taught to Korean Workshare partners. - Fluor Calgary, taught to New Delhi Workshare partners - Jacobs Calgary, taught to Mumbai/Charleston/Edmonton Workshare partners Credentials
3. 6. When was the last time you received any PC training ? Questions 1. Do you like doing calculations ? 2. When was the last time you talked about calculations ? 3. Ever seen a calculation that impressed you ? 4. How do you use MS Word ? 5. How do you use MS Excel ?
4. The rise of the designers The impact of MS Windows Changing standards The Past The Future Calculations Engineers Technology
7. Hard Copy Calculation MS Excel RISA StaadPro MS Visio MathCad Third party apps Document Management system MS Word Hand-written notepad PDF format Conventional calculations Current methodology Cover Sheet Intro Model Loads Parameters Load dia. Analysis Results 1 Results 2 Conclusions
8. Hard Copy Calculation MS Excel RISA StaadPro MS Visio MathCad Third party apps Document Management system Hand-written notepad PDF format Conventional calculations Current methodology Cover sheet Intro Model Loads Parameters Load dia. Analysis Results 1 Results 2 Conclusions Accuracy Detailed 100% coverage All in my head Mirrors final design exactly Quantity-based
9. MS Word MS Excel RISA StaadPro Sframe MathCad Translation Third party apps PDF format Electronic calculations Recommended practice Importing data Importing data Document Management system Soft Copy Calculation Hard Copy Calculation - VBA Macros
10. MS Word MS Excel RISA StaadPro Sframe Translation Third party apps PDF format Electronic calculations Recommended practice Importing data Importing data Document Management system Soft Copy Calculation Hard Copy Calculation Reasonable Summarised Critical design All on paper Minimum basis for design - VBA Macros Quality-based
11. Engineers and The Market Place Outsourcing Emerging Markets Changing Environments Using the Tools
12. The Engineering Outsourcing Debate The impact of engineering outsourcing on the global economy is a discussion of keen interest. Consistent reporting of problematic engineering graduation data has been used to fuel fears that America is losing its technological edge. Typical articles have stated that in 2004 the number of undergraduate engineers are: United States 70,000 India 350,000 China 600,000 Framing the Engineering Outsourcing Debate: Placing the United States on a Level Playing Field with China and India Master of Engineering Management Program, December 2005 Duke School of Engineering
16. INDIA CHINA USA DYNAMIC TRANSACTIONAL 2005 What is the Future ? 2015 2025 EUROPE CANADA
17. So are we really dynamic ? Do 80% of us become transactional over the course of our career? How to find the dynamic impulse ? Doesn’t computers give us an advantage ? A window of opportunity Are we talking the same language? Is the writing on the wall ? The Road to the Future
18. A window of Opportunity Quattro Fox Pro WordStar BBC Dragon IBM Mainframe MS Office Fortran since 1954 MS Excel 5.0 launched 1993 MS Excel 1.0 launched 1985 MS Word 6.0 launched 1992
19. Are we talking the same language? Plankalkul 1945, Konrad Zuse, Nazi Germany Over 2000 programming languages developed since 1972 Fortran BASIC C++ C C+ Pascal COBOL Over 200 programming languages developed between 1952 and 1972 VBA dBASE II ADA LISP HTML XML Eiffel Mathematica Java Simula CSP Haskell Oberon APL Prolog FP OPS5 Parlog CLOS CLP (R) PL/I Where did we go wrong?
20. Defaults Delegated quality to third party WYSIWYG WYPIWYG Anecdote of the 3 dp setting Graphical Dyslexia Lack of Visualisation Shoulder-Shrugging Syndrome The Blinkers Poor benchmarks
21. MS Word MS Excel VBA Macros Conventional Calcs Electronic Calcs Using the Tools A set of pro-forma calculation templates to be used by engineers It’s also a culture shock A MS Word document conforming to QA/QC requirements of the project/company It’s about how to give engineers the techniques to be more effective.
22. Conventional Quality -Variable Hard copy only No Template No Clear procedure followed Poor Structure - inconsistent No history Cannot be translated easily Title only Little interest Not accessible project-wide “ Can do better but….” Engineers don’t talk to each other Maximum effort - poor impact Quality - Knockout Standard Electronic copy - Hard copy available Template calculations with headings and pages numbered Clear procedures followed Highly Structured - Consistent History available Can be translated easily Title and calculation document preset More interest generated Totally accessible project-wide “ Will do better, no buts….” Engineers encouraged talk to each other Becomes minimum effort - maximum impact Minimum benchmark for future project Electronic
23. My experience of Electronic Reports - Clients/third party impressed with the standard. - Engineers more productive, energized, enthusiasm. - Engineers are working in the same direction. - Creates a stimulating, open and competitive environment. - Significant savings in project hours. - Helps engineers establish a benchmark for the future. - Helps lead engineer control the project. - Redresses the balance in engineer/designer training. - Training is on-the-job. - It is a refreshing cultural revolution for engineers. - It’s about positive techniques. - Puts calculations on a par with the drawings as a deliverable.
24. The Benefits MS Word Development of consistent corporate procedures. Increasing the engineers productivity in an era of dwindling resources. Increasing the engineers’ skill base. Improvement in quality of calculations. Easier to check, easier to ask questions. The report style can be fixed, communicated and demonstrated. Substantial savings in engineering time, Enables delegating of separate sections to different engineers.
25. The Road to the Future Be dynamic Be innovative Improve your technological skills Align knowledge with technology Align technology with your experience Take responsibility for quality