The term “fourth industrial revolution” is gaining wider acceptance as a useful term to refer to a ground-breaking process that will change the way we think about products, services, and engineering design itself. Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating topic and get a glimpse into the exciting tools that engineering designers will have…
Engineering design is an exciting field with applications that encompass almost every aspect of our lives. And yet, questions abound about this discipline. Today we answer three of the most common. What Is Engineering Design? This term refers to the organized development and testing (through the use of creativity as well as mathematical and scientific…
From bridges and products we use every day, engineering design is everywhere. However, not everyone knows what an engineering designer does. Let’s take a closer look at this important role. What Does an Engineering Designer Do? Sometimes called “design engineers”, or simply “engineers”, engineering designers develop, test, and improve manufacturing processes and products. As a…
One of the most common questions we get is “How is engineering design different from other types of design?” Asking this question makes sense, since both “design” and “engineering” are wide concepts with many different applications, so it’s essential to understand the difference between some disciplines that are related but are by no means the…
In the first part of our basic glossary of engineering design, we explored some terms essential to navigate this exciting discipline. Today we bring you the second part of this selection of useful terms. Proof of Concept Also known as proof of principle, this is a rough model made to test if an idea is…
You may be familiar with the acronym PSEP without really knowing what those four letters stand for. PSEP stands for Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan. This is an implementation plan established in 2014 by Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) to promote the continued safety of gas transmission pipelines. The basic goal of the plan is testing and…
While bridges are structures essential to modern life, their origins date back to antiquity. Egyptians, Minoans, and Assyrians developed techniques to build bridges. However, it was with the Romans that bridge construction reached a degree of excellence that almost defies belief. Bridges and bridge building were part and parcel of life in Ancient Rome. The…
People tend to use the terms “cement” and “concrete” interchangeably; however, they are different materials. Cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mix of aggregates and paste. The aggregates are sand and gravel, while the paste consists of water and Portland cement. But what is Portland cement? Read on to learn more…
The term “tilt-up” was coined in the 1940’s to refer to a construction method that is quick and cost-effective and eliminates the formwork that is necessary for pour-in-place concrete walls. An Apt Term As you will see, the name is quite apt, since this construction method entails casting slabs of concrete horizontally on the construction…
What are the most important qualities a project manager must have? Project management is a complex discipline that requires both a hands-on inclination and a knack for abstract thought. Although this may sound like a contradiction in terms, a great project manager meets these requirements and then some, as we are about to see. A…