Importance of Engineering

8 Key excerpts on "Importance of Engineering"

• 

  eBook - ePub

  Human Forces in Engineering

  • Andrej Atrens, Aleks David Atrens, Andrej Atrens, Aleks David Atrens(Authors)
  • 2018(Publication Date)
  • De Gruyter Oldenbourg

    (Publisher)

  Ultimately, it is not because engineering is a technical discipline specialised in the application of scientific principles. It is because engineering fills an interfacial role: engineers work at the interface between social needs and technological capability. Engineering is an interpretation function, which consists of:

  1. Assessing what is needed by a client or society;
  2. Analysing what is physically possible by applying their technical understanding;
  3. Evaluating what is economically possible in the social context; and
  4. Conceiving an idea that fits into the conjunction of need and possibilities (i.e. where 1, 2, & 3 overlap)
  5. Navigating the complex modern social world to translate that idea into a physical reality.

  This gives us a clearer view of engineering, as a cohesive set of individual tasks building toward a tangible outcome desired by a group of people, generally with particular goals. Engineers may not always control this entire process. Some elements, such as the particulars of the need or determination of a desired outcome may be determined by politicians, corporate management, government departments, communities, etc. Nonetheless, engineers have a key role by virtue of their technical ability: they are the only ones with the ability to understand key physical and logistical constraints.

  The individual tasks in the project may be technical (necessitating engineering input), non-technical but tied to technical constraints (also requiring engineering input), or non-critical non-technical (which can be delegated). Ultimately there needs to be communication across the interface between the technological aspects and the non-technical aspects. Because the technical aspects can be conceptually challenging, engineers are often best-positioned to bridge the communication gap between the technical and non-technical aspects. And engineers who are competent in these broader skills consequently tend to be more successful (i.e. the ones that end up in top management or leadership positions).

  Sign up to read

  Learn more about book
• 

  eBook - PDF

  Engineering Your Future

  An Australasian Guide

  • David Dowling, Roger Hadgraft, Anna Carew, Tim McCarthy, Doug Hargreaves, Caroline Baillie(Authors)
  • 2019(Publication Date)
  • Wiley

    (Publisher)

  Engineering is about innovation and there are a range of views on what the future holds for engineers and engineering specialisations. We will examine these in more detail as this chapter progresses and in subsequent chapters of this text. Engineers Australia offers a fairly clear description of what engineering is from an Australian perspec- tive. For the sake of brevity, the following summarises the key aspects of Engineers Australia’s description of engineering from their Stage 1 Competency Standards (Engineers Australia 2017a). Engineers take responsibility for engineering projects and programs in the most far-reaching sense. This includes: • reliable functioning of all materials and technologies used and the systems created • interactions between the technical system and the social and physical environment where it functions • understanding the requirements of clients and of society as a whole • working to optimise social, environmental and economic outcomes over the lifetime of the product or program Pdf_Folio:3 CHAPTER 1 What is engineering? 3 • interacting effectively with the other disciplines, professions and people involved • ensuring that the engineering contribution is properly integrated into the totality of the project or program. Engineers Australia emphasises the engineer’s role in: explaining technological possibilities to society, business and government; bringing knowledge to bear from multiple sources to develop solutions to complex problems and issues; and managing risk. These statements from Engineers Australia emphasise the importance of technical excellence and a capacity to consider and take into account the full social and environmental context in which engineering work takes place. This is the career you have chosen and the coming chapters in this text will start you on your journey into the rich, complex and important world and work of the professional engineer.

  Sign up to read

  Learn more about book
• 

  eBook - PDF

  Engineering

  Its Role and Function in Human Society

  • William H. Davenport, Daniel I. Rosenthal, William H. Davenport, Daniel I. Rosenthal(Authors)
  • 2013(Publication Date)
  • Pergamon

    (Publisher)

  Then, and then only, has there been a solution of an engineering problem. There are always many ways of building, several ways of overcoming the obstacles. Some are best from the point of view of economy of ma-terials, others, from economy of men or time. Some are better because the result is more useful and some are better because the result meets more nearly the demands of convenience. There is often justification for building some transportation system, such as a subway, not because people must have it, but because people want it. Engineers need not especially ask whether people should have it. If the demand is there, it is for the 82 / Engineering: Its Role and Function in Human Society engineer to solve the problem and also to appraise the sacrifices involved. This picture of engineering is not the one with which most laymen are familiar. They believe that engineering work is done in a perfectly mechanical way, that engineering is a result of the inflexible application of formulas to physical phenomena; they have an impression that in this field scientific laws are very clearly known without exceptions. These laws, they think, are embodied in charts, tables, and equations that represent facts about which there is no question and from which conclusions follow with unfailing accuracy. Those who have closely examined engineering thought know that most curves are lined with question marks and that the formulas are often merely a basis for discussion. Non-scientists think science is infallible, especially if stated in mathematical symbols. They do not know that the scientific laws that are of universal application are quite frequently true because the terms are defined in such a way as to make them true. The laymen now extrapolate this concept of science and engineering. They have read that this is an age of science, that human welfare has been immensely promoted by science; their fancy runs to automobiles, air-planes, radio, television.

  Sign up to read

  Learn more about book
• 

  eBook - PDF

  Planning and Design of Engineering Systems

  • Graeme Dandy, Trevor Daniell, Bernadette Foley, Robert Warner(Authors)
  • 2017(Publication Date)
  • CRC Press

    (Publisher)

  CHAPTER ONE Engineering and Society In this introductory chapter we discuss the nature, history, and scope of engineering work and the role of the engineer in society. In broad terms, engineers are responsible for designing, planning, constructing and maintaining the physical infrastructure that supports modern society and allows it to function effectively. Engineers make extensive use of scientific and mathematical knowledge, but their work is distinguished from the work of scientists and mathematicians by an emphasis on the use of all available relevant knowledge to solve real infrastructure problems as economically and efficiently as possible, in an environmentally and socially responsible way. 1.1 MODERN SOCIETY AND ITS ENGINEERED INFRASTRUCTURE Modern society functions within the framework of a vast and complex engineered infrastructure that supports, and indeed makes possible, modern everyday life. For example, the large volumes of clean water that are used each day domestically, and by industry and agriculture, are supplied by a complex engineering system that is made up of remote rain catchment areas, reservoirs, pumping stations, pipelines, desalination plants, water treatment plants and local networks of reticulation pipes. The water supply system is one small part of the infrastructure. Another system generates and supplies the energy that is used to heat, cool and light the buildings that we live in, work in and relax in. Enormous amounts of additional energy are consumed by our factories and industries. Yet another part of the infrastructure enables communications over large distances and the sending and receiving of large quantities of information almost instantaneously. We use a transport system to move people and goods within and between our cities and urban regions and between countries.

  Sign up to read

  Learn more about book
• 

  eBook - ePub

  Planning and Design of Engineering Systems

  • Graeme Dandy, David Walker, Trevor Daniell, Robert Warner, Bernadette Foley(Authors)
  • 2017(Publication Date)
  • CRC Press

    (Publisher)

  CHAPTER ONE Engineering and Society

  In this introductory chapter we discuss the nature, history, and scope of engineering work and the role of the engineer in society. In broad terms, engineers are responsible for designing, planning, constructing and maintaining the physical infrastructure that supports modern society and allows it to function effectively. Engineers make extensive use of scientific and mathematical knowledge, but their work is distinguished from the work of scientists and mathematicians by an emphasis on the use of all available relevant knowledge to solve real infrastructure problems as economically and efficiently as possible, in an environmentally and socially responsible way.

  1.1      MODERN SOCIETY AND ITS ENGINEERED INFRASTRUCTURE

  Modern society functions within the framework of a vast and complex engineered infrastructure that supports, and indeed makes possible, modern everyday life. For example, the large volumes of clean water that are used each day domestically, and by industry and agriculture, are supplied by a complex engineering system that is made up of remote rain catchment areas, reservoirs, pumping stations, pipelines, desalination plants, water treatment plants and local networks of reticulation pipes. The water supply system is one small part of the infrastructure. Another system generates and supplies the energy that is used to heat, cool and light the buildings that we live in, work in and relax in. Enormous amounts of additional energy are consumed by our factories and industries. Yet another part of the infrastructure enables communications over large distances and the sending and receiving of large quantities of information almost instantaneously. We use a transport system to move people and goods within and between our cities and urban regions and between countries. At home, at work and at leisure we have an array of low-cost manufactured goods available, including labour-saving devices, personal computers, smart phones and audio and TV devices that reduce our physical work load and entertain us. These are just a few examples of the component parts of the engineering infrastructure.

  Sign up to read

  Learn more about book
• 

  eBook - ePub

  The Handy Engineering Answer Book

  • DeLean Tolbert Smith, Aishwary Pawar, Nicole P. Pitterson, Debra-Ann C. Butler(Authors)
  • 2022(Publication Date)
  • Visible Ink Press

    (Publisher)

  This code of ethics should be adhered to at all times regardless of the perceived consequences. They are also used to guide engineering rules of practice and professional obligations. This means that embedded in the code of ethics are specific rules that engineers must follow. No matter what the problem is or in what context the problem is found, the engineer is expected to act in an ethical manner.

  What is an engineering way of thinking?

  An engineering way of thinking is the practice of using one’s knowledge of mathematics, science, and technology as tools when solving multistructured problems. Through their education and training, engineers develop ways of viewing problems, skills in applying their technical knowledge, and critical thought to devise solutions that are appropriate for the specific context in which the problem exists.

  How important is measurement and accuracy in engineering?

  Measurement and accuracy are two very important concepts in engineering. When engineers design and create any product, the quality of the product is often determined by its ability to meet the customer’s needs. If a part is not accurately measured, it can derail the entire process and the finished product as well.

  Is communication important for engineers?

  Yes. It is extremely important that engineers are able to communicate effectively not just with other engineers but with the public in general. In their jobs, engineers must work with all personnel, some of whom may be non-engineers such as production supervisors, designers, creative writers, marketing managers, etc. An engineer must be able to communicate his design ideas and solutions in such a way that everyone is able to understand and make meaning of the information.

  What grand challenges must engineers be prepared to face?

  In 2008, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) invited a group of panelists who were deemed leaders in technological thinking and innovation to create a list of goals that are needed to improve the lives of everything and everyone on our planet. These thought leaders came from all over the world and worked to identify what was called the Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century. The list consists of 14 challenges that were then categorized into four main categories: Sustainability, Health, Security, and Joy of Living.

  Sign up to read

  Learn more about book
• 

  eBook - PDF

  Introduction to Engineering Library

  • Paul H. Wright(Author)
  • 2012(Publication Date)
  • Wiley

    (Publisher)

  2.12 FUNCTIONS OF ENGINEERING Within a given engineering field of specialization, there is a wide range of functions or activities in which engineers may be involved (8). Engineers can be involved in some combination of these functions, and, conceivably, could perform all of them over the course of a career. These functions include: research, development, design, production, construction, operations, sales, and management. 1. Research involves seeking new knowledge or a better understanding of the significance and relationship of facts already known. 2. Development involves making the discoveries and results of research available in the form of useful products, methods, or processes. 3. Design is the process of converting concepts and information into detailed plans and specifications from which a finished product or facility can be manufactured or constructed. 4. Production is the industrial process by which products or articles are manufactured from raw materials. 5. Construction is the process of translating designs and materials into struc- tures and facilities such as buildings, highways, and power and communi- cation facilities. 6. Operations in engineering means the application of engineering principles or the performance of practical work. In manufacturing, operations involve procuring supplies, maintaining plant, and directing personnel. Engineers are prominently involved in the operations of utility companies, railroads, communications companies, and traffic control systems for large cities. 7. Sales in technological industries often requires the services of trained engineers to recommend the machines, tools, parts, or services to best serve the customers’ needs. 8. Management positions in many industries are occupied by engineers. They are responsible for the solution of problems of policy, finance, organiza- tion, public relations, and sales.

  Sign up to read

  Learn more about book
• 

  eBook - PDF

  Engineering Your Future

  The Professional Practice of Engineering

  • Stuart G. Walesh(Author)
  • 2012(Publication Date)
  • Wiley

    (Publisher)

  Essentially all engi- neering designs contribute to the quality of life for untold users. Mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences are the foundation of engineering, as explicitly described, for example, in the U.S. civil engineering body of knowledge (ASCE 2008). While being students and appreciators of that foundation, engineers go beyond, as a result of the design process, to develop plans for structures, facilities, systems, products, and processes useful to and sometimes aesthetically pleasing to society (Billington 1986). These plans are the root of the engineering process and the fruit is that which is ultimately constructed, manufactured, or otherwise implemented. Views of Others “Scientists define what is,” according to aeronautical engineer Theodore von Karman, “engineers create what never has been.” Civil engineering professor David P. Billington (1986) continues contrasting science and engineering as fol- lows: “Science is discovery, engineering is design. Scientists study the natural, engineers create the artificial. Scientists create general theories out of observed data; engineers make things, often using only approximate theories.” And this final thought about design in the broad sense from engineer, industrialist, and philan- thropist Eugene C. Grace: “Thousands of engineers can design bridges, calculate strains and stresses, and draw up specifications . . . , but the great engineer . . . can tell whether the bridge should be built, where it should be built, and when.” THIS CHAPTER’ S APPROACH So how do we approach this vast, pan-engineering topic of design in one chapter? First, the treatment of design in this chapter is necessarily broad in scope; it is introductory. 270 Design: To Engineer Is to Create By the time a student uses this book in his or her formal education, he or she will have taken an in-depth design course in his or her chosen discipline, or will soon do so.

  Sign up to read

  Learn more about book