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TWiCE 13: This Week in Civil Engineering – Alternative Materials Could Reduce Carbon Footprint

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Carbon Footprint

Welcome to This Week in Civil Engineering (TWiCE), the first weekly audio and video podcast covering weekly news stories and events related to civil engineering and its sub-disciplines. In this week’s episode, we provide you with the latest news in the Civil Engineering industry including covering how manufacturers are tackling concrete’s carbon footprint problems by reformulating cement with similar-behaving materials that inherently generate less carbon dioxide than the ones used in traditional manufacturing methods.

Breaking News in Civil Engineering:

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TSEC 32: Structural Redundancy in Steel Bridges: What You Need to Know

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Redundancy in Steel BridgesIn this episode, we talk with Jason B. Lloyd, Ph.D., P.E., a Bridge Steel Specialist at NSBA. We found Jason through an article he wrote in the AISC magazine on redundancy in steel and, in this episode, we talk to him about redundancy in steel bridges, steel, and failure critical members.

Engineering Quotes:

Redundancy in Steel Bridges

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Jason B. Lloyd, Ph.D., P.E. in This Episode:

  • Tell us about your time spent at the Navy Civil Engineering Corps.
  • Talk a bit about what full-scale testing looks like.
  • Do you have anything to do with sourcing funding?
  • From the time you were doing research, can you give an example of a finding that you found to be interesting?
  • Talk to us about your opinion on historical consideration of redundancy in steel bridges, and why you think engineers should think of other modes of redundancy in steel bridges.
  • In your second article, Load Carrying Potential, there is a guide that you mentioned on how engineers can use finite information analysis to classify a redundant structure. Can you talk a bit about this?
  • Can you go over some of the lessons learned or some of the best advice you can give to new or active engineers?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Redundancy in Steel Bridges:

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Engineers Quit Managers Not Companies – Dear Manager, We Need to Talk!

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This is a guest blog by Manny De La Cruz

Engineers Quit Managers Not Companies - Dear Manager, We Need to Talk!

I am writing you this note because I think we need to talk, but quite frankly, I am a bit intimidated to bring this up. I have been working for you for quite some time and feel like things may have dwindled a bit between us. But to be honest, I think that there is still hope and I am optimistic that we can work through this. First of all, I want to come clean about a few things.

  1. I am actively looking for other opportunities outside of this company. Technology and sites like LinkedIn make it really easy. Ironically, having this company on my resume gives me a lot of street credibility out there, where talent is really strapped.
  2. I have sought the counsel of mentors and friends outside of work, and not one is telling me that I may be the problem. They are all great to me and I value their great opinions of me.
  3. I still remember the good times we have had.

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Work From Home Productivity Tips for Engineers

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Work From Home Productivity TipsDue to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, many engineering companies across the United States and beyond are implementing travel restrictions and work from home directives.

I have had the opportunity to work from home, on and off, over the last ten years, and as nice as it sounds, one of the biggest challenges with doing it effectively is staying focused and productive.  I’ve accumulated some of my own work from home productivity tips over the years and thought this would be a good time to share them.

Please leave comments or questions below and I will respond to them.

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TSEC 20: 5 Tips for Structural Engineers: Become the Best Version of Yourself

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Tips for Structural Engineers

The photo features Stan Caldwell with one of his projects – The Ponte Avenue Bridge in Addison, Texas

In episode 20 of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we talk with Stan R. Caldwell, P.E., SECB, a structural engineering consultant who primarily consults on construction litigation. After almost 50 years of managing and mentoring dozens of young structural engineers, Stan has seen firsthand the various struggles that engineers face in building successful careers. This is the first of a two-episode series in which Stan provides 5 tips for structural engineers that will help them to succeed in this high-liability profession. The next episode with Stan will focus on five tips for structural engineering managers.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Stan in This Episode:

  • What led to the development of your Five Tips for Young Engineers?
  • What do you mean by “Mind the Gap”?
  • Your second tip for young structural engineers is to “Ensure Stability.” What does that mean?
  • You mention that one should deliberately avoid their computer until after they have manually designed their structure. How can this be? 
  • What do you mean by “Be a Sponge”? Is that related to learning?
  • What do you mean by “Own Your Work”?

Here Are Your Top 5 Tips for Structural Engineers:

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TECC 219: The Productivity Mindset for Engineers

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Productivity MindsetIn this episode, I talk with Matthew Gaddy, EIT, an engineer and productivity consultant. Matthew is going to help you start 2020 off in a more productive way. Matthew helps engineers manage projects more effectively and will run through a variety of different productivity strategies that will help you to develop a productivity mindset and ultimately increase your success as an engineer. 

Engineering Quotes:

Productivity Mindset

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Productivity for Engineers:

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The Key Roles of AI Engineers 

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This is a guest blog by Jim Hughes

AI Engineers AI engineering is a relatively new field that is becoming more and more important in various industries, especially in the industrial and manufacturing contexts. It has even found its way into the stock market. Some of the most interesting and meaningful applications of AI are in the field of engineering and that is why more and more people are becoming AI Engineers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Engineering 

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TSEC 08: CROSS (Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety) Is Now Here in the United States

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CROSSIn episode 08 of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we talk to Alastair Soane, C.Eng, Ph.D., FICE, FIStructE who is the Director at Structural Safety. They are the group that oversees CROSS (Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety) and SCOSS (Standing Committee on Structural Safety).  We then speak to Glenn R. Bell, P.E., S.E., C.Eng, F.SEI, F.ASCE, Senior Principal at SGH and President-Elect for ASCE SEI.

First Sloane gives an overview of CROSS-UK and CROSS-International, and then Bell, discusses the expansion of CROSS in the US and how this amazing program is providing great value to structural engineers all over the world.

Engineering Quotes:

CROSS

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask our Guests in This Episode:

  • What is CROSS?
  • Can you tell us more about the processing and publication of reports?
  • What are some lessons that can be learned from the development of CROSS in the United Kingdom?
  • Are you planning on expanding your research to other countries and regions?
  • Were you involved in the Hyatt Regency project?
  • What motivated you to get involved with the CROSS program?
  • What is the plan for implementing CROSS in the United States?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the CROSS:

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TECC 200: How to Develop Business Thinking Skills for Engineers and Techies

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In this episode, I talk with Ram V. Iyer, an engineer with a business degree, an MIT grad, who realized that his engineering and business education were inadequate to succeed in business or to attain executive positions in business. It took him a stint as a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley and four startups to figure out that business thinking is the one missing ingredient. He will discuss what business thinking is and how you can develop these business thinking skills, and he will also talk about the techie mindset and how it can help and hurt us.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Business Thinking Skills for Engineers and Techies:

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TECC 198: Maker’s Versus Manager’s Schedule for Engineers

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Manager's ScheduleIn this episode, I am speaking with Chris Marshall, P.E.,  Regional Geotechnical Engineer at Professional Services Inc. (PSI) in Houston, Texas.  We talk about the strategies he uses when dealing with everyday distractions in his engineering career and we discuss the difference between a maker’s and manager’s schedule, and how you might utilize these different schedules in your engineering career.

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some of the key points discussed about Maker’s Versus Manager’s Schedule for Engineers:

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