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In episode 068 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Rick De La Guardia about how hurricanes may affect the future of the civil engineering industry.
Here are some of the questions I ask Rick:
- Explain the work you do and how you became familiar with hurricanes?
- What is a hurricane, and from an engineering perspective when should we really worry about a hurricane?
- Why are we seeing more hurricanes and how will the frequency of hurricanes change the way civil engineers, design projects?
- Can you do some kind of retrofitting to a building to protect it against the weather?
- Do you foresee any kind of change or added educational requirements for civil engineers that want to work in hurricane-prone regions?
Engineering Quotes:
Here are some key points discussed on how hurricanes may affect the future of civil engineering:
- Most of the hazards that we encounter in the coastal cities originate from hurricanes.
- A hurricane is a large weather system that brings with it extreme forces in winds, and a mix of debris, as well as the storm surges that it brings from the strength of the winds.
- Three things that engineers need to consider when designing for hurricanes mitigation are:
- Wind : You need to focus on your unique design pressure when you are designing either a product or a building.
- Windborne debris: It’s been determined by code that alleviations of 30 foot or less will tend to pick up larger debris.
- Water: This can be in the form of water infiltration through wind-driven rain or in the form of a storm surge.
- Warm weather is fuel for hurricanes and because of the warmer weather, hurricanes might not slow down, but in fact, become worst.
- The building envelope is the weakest link and it is also our first line of defense.
- You can retrofit parts of a building to meet current code, which will be a huge help in protecting buildings against weather. Not only will it help structurally, but it will also help with water infiltration on regular stormy days. It is although a very expensive process to consider.
- We need to continue to raise awareness of hurricane mitigation designs.
More details in this episode…
About Rick De La Guardia:
Rick De La Guardia is President and Founder of DLG Engineering, Inc. (DLGE), a consulting firm 
specializing in the design and analysis of building envelope systems to help mitigate storm damage in hurricane-prone regions of the country. Rick earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Miami in 1995. He has over 20 years of experience designing and consulting in all aspects of the building envelope field. He has authored numerous articles and technical papers which he has presented to the industry and his peers. His latest work is a book on Engineering Entrepreneurship titled “Engineer to Entrepreneur: Success Strategies to Manage Your Career and Start Your Own Firm”. Mr. De La Guardia served as president of the University of Miami, College of Engineering Alumni Association from June of 2010 to May of 2012. He has mentored and advised many students and young engineers and is currently chairing a newly formed advisory committee on Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the University of Miami College of Engineering.
Sources/References:
TCEP 036: Engineer to Entrepreneur: Success Strategies to Manage Your Career and Start Your Own Civil Engineering Firm
ASCE
The Engineering Management Accelerator
DLG Engineering, Inc
Rick De La Guardia’s LinkedIn Profile
Rick De La Guardia’s Facebook Account
This episode is brought to you by PPI, the leader of civil engineering FE or PE exam preparations. Use promo code PREP and enter the raffle here: www.ppi2pass.com/civilprep
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
Engineer to Entrepreneur: Success Strategies to Manage Your Career and Start Your Own Firm
Please leave your comments or questions in the section below on how hurricanes may affect the future of civil engineering.
To your success,
Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
