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How can structural engineers leverage Conversational AI benefits while managing its risks?

A beginning primer for a career in civil engineering.

If you are a parent, you know, or will eventually realize, that toys are all-consuming. They take over your home. Your life. Everything. When translated to civil engineering and construction “speak,” they are a critical path to sanity. As such, it becomes crucial to evaluate the value of a proposed toy thoroughly. This is not necessarily the upfront cost, but the value it will bring to your child while factoring in the collateral damage to your mental health (pause here to clean up THAT toy for what seems like the millionth time). The goal, if you wish to proceed with the purchase, is that the toy will keep them blissfully busy—and learning—so you can finish those project calculations you cannot seem to get to and, let’s face it, so that you won’t feel guilty later for the two hours of cartoons they end up watching. With that goal in mind, this article reviews the Civil Engineer Starter Kit by KiwiCo through the eyes and experience of a 14-year-old, 10-year-old, and 8-year-old. Also present during testing were two adult electrical engineers (becomes relevant later), one adult structural engineer, one adult mechanical engineer, and an almost 5-year-old. Disclaimer: Every kid is different, so proceed while keeping your child and situation in mind. And if you don’t have kids, you might learn something too and have fun doing it!

A 6.2 magnitude (Mw) earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan on June 22, 2022. It was felt over a wide area, most strongly affecting the Paktika and Khost provinces and parts of neighboring Pakistan. According to the USGS, the earthquake had a maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity of VIII (Severe). Over 1,100 people died, and over 6,000 others were injured, making it the country’s deadliest earthquake in over 20 years.

Welding is a fundamental part of steel construction, but correct performance at the steel fabricator’s shop and the project site requires effective communication of what’s expected. Following are some common mistaken assumptions on structural drawings regarding welding symbols. While most engineers are aware of the American Welding Society’s (AWS) D1.1, Structural Welding Code – Steel, many may not be aware that AWS produces a formal standard for welding symbols: A2.4 – Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination (Figure 1). When in doubt, this thoroughly illustrated reference is an excellent resource.

While Airstrikes Rain Across the City of Kyiv

On October 10, 2022, Russia escalated its war against Ukraine with the largest wave of airstrikes against civilian infrastructure since the invasion began last February. Targets included energy utilities, apartment blocks, and houses. Dr. Kit Miyamoto led a team of global engineering experts working with the U.N. in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, to assess infrastructure damages caused by the war.

Can you identify cold-formed steel thickness just by the feel of the stud? If you cannot, you are not alone. There are many ways to easily identify CFS thicknesses, including using materials you just might have in your pocket.

Steel sections can be used as columns, beams, and struts to resist axial forces (tension/compression), moments, and shears. They may come in the form of open sections (such as ASTM A992 – Wide Flange W-shapes beams/S-shapes beams) or closed sections (such as Hollow Structural Section [HSS] tubing).