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STRUCTURE: What led you to study welding engineering?
Miller: I had decided to attend LeTourneau University in Texas before I settled on Welding Engineering (WE), although I had heard of its WE program. Originally, I was a Mechanical Engineering major. But there was an excitement and uniqueness associated with their Welding Engineering program, so I took a WE elective as a freshman. I liked the tangible aspects of welding engineering, and I was always inclined toward hands-on activities. WE graduates had a 100% job placement record, and they were getting the top offers in terms of pay. Ultimately, I chose to double-major in WE and ME.
STRUCTURE: How did Omer Blodgett, the author of “Design of Welded Structures,” influence you as an engineer?
Miller: Mr. Blodgett is one of the five most influential individuals in my life. He taught me how to approach a problem, look beyond first impressions (which are often wrong), and identify the fundamental causative factors. In his heart, he was a mathematician, so he always looked for a mathematical explanation. He often said, “math doesn’t lie.” He loved welding (he first welded when he was ten) and wanted others to know how to use it properly. He viewed knowledge as an inheritance, something to be held and protected for a time, and something we were to pass along to others, hopefully in a better condition than what we received.
STRUCTURE: What do you think is the biggest misconception engineers have about welded connections?
Miller: Many engineers view welding as just another way of joining materials, but it is far more than that: welding is a method of design. Welding revolutionized the design of bridge girders as compared to the riveted alternative. Gone are all the angles and lap plates associated with making riveted connections. Welded connections are lightweight, highly efficient, and dependable when designed, detailed, and constructed properly. Welding is far more than an alternative to rivets and bolts.
STRUCTURE: What would you consider some of the major surprises that you have found in your research/development of welds/welding design?
Miller: Early in my undergraduate studies, I learned that fatigue was the number one cause of the failure of welded connections. Yet, I was not taught “why” (or, at least I didn’t listen to that part of the lecture). As I studied the work of others, I learned the “why” behind fatigue failures. Additionally, I learned how to design welded connections to overcome fatigue problems. Then, there was the issue of fracture. I learned that constraint and notches are the key contributors to fracture. Eventually, I came to realize that problems associated with welded connections were usually associated with cyclic or impact loading, notches, and constraint. What was typically presented as a “welding problem” was almost always a design-related problem.
STRUCTURE: Of all the initiatives you’ve been involved in, what has been the most rewarding?
Miller: The Northridge Earthquake in 1994 was a career-changing event. I was named Chair of the AWS Presidential Task Group, a member on the Project Oversight Committee for the Federal Emergency Management Agency-sponsored SAC Steel Project, and the first Chair of the AWS D1.8 Seismic Welding Committee. All of these activities “moved the needle” and changed engineering practices. On a personal level, I was able to associate with and learn from some of the most brilliant engineers in practice. It was an honor to associate with these people, most of whom have become personal friends of mine.
STRUCTURE: Who inspires you?
Miller: I have had the good fortune to associate with many amazing people. At the top of my list is my late father who instilled in me a belief that I could do anything I set my heart and mind to do. My LeTourneau professor Dr. David Hartman inspired me to pursue graduate school and learn about Fracture Mechanics. Dr. John Barsom is “Mr. Fracture Mechanics” to me, having written the book that I studied in graduate school. Dr. Barsom is an amazing person who has encouraged me on a professional and personal level. Dr. Barsom’s best advice to me: “Duane, don’t neglect your family.” Mr. Donald Hastings hired me at Lincoln Electric; he was an inspiring leader who eventually became CEO. He convinced me to join the company and to go into sales for a while; both were wonderful suggestions. I’ve already mentioned Mr. Blodgett. These five individuals all changed the trajectory of my life in positive ways.
STRUCTURE: What do you think you will be remembered for in terms of your personal legacy, and/or what are you most proud of?
Miller: I hope I’ll be remembered as a good husband, a good father, a good grandfather, and one who was a consistent follower of Jesus Christ.
STRUCTURE: We don’t often see engineers featured on TV. Can you speak about your experience on the History Channel and Discovery Channel?
Miller: The directors of these programs conceptualized shows that featured welding, so it was natural for them to contact Lincoln Electric for information. We opened our doors and allowed them to film the welding processes and interview our people. I was identified as someone who could answer some of their questions. The directors and I talked with each other for an hour or so, all while being filmed. I was surprised to see what they chose to keep and cut. Some of my best replies ended up on the cutting room floor!
STRUCTURE: As a speaker or a professor, how would you describe your style of teaching?
Miller: I start with where my audience is. What do they know? What do they need to learn? What steps are needed to get them from point A to point B? Mr. Blodgett was passionate about making sure our customers and audiences learned the lessons we taught. He had no desire to impress others with his knowledge; he wanted to transfer his knowledge to others. I’ve tried to emulate that approach in my teaching. I also try to make learning fun.
STRUCTURE: What are the most important attributes of being a good engineer?
Miller: The most important attribute is integrity. An engineer must deal with the facts in an unbiased and objective manner. The second most important attribute is to maintain a focus on the advancement and betterment of human welfare. Engineering is a noble profession; every engineer must maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
STRUCTURE: What advice would you give to young engineers?
Miller: Be honest. Keep learning. Never guess. Read Petroski. Write papers. Make presentations. Join technical committees and become an active contributor. Seek to learn the “why” behind the “what” and “how.” Find a mentor. Be a mentor. Become a specialist (an expert in a narrow field of engineering). Realize that there is more than one solution to a problem. Be professional. Give 20% more than anyone else in the office.
STRUCTURE: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession in the next ten years?
Miller: Artificial Intelligence (AI) will transform many aspects of our life, including engineering. I’m concerned about the potential effect of AI on engineering. In some cases, AI will give us answers that are just plain wrong; hopefully, we’ll realize when that happens. In other cases, AI will give us the correct answer, but we’ll not know the “why” behind the answer. When this happens, engineering progress will be hampered. We must understand the physics behind our engineering principles and equations. We must know more than just the answer, particularly as we push the limits with our designs. AI will help us with what exists but will mislead us when it comes to developing what does not exist. AI will not replace thinking engineers.
STRUCTURE: What do you think is the biggest opportunity moving forward in this industry or something exciting and new that you’re looking forward to?
Miller: Additive Manufacturing (AM) (sometimes called 3-D printing) holds great promise in the area of structural engineering, particularly in the realm of connections. Traditional steel members, whether they be rolled shapes or hollow structural shapes (HSS) have been joined with nodes made with steel castings. Where castings are impractical due to limited volume, AM parts can be made instead. The technology exists today and is being used in other industries. I look forward to the first building and the first bridge that will incorporate additively manufactured components. ■