“What are we going to do with Abcd? He’s not as up-to-date with design specifications as he used to be. He no longer wants to work long hours. He really doesn’t want to travel for work and is no longer able to do the more physically demanding field work. What ARE we going to do with Abcd?” …
Author Archives : Phillip C. Pierce, P.E., F.ASCE
Phillip C. Pierce, P.E., F.ASCE (ppierce@CHAConsulting.com), is a Senior Principal Engineer with CHA Consulting, Inc. in Albany, New York.
Much has been written over many years concerning the development of the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methodology used for structural design in the United States, yet many practicing engineers have had minimal exposure to how LRFD evolved from the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) methodology. This article is a simplified synopsis of that evolution and concludes with an assessment of its consequences. …
How many of you notice the number of significant figures presented within your firm’s calculations? Prior to the advent of pocket calculators, engineers prepared their calculations by hand, supplemented with a slide rule. Their tool of choice was the traditional 10-inch slide rule limited to three figures. The few who owned a 20-inch slide rule could interpolate results to four figures. …