Print this page The Rule of Thumb
Ruben A. Gomez, P.E.
Course Outline
The general practice of professional engineering is highly multi-faceted because it involves a series of steps which are vital for the successful performance and creation of the final product.
While it is true that the securing of a clientele is paramount for a successful practice, the steps that follow are not less important to maintain that practice with a due momentum.
Assuming that the chosen support personnel is adequate, and that the engineer is skilled enough in his pricing and billing methods; that he knows how to deal with his clients, how to sort out his choices, how to analyze and design his cases and finally, how to create a competitive design, are enormously important part of his success.
In this course we show just a glimpse to that utmost part of the professional engineering practice.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
Upon completion of this course the reader will master the following objectives:
- The offered material will show the path of how to sort out and rationalize the choices before embarking in the final solution;
- It will also be an introduction to the design of cable structures;
- He will learn some of the pitfalls in cable structure analysis and design;
- He will examine an example of how to maintain purity and freedom of choice; and
- How to find a path to creative and practical solutions.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for professional engineers and architects.
Benefit for Attendee
Attendees of this course will benefit by possibly emulating the way by which the case history was handled and finally brought up to conclusion.
Course Introduction
Although filled with hard work, frustrations and at times being the target of adverse criticism, the practice of professional engineering is also filled with rewarding satisfaction and rich experiences. Few professions have such an open door to ingenuity and creativity, for the accomplishment derived from the creation of an idea out of thin air and lead it to fruition is unsurpassed by any other human activity or endeavor.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
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Course Summary
This course contains advice for both the beginner as well as the experienced and well seasoned professional engineer who want to maintain their own formed criteria and yet to be accommodating to their clients’ needs and desires.
The material includes the general steps which were followed in the solution of a real life case and how the analysis and design were executed from start to completion. The case covers a suspended cable light structure which was used to solve a peculiar request tended by the client.
Related Links and References
For additional technical information related to this subject, please refer to the following sources:
Manual of Steel Construction, American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
Standard Specification for Zinc-coated Steel Strands, ASTM Designation A586
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
