Additional library books

I read with some interest Richard Weingardt, P.E.’s article, "Engineer authors needed in your library" in the June issue of Structural Engineer. In addition to those works cited, I would also highly recommend the following titles:

• The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro;
• Engineers and Engineering in the Renaissance by William Barclay Parsons;
• The Ancient Engineers by L. Sprague de Camp;
• Fortune Is a River: Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli’s Magnificent Dream to Change the Course of Florentine History by Roger D. Masters; and
• Brunelleschi’s Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture by Ross King.

Bernie W. Martin, P.E., F.ASCE
via e-mail

Submission review

I read Michael Baker’s Legal Q&A regarding the timely review of submissions that was in the March 2006 issue of Structural Engineer, and I wanted to add a few ideas to the response.When a design engineer receives multiple submissions at one time, he or she should consult the construction manager to determine which submissions are on the critical path. These submissions should be reviewed first, in the same succession as most critical to least important. If there is no turnaround time set in the contract, 21 days is usually the standard. However, when a contractor submits multiple submissions, the design engineer should again consult with the construction manager, since most times the designer does not have unlimited resources to review an abnormally high number of submissions in 21 days. All of the above is based on the specific contract language, as you stated.

The contract should be worded to advise the contractor that shop drawings should be submitted according to the schedule and in a rate that they can be reasonably reviewed.

Jay Yantosh, P.E.
via e-mail

A cloudy crystal ball

I want to commend Richard Weingardt, P.E., for his article, "Looking into the crystal ball" in the April 2006 issue of Structural Engineer. He has distilled a lot of good ideas into one article, such as: "How much of this work will be done automatically on computers?," "We could see trends that will rob generations of American structural engineers as respected, properly reimbursed professionals," "We don’t need more pie dividers," and "The general perception is that engineers make things run, but they don’t run things." (Good one!) There is a book I read recently called American Mania by Peter Whybrow that you may find interesting. It is not specifically about engineering, but focuses on the influence of American culture on the world, how we are perceived, and the manic pace to which we subject ourselves. Our profession is a microcosm of society, and it is reflective of changes taking place everywhere.

What concerns me most in our profession is how engineering software has led to a trivialization of knowledge.

We are in danger of producing technicians rather than thinkers. To some extent, this has already happened. One of my personal heroes was Stephen Timoshenko, who was probably the greatest thinker in our field. I fear that younger engineers may be losing the ability to tackle tough problems correctly.

On the subject of American kids becoming lawyers and stockbrokers, my prediction is this trend will eventually play out. Things have got to change, and people must recognize they need to be productive. Engineering is moral and productive. Society can’t function without us.

Karl Hanson, S.E., P.E.
via e-mail

Increase of licensing requirements

Increase licensing requirements? Yes! I have this to say regarding education and licensure for engineers. The various professional societies must increase the requirements and standards to obtain licensure, not reduce them based on the need for more engineers.

Here in Florida, there seems to be a vast lack of experience in the field of structural engineering for building construction.

This state must move to establish licensure for structural engineers as the environmental conditions currently demands it for building construction.

Timothy C. Boudah, P.E., M.ASCE
via e-mail

America’s most influential 20th century engineers

Thank you for the recognition I really enjoyed reading Richard Weingardt, P.E.’s article on "America’s most influential 20th century engineers" in the May issue of Structural Engineer. Of particular interest was the very nice recognition that you gave my father, Eugene C. Figg. I wish to thank you for the comments and the great words that Weingardt expressed of Figg’s achievements. I know that if he was here today he would be very appreciative of Weingardt’s kind words.

Additionally, I send best wishes to Weingardt on his book, Engineering Legends. We have several copies.

Thank you for helping the engineering industry gain more prominence by reflecting on those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of engineering.

Linda Figg
President/CEO/Director of Bridge Art at FIGG
Tallahassee, Fla.