Apr 15, 2020

The Unsung Hero


Here's to all the unsung heroes who keep this great country going - the farmers, ranchers, truckers, delivery drivers, fast food workers, grocery store clerks, warehouse workers, and many, many more.

(...and, of course, here's to the builders, developers, bankers, building officials, inspectors, architects, engineers and many others who do their part to make our cities and buildings safe and beautiful.)

[Credit for this idea goes to Scott Jones who runs our Irvine office]

Apr 8, 2020

Ask The Experts: Social Distancing Tip #37



There is going to be a lot of less-than-well-groomed people by the time we all emerge from this social distancing  ...for a few of us engineers, that may not be much of a noticeable difference.

[Credit for this one goes to Tye Havey, VP and Director of Wright Engineers' Arizona Operations]


Apr 4, 2020

Ask The Experts: Social Distancing Tip #45


I think there's some truth to the stereotype of the glasses-wearing engineer.  Research shows that the number of years of study is more important than genetics in determining whether or not a person becomes nearsighted.  If that's the case, then it stands to reason that the harder the study, the thicker the glasses.

My eyes were fine right after college, so perhaps it's not the studies but engineering work that damages your eyes.  After just a few years staring all day at a computer screen in the office, boom - I needed glasses.

While this stereotype may be based in some truth, I've not seen any research yet that correlates years of study to the increased chance of being a nerd.



[Credit for this one goes to David Winn.  His email to me said, "I was on the phone with a client yesterday and he commented that we should put out a list of social distancing tips from engineers since we are so good at it."  He then gave me a list of brilliant cartoon ideas that I've attempted to recreate here.]

Ask The Experts: Social Distancing Tip # 44

They say you can tell an engineer is an extrovert if he looks at your shoes instead of his own when he talks to you.

Introverted and socially awkward may be the stereotype, but most engineers I know do just fine in social situations - whether or not they enjoy it.  Just get a bunch of us engineers together and we'll all insist that we have exemplary interpersonal skills (as we hardly glance at our shoes).

Early in my engineering career at a white elephant Christmas gift exchange, the most stereotypical-looking engineer in the room suddenly mounted a broom and began slapping his rear and galloping around the table.  This inspired a spontaneous chain reaction of engineers all mounting imaginary brooms and following suit. I about fell off my chair with surprise.  This was no result of over-indulgence in spiked eggnog as no alcohol had been served. It confirmed to me then what I already felt: that beneath that introverted mild-mannered engineer exterior just might be a wild party animal yearning to break free.


[Credit for this one goes to David Winn.  His email to me said, "I was on the phone with a client yesterday and he commented that we should put out a list of social distancing tips from engineers since we are so good at it."  He then gave me a list of brilliant cartoon ideas that I've attempted to recreate here.]

Apr 3, 2020

Ask The Experts: Social Distancing Tip #43


Hey, every engineer slaps on a big factor of safety to cover his rear, right?  It's not uncommon to hear an "armchair" engineer confidently ask, "So... how much factor of safety did you add?" as if it's the world's most obvious fact that all engineers throw in a bunch of fat and over-design the heck out of everything. 

I actually don't know any structural engineer that does that, though there's probably a Schmoe or two out there.  Safety factors that have been refined over decades of practice and experience are already built into the Building Code, so there's no need for a good engineer to slap on an additional "factor of ignorance".

I have my theory about the origins of this misconception.  Most people have at least a "feel" for the weight of things, but they have little concept of the magnitude of design wind or earthquake forces.  That's partly because lateral loads are more complicated and harder to visualize, and partly because design wind and earthquake loads occur so infrequently they may never happen in a person's lifetime.

Now, when it comes to the minimum separation for proper social distancing, that's a different story. 

[Credit for this one goes to David Winn.  His email to me said, "I was on the phone with a client yesterday and he commented that we should put out a list of social distancing tips from engineers since we are so good at it."  He then gave me a list of brilliant cartoon ideas that I've attempted to recreate here.]

Apr 2, 2020

Ask the Experts: Social Distancing Tip #42


No doubt more than one basement-bound 30-something nerd is pointing to the COVID-19 Stay at Home order as another excuse to extend his stay in his parent's basement.  I know - there are legitimate reasons why some adults live with their parents.  But this guy's an engineer, so a lack of sufficient income is probably not the reason.  Maybe it's the fully stocked fridge, his mom's home cooking, or the free unlimited high-speed internet for his video games?  I recommend his mom swaps those fluffy slippers for some steel-toed shoes and gives him the boot.

[Credit for this one goes to David Winn.  His email to me said, "I was on the phone with a client yesterday and he commented that we should put out a list of social distancing tips from engineers since we are so good at it."  He then gave me a list of brilliant cartoon ideas that I've attempted to recreate here.]

Ask the Experts: Social Distancing Tip #41


Wright Engineers has had more than one engineer over the years who has had a full-on Star Wars shrine at his cubical.  Amazing technology, lasers, spaceships, average guy saves the beautiful princess, epic battles between good and evil - no wonder engineers love this stuff!

[Credit for this one goes to David Winn.  His email to me said, "I was on the phone with a client yesterday and he commented that we should put out a list of social distancing tips from engineers since we are so good at it."  He then gave me a list of brilliant cartoon ideas that I've attempted to create here.]