Blog Synthesis

Nash Roberts, Xinxin Xiao, Cameron Brosamer

WRA 101 Sec. 055

Sarah Gibbons

10 April 2017

Blog Synthesis

The team’s blog shows different ways that engineers communicate, create structures, and also shows some of the structures and the history of when the structures were constructed. The group consists of two civil engineers and an electrical engineer. Electrical engineers use electricity, electromagnetism, and things like electronics to make our lives easier. Civil engineers work on infrastructure: things like buildings, bridges, roadways, etc. They design the concepts for these structures and make sure that the construction of them is smooth and correct. Both of these career choices are tough and require a four year bachelor’s degree. But both are very rewarding, with high average annual salaries.  

Civil Engineering	Electrical Engineering
1.Work on infrastructures such as buildings and bridges. 2.Design the way these structures will be built. 3.Create solutions to build, improve and protect the environment we live and work in.	1.Use things like electricity and electromagnetism to make our lives easier. 2.Design how the electrical side of something will be created. 3.Evaluate electrical systems, products, components and applications by designing and conducting research.

This synthesis post will focus on the communication in the field of engineering. This will include things like memos, design plans, etc. This will show how engineers effectively communicate and use their communication to complete projects within certain deadlines. Communication in engineering is very important. If communication fails, many could be in danger.

The first major form of engineering is in the form of a memo. Memos are taught here at MSU in EGR 100, a base level engineering class that is required by all engineering majors.To learn more about EGR 100, you can visit Xinxin’s post titled “EGR 100,” or visit this link https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8951221750286299112#editor/target=post;postID=775339363540686742;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=25;src=postname. A memo just puts your thoughts and data down in a couple pages. This will describe to your boss or professor where your project is headed and what still needs to be collected. These are very effective ways to communicate because it updates everyone on where the project stands and what needs to be done so that the project is finished on time. Memos are also used to represent the data graphically, seeing if the project looks correct and if the design will hold and withstand the constant pressure and other factors.

Another useful tool for communication in engineering is one almost all of us use: email. In Cameron’s article where he talks to his dad, an engineer, about communication in engineering (link), his dad tells him of how important email use is in engineering. Many engineers share their ideas through email, and communicate with each other through email. Without email, engineers would be unable to communicate quickly and share their ideas to one another. Email allows engineers to send important documents such as memos to the other members of the project and to the person over-looking the project. Here is the link for more information in the article https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8951221750286299112#editor/target=post;postID=1144077694461686102;onPublishedMenu=publishedposts;onClosedMenu=publishedposts;postNum=28;src=postname

Lastly, we will talk about how important communication is in engineering. Without communication in engineering, and almost any field, work may not get done properly and projects would fall behind. When we think of engineering, we think of groups of people working on a large project, with the goal of successfully completing the task at hand. Without the different forms of communication mentioned, it would be harder to share ideas and accomplish what needs to be done.

In conclusion, engineers must communicate effectively in order to accomplish what needs to be done and keep those around us safe. Without things such as memos or email, this may not be possible with how times have changed. Both fields are very difficult, but are very rewarding fields after you have found your career and finished schooling.

Contemplating a Controversy- Prompt 7

By: Nash Roberts

      "Galloping Gertie" or the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Mark 1 collapsed November 7, 1940 due to structural and design flaws. As one can imagine the collapse of this superstructure stirred up a lot of controversy at the time. This controversy ended up sparking more advancement in the world of civil engineering.
      After completion of the bridge on July 1, 1940 it became immediately clear that the suspension bridge was not structurally sound and was closed soon following its grand opening. This caused mass protests lead by people who wanted a working bridge that their tax dollars paid for. The next bridge that crossed the straight was completed almost exactly ten years later and is still in use today. However for the decade after its collapse Galloping Gertie was examined by structural and civil engineers alike. It was found that the tresses between the two pillars were too weak to handle the high speed winds across the Tacoma Straights, this cause the to wave or "Gallop" in the wind. Needless to say when the next bridge was built it did not have the same issues.
      The 1950 Tacoma Narrows Bridge is still in use today thanks to the mistakes that were found in the first attempt. If there is one thing that I have learned in my engineering class this semester it is that one must test their product on all facets to ensure its durability and functionality. Sometimes the final product cannot be accurately tested like in the case of a superstructure, this is why measurements are made and calculated countless times to make sure the structure can stand the test of time. One thing the engineers building the 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge did not accurately account for was wind and the rigidity of the road deck but like all good engineers, they used their mistake as a chance to lean and improve which I believe can be applied to everyday life.

Citations

• "Tacoma Narrows Bridge." Tacoma Narrows Bridge: "Galloping Gertie" Collapses November 7, 1940. Washington State Department of Transportation, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

The Electrical Project- Solar Power Charge Controller

By: Xinxin Xiao

Solar Power Charge Controller
https://store.electronicshub.org/products/solar-power-charge-controller?variant=35291774151

This project is used the solar panel can absorb the light, and change it to electrical energy, this means this system can make energy by itself and it will not affect the environment.

" In this project a solar panel is used to charge a battery. A set of op-amps are used as comparators to continuously monitor panel voltage, load current etc. Indications are also provided by a green LED for fully charged battery while a set of red LEDs to indicate under charged, overloaded and deep discharge condition. Charge controller also uses MOSFET as power semiconductor switch to ensure cut off the load in low battery or overload condition. A transistor is used to bypass the solar energy to a dummy load while the battery gets fully charged. This protects the battery from getting over charged." (Electronics).

From the project, we can know that this solar power charge controller is not just change the solar energy to electrical energy. This stuff can also change or cut off the electric by itself. So this idea can used in the some of the electrical equipment, like power bank, microcontroller. 

Works Cited:

"Solar power charge controller" electronichub.org n.d. Web. Apr 17, 2017

Electrical Engineering Job Outlook

By: Xinxin Xiao

     As the develop of electrical equipment, more and more people want to have the electrical equipment with more new functions, and company also need to create more electrical equipment to cater to market demand. In this reason, there have so many jobs for people who is majoring in electrical engineering.

     So for electrical engineers, you may do:

   

·       planning and designing power stations and power generation equipment

·       determining the type and arrangement of circuits, transformers, circuit-breakers, transmission lines and other equipment

·       developing products such as electric motors, components, equipment and appliances

·       interpreting specifications, drawings, standards and regulations relating to electric power equipment and use

·       organising and managing resources used in the supply of electrical components, machines, appliances and equipment

·       establishing delivery and installation schedules for machines, switchgear, cables and fittings

·       supervising the operation and maintenance of power stations, transmission and distribution systems and industrial plants

·       designing and installing control and signalling equipment for road, rail and air traffic

·       may specialist in research in areas such as power generation and transmission systems, transformers, switchgear and electric motors, telemetry and control systems

      For all those things, it is easy to see that all of them are about our life. Electrical equipment is everywhere and this is also made people's life more convenient. 

      My dream is become a electrical engineer, and design more electrical equipment to change people's life. Also, I hope this electrical engineering job outlook can also help the people who want to become an electrical engineer.

Works Cited:

 “Electrical Engineers” joboutlook.org Web. n.d. Apr 17, 2017

The Importance of Engineers- Prompt 9

By: Nash Roberts

      Sometimes engineers are under appreciated so it is nice to find a news article every once in a while that outlines why engineers are important to society. In the news report that will be talked about in this post describes how a shortage of engineers in the military could threaten the security of the U.S. 

                           

      I have some personal experience with the military and the path one must take to becoming an engineer so trust me when I say its hell. Maybe if the government made it easier to serve the country I love I would be in the air force fixing planes right now. Over the summer i had a friend who is now in the air force and he got me hooked, I took the testing and met all the requirements but it is such a big commitment that i was not ready to make. Also there is basic training where the drill Sargents break people down to build them up again, something I was not willing to do because it was unnecessary for my job. So alas I picked MSU and have to looked back since.
      So if we're talking hypothetically as engineer in the military I would be working on billion dollar project that could defend the country from things like terrorism which is enough incentive to me but not for top engineers apparently "The military projects, experts say, take too long to entice some of the top engineers"(Koebler, Paragraph 7) this is a shame because if these engineers were able to put their brain power together they could finish the longer projects in years instead of decades.
      Another reason for this shortage is budget cuts, with the government paying less than the private sector, a lot less, it only makes sense to work in a less stressful environment whilst making more money. so now the government has started to outsource these jobs to find more willing engineers in other countries which is baffling to me because I thought we lived in a more nationalistic society.
      As a civil engineer I will more than likely start off working for the government as they are the largest employer of civil engineers. The pay will be shitty but the benefits and sense of accomplishment should make up for it.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mZvUSLaHnbo/maxresdefault.jpg
Citations

• Koebler, Jason. "Report: Military Engineer Shortage Could Threaten Security."Www.usnews.com. US News, Mar.-Apr. 2012. Web. Mar.-Apr. 2017.

Civil Engineers Vs. All

By: Nash Roberts

      Engineers are suppose to be amenable to one another and that is the case for a majority of the time but when one has so much pride in their line of world they should feel the need to be better than the surrounding engineers. As a Civil engineering major and future civil engineer I feel an immense pride in my work and although it might not always be true I should think it is more important than engineers with a different discipline.
      Civil Engineers are often compared to mechanical engineers even though they could not be more different. The schooling for the two degrees starts off similarly but diverges when civil goes to static engineering. Basically this means that civil engineers want to make things, like bridges, stay in place for as long as possible. This requires a lot of measurements and testing to find the perfect balance of forces. On the other hand mechanical engineers strive to find how to make things move for the longest amount of time by find the path of least resistance which is the goal during the production of electricity, to use the least energy to create the most energy. This is demonstrated by the giant metal wind turbines that can be seen on a trip to northern Michigan. The turbines use some energy to spin the wings and the wind does the rest. Anyway, that is where these two disciplines diverge and never come back together.
      I would not exactly say there is a rivalry between civil and mechanical engineers but there is definitely a ongoing completion between the two and personally I cannot wait to participate for team Civil.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUy5yCJPGiGrMzvwNhNgHbV0I3en-zcv_lQ8OpfVAd8BbYw-8iTqf3p0yQh0Mflhit791h90Oiv-Xk3ZPVQKOu8T0psMJG7ZbWXUXDep1dCIE14C8FgedNsjc2TjnKUTtsWCzR7_ZTfk/s1600/civil_engineers_build_targets_poster-p228320256026343189t5ta_400.jpg

Citations

• Admin. "Civil or Mechanical Engineeering." Genwis.com. Genwis, 10 Aug. 2015. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

Building With Balsa- Prompt 8

                             

By: Nash Roberts

     Over the last weekend I enjoyed a rare bonding activity with my dad and brothers. The activity consisted of the building and testing of  bridge constructed with only balsa wood and glue. This experience helped me develop some key skills used in the field of engineering. These skills are communication, teamwork and creativity.
      While building this bridge there were a lot of ideas tossed around but only one bridge could be made. This is why communication is such a vital part of engineering, to create the best structure possible there has to be many perspectives willing to share their ideas while being able to clearly and concisely describe their thought process and end goal. This requires confidence in one's own abilities and the grace to handle rejection which happened a lot during our building process. In the end multiple suggestions were incorporated in the final product.

       To reach the final product teamwork was also required. This had to be one of the more challenging group projects I have participated in and if I can build a bridge with my younger and older brother I should be able to accomplish anything as we are not the most cohesive group of siblings. Somehow we were able to briefly set our differences aside and use teamwork to make the dream work. As an engineer one has to respect others ideas as you would want them to respect yours so very early in the brainstorming process I put this into action hoping it would be reciprocal and it was. My ability to be a mediator and accomplish something with my brothers gives me hope that I will be able to get along with almost anyone in a group with a common goal in mind.
       This goal was also accomplished with collective creativity. We have all seen a bridge before and after some thought we came to the conclusion that the triangle would be strongest and therefore best shape to use on the bridge but the tessellation of these triangles is where the creativity came into play. More specifically we determined that the equal lateral triangle would be best suited to handle the pressure. Next measurements were made to use all of the supplied wood while having as many equal lateral triangles as possible.
      Some things can not be learned from simply picking up a book. These skills are a perfect example of that. While this experience did not necessarily teach teach me anything new it helped me develop existing skills that I will use everyday on my field where they will develop even further.