Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
will try to map out the path full of meaning. The 'Artisans' will
wait for the path to be well-trodden, then follow it carefully,
filling in all the gaps as they go along. As Einstein said, 'There
comes a time when the mind takes a higher plane of knowledge
but can never prove how it got there'. The structural engineer is
dead…long live the structural engineer. I know that to be true
but I cannot prove how I got there.
regarding the skills and techniques that are useful. However,
this chapter has shown that the changing needs of society
require considerable reflection and, most probably, the devel-
opment of a new genre of engineers. To help in this develop-
ment, this chapter attempted to tease out personal preferences
towards working methods and includes some suggestions for
the engineer's approach to the future.
2.17 Conclusions
This chapter has shown that projects are complex, varied and
require many different types of approach. It also explores some
of the underlying patterns, then highlights the relationships
within the projects that contribute to successful outcomes.
Given the long time spans and apparent maturity of the struc-
tural engineering world, it could be assumed that the profes-
sion of structural engineering has reached a common position
2.18 Note
1
Please note the artwork for these chapters feature the author's hand
drawings as would be done in practice during the design stage.
2.19 References
The Artist, the Artisan, and the Philosopher, plus the Engineering per-
sonality test was developed at the RSA's Royal Designers Summer
School, co-directed by Ed McCann and Chris Wise, held at Minster
Lovell, Oxfordshire in September 2007. Although never formally
published, it is widely used by Ed McCann and Chris Wise in pres-
entations and workshop sessions at their various teaching presenta-
tions. Ed McCann and Tim O'Brien developed the three personal-
ity themes at the Summer School. Chris Wise wrote the questions
and drew the diagrams in this chapter, while Ed McCann produced
the character summaries.
Taylor, M. http://www.thersa.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/794/Pro-
Social-Behaviour-pro-social_behaviour.pdf
Wise, C. (2010).
Enough is enough
. IABSE Milne Medal Lecture, 18
November. London: Institution of Structural Engineers.
If you answered mainly A you are a 'Philosopher';
If mainly B you are an 'Artist';
If C you are an 'Artisan'.
It is perfectly possible to be a mix, for example, an Artist with
philosophical tendencies
Table 2.7 Results for engineering personality test
