There are 3 important issues that we generally base on in engineering. These are the things we take into account when implementing a project; 3 important factors that we consider in every item, from the projecting stage to the material to be used.
These factors have an order of priority among themselves. Safety, economy and aesthetics, these 3 values are the important parts of our constructions.
Safety
Of course, safety comes first rules in civil engineering. Whatever we build must first be solid and reliable. It should constitute a space in which we can live or work comfortably and safely. While designing or constructing a structure, it is essential to comply with the minimum safety conditions determined by regulations. If the building we will build does not meet the safety requirements, the construction will not continue or be started regardless of the other two issues. Project planning is done again until the safety conditions are met. Even if it is aesthetic and economical, such a structure will not be accepted because it will pose a risk for us.
Staying on the Safe Side
There is a phrase in engineering called staying on the safe side. Often when checking safety values, we multiply the values by 1.25 to stay on the safe side. This provides us with enough values to stay confidently on the safe side, with peace of mind.
Huge column and beam sizing is not done just for the safety of a building. At this point, engineering comes into play. Values and element sizes are not enlarged with black order or brute logic.
For example, if a column size is 40 – 40 cm and it is on the safe side, building a 50 – 50 cm column does not mean a more robust structure. Since more concrete and more iron will be used, the economy condition is exceeded. At the same time, it will be wasted as unnecessary resource use will be made.
Economy
The second issue that emerges after providing the safety condition is that the structure is economical. We must avoid massive sizing and exorbitant costs just to meet the safety requirement.
It takes an engineering skill and effort to maintain the safest structure at the most affordable cost. In fact, when asked what is engineering, Railways Civil Engineer Arthur Mellen Wellington answers this question as follows:
It would be well if engineering were less generally thought of, and even defined, as the art of constructing. In a certain important sense it is rather the art of not constructing; or, to define it rudely but not inaptly, it is the art of doing that well with one dollar, which any bungler can do with two after a fashion.
This is exactly what we want to tell you. Engineering means the art of making the safest building with the lowest budget.
Aesthetic
Our third rule, which is thrown into the background more than the other two criteria, is aesthetics. Let’s talk a little bit about why it was thrown into the background. If the engineer has aesthetic concerns for the external appearance, unsafe or high-cost structures will emerge. Engineering first pays attention to suitability for use and purpose.
Let’s give an example: Instead of building structures and areas of use that will look very nice but people will not use or benefit enough, maybe it builds structures and areas that are aesthetically worse but with high usability for purpose.
Of course, we cannot say that the aesthetic structure is not suitable for use. What we want to say here is not the work of us, that is, of engineers. Carrying aesthetic concern and creating aesthetic designs and usage areas is the work of the field of architecture.
As we mentioned above, first of all, after providing safety and economy, aesthetics comes to us. So, what are aesthetic features or aesthetic touches according to an engineer?
Aesthetics for the Engineer
One of our professors at the university gave an example: “We can give an example of a floating staircase to aesthetics for an engineer.” The floating staircase is visually appealing. However, since the landing is not a support point, engineering calculations and skills are required in order to serve people for many years on its own and despite the live loads on it.
This is where engineering effort comes into play again. Because floating ladder calculation is more complex than normal ladders and should be calculated and analyzed more carefully. In short, we can list the rules in engineering as follows: Safety>Economy>Aesthetics
SOURCE: https://www.sanalsantiye.com/muhendislikte-3e/
