LEGOs and Structure Engineering

Article Links: 

• http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/5-things-lego-blocks-teach-structural-engineering.htm#page=0
• http://archive.today.uci.edu/Features/profile_detail.asp?key=114

I've always loved to play with LEGOs ever since I was a kid (I still am a kid). Whenever I would build a LEGO Star Wars space ship, I would always crash it on my other LEGO buildings, recreating an action scene from some movie or video game. However when I read this article, I found that there is a more meaningful purpose to LEGOs than just for my own amusement.

LEGOs not only are used to build LEGO buildings, but can also be used to simulate real buildings. Conveniently, my senior topic, structure engineering, can relate to this. There are many examples in this article that taught me more about structure engineering. For example, if I wanted to measure static loading, weight on a non-moving structure, I would build a bridge (out of LEGOs) and use a toy car to cross over the bridge. If my bridge seems unstable, I can add more LEGOs to reinforce the bridge and make it sturdier. In this example, it not only shows the principle of static loading, but also on the principle of bracing. In real life situations, engineers use beams and columns to reinforce structures. LEGOs are a good representation of beams and columns. Another LEGO example relating to structure engineering is the concept of space. If I wanted to build a LEGO city, I have to consider not only the amount of people inside my city, but also the proximity of the buildings in my city. Similarly, structure engineers also consider these same factors for purposes such as earthquake incidents.

So do people really use LEGOs to simulate buildings? Yes, the article explains that there are competitions in the world where competitors create LEGO experiments to see how earthquakes affect buildings. In fact, as I was researching more, universities even go out to kids and use LEGOs to spark the kids' interests in civil engineering. I wouldn't have thought of using LEGOs to teach myself about structure engineering. It just shows that even my childhood toys can teach me something new.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  Why?

I plan to interview Structure Engineer Associate, Tzuoh-Jaw Wu because he has lots of experience in the field of structure engineering. The reason why he has lots of experience is because he started as an employee and worked throughout his career to achieve his Associate position. This shows that he is familiar with many roles in the structure engineering field and I believe this can help me with my senior topic and my career choice. He also is well educated because he has master's degree in structure engineering, which makes him an even more reliable interviewee.

2.  You have to ask 5 questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask? 

What is your schedule at work like?

Why do you enjoy your job?

Why did you become a structure engineer?

How did you become a structure engineer?

What challenges do you face during work?

Specifically, what building elements do you design or inspect?

Did you have any interests in other engineering fields besides structure engineering?

What types of math is used throughout your projects?

How much of your time is spent with working with others?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals

1. My senior topic will be structure engineering
2.What do you plan to do this year to show growth in each of the ESLRs?  Be specific and use an example.  Examples can come from senior project, model assembly, core, and/or participation in senior class ASB or other organizations on campus (clubs etc).

I will be an Effective Learner by turning in my work earlier and using my time in school wisely.

I usually turn my work in on time, but my work is usually done the day before it's due. I realize this isn't my best effort and will make my goal to finish my assignments no sooner than the day before the deadline. Another goal I will be working on is using class time wisely. To fulfill this goal, I will use house time more effectively by working on school related tasks rather than socializing with others.

I will be an Effective Communicator being attentive to the teacher/instructor and strengthening my communication skills

I will try my best to make certain of myself not to talk when the teacher is giving instructions. I sometimes have a problem with this and I will stop it by facing my eyes towards the instructor. I will also work on my communication skills and rely on my iPoly teammates in group work. For example, I will conquer my fear in socializing with others that I'm not familiar with if I am stuck in a group with these people for a group assignment.

I will be an Effective iPoly citizen by having less tardies, working for more community service hours, and joining at least one commitee:

I've made a goal that I will only have at a minimum one tardy per semester for my last year at iPoly High School. In recent years, I've gotten three tardies per semester, which is an extremely bad habit considering now there's a detention rule for seniors. I will also take advantage of my mentorship to gain more community service hours. I did reach a little bit over 200 hours after my summer mentorship; however, if I want my college application to be more successful; then I need to do more hours than what's required of my school. I also plan on joining a committee for the senior class, even though currently I still can't make a decision which committee I want to join.

I will be an Effective User of Technology by using web links to help me on my core classes and learning new functions on powerpoint programs:

I will use certain websites to help me on my studies regarding core classes and senior project. For example, I will use the url link PHSchool.com/advanced as tool to check my work for Mrs. Pitman's physics class and to help me study for physics. Another goal I will strive for in being an effective user of technology is I will be familiar with microsoft powerpoint and google drive powerpoint. For example, I will learn new applications on these powerpoint programs such as including adding video links and adding transitions to my slides (I tend to have problems with this).

Summer Mentorship Component

Literal:  

1. (Know) Using google doc (drive) link a log of specific hours and a description of your duties 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvtFX3hRxacldFkyZkVVWFRhZzJvbmtEMzVDWFhZZ2c#gid=0

2. What is the contact name & number of where you volunteered?       

Kevin Chen. 909-594-3836. dHA and Calpec is where I volunteered.

3. (Need to know) What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?  List them.     

Besides meetings and working in the office, what other things do engineers do?

Which engineering field is the most demanding?

What type of engineer do I want to be?

Which engineer field is more focused on design?

Interpretive

4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

The most important thing I learned from this experience is engineers (that design parts of buildings) check the work of the architects. I always believed that architects only designed the exterior of buildings, but they actually design the entire layout of the buildings. When I was asking my mentor about my confusion if I was drawing some building parts in the correct position, he told me that the engineers have to correct the architect's work because sometimes they don't know certain parts of buildings.

This is important for me because architects and engineers constantly work together on many building projects. This is also important because I'm not sure whether I want to pursue in architecture or engineering.

Applied
 
5. How did what you did help you choose a topic?  Please explain.

Mostly what I did in my mentorship was drafting the duct work of a building. The company that I was doing my mentorship is separated into two engineering departments: electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. My mentorship is in the mechanical engineering department, which is why my drafting was only related to mechanical engineering. So how did this help I chose a topic? I found that drafting parts for mechanical engineers was a little repetitive. I told my dad, who is a structure engineer, about this and he told me that in structure engineering, there more details to look at where as mechanical engineering is only focused on a few building parts. So I decided to choose structure engineering to see if this will spark my interest in the engineering filed.