Blog 10: Senior Project: The Holiday

Content:

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you over the break with your senior project?

I did more detailed drawings on the SMRF (Special Movement Restraint Frame Elevation). Specifically I worked on the footings the panel zones of the SMRF, drawing more details such as indicating bolts and welding. 

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

The most important thing I've learned from what I did is that there's always a lot of support in keeping a structure intact. There's never one main component holding a structure together; every single support structure is important. When a structure is specifically designed for earthquakes, there are more supports and that the supports are also composed of even more supports. For example, a footing connects with a column through bolts, hinges, welding and a grade beam. Inside the grade beam contains more bolts, hinges, and welding. Also, the footing is also surrounded by soil to not only withstand the load of the building, but also to put the footings in place with the beams.  This learning experience comes from the knowledge of my mentor and the blue prints that were given too me.

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers of your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

I would talk to my mentor because he has done simulations of buildings reactions to earthquakes on the computer and he also has over 20 years of experience in his career.

I would maybe also ask the boss of my mentor, since he has more experience as a structural engineer than my mentor.