International Building Styles

The building’s in the United States are not the only way and style that is used around the world. Many countries have different building styles and designs persuaded by their previous generations, and since the United States is the “youngest” country we always find new ideas and designs for our building which makes us rather unique so to speak. On the other hand, countries in Europe have a different style of architecture and choose to build structures. They use more medieval style in their construction, but they use modern technology in the building of them. Take this building in Prague, Czech Republic for example. (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/493666112_c1227ac56e.jpg)

See? Would you really find a building like this in America? I don’t think so. It is a complete different style of building. In Europe they use cement and concrete for their buildings due to more extreme weather conditions. Also, in Europe, there is more population of people per square kilometer then in the United States which is why Europeans generally live in apartments that are made from concrete as well. My father designed and built a building in Poland when we went there last summer and he said that the process is entirely different.

Europe is not the only place that has a different type of building structure then the United States. The places in the Middle East and Asia also have very different styles. One of the greatest structures ever created lies in Asia, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the legendary Taj Mahal. (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/drube004/architecture/image/Taj%20Mahal.jpg)

Can you see why it was one of the ancient wonders of the world? It took the level of style, design, and engineering to the next level and proved to the world that Greeks and Romans aren’t the only people that have a distinct style of architecture. The buildings in the Middle East usually are similar to the design of this building. Most of the building’s are influenced by the different climate where the building is being built, as well as the beliefs of the people that are building it.

The way buildings are created also depends on the countries status financially. For example, Africa is one of the poorest countries in the world, therefore the way they create there buildings is totally different from other cultures, and resembles former Indian buildings. (http://www.thegrid.org.uk/goodpractice/international/tipd/06-07_southafrica/images/south_africa_52_sml.jpg)

So many different countries buildings are influenced to their location on the Earth, the climate that they have in the areas, previous buildings/creations that took place in their country at a earlier time in history. In conclusion, many different countries in the world, and each have their own unique style of building.

The Evolution of Building Structures

All things have to start somewhere. Whether it is a building, a design, or even life for that matter. So where did the first buildings appear on Earth? Some of the first buildings that were created on Earth were created with dirt, wood, and some rock. But mostly what was used was dirt like the picture below. (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2154493194_86e6fb9324.jpg)

These type of buildings were used for a long time, until the idea of using stones for buildings arose. This mainly started and can mostly be seen in the architecture and design of the Greeks. The Greeks set the foundations for almost every subject area that we recognize today. Engineering/Architecture is one of those areas that they excelled in, and produced a building that not only did the job of providing shelter for the occupants, but it also showed a sense of style which the Greeks looked fondly on. (http://library.thinkquest.org/11114/pictures/greek5.gif)

The Greeks were also one of the first civilizations to build free standing buildings, meaning that they were one of the first to build the structures away from mountains or other areas of support. They developed the idea and concept of today’s “foundation.” As you can see the main Greek signature of their architecture were the enormous pillars that they placed as a source of support. These buildings demonstrated and really gave meaning to the phrase “you need a good foundation.” Some of these buildings still stand to this day, the ones that have not been struck by earthquakes or other natural disasters since being built.

The Romans then continued the Greek tradition of building with stones, but on top of that they developed a new way to design buildings and structures that was more stable then the Greek pillars, the arch. This idea is still used today but in a different extent.

Following the downfall of the Roman Empire, everything declined including the building of structures. The people in the Renaissance and Medieval Ages mostly went back to building with wood, although they did use stone for more important military construction that needed more fortification. Such as castles, defense towers, and walls.(http://www.medieval-castles.org/pictures/pictures/gigantic_castle.jpg)

After this decline in history faded, technology began to rise and expand at an astounding rate. So, along with the technological breakthrough the building evolved as the technology expanded. Scientists and engineers began to figure out mostly how the worlds forces act on all the different buildings differently. Then they saw that it was not really the strongest material that provided the strongest building, but indeed the design that needed to be flawless and precise. That eventually lead them to use more wood in their projects because it was easier to access, easier to move from place to the place of construction, and it was more malleable and easier to work with then stone. Which eventually lead to the use of more steel and different types of metals which is the main resource used for bigger constuction.

Sources-http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2154493194_86e6fb9324.jpg  http://library.thinkquest.org/11114/pictures/greek5.gif)

http://www.medieval-castles.org/pictures/pictures/gigantic_castle.jpg)

The Essence of Engineering

Engineering. So broad of a category cannot be split down into a single essence. But if one term was needed to describe such a fascinating subject it would have to be evolution. It is unbelievable that we, as humans, have come from living in huts made from tree branches and grass that cannot withstand much wind or rain. To buildings that are made from concrete and wood that mostly do not allow external substances inside and are engineered even to withstand natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. ( http://www.viajareua.com/trips/California_Arizona_Nevada/Pic0040.jpg)

Engineering is not only about evolution, it is about creativity and creating something unique as well as something that will make the common people’s lives easier. As the famous architect Santiago Calatava says “I have tried to get close to the frontier between architecture and sculpture and to understand architecture as an art. I always try to design buildings that respond to people’s needs including the need not only for functional buildings, but for buildings that represent something for the community. Also, I have always tried to relate the building to the city.”(www.37signals.com/svn/archives2/calatrava_architecture_as_an_art.php) Santiago is correct with his claim, some of his most famous work includes: Trinity Bridge, footbridge over River Irwell, Salford, Stadelhofen Railway Station, Zürich, and the newest of his projects the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, New York City.

It is a marvel looking at these types of new buildings and designs, especially after what happened in 9-11-2001. Santiago really demonstrates to the world what the essence of engineering really is. He is a prime example of a person that really enjoys his career, and reveals the essence of engineering through his work. He shows his creativity, as can be seen in the World Trade Center Transportation Hub project, as well as the evolution and style that comes with the modern time. Engineers always strive for what is appealing to the eye, a unique design and something that will make people’s lives easier.

As the world and its inhabitants evolve, so will the way we look and do many things. Engineering is one of those. Mainly influenced by a new generation of citizens that believe we need to stop doing so much harm to the planet. Engineers use this ideology in their plans and designs. The new designs are innovative, appealing, and not as hazardous to the Earth as previous generations of buildings were.

The essence of engineering is very hard to capture in a few paragraphs, but the main idea is evolution, creativity, and combining of both of those aspects into something that will be helpful to people of the present, as well as in the future.

Sources: http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek04/tw1203/1203gold_1wtctrans_b.jpg, www.37signals.com/svn/archives2/calatrava_architecture_as_an_art.php  http://www.viajareua.com/trips/California_Arizona_Nevada/Pic0040.jpg

(I was absent for a couple of days, so dont mark this post late Mr. Robo)

The Colosseum

When you think about structural engineering it is all about buildings, and one cannot think about buildings without having an image of the Colosseum pop into your mind. It is one of the most amazing buildings ever created by mankind. I found this picture on the http://globaltours.biz/images/colosseum.jpg website.

The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian’s reign (81–96). (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum) The Colosseum was a place of entertainment for the people of Rome. It was mostly used as a Gladiatorial Arena, where many inventions were created when this building was being built such as pools, elevators, and showed how to seat many people in a manor that we still use today such as in sports stadiums.

The Colosseum was a modern marvel for the people of the Roman Empire. Nothing even remotely close to the size of this building had ever been created. The Colosseum was 615 ft long, and 510 ft wide, with a base area of 6 acres. The height of the outer wall is 157 ft. The perimeter originally measured 1,788 ft. The central arena is an oval (287 ft) long and (180 ft) wide, surrounded by a wall (15 ft) high, above which rose tiers of seating. Unlike many of the previous structures before it that were built into the hillside, the Colosseum is a free standing structure, that has its own foundation.This is the design the Romans used for their floor model of the Colosseum, also the design used to create the seating in the massive structure.

The Romans used many techniques used to build buildings today when the constructing of the project began between 70 and 72 AD. The design is incredible for the time period and would make any modern engineer think about how far we have advanced as to the length the project requires. Although, I have to admit, the Romans had more style. 

“Help”

The word “help” according to www.dictionary.com simply means “to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist.” Many problems can occur while working in the field of engineering, therefore the engineers require certain “help” from each other.

The engineering field is a vast field for work, therefore many questions can arise while working. That is one reason that this blog was created. Engineers of all types, will always have questions. Questions that they cannot always find the answer to immediately, but can always ask on this blog and expect the best answer that others can give.

In our growing society, there are very few people that will actually stop to “help” someone in need of it. People’s lives are becoming more hectic so they believe the best way to “help” them is to do nothing. For example, I was coming back home from Bellingham over the weekend, and on the side of the highway was a stalled car. Neither the driver, or the passenger had a cell phone to call for assistance. There were plenty of cars on the road, any of them could have stopped, and helped the stranger, but none did. As I was about to pull over and offer aid to the straggler, the man if front of me pulled over and helped. One person, out of many, took a few minutes out of his life to help someone in real need of it. This is the kind of “help” that people need.

Have you ever noticed the articles that the paper usually prints are articles about people “helping” each other? In an article in the Bellingham Herald, there is a story about the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.(http://www.bellinghamherald.com/255/story/153294.html) It shows how the forest was being polluted and that various volunteers from the area decided to help the worker crews clean up the forest and clear up the paths that had been ruined by sever winter storms. This is also the type of help that is required in engineering. An error occurs in the building process, or there is a flaw in the design, then other engineers are asked to assist.

Other blogs and websites such as this have been created to help engineers in their quest. Websites such as http://www.helpengine.org/ offer help to any type of engineer imaginable, from Aerospace Engineering to things such as Water Management, each of those links has other links to “special” websites dealing with engineering of only that kind, so if you are rushing to find a quick solution to your problem, they have taken all the websites and arranged them in that order to save you time and money.

Whenever you hear the word help, do not only imagine how people can help you when you are in need of it, but also, how you can help others. Help them in the field of Engineering if you are an engineer and they seek your wisdom, or just help a stranger on the side of the road that had some bad luck and car trouble. Think about that…

Introduction to the Engineering Blog

Engineering seems to be a very popular subject as of late.  Many people that need work done with engineers are having a hard time finding available workers. The purpose of this blog will be me writing about certain problems dealing with engineering as well as a detailed discussion to all questions that relate one way or another to engineering.

This topic is of great importance to me. My father is an engineer and i have been observing him working steadily my entire life. I also plan to continue in the field of enigineering and will be studying this field of work at the University of Washington following my graduation. I here complaints daily from my father when he gets home that there just aren’t enough engineers in our area to do the work in demand, he always has to work late nights and take on multiple projects at the same time with 3 or 4 different clients constantly barking down his throat.

This blog will be a combination of all different questions and posts that you could think of with engineering. It will include all types: mechanical, structual, physical, chemical, etc… It will be unique because of the fact that it will deal with all the types of engineering, not just settled at one type, so that different scholars/engineers of all different fields can ask for help, or just post something from their own experience, that can be answered from multiple different views. Since all engineering fields relate to each other in one way or another, it will be a friendly envoirnment that all engineers can ask questions and recieve constructive feedback.

I look foward to having many interested readers enjoy this blog and post their comments and/or questions on my blog. As well as having dedicated engineers on the blog giving their information and opinions to others that need it.

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