So the question is: Are Engineers scientists or artists?
Art: n, Practical skill, or its application, guided by principles; application of skill to works of creative imagination. (from Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary)
This below quote has been taken from the book “Engineering risk” 1983. Interestingly, it was written 37 years ago and is more valid now than ever before:
“It should be a fundamental of our profession that we are practising an art, not a science. In some fields of engineering we practise a science-based art, but in all areas engineering judgement, based on knowledge and experience plays a major role.
As we are not working with exact figures or complete knowledge, it is inherent that our work or our profession opinions will be less than perfect, and that those who use our skills are at risk that our performance will be less than their expectations.
It should be a policy of our Institution to encourage an understanding of this philosophy by the public and the profession.
We should be aware that complex codes, intended to reduce total construction costs or to create safer buildings, generally require a greater engineering input. Unless the client or employer accepts this and makes financial provisions for this increased engineering input, there is a damage that our profession may not be able to provide a level of service to match those expectations. “
This can be referred to our latest assessment codes, also known as Red and Yellow Book, that explain the degree of judgment and engineering effort in the assessment process.
Each of the ISA (Initial Seismic Assessment) or DSA (Detailed Seismic Assessment) processes can be carried out with a varying degree of knowledge and detail. The further the assessment processes moves to the right in the chart below, the more reliable should be the result, albeit at generally greater cost for the assessment.
At all levels of assessment, the judgement of the engineer is an important input.
During an ISA, the level of judgement required is higher as little data is known on which to base the assessment on. The need for judgement and experience rises from ISA to DSA and in particular if more sophisticated analysis techniques are employed in a DSA because the results can become very dependent on the inputs, and experience will be necessary to judge if the results are reasonable and valid.
NZCEL has undertaken several hundreds of assessments over the last years from simple to complex.
We are happy to assist you in your assessment, peer review and strengthening process.
Please reach us at info@nzcel.co.nz, or +64 4 4998878.