How Structural Engineers Find Errors in Analysis and Design Results
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 26, Issue 2
Abstract
Errors in structural analysis and design are inevitable, but finding them early in the design process saves time and money. Knowledge of the broad causes of errors and how experienced engineers identify the presence of errors can inform training for structural engineers, thus empowering them to find their own errors early in the design process. Therefore, this study presents 145 pieces of information about errors in structural analysis and design compiled from structured interviews with 35 structural engineers. The strategies used to find errors have been classified into eight categories: (1) comparison, (2) rule of thumb, (3) information check, (4) visualization, (5) extreme value, (6) previous experience, (7) field, and (8) other. Evaluation of the information shows that responsibility for quality control should not be held only with reviewers but should also be shared with the engineers creating the designs. Also, quality control training should be heavily influenced by the comparison strategies. Overall, the specific examples of errors and the problems they cause could be helpful in developing in-house training and updating quality control procedures.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This study was made possible by the National Science Foundation Grant No. DUE-0341212. The author would like to thank the many engineers who participated in the interviews from the following firms: Applied Technology Corporation; Arup; Burns Engineering; Leslie E. Robertson Associates, R.L.L.P.; McComas Engineering, Inc.; MMS-A/E; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP; Spencer Engineering, Inc.; Thorton-Thomasetti Group; and Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 26 • Issue 2 • May 2021
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 24, 2020
Accepted: Oct 14, 2020
Published online: Dec 18, 2020
Published in print: May 1, 2021
Discussion open until: May 18, 2021
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