1 What Is Engineering? Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox...

1

What Is Engineering?

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Objectives

• Define engineering.• Identify and describe the types of knowledge used

by engineers.• List the roles that make an engineering team.• List several engineering disciplines.• Summarize the historical developments in

engineering.


Engineering Defined

• Uses math, science, and technology• Creates products and systems• Improves world


What Are Engineers?

• Highly trained professionals• Use math and science knowledge and skills• Use materials and natural forces• Solve problems


Problem Solving

• Engineers use engineering design process• Take into account design parameters

– Specifications– Constraints

• Balance for optimization• Make trade-offs


Types of Knowledge

• Mathematical knowledge• Scientific knowledge• Technical knowledge

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Mathematical Knowledge

• Analysis of data (graphs, charts, data tables)• Algebra (relationships between variables)• Calculus (rate of change, forces acting on object)• Statistics (failure analyses, reliability, justification of

design decisions)


Scientific Knowledge

• Statics, force, load, and tension• Ohm’s law, atomic structure, and circuit theory• Thermodynamics• Kinematics• Fluid mechanics• Boolean logic


Technical Knowledge

• Use of design tools, such as computer-aided design software and drawing tools

• Use of mechanical tools, such as gauges and meters

• Use of communication tools, such as e-mail and document preparation and presentation software


Types of Skills and Traits

• Interest in solving problems• Detail oriented• Analytic ability• Creativity• Drawing and design skills• Interpersonal and communication skills• Time and project management skills


Role of Engineers

• Design• Production• Material use• Coordination and management of project• Analysis• Project leading• Decision making


Engineering Teams

• Often include engineering technicians– Generally use more technology than engineers– Often use less scientific and math knowledge than

engineers

• Often include tradespeople– Follow plans of engineers or technicians– Have specific technical knowledge and skills


Engineering Disciplines

• Materials engineering• Electrical engineering• Civil engineering• Mechanical engineering• Bioengineering• Computer engineering• Aerospace engineering• Manufacturing engineering

• Chemical engineering• Environmental

engineering• Nuclear engineering• Petroleum and mining

engineering


Materials Engineering

• Focuses on nature of materials– Design and test new materials– Find new ways to use existing materials

• Requires understanding of material properties– Atomic structure– Strength– Stress– Strain– Elasticity


Electrical Engineering

• Focuses on design and development of electrical and electronic systems and products

• Sometimes employed in other industries• Requires application of electrical principles

– Nature of electricity– Voltage, current, and resistance– Circuit design– Electrical measurement


Civil Engineering

• Focuses on structures and natural resources• Considered to be oldest engineering field• Subfields include structural engineering• Requires use of construction concepts

– Statics– Mechanics– Surveying and mapping– Use of different construction materials


Mechanical Engineering

• Focuses on design, building, and maintenance of mechanical, thermal, and fluid systems

• Requires use of energy concepts– Mechanics– Pneumatics– Hydraulics– Power transmission– Gear ratios– Efficiency


Bioengineering

• Focuses on problems relating to biology• Includes biomedical engineering

– Focus on humans– Design of medical devices and diagnostic tools

• Includes agricultural engineering– Focus on plants and animals– Design of machines and processes for farming


Computer Engineering

• Focuses on design, development, and testing of computer systems– Computer hardware and peripherals– Computer software– Computer network devices

• Requires understanding of computer concepts– Computer logic– Computer architecture– Human-computer interaction


Aerospace Engineering

• Designs, builds, analyzes, and troubleshoots aircraft, spacecraft, and space planes

• Includes aeronautics and astronautics• Uses transportation concepts

– Fluid dynamics– Aerodynamics– Principles of flight– Aircraft and spacecraft design


Manufacturing Engineering

• Focuses on design and coordination of production of products

• Organizes material handling processes• Supervises quality control• Requires understanding of manufacturing

– Material processes– Plant and process layout– Principles of quality control– Material handling techniques


Chemical Engineering

• Concerned with production of chemicals• Employed in many industries• Designs production techniques and facilities• Improves safety of manufacturing facilities• Solves many problems

– Chemical problems– Material problems– Large-scale production problems


Environmental Engineering

• Designs environmentally friendly products• Works to improve air and soil quality• Works to enhance human health• Tries to find new ways to reduce pollution• Works to protect environment and make it safer• Employed in many areas

Going Green


Other Engineering Disciplines

• Nuclear engineering – designs ways to safely use nuclear materials

• Petroleum and mining engineering – finds new ways to extract raw materials from earth


History of Engineering

• Humans have been involved with engineering for thousands of years

• As a defined profession, only several hundred years old

• Each field of engineering has its own history


Engineering through History

Goodheart-Willcox Publisher


Early Civilizations

• Development of engineering follows human and societal needs

• Use of trial-and-error method rather than use of mathematics and science as foundation


Early Civilizations

• Temples and pyramids• Irrigation systems, dams, and aqueducts• Metal tools and weapons• Systems of roadways• Waterwheels• Vehicles


Industrial Revolution

• Formalization of many forms of engineering• Watt’s improvements to steam engine• Discovery of magnetic induction• First battery• Incandescent lightbulb• Electric induction motor• Discovery of 70 chemical elements• Cotton gin, reaper, and steel plow


Twentieth Century Advances

• New heights for buildings and structures• Production facilities developed• Development of radio, TV, computer, electronics,

and satellites• New fields of computer engineering, software

engineering, electronic engineering, and aerospace engineering

• Advances in medicine and medical imaging


Engineering in the Twenty-First Century

• More powerful, faster, and more capable computers• Vehicles that will make space travel more feasible

and economical• More efficient machines• Nanotechnology

1 What Is Engineering? Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox...

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