Hello All,
Welcome to my final blog post. All future postings regarding the Como Turntable will be on the narrow gauge discussion forum. ngdiscussion.net
Food build is a conceptually good project however the work load was not equally shared between the design and construction teams. The design teams seemed to have a dramatically higher workload than the construction teams.
I learned a lot in this class however a lot of the stuff we learned won't really make sense until we try to apply it. Practical on the job training is more applicable in this context in my opinion. However with that in mind food build is a good way to apply these principles. If there could be a way to balance the workload that would be more appreciated.
From what I've learned from people older and wiser than me, unless you're locked in a room doing design work and sliding your drawings under the door you will need to be able to interact with people of various backgrounds and disciplines. I wish that the school offered more accounting, law, and non technical communications classes to enable us the students to speak more than engineer.
Signing off for the final time,
Leighton
Monday, May 8, 2017
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Psyche I'm back!!
Greetings Again Reader,
Forgive my tardiness in my postings. Many late posts are in order and shall be done in due and expedient course.
Now to the matter of why I returned, the PENULTIMATE BLOG POST!!!! The last but one post. The almost but not really quite there post. Here it is
As to accidents on job sites the OSHA videos touched on most of what I had thought of. Poor safety use in equipment and being out of the line of sight of the operator are huge safety errors. As well it is very easy to get into trouble with ladders and high places, personally I had ladders. I had not considered trench based accidents in great detail.
In a construction or industrial context it is incredibly easy to get into trouble or danger. Being out of the line of sight for the operator is one that is particularly important to me. Inadequate fall protection is an easy way to die. From my own personal experience there have been a few times when I've almost fallen off of the top of a steam locomotive, an accident which would have either landed me in the hospital or the morgue. Many accidents occur due to people not being holistically aware of their situation. For example if they're moving a ladder are they thinking about what might be at the other end or just not letting the ladder fall over completely.
Going to the reading many of the same themes are seen again. Is everybody aware of what is going on at the job site? Was there a safety briefing? Are proper safety appliances being used? Is the equipment maintained? Is everything safe and suitable for service. Safety really isn't rocket science, its about taking things at a reasonable pace and making sure that all bases are covered and everybody knows what's going on and is acting with safety in mind,
RLM
Forgive my tardiness in my postings. Many late posts are in order and shall be done in due and expedient course.
Now to the matter of why I returned, the PENULTIMATE BLOG POST!!!! The last but one post. The almost but not really quite there post. Here it is
As to accidents on job sites the OSHA videos touched on most of what I had thought of. Poor safety use in equipment and being out of the line of sight of the operator are huge safety errors. As well it is very easy to get into trouble with ladders and high places, personally I had ladders. I had not considered trench based accidents in great detail.
In a construction or industrial context it is incredibly easy to get into trouble or danger. Being out of the line of sight for the operator is one that is particularly important to me. Inadequate fall protection is an easy way to die. From my own personal experience there have been a few times when I've almost fallen off of the top of a steam locomotive, an accident which would have either landed me in the hospital or the morgue. Many accidents occur due to people not being holistically aware of their situation. For example if they're moving a ladder are they thinking about what might be at the other end or just not letting the ladder fall over completely.
Going to the reading many of the same themes are seen again. Is everybody aware of what is going on at the job site? Was there a safety briefing? Are proper safety appliances being used? Is the equipment maintained? Is everything safe and suitable for service. Safety really isn't rocket science, its about taking things at a reasonable pace and making sure that all bases are covered and everybody knows what's going on and is acting with safety in mind,
RLM
Monday, April 3, 2017
return from the edge of the earth, thoughts on concrete and steel reading
Greetings Again Dearest Reader,
As is my occasional custom I have disappeared for some time, with ensuring tardiness towards other postings on this public-private forum. However much like a dirty penny or annoying relative I have made my not too much undesired return to entrance you with my attempts at wit and commentary on engineering practice.
Banter and prolixity aside let us get straight to the matter.
I quite enjoyed the CMU and steel readings. The steel was to a certain degree redundant however a nice cursory summation of much of what has been learned in other classes. The CMU reading I found highly interesting as I have yet to have the opportunity to study masonry design or practice in depth. I was not really aware of dry masonry construction before the reading. Looking back I've seen it in practice but I've never really put much thought into it myself. Personally I am most fond of wooden construction considering my predilections towards carpentry and joinery.
Cinder block construction is a highly common construction technique that has many benefits. Like all construction methods though, it requires significant skill and practice for an individual to achieve quality workmanship. Good brick laying requires consistency and attention to detail. Computers and machinery are frequently superior to man in those categories. This being the case, the job of a bricklayer is one that is highly susceptible to mechanization. Mechanization and automation is increasingly common in many areas of manufacturing and construction. With this in mind, one does have to wonder if this will a job that will exist and to what extent in the coming years. The work of a bricklayer may be like the movement of earth, once done by armies of hundreds by hand but now by a few in machines.
Your Resident Luddite,
RLM
As is my occasional custom I have disappeared for some time, with ensuring tardiness towards other postings on this public-private forum. However much like a dirty penny or annoying relative I have made my not too much undesired return to entrance you with my attempts at wit and commentary on engineering practice.
Banter and prolixity aside let us get straight to the matter.
I quite enjoyed the CMU and steel readings. The steel was to a certain degree redundant however a nice cursory summation of much of what has been learned in other classes. The CMU reading I found highly interesting as I have yet to have the opportunity to study masonry design or practice in depth. I was not really aware of dry masonry construction before the reading. Looking back I've seen it in practice but I've never really put much thought into it myself. Personally I am most fond of wooden construction considering my predilections towards carpentry and joinery.
Cinder block construction is a highly common construction technique that has many benefits. Like all construction methods though, it requires significant skill and practice for an individual to achieve quality workmanship. Good brick laying requires consistency and attention to detail. Computers and machinery are frequently superior to man in those categories. This being the case, the job of a bricklayer is one that is highly susceptible to mechanization. Mechanization and automation is increasingly common in many areas of manufacturing and construction. With this in mind, one does have to wonder if this will a job that will exist and to what extent in the coming years. The work of a bricklayer may be like the movement of earth, once done by armies of hundreds by hand but now by a few in machines.
Your Resident Luddite,
RLM
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Greetings Again Dearest Reader,
I found the spec writing project very interesting and pleasantly absurd. I found it funny to write out in formal language the specs for scrambled eggs. It's a very valuable exercise. We learn a lot about technical writing but we don't often transition over to legal writing, which while similar has some differences in tone, format, and formality. I had a layman's law class in high school where I got to read a lot of legal documents and court briefs. I have some knowledge of that style of writing but not enough to suit my tastes.
As engineers, as I understand it, don't actually spend as much time as one would think actually doing engineering. The legal and financial aspects of a project are often highly time consuming and take precedence over much actual engineering work. This underlies the necessity for development of interpersonal skills not only with other persons of an engineering persuasion but people from financial and legal disciplines. The engineering side of a project is typically more simple and straightforward than the legal or financial side or the interpersonal dealings involved there in.
I found the spec writing project very interesting and pleasantly absurd. I found it funny to write out in formal language the specs for scrambled eggs. It's a very valuable exercise. We learn a lot about technical writing but we don't often transition over to legal writing, which while similar has some differences in tone, format, and formality. I had a layman's law class in high school where I got to read a lot of legal documents and court briefs. I have some knowledge of that style of writing but not enough to suit my tastes.
As engineers, as I understand it, don't actually spend as much time as one would think actually doing engineering. The legal and financial aspects of a project are often highly time consuming and take precedence over much actual engineering work. This underlies the necessity for development of interpersonal skills not only with other persons of an engineering persuasion but people from financial and legal disciplines. The engineering side of a project is typically more simple and straightforward than the legal or financial side or the interpersonal dealings involved there in.
Monday, February 27, 2017
thoughts on Design Build v Design Bid Build
Greetings Again Dearest Reader,
In my last Epistle I wrote to you concerning the turntable at Durango. In this one posting I shall be discussing various aspects of Design Build (DB) versus Design Bid Build (DBB).
DB and DBB are relatively different construction methodologies that have pro's and con's to each. By having a company that can do the entire work in house from plans to project certain economies can be attained for both the builder and the client. By removing the bidding process a company can make more money with a flop that with a hit, wait wrong story. By removing the bidding process a company can make more money overall. It has a deeper level of involvement with the project and can ensure work for its employees for a longer period of time. The more entities that are involved in the project the less money that can be made by an individual player in general. By removing another player through DB, the chosen company can make more money.
DBB on the other hand allows smaller companies to have more opportunities for business. Due to the nature of DB, a company that wants to do this has to be relatively large to be able to handle all the necessary components. In DBB the companies involved can be more specialized and tailored to projects. This is not to say that all DB companies are large. DB companies can subcontract out most if not all the work if they so choose. This methodology would make it easier for smaller companies to get into DB.
In my last Epistle I wrote to you concerning the turntable at Durango. In this one posting I shall be discussing various aspects of Design Build (DB) versus Design Bid Build (DBB).
DB and DBB are relatively different construction methodologies that have pro's and con's to each. By having a company that can do the entire work in house from plans to project certain economies can be attained for both the builder and the client. By removing the bidding process a company can make more money with a flop that with a hit, wait wrong story. By removing the bidding process a company can make more money overall. It has a deeper level of involvement with the project and can ensure work for its employees for a longer period of time. The more entities that are involved in the project the less money that can be made by an individual player in general. By removing another player through DB, the chosen company can make more money.
DBB on the other hand allows smaller companies to have more opportunities for business. Due to the nature of DB, a company that wants to do this has to be relatively large to be able to handle all the necessary components. In DBB the companies involved can be more specialized and tailored to projects. This is not to say that all DB companies are large. DB companies can subcontract out most if not all the work if they so choose. This methodology would make it easier for smaller companies to get into DB.
Friday, February 24, 2017
A Sojourn to Durango
Good Mornings and Frosty Salutations to you all Readers,
Earlier this week I made the long drive down to Durango to go do some proper engineering staring at the Durango turntable. First I have to give a special thanks to everybody down at the Durango and Silverton, D&S. Everybody there was extremely pleasant and accommodating. In particular I'd like to thank Larry Beam and Randy Babcock for letting me come and look at the turntable.
Here is what the Durango turntable looks like. The picture is from the 60's as I neglected to get a good picture on Monday.
As you can see this was before an air motor was put on the turntable and it was still turned by hand. I do not envy turning a 37 on that. In addition to the air motor there are loops on the ring rail wheels for a tractor to pull the table if necessary, this will be an addition to the como turntable.
The purpose of my visit was primarily to determine how the turntable mounted on the center bearing and how the ring rail wheels were attached. Larry and Randy were incredibly helpful and their insight alone made the trip worth the drive. This table has been in service since 1920 when it replaced an earlier one. The table is from Alamosa and was cut down to fit in the Durango pit. The bridge itself was built in 1899 giving the bridge a current service life of 118 years and the table as it sits now 97 years. Considering the bridge is old enough to have been a doughboy in France it is doing remarkably well. However in talking with Larry and Randy they described the table as worn out. Many components are in need of significant repair or replacement and the table regularly requires significantly more maintenance and tweaking than they would prefer.
So getting to how the table mounts on the center bearing. The bearing sits on a cast pedistal about 20-24" off the concrete foundation block. About 3' off center either side are lateral plates held in with angle iron and rivets. Between the plates running longitudinally there are plate girders secured in place with rivets and angle iron. On the underside of these longitudinal plate girders is mounting bracket for the rocker plate. I managed to get some pictures however due to the poor lighting and crampt conditions they are not of the best quality for descriptive purposes.
This picture is in underneath the bridge looking towards the center.You can see the lateral plate girder previously described with the pedistal and rivet connections. Design of an equivalent set up for the como turntable is in process.
The ring rail wheels were my next biggest priority and much learning was had there. The current wheels we have are from a bridge crane, while nice they will require significant modification. The right rail wheels in Durango were very fat with no flange to accommodate the movement of the right rail over time. The como ring rail will be more secure than durango's however over the course of time with use and frost heaving it will move making the removal of the flange necessary at minimum. I am afraid I am going to have to curtail my blogging efforts here as blogspot does not take kindly to having pictures in the postings and the formatting is getting very difficult.
Above is the ring rail wheel assembly. You can see the hitch point in the side for a tractor if necessary. Larry told me of the trouble he's had with it and suggested I use a fat wheel with a beefy bronze bearing for como. Keep it simple and easy to maintain and adjust.
Thank you for visiting, come back soon!
Earlier this week I made the long drive down to Durango to go do some proper engineering staring at the Durango turntable. First I have to give a special thanks to everybody down at the Durango and Silverton, D&S. Everybody there was extremely pleasant and accommodating. In particular I'd like to thank Larry Beam and Randy Babcock for letting me come and look at the turntable.
Here is what the Durango turntable looks like. The picture is from the 60's as I neglected to get a good picture on Monday.
As you can see this was before an air motor was put on the turntable and it was still turned by hand. I do not envy turning a 37 on that. In addition to the air motor there are loops on the ring rail wheels for a tractor to pull the table if necessary, this will be an addition to the como turntable.
The purpose of my visit was primarily to determine how the turntable mounted on the center bearing and how the ring rail wheels were attached. Larry and Randy were incredibly helpful and their insight alone made the trip worth the drive. This table has been in service since 1920 when it replaced an earlier one. The table is from Alamosa and was cut down to fit in the Durango pit. The bridge itself was built in 1899 giving the bridge a current service life of 118 years and the table as it sits now 97 years. Considering the bridge is old enough to have been a doughboy in France it is doing remarkably well. However in talking with Larry and Randy they described the table as worn out. Many components are in need of significant repair or replacement and the table regularly requires significantly more maintenance and tweaking than they would prefer.
So getting to how the table mounts on the center bearing. The bearing sits on a cast pedistal about 20-24" off the concrete foundation block. About 3' off center either side are lateral plates held in with angle iron and rivets. Between the plates running longitudinally there are plate girders secured in place with rivets and angle iron. On the underside of these longitudinal plate girders is mounting bracket for the rocker plate. I managed to get some pictures however due to the poor lighting and crampt conditions they are not of the best quality for descriptive purposes.
This picture is in underneath the bridge looking towards the center.You can see the lateral plate girder previously described with the pedistal and rivet connections. Design of an equivalent set up for the como turntable is in process.
The ring rail wheels were my next biggest priority and much learning was had there. The current wheels we have are from a bridge crane, while nice they will require significant modification. The right rail wheels in Durango were very fat with no flange to accommodate the movement of the right rail over time. The como ring rail will be more secure than durango's however over the course of time with use and frost heaving it will move making the removal of the flange necessary at minimum. I am afraid I am going to have to curtail my blogging efforts here as blogspot does not take kindly to having pictures in the postings and the formatting is getting very difficult.
Above is the ring rail wheel assembly. You can see the hitch point in the side for a tractor if necessary. Larry told me of the trouble he's had with it and suggested I use a fat wheel with a beefy bronze bearing for como. Keep it simple and easy to maintain and adjust.
Thank you for visiting, come back soon!
Comments on the Design Bid Build activity
Greetings Once More Dearest Reader,
On Wednesday the 15th we did a Design-Bid-Build (DBB) activity concerning the building of a knex bridge. We were provided with the design and our job was to estimate the requisite materials and labor to produce a reasonable and profitable cost estimate.
Overall I thought the activity was pretty good. It was a good learning and team activity. For those unfamiliar with estimating I think it was a good exercise.
I would have appreciated being able to handle the materials during the estimating process. I grew up playing with knex but some of my team mates did not. So without a proper understanding of how they go together it's harder to make a proper estimate of time. I mean these are kids building toys not Faberge eggs.
I'm not an expert on bidding. The best I've done in that area is my work as a neighborhood handyman and doing budgets for History Colorado Grants. As well right now I'm in the process of rebuilding an historic railroad turntable which I am supposed to have a rough budget for in 3 weeks. I thought it was a valuable exercise, I was not familiar with the bond process but not surprised of its existence
Most teams appeared to be presaging their materials. In some cases it was done to an extent which would render them a potentially unfair advantage.However it was within the parameters of the project. Bending of the rules always happens but that's what lawyers are for.
I think it would be better to do the reading first then the activity. As well I would have appreciated more time in the beginning to get an understanding of the activity
On Wednesday the 15th we did a Design-Bid-Build (DBB) activity concerning the building of a knex bridge. We were provided with the design and our job was to estimate the requisite materials and labor to produce a reasonable and profitable cost estimate.
Overall I thought the activity was pretty good. It was a good learning and team activity. For those unfamiliar with estimating I think it was a good exercise.
I would have appreciated being able to handle the materials during the estimating process. I grew up playing with knex but some of my team mates did not. So without a proper understanding of how they go together it's harder to make a proper estimate of time. I mean these are kids building toys not Faberge eggs.
I'm not an expert on bidding. The best I've done in that area is my work as a neighborhood handyman and doing budgets for History Colorado Grants. As well right now I'm in the process of rebuilding an historic railroad turntable which I am supposed to have a rough budget for in 3 weeks. I thought it was a valuable exercise, I was not familiar with the bond process but not surprised of its existence
Most teams appeared to be presaging their materials. In some cases it was done to an extent which would render them a potentially unfair advantage.However it was within the parameters of the project. Bending of the rules always happens but that's what lawyers are for.
I think it would be better to do the reading first then the activity. As well I would have appreciated more time in the beginning to get an understanding of the activity
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)