Welding is a fabrication process whereby two or more parts are fused together by means of heat, pressure, or both, forming a joint as the parts cool. While it is possible to weld materials other than metal (plastics for example), the process is most often associated with the joining of metal parts...
You typically hear weather forecasts that include wind speeds in your neck of the woods. But how does a wind speed in miles per hour (mph) translate into a wind load in pounds per square foot (psf)? The general public is not aware of how strong (in the structural sense of the word) a 50-mph wind is...
Have you ever heard of a concrete ship? The idea of a concrete ship may contradict your initial reaction – concrete doesn’t float. In fact, concrete can float. Objects can float in almost any medium under one of two techniques. The first, perhaps simplest, technique is: an object of lesser density...
“The wheels on the bus go round and round … until they don’t” – Case study involving the separation of the rear axle from a school bus This case study involves the separation of the rear axle from a school bus. The school bus was slowing down while approaching an intersection when the rear axle...
I recently noticed that the glass on my oven door was hazy and needed to be cleaned. However, after cleaning both sides of the door, the haze was still there. Upon closer examination, it became apparent that the haze was located on the inside surface of the glass sheet that was a part of the multi...
A colleague once commented to me, “that new assignment that you have at the rendering plant, just go ahead and throw up before you get there, it will save some time.” This engineer did not fully understand what the colleague was talking about until he arrived at the rendering plant during the summer...
Circuit Breakers. Most everyone has heard the term. Any residence built after 1960 has them, power plants have them, commercial buildings have them. But what are they, how do they work, and why do we need them? Wikipedia defines a circuit breaker as "an automatically operated electrical switch...
By: James R. Grey Jr., Engineering Technician (EDT) An engineering technician is, by definition, a professional trained in skills and techniques related to a specific branch of technology, with a practical understanding of relevant engineering concepts. An engineering technician’s duties vary...
As an accident reconstructionist and a mechanical engineer that also has electrical engineer training and experience, I have often been asked to examine a vehicle that has been involved in a collision to determine if its function or performance was different than the way a driver indicates it was...
We have all seen birds roosting on powerlines. Do you ever wonder why they’re not electrocuted? As shown in the picture above, birds come to rest on powerlines all the time and yet we don’t see the ground littered with electrocuted birds. By the way, the word electrocuted is a portmanteau from...
Today’s steel structures are often complex assemblies of components, such as beams and columns. Each beam and column have a unique place in the structural system, which makes the structure function. To ensure that each piece is erected where it belongs, every beam and column is labeled in the...
During the winter months, we see a number of malfunctions of the boilers and furnaces used to heat our homes and buildings. A common malfunction is a phenomenon known as a puffback. A puffback is the result of the ignition of a large amount of vaporized oil or gas vapors in the firebox, thereby...
It’s not hard to understand the motivation behind the surge in solar power installations over the last decade. Whether it’s to offset energy costs, reduce carbon footprint, or just to take advantage of government or utility incentives, solar power holds a lot of appeal to home and business owners...
I’m not talking about the Queen and David Bowie song, or the pressure we all feel at times during our lives, I’m talking about pressure vessels. What is a pressure vessel and why should I care? Well, I’m willing to bet that you have at least one pressure vessel and maybe more in or around your home...
Should you pay more for high-octane gasoline? It depends on many factors, including the kind of car you drive!
