Recent Chem engr grad doing CIVIL

[funkyhunky]

Hi, I graduated in June with a chemical engineering degree, but I landed a civil engineering job. My boss (a PE) wants me to do a design for a 32'x30' permanent steel canopy next to an existing building. I want to make a complete set of construction drawings that are supported by engineering calculations so I can get credit for the PE, how to I learn to do this? Are there any good resources that give a step by step guide on civil and structural design?

 

[snickerd3]

a civil or structural design course at your local college or university...

 

[Lomarandil]

The good news: the AISC Steel Construction Manual is very thorough.

The bad news: It'd be overwhelming to say the least if you don't have some background in structural theory and steel design.

I would either look for a course on the above two topics, or you'll need to lean on your boss' experience heavily. I'm a little hesitant to even endorse working outside your specialty like this, with the information you've given. But, you're asking questions, have a problem-solving background, and we all started somewhere.

 

[desantmf]

Yeah don't worry. I am also a chemical engineer undergrad, but have spent my whole career doing civil engineering work. You are a engineer, which makes you a problem solver, so just think it through. Civil engineering is much more logical/common sense than chemical engineering. So you should pick it up pretty easy. The problem doesn't seem that hard, it just requires a little statics and information from the steel manual or specs from the material you are going to use.

I would ask your co-workers to see if they have any designs they used in the past. Then ask them for help on the calculations too. After that go to your boss and make sure you are headed in the right direction.