Engineering Jobs - Mechanical Engineer

The basic definition of the work an engineer is to apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Since the array of work possibly done by engineer is quiet large, engineers have to specialize in one of several fields. Mechanical engineers are specialized in the research, development, design, manufacturing, and testing of electrical tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineers will work mainly on power-producing machines including electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. But they can also work on other power-using machines including refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing.

As a mechanical engineers, you can also be in charge of the design of tools which will be used by other engineers in their work. Among all the engineering specialization, mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Indeed mechanical engineers are not restrained to one particular position in companies or to any sector possibly working in production operations in manufacturing or agriculture, maintenance, or technical sales. Many mechanical engineers even work as administrators or managers.
How to become a mechanical engineer? For most entry-level engineering worker, you will be required to have obtained at least a bachelor's degree in engineering. Those who graduate from college graduates in a physical science or mathematics may also qualify for some engineering jobs, especially in specialties in high demand. But most potential candidates must have graduate from faculties such as electrical, electronics, mechanical, or civil engineering. Studying mechanical engineering is quiet easy in the country counting over 360 colleges and universities offering bachelor's degree programs in engineering which are even accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), Inc., and 230 colleges, or so, offering also accredited programs in engineering technology.

In the U.S., the job prospects for mechanical engineers will be good with an overall rate of employment growing at an average rate through 2014. However many changes are expected to overhaul the sector with a massive decline of the employment of mechanical engineers in manufacturing industries. However civil engineering and jobs in high-growth technologies including biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology will likely compensate this decline for mechanical engineers.

By Steve Andrew

Mechanical Engineering: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

There are many professions that make our lives easy that we don't really think about. Mechanical engineering is definitely one - a profession with which society would not even exist as it does now.

As with any other trade, there are many different types of engineering. What is mechanical engineering comprised of? Well, the people that study this discipline apply basic physic principles to design, manufacturing, and maintenance of various mechanical systems. In short, these people help to create robots, machines, automobiles, aircraft, ventilation systems, watercraft, industrial equipment, medical equipment, and military equipment (among many other things). Why is this sort of trade important?

You might say that without the people that study this sort of engineering, the world may suddenly come to a very abrupt halt (quite literally). Without these people, certain machines would not exist - let alone function. Many of the trades people that learn about this discipline often help to solve various industrial and governmental problems - in short, these people are really irreplaceable.

You may think that a form of machine or robot could easily take the place of a person in this field, but this cannot happen. Why? In order for a machine or robot to function, someone has to maintain it ... and others have to build it (as you can see, removing either person from the robot process would not be possible). What is mechanical engineering based upon? This type of mechanics goes all the way back to Ancient Greece.

The original mechanic was Archimedes (287 BC-212 BC), and without his written knowledge, hardly a person would be able to study this type of engineering today. Many historians also believe that there were a large number of mechanics in Ancient China, and various notable figures throughout the ancient world (in it's entirety) have contributed to the study of mechanics along the way. Quite amazingly, the world has never really been without some form of mechanics, which makes this trade one of the oldest on earth.

To go back to our earlier question - what is mechanical engineering? - this type of learning is both ancient and modern, but it is certain that the world could not live without this trade today. The next time that you meet a person within this field, ask them about the different projects that they work on ... you may be amazed to discover that these people effect your life more than you may know.

By Aazdak Alisimo

Motorcycle Mechanic Schools Lead to New Careers

If you would like to become a certified motorcycle mechanic, you should know that motorcycle mechanic schools offer valuable training that can be applied to many occupations in mechanical service and repair. You can learn to diagnose mechanical, fuel injection, and electrical problems, and how to repair all types of small engines.

Motorcycle mechanic schools teach students how to diagnose engine problems and breakdowns and how to make the necessary repairs. You will gain plenty of hands-on experience repairing small engines and servicing power equipment of all kinds. You will train on servicing many brands of motorcycles to gain extensive experience that any bike manufacturer or bike shop owner would find desirable in an employee.

Many motorcycle mechanic schools are focused on training motorcycle mechanics for all types of mechanical repair jobs. They teach all the ins-and-outs of small engine repair, including when to make adjustments and repairs, and when to replace parts that cannot be fixed. You will be trained in the use of computerized engine analyzers, compression gauges, ammeters and voltmeters, and other testing devices that help professional motorcycle mechanics find problems and make repairs.

As your motorcycle mechanic training proceeds, you will learn to perform routine inspections of brakes, fuel injection systems, motors, transmissions, ignition systems, body parts, and spark plugs. You will learn about every inch of an engine - valves, pistons, bearings, electrical systems, and internal components. You will also become well-versed in the use of hand tools and power tools used by motorcycle mechanics. You will have opportunities to use computerized diagnostic testing equipment to diagnose engine problems, much like the ones used in automotive training.

After completing the motorcycle mechanic course, you will be certified to work on all types of small engine repair, or specialize in the service and repair of just one or two makes and models of motorcycles. Best of all, you will be a fully qualified motorcycle mechanic with the professional skills to qualify for the jobs you desire.

By Michael Bustamante

Mechanics Gloves: Keeping Your Hands In Good Condition

It used to be that you could always tell a mechanic by his hands. Their hands always had small nicks, scrapes and scars and even when a mechanic washed with those awful strong detergents, if you looked really close, you could see the grease in their hands crevices that just never seemed to wash completely out. Today, thanks to mechanics gloves men and women mechanics can keep their hands in good condition. Most people would never know what they did for a living.

Mechanics gloves keep a mechanic from experiencing those small yet, painful burns from touching a car part that is too hot. They also keep the fingers and wrists from getting scraped up and cut on those rougher parts of an engine they are working on. This results in making the job a little easier and a little less painful. It's difficult to concentrate on the job at hand when your knuckle is bleeding from getting cut on a car part while your palm is throbbing from touching that hot pipe.

Mechanics gloves are not like regular gloves, they are designed to provide extra protection for the mechanics hands. Sure, these gloves can provide warmth in a cold garage but they also need to be well padded to prevent burns and cuts. Mechanics gloves need to be heat resistant and able to withstand strong chemicals like gasoline while still allowing the mechanic the dexterity he needs to perform his job. After all, those gloves aren't going to do you much good if you cannot feel to thread that nut.

When you stop to think about mechanics gloves, they help to keep a mechanic healthier too. Let's face it being a mechanic is dirty work those vehicle or plane engines not only are greasy and oily but are dirty as well. A mechanic who nicks his hand and then works on an engine is subjecting that cut to all kinds of bacteria for hours on end before he washes his hands. That gives bacteria time to grow and start an infection, which can be painful and even serious. By wearing proper hand protection, the mechanic not only avoids getting those nicks and cuts but also avoids most of the dirt all together.

Of course wearing hand protection also keeps all that grease and oil from soaking into a mechanics skin, which means that he can enjoy dinner with his in-laws or even the president of the United States without worrying about being embarrassed by those dark creases on his hands.

While not all mechanics choose to wear gloves for those mechanics who do choose to wear mechanics gloves these gloves keep their hands in good condition.

Protect your hands without giving up your career with a great pair of Mechanics Gloves

By Scott K Foster

Electro-Mechanical Technologies and Mechanical Maintenance Engineering

For many individuals, an office job provides an anathematic working environment. These individuals are likely to want to work with their hands, to exert significant physical effort during their daily travails, and to use their minds and bodies to solve problems on the job. Prior to the collapse of American steel and auto manufacturing in the 1980s, individuals who desired careers outside of the office-job norm found success in various labor professions, many involving manufacturing. It is a common stereotype that all labor jobs are unstable and outsourcable. This still rings true of manufacturing work; however, careers in electro-mechanical technologies and mechanical maintenance engineering require skilled American workers to perform challenging and diverse maintenance, repair, design, and management tasks.

Individuals interested in mechanical and electrical careers have several training options available to them. These education and career training programs range in length from 10 weeks to four semesters (or, two academic years). The training course that is most appropriate for an individual will typically depend upon what he or she can afford, what his or her schedule permits, and what length of time the individual wishes to devote to training.

Shorter courses of study are more likely to concentrate specifically on electro-mechanical technologies, which is the study and application of various electrical and mechanical principles, sans a liberal arts or general education component. Courses of study are separated into classroom lecture, which covers theories and principles of electrical and mechanical work; and laboratory exercises, which allow students to apply lecture principles to real-life situations.

Because these shorter courses of study are more direct, and usually lack the liberal arts education component, they can typically be completed in one academic year or less. Many training institutions offer classes on staggered day schedules, weekend schedules, or evening-only schedules, enabling students who must work full time to attend sessions. Other institutions offer full-day, accelerated schedules, which permit students to study without taking significant time off from the workforce. Many shorter-study training courses offer career placement assistance for students finishing the program, as well.

The class work offered in short-duration electro-mechanical technologies education tracks will vary, but most programs offer foundation classes in basic mechanical and electrical principles. Students are likely to take more advanced classes in HVAC and air conditioning technologies and applications; wiring and electrical applications, and sometimes, classes in mechanical motor work as well. Lab practicums enable students to work through classroom theories and scenarios. Better training programs often place emphasis on trouble-shooting and maintenance techniques, which are assets in the workplace.

Mechanical maintenance engineering courses of study are typically longer, taking two years or more to complete. (Two-year courses of study are also offered in electro-mechanical technologies at some schools.) Upon completion of a longer training program, the student is often granted an associates degree in engineering or electrical/mechanical studies. Many institutions offer degrees that are transferable to four-year colleges and universities; students might continue working in the field while training for bachelor's degrees in electrical or electronics engineering, physics, or applied science.

The two-year programs cover electrical and mechanical concepts in greater depth than is possible during shorter courses of study. Some programs focus extensively on advanced electrical and mechanical concepts, while others incorporate mathematics and applied physics course work into the curriculum. Still other programs add information science or computer applications classes; English or technical composition classes, or psychology and business classes to the degree requirements.

Many of the core degree lecture classes are accompanied by labs or practicums where students can refine their skills and learn how to apply them to the workplace. Topics covered in classes can vary and might include: electronics concepts such as voltage and amperage; the science and design of pumps and mechanical motors; pneumatics and compressors; the heating and cooling cycles; and the properties of different metals, chemicals, and elastomers.

Graduates of shorter certification programs or longer degree programs that focus on engineering are eligible for numerous jobs in the HVAC, electrical, and mechanical maintenance fields. Some students begin careers in HVAC, refrigeration, or air conditioning maintenance and repair. Others begin careers in electrical work, and some advance to positions such as electrical journeyman. Some students might specialize in electronics maintenance and repair, including television, small appliance, and computer work. Others still might work as assistant engineers, air-quality controllers, or facilities managers. Students with entrepreneurial drive and talent might wind up as owners of their own businesses.

With the correct training program, intellectual curiosity, and a good work ethic, a graduate of an electro-mechanical technologies or mechanical maintenance engineering program often finds that he or she has many career options.

By Jane Muder

Mechanical Engineering is a Very Promising Field of Practice

Mechanical engineering goes beyond operating trains only as it has been understood in the early days. Mechanical Engineering pertains to the workings and functions of mechanical systems.

Applications of Mechanical Engineering as Seen in History

Throughout history, there have been many instances that man has utilized the discipline of mechanical engineering.

In Greece, early inventors like Archimedes and Heron of Alexandria have done wonders following the principles of mechanical engineering. Their influences led to the development of mechanics in Western tradition. In China, inventions of early water clock, seismometer, and gears in chariots were the contributions that we see up to these days.

England and Scotland paved the way for the development of the field of engineering devoted to designing and producing engines to power machine tools. Britain's organization of mechanical engineers was formed as early as 1847.

United States followed suit in gathering great minds in the field of mechanical engineering when they organized the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1880.

The boom of mechanical engineering was fully utilized during the World Wars when nations needed war machines to win their battles. Funds were released for the development of new air crafts, automobiles, tanks, and other weapons.

The scope of influence of mechanical engineers in our history proves how vital it is to closely work with them to make our lives a lot easier.

Education and Training

If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you have to go through extensive education and training. If you will major in the field you have to learn or better so master subjects like the following: Math, Physics, Solid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Fluid dynamics, Materials Science, manufacturing processes, and a lot more.

As a mechanical engineering major you will be exposed to a lot of lecture and homework format which focuses on solving problems related to your subjects. The curriculum often lets students interact with other engineering fields to start you early on the reality of the practice. As a mechanical engineer you will be working with other engineers in various disciplines.

The engineering departments of different universities worldwide make certain that you will also have the soft skills necessary to be successful in your field. This training may enhance your skills on writing, speaking, and planning.

Most universities also require a thesis from their students during the final year. If you will be a mechanical engineer major you will be tasked to design and develop a mechanical device like a vehicle or a robot. This will make you appreciate your text book by seeing the different principles being applied in real life.

After graduating from the university, most countries will require you to take a licensure to assess your technical knowledge, application capabilities, and legal know how as a mechanical engineer.

Working as a Mechanical Engineer

Your licensure will most likely guarantee you a job. Statistics show an increasing demand for mechanical engineers in different parts of the world from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

By Benedict Yossarian

What Is Civil engineering?

Civil engineering is a technology that includes numerous other disciplines that produce useful facilities for the human beings, including roads, dams, waste disposal and other facilities that are used in our daily life. Civil engineering is progressing at a fast pace as are other technologies.

Works By Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is considered as the first discipline of the various branches of engineering after military engineering, and includes

the designing, planning, construction, and maintenance of the infrastructure. The works include roads, bridges, buildings, dams, canals, water supply and numerous other facilities that affect the life of human beings. Civil engineering is intimately associated with the private and public sectors, including the individual homeowners and international enterprises. It is one of the oldest engineering professions, and ancient engineering achievements due to civil engineering include the pyramids of Egypt and road systems developed by the Romans.

Civil Engineering In Daily Life

Civil engineering has a significant role in the life of every human being, though one

may not truly sense its importance in our daily routine. The function of civil engineering commences with the start of the day when we take a shower, since the water is delivered through a water supply system including a well designed network of pipes, water treatment plant and other numerous associated services. The network of roads on which we drive while proceeding to school or work, the huge structural bridges we come across and the tall buildings where we work, all have been designed and constructed by civil engineers. Even the benefits of electricity we use are available to us through the contribution of civil engineers who constructed the towers for the transmission lines. In fact, no sphere of life may be identified that does not include the contribution of civil engineering. Thus, the importance of civil engineering may be determined according to its usefulness in our daily life.

Sub-disciplines Of Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is a multiple science encompassing numerous sub-disciplines that are closely linked with each other. The various sub-disciplines of civil engineering are mentioned below:

Structural Engineering: This discipline involves the design of structures that should be safe for the users, be economical, and accomplish the desired functions. The design and analysis should initially identify the loads that act on the structures, stresses that are created due to loads, and then design the structure to withstand these loads. It includes steel structures, buildings, tunnels, highways, dams, and bridges.

Geotechnical Engineering: Geotechnical engineering deals with soils, rocks, foundations of buildings and bridges, highways, sewers and underground water systems. Technical information obtained from the sciences of geology, material testing, and hydraulics is applied in the design of foundations and structures to ensure safety and economy of construction.

Water Resources Engineering: This discipline of civil engineering concerns the management of quantity and quality of water in the underground and above ground water resources, such as rivers, lakes and streams. Geographical areas are analyzed to forecast the amount of water that will flow into and out of a water source. Fields of hydrology, geology, and environmental science are included in this discipline of civil engineering.

Environmental Engineering: : It is related to the science of waste management of all types, purification of water, cleaning of contaminated areas, reduction of pollution, and industrial ecology. Technical data obtained due to environmental engineering assists the policy makers in making decisions related to environmental issues.

Other Disciplines: Some of the other disciplines included in civil engineering include coastal engineering, construction engineering, earthquake engineering, materials science, transportation engineering, and surveying.

Future Of Civil Engineering

Civil engineering utilizes technical information obtained from numerous other sciences, and with the advancement in all types of technologies, the civil engineering has also benefited tremendously. The future of civil engineering is expected to be revolutionized by the new technologies including design software, GPS, GIS systems and other latest technical expertise in varied fields. Technology will continue to make important changes in the application of civil engineering, including the rapid progress in the use of 3-D and 4-D design tools.

Civil Engineering: Fluid Mechanics/Hydraulics in Civil Engineering

The widespread applications of fluid mechanics and hydraulics in civil engineering include transportation of fluids in pipes and in open channels, as well as flow measurement for both pipes and open channels. These areas of application use a variety of calculations for design and for analysis.

Pipe Flow Calculations

Liquids and gases are transported through pipes for a wide variety of applications. Engineers need to be able to calculate i) the pipe size needed for a given flow rate and available pump head, ii) the head loss due to a given flow rate through a pipe of known size, or iii) the the flow rate through a specified pipe with a given head loss. These articles present the calculation procedure and the equations to be used for each of these types of calculations, as well as example calculations. There are articles on the use of Darcy-Wiesbach/friction factor calculations and on the use of the Hazen Williams formula. Information is also presented on the use of Excel spreadsheets for pipe flow calculations.

• Pipe Flow Calculations 1 - The Entrance Length for Fully Developed Flow
• Pipe Flow Calculations 2 - Reynolds Number for Determining Laminar or Turbulent Flow
• Pipe Flow Calculations 3 - The Friction Factor and Frictional Head Loss
• Pipe Flow/Head Loss/Friction Factor Calculations with Excel Spreadsheets
• Excel Formulas to Calculate Water Flow Rates for Different Pipe Sizes

Uniform Open Channel Flow Calculations

For open channel flow, a free liquid surface is open to atmospheric pressure, so the driving force for flow is gravity, rather than a pressure difference as in pipe flow. Examples of open channel flow include flow in rivers and streams, in storm sewers, in arroyos and irrigation channels, and in man-made open channels such as those used in wastewater treatment plants. Uniform open channel flow occurs when a constant flow rate passes through a channel with constant bottom slope, constant surface roughness, and constant shape and size. These articles center on the use of the Manning equation for uniform open channel flow, including calculation of the hydraulic radius, determination of the flow rate in a given channel at a given depth of flow and determination of the normal depth of flow, for a given channel and flow rate. There are articles on natural channel calculations and articles that emphasize calculations for man-made channels.

• Introduction to the Manning Equation for Uniform Open Channel Flow Calculations
• Calculation of Hydraulic Radius for Uniform Open Channel Flow
• Calculation of Normal Depth for Open Channel Flow
• Calculating Uniform Open Channel Flow/Manning Equation Solutions with Excel Spreadsheets
• Use of the Manning Equation for Open Channel Flow in Natural Channels
• Determining the Manning Roughness Coefficient for a Natural Channel
• Manning Equation Calculations for Partially Full Pipe Flow
• How to Use the Manning Equation for Storm Sewer Calculations

Open Channel Flow Measurement

Weirs and flumes are the most common devices for measuring flow rate in open channels. These articles include information about sharp crested, rectangular and V-notch weirs, broad crested weirs, and Parshall flumes. The information includes descriptive material, diagrams, equations, example calculations, and discussion of the use of Excel spreadsheets for the calculations.

• Open Channel Flow Measurement 1: Introduction to the Weir and Flume
• Open Channel Flow Measurement with V-Notch Weirs
• Open Channel Flow Measurement with Rectangular, Sharp-Crested Weirs
• Open Channel Flow Measurement with Parshall Flumes
• Open Channel Flow Measurement with Broad Crested Weirs
• Excel Spreadsheets for V-Notch Weir Flow Measurement Calculations
• Excel Spreadsheets for Rectangular Weir Flow Measurement Calculations
• Excel Spreadsheets for Parshall Flume Flow Measurement Calculations
• Excel Spreadsheets for Broad Crested Weir Flow Measurement Calculations

Pipe Flow Measurement

A widely used type of flow measurement device for pipe flow is the differential flow meter, including flow nozzle, orifice, and venturi meters. These meters use a constriction in the flow area to increase the fluid velocity and thus decrease the fluid pressure. The amount of pressure decrease can then be measured and used to calculate the flow rate. Descriptive material, equations, and example calculations are included for flow nozzle, orifice, as well as venturi meters, along with information about pitot tubes, rotameters, and magnetic flow meters.

• The Orifice, Flow Nozzle, and Venturi Meter for Pipe Flow Measurement
• Use ISO 5167 to Find the Orifice Discharge Coefficient for an Orifice Flow Meter
• Excel Templates for Venturi and Orifice Flow Meter Calculations
• How to Measure Fluid Velocity with a Pitot Tube
• Measurement of Pipe Flow Rate with a Rotameter Flow Meter
• Pipe Flow Measurement with a Magnetic Flow Meter

Hydraulic Jumps and Supercritical Open Channel Flow

Hydraulic jumps occur in order to make a transition from supercritical flow to subcritical flow on a channel that isn't steep enough to maintain supercritical flow. The articles in this section provide background information about subcritical, critical, and supercritical flow, about hydraulic jump calculations, and about calculation of parameters like critical depth and critical slope for open channel flow.

• Subcritical, Critical and Supercritical Open Channel Flow
• Open Channel Flow Basics - Hydraulic Jump Calculations
• Use of Excel Formulas for Hydraulic Jump Calculations
• Calculation of Critical Depth and Critical Slope for Open Channel Flow

Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals

Fundamental fluid mechanic principles are useful in a variety of ways. For example, the Ideal Gas Law can be used to calculate the density of air and other gases at different tempertures and pressures. The equations and methods of calculating drag force due to fluid flow past an immersed object can provide insight into the reason why the dimples in golf balls make the golf balls go farther than smooth balls would.

• What is the Ideal Gas Law?
• Drag Force for Fluid Flow Past an Immersed Object
• How Do Golf Ball Dimples Reduce Air Resistance and Make Balls Go Farther?
• The Continuity Equation and Common Fluid Flow Rate Parameters
• Use the Ideal Gas Law to find the Density of Air at Different Pressures and Temperatures

Civil Engineering in Space

Our terrestrial experience with toxic remediation, realized recycling efficiency, natural resource management, and other sustainable civil engineering impacts should universally apply to our future space suburbia.

An Expensive Cup of Coffee

Consider the complex and expensive process of lifting materials into orbit and keeping them balanced against the grasp of earth's gravitational field. Just moving a pint of water into high earth orbit is estimated to cost over $15,000 US and takes months of multidisciplinary engineering. Currently there is no reason to believe similar factors will not apply for any inhabitable body in space for many years to come. From this standpoint alone, once hypothetical materials transportation to these large bodies has been accomplished it would make sense to keep them there, under control and under no circumstance wasted or discarded. This was a primary impetus for recently lifting a high tech urine recycling unit to the international space station, because $7,500 is a lot to pay for a one way rental on a cup of coffee.

Orbiting Debris an Ungoing Challenge

But there are other subtle yet no less important reasons to think about sustainable extraterrestrial development. The present concern over man-made locally orbiting debris is a good example. Decades of near earth utilization has led to an orbiting cloud of now useless materials from collisions, failed placements, obsolescence, malfunctions, butter fingers, and fail-safe destruction (because rocket science doesn't incorporate “self recycle” mechanisms in vehicles and equipment, rather “self destruct and worry about cleanup some other time” mechanisms are typically employed).

Recovering this debris is not just a matter of sending a garbage scow scuttling around the orbital arena. These objects travel at different speeds, orbits, and directions, with sizes ranging from less than one centimeter to entire derelict satellites. And the orbital mechanics involved are not trivial, relative velocities alone can be tens of thousands kilometers per hour. The long term consequences of this buildup are constant monitoring and extrapolation to avoid further damage to equipment and astronauts attempting to do useful work. Currently prevention is one and possibly the only cure in this all too real scenario.

Space as Infinite Garbage Disposal?

There was a time when earth's oceans were viewed as a vast, immutable repository for waste and excess. “Dilution,” as the saying went, “is the solution to pollution.” Time and knowledge has shown how misguided this view had been.

Neither should extraterrestrial endeavors view the infinite space environment as the infinite waste disposal. Even the extremely limited visits to the moon over the past 40 years have left an estimated 300,000 pounds of scientific instrumentation, memorials and memorabilia, excess equipment, and outright trash. Interestingly, there are no “cradle to grave” specifications for any off-earth materials, which has resulted in some political turmoil regarding international responsibilities for unused materials in space. Perhaps a few tried and tested terrestrial axioms should still apply:

1. What goes around, comes around. Never truer than in orbital dynamics.

2. Waste not, want not. Got it, own it, recover it, use it again.

3. Design with the end in mind. Decommissioning should be the start of something useful.

Getting these principles into extraterrestrial development planning is hopefully going to be an obvious choice.

Extraterrestrial Resources - Mining Asteroids

For example, utilizing extraterrestrial water, minerals, gases and other resources should give more than a passing glance at waste generation and handling. A fairly realistic illustration of axiom #1 in this example would be an extractive mining development on a solar orbiting asteroid or planetoid. It may be convenient to simply eject tailings away from the asteroid as the extraction process progresses. As trivial as the amount of tailings may seem, the change in total asteroid mass from the ejected tailings and the extracted products can measurably change the orbital trajectory of the asteroid.

It could be argued that in the vastness of space, such small trajectory adjustments and debris are of no consequence assuming they are properly plotted and extrapolated. It could also be argued that same vastness leaves many possible extrasolar encounters and influences unaccounted for… which begins to appear as the start of another orbiting debris cloud, only much larger and with more dire consequences.

Water Usage and Recycling

To help illustrate axiom #2 our unquenchable need for water can be used. Surprisingly, when water usage is modeled for extraterrestrial consumption in a closed system, the largest amounts are used for cleaning and not for drinking or cooking. Until adequate off-earth water resources are being utilized, even the lowly septic system becomes quite a sustainable design challenge for even the smallest habitation. This in fact may be the limiting factor in engineering anything close to a sprawling off earth metropolis, which partially explains the current emphasis on finding and utilizing extraterrestrial water in an efficient, cost effective manner.

Repurposing Civil Engineering for Space Engineering

For axiom #3 there are many far future applications like self healing polymers, memory metals, nanobots and the like which are targeted for use in self maintenance and reassembly, or even final disassembly into reusable materials. There are also present day and near future design applications as well; pavements, metals, wood, polymers, and other materials are constant targets of civil engineering re-purposing. Self servicing, automated repair systems and unlimited reuse of raw materials are also becoming the holy grail of sustainable engineering endeavors. Self healing coatings and flexible “poured stone” products are a reality today. Presumably combined terrestrial and extraterrestrial research efforts will eventually result in making the terms “trash”, “disposable” and “construction debris” avoidable anachronisms.

So while it takes cutting edge rocket science to get there, it will take sustainable civil engineering to live there.

What's Next?

Surviving a remote and possibly harsh environment in an extraterrestrial setting is a matter of being highly self-reliant. This means habitations, developments, and colonies should be considered “closed systems,” able to sustain themselves without external input. Please click the next section below to continue.

Civil Engineering: Soil Mechanics and other Geotechnical Topics at Bright Hub

Studying the behavior of earth materials is a vast subject that includes the study of soil properties, foundations, slopes, risk mitigation, and ground improvement methods. The following topics will guide you through much of the terminology and theory of geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics.

Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical engineering is often the starting point for studies for every practicing civil engineer. Thus it's important to understand how geotechnical aspects affect the development of civil engineering projects and construction works. Here, in this list of articles on the topic, we start with the basics, introducing geotechnical engineering and how it relates to the other branches of civil engineering. Questions that can be asked and answered include how geoenvironmental engineering and geotechnical engineering differ, and what place soil mechanics and rock mechanics hold in the field.

• Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering: Everything You Should Know
• Major Differences between Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
• The Best Geotechnical Engineering Publications and Online Resources
• Importance of Conducting Geotechnical Surveys
• About Soil Engineering
• What is Rock Mechanics
• Common Terms Applied to Rock Mechanics in Geotechnical Engineering

Soil Mechanics Study

Before any construction work can start, we need to study the behavior of soils. This is covered in soil mechanics and includes the study of mineralogy, soil composition and types, and the shear properties of soils. Soil mechanics provides knowledge about the characteristics and the behavior of the underlying soil, which is important in the design and construction of structures such as bridges, buildings, highways, and dams. Soil properties, in fact, determine the type of structure to be built.

Soil mechanics study is also important because the principles of soil mechanics are also used in related disciplines such as hydrology and soil physics. In this group are articles about soil classification, soil formation, soil properties, and other related aspects of soil mechanics.

• How Soils are formed - Geotechnical Topics: Formation of Soils
• Classification of Soils under Different Classification Systems
• Properties of Soils: Study of Chemical and Physical Properties
• Geotechnical topics: Soil Permeability
• Geotechnical Topics: Soil Compaction
• Understanding Geotechnical Soil Reports

Different Soil Tests

Geotechnical examination is important in order to build strong and durable structures above the soil. Studying soil properties means conducting various studies to determine various factors like grain size, plastic limit, shear stress, loading tests, and other tests. Various laws are used in the determination of these properties, among which Darcy's Law is one of the most commonly used. You'll also learn about the role of soil properties in a failure of a structure like a bridge or a building.

• Passive Lateral Earth Pressure, Bearing Capacity, and Shear Stress in Cohesive Soils
• Darcy's Law for Modeling Groundwater Flow
• Geotechnical Analysis and Examination
• Testing Permeability of Soil
• Reasons for Construction Failures
• Methods of Soil Compaction Remediation

Implementing Results from Studies and Tests

After completing the geotechnical studies of site soil mechanics, we can start with the real work: the construction work. At this point, all the results and reports have been compiled, and accordingly the appropriate construction methods, equipment, and soil preservation methods have been determined. Different types of equipment like rollers, compactors, leveling devices, and other heavy machinery are used to move forward in this phase. Here we have articles related to soil investigations while constructing foundations using different methods like auger boring, core drilling, and percussion boring.

Natural soil preservation methods that help to maintain ecological balance and achieve optimum geotechnical properties also talked about in the articles in this section. Because foundations come in direct contact with the soil, we include articles related to pile foundations and best foundation construction methods. The articles in this section also provide detailed information about engineering sciences related to geotechnology like geosynthetic and geology and other modern age technologies, which are relatively new but closely related to geotechnical engineering studies.

• Practical Methods of Soil Preservation
• Different Types of Soil Compaction Equipment
• Soil Investigation for Foundations
• Introduction to Pile Foundations
• Building Foundations : Best Practices
• Erosion Control Using Geosynthesis
• Methods of Cliff Stabilization
• Studying Earth Sciences Geology

The articles included in this guide will provide a great information source for those interested in geotechnical studies in the civil engineering field. The articles cover the most fundamental aspects of geotechnical engineering where they are important: soil mechanics and rock mechanics, suitability testing for structural erection, natural and engineered methods of soil preservation, erosion control and cliff stabilization, including geosynthesis techniques, and the common civil engineering role of preparing for foundations and civil structures.

Suitability testing can include soil analysis and testing as well subsurface testing (bore and auger sampling). In fact, a large part of the role of the geotechnical engineer involves helping to prevent structural failures that endanger human life and materials. Such failures always indicate the lack of load-bearing capacity of some element (the foundation, structure, or the soil beneath them both), and the geotechnical engineer, for having the responsibilty for determining the suitability of the site, is always at the front lines of the investigation.

Marine Engineering: Ship's Systems and Controls

Numerous different ships systems and controls being maintained by engineer officers are used on all types of vessels today. These consist of engine room systems such as lube oil, fuel oil, and seawater, along with deck officer's roles such as cargo recording and navigation.

Management of the Various Systems Within the Engine Room and Deck Departments

A ship could not function without management of the systems incorporated within her hull and deck. The following sections provide articles on this subject, and I have put these in their relative groups with a brief description. The subjects have been divided under general headings and linked to articles written by myself and other Bright Hub writers in the Marine Engineering channel. We begin with the various systems and controls within the engine room, before moving onto examples in the deck department.

Ships Electrical Systems

The electrical power is supplied from the generators to the main switchboard from where it is distributed to all parts of the ship through numerous breakers and relays. It is maintained by the Electrical / Electronics Engineer. There are normally three generators, one running and supplying power, one on standby, and one down for maintenance whilst at sea. When maneuvering or alongside working cargo, two generators share the load with the other on standby.

Lube Oil Systems

The lube oil system comprises of the main engine sump, suction and discharge filters, circulating pump, coolers and centrifuge. The sump is the main storage tank, located under a grill in the crankcase. The suction and discharge filters remove any particles contained in the oil. (Any pieces of white metal in these could indicate bearing wiping, and must be investigated)

The cooler is required to maintain optimum temperature and viscosity and cools the oil using seawater that passes through tubes or plates depending on the type of cooler.

Regular centrifuging of the oil is essential for removing particles and water from the oil sump; some engines have the centrifuge running twenty-four hours a day; only being stopped for cleaning.

• Effects of not maintaining Lube oil system.
• Crankcase Lube Oil System
• Lube Oil Used in Marine Diesel Engines
• Lube Oil Cleaning by Centrifuging
• Use of Lubricants Aboard Ship
• Marine Oil Piston Cooling Using Lube Oil
• Treatment of Marine Engine Lube & Fuel Oil
• When Should Lube Oil be Changed
• Operation of Marine Lube Oil System
• Problems in the Lube Oil System
• Boundary and Fluid Film Lube Oil Systems
• Cylinder Liner Lube Oil System
• Wet & Dry Lube Oil Sumps
• Types of Lube Oil Systems

Heavy Fuel Oil System

The majority of ships engines use heavy fuel oil (HFO) being a by-product of crude oil refining. It is taken on board ships as bunkers, a sample of which should be checked by the Chief Engineer, as some suppliers abroad have been suspected of mixing old sump oil and even scavenge drains with bunker oil.

Before use in the main engine the HFO must be processed by heating, filtration, purifying, and clarifying. The heating is to keep the oil from waxing and improve the usually high viscosity; filtration is carried out at various stages of the process to remove particles. Purifying removes the water and sludge in the HFO, and clarification removes the solids.

• Preparation of Heavy Fuel Oil
• Handling, Storage and Use of Heavy Fuel Oil
• Marine Heavy Fuel Oil Contaminants
• HFO from Crude Oil Refining
• Taking on HFO Bunkers
• Marine HFO Management System
• Treatment of Marine Engine Fuel & Lube Oil
• Centrifuging Heavy Fuel Oil

Ship’s Deck Systems and Control

The Deck Officers use various methods to control the various systems of navigating, tank cleaning, steering the ship, or control of the cargo. Control of the cargo and producing a cargo plan is also the duty of the Deck Officers, usually the mate or Second Officer. It is a very important document required to keep a record of the type, description, and weights of the various pieces of cargo stored in the holds or on deck. It also notes its location as well as the sequence of loading, and thus the reverse order of discharge, in the various ports of call.

Ship’s Cargo Plan

Navigation System

The bridge is the Deck Officers domain. When I was at sea as an engineer, I used to go up to the bridge when off watch and marveled at the sophisticated navigation gear even in those far off days of 40-odd years ago.

This consisted of the auto-pilot, gyro-counter, radar screen, ship's speed and distance run, all neatly arranged on the bridge. The links below provide further information on this subject.

• Use of Marine Navigation Lights
• Marine Navigation Terminology
• Rules for Ship’s Navigation
• Use of the Magnetic Compass in Navigation
• Electronic Navigation Chart Explained
• Tour of a Ship’s Bridge
• Marine Navigation Using GPS
• Transiting the Panama Canal
• Tools used in Celestial Navigation

Cargo Tank Cleaning Systems on Oil Tankers

When I was an engineer at sea, I used to dread the tank cleaning as the whole ship smelt like a petrol station forecourt! However it must be done in preparation for the next cargo. Gas freeing of the tanks is carried out first, with this being a combination of inert gas flooding and venting of the tanks.

Gas freeing and tank cleaning is under the remit of the Deck Officers; the Chief Officer normally being in charge of operations.

Tank cleaning occurs after discharge of cargo and gas-freeing, usually while on the sea voyage to the next loading port. The following two links explain the process involved in these systems.

• Gas Freeing and Tank Cleaning on Oil Tankers
• Inspection of Cargo Tanks on Oil Tankers

Ships Ballasting Systems

This is under the control of the Deck Officers using their own pumps in the pump-room or requesting the use of the engine room seawater on deck pump. Ballasting is carried out as the cargo is loaded or discharged to maintain the ships stability. There has been a lot of controversy lately regarding taking ballast on in one port and discharging in another port. This can transport and transfer alien species that will wreak havoc with the local flora and fauna.

• What is Ballast Water
• Problems Encountered in Discharging Ballast Water
• Ballast Water Management