What is the definition of structural technology?

Answer 1

Structural technology comes in many forms. It can be as complex as new building components designed to mitigate wind or earthquake damage, or as simple as an online service offering never-before-seen types of structural technology answers all at the click of a button.

An example of structural technology via building construction improvements would be the new "quake-proof" building systems shown in this article (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,547942,00.html). This method of construction uses steel tendons and replaceable "fuses" to help a building survive strong earthquakes.

Another example of structural technology is the use of online calculators and widgets that can provide architects, contractors, homeowners, and everyday people quick and easy answers to some of the most complex structural questions out there. The biggest company providing these services is Engineering Express based in South Florida, and they can be found at http://www.engexp.com. Click on their "webulators" or "free widgets" link to see this technology in action. Think....Home Depot of engineering.

Their widgets can do so much more than calculate the number of calories to consume or the conversion of centimeters to feet, not to say that today's technology now puts this information at any user's fingertips at any time. This form of structural technology can perform an engineering calculation in what used to take 20 minutes per calculation within 30 seconds, and provide "what if" scenarios if the calculation is revised. Only a professional within the industry can appreciate how much time is wasted if the hand-calculated results cannot meet building code or standards - for its back to the drawing board for another lengthy and time-consuming calculation. This form of structural technology can illustrate table interpolation with calculative results like never seen before in the engineering world and can be created for any industry.

In my opinion, Engineering Express has the resources, the talent and the vision to provide them for any industry; and they are partnering with others on creative ideas to produce more. I use their structural technology almost every day in my profession as an engineer, and find their answers to be spot-on.