Digitalization in my field of expertise
I work as a structural engineer in an international engineering company and started my current career about five years ago. Digitalization was already part of the working environment when I started but has developed much in the past five years. And it will continue to do so in the future. Since I work in global company, the digitization might have been part of the everyday work a bit longer compared to the smaller engineering companies. There are design tools in which coworkers from different countries and offices can work simultaneously on the same project for example.
When I studied the field much of the teaching was still focused on the basics like drawing by hand, 2d drawing with computers and calculating with pocket calculator etc. This is very important groundwork and helps the students understand the basics of the operations. Later in the studied we also studied 3d design which was very useful when I started working in my first engineering job and had to use same 3d software.
In the past five years my work has been done with computers almost inclusively; sketching, and basic calculations not included. In the past years engineering work has moved more towards 3d design but 2d design is still used for certain task that can’t be competed otherwise. I only have heard tales of the good old days when designs and drawings were made using pencils and paper. The digitalization transition has lasted many years and continues as computers and software develop to be faster and more effective. Digitalized transition has been quite stressful for many. Today the working life and working pace can be very hectic in many ways with emails, instant messages, remote meetings, tight schedules etc. Some design software have also developed quite good automation for different design jobs, which has developed a demand to make more and more drawings and designs in a shorter time.
Recent developments in my work include so-called point clouds, where engineers have access to a model, which includes for example existing structures or other constricting objects. They are presented using thousands of points gathered with scanners from building sites under development. We can use this information while designing new structures in the area.
Another development in my work has been the virtual reality taken part of the engineering and design process. Nowadays we can present our designs to our clients very pictorial way. They can “step in” to the 3d model and see the designs in 1:1 scale. We can also combine our designs with other disciplines and observe how the designs work together in real dimensions. This sort of clash check is normally carried out using 3d software.
Last development that I will mention is the parametric design. I believe it will be in use in most engineering companies in a couple of years. In parametric design the structural calculations and 3d design is carried out simultaneously. This will make the process faster and more efficient. AI might be applied to structural engineering in the near future as well.
The risks of open digital society
The GDPR has provided much needed protection for individual against large companies and harmful intentions. It is very important that people have some control over the use of their personal information. While working I use the internet for research and to check the building code for example. It is very important to know what you do on the internet, which are trusted links and who can have remote access to your computers while working. Many of our project are confidential and there is large number of employees’ and clients’ personal information in the intra sites.
Self-evaluation
In my personal life I am very happy that there is someone to control the excessive information collection and distribution. So much of personal data is already circulating the internet and sold to third parties. I am very conscious about the information I share in social media and other platforms. I also make sure to go only to legitimate sites and not to open links which origins I don’t know. Still there is plenty more I could be doing to protect myself better.
Comments on the other student´s blogs
Hi Sini,
Wow, your job as a structural engineer in a global company sounds very interesting! It must have been an amazing journey for you to start your career with 2d and move on to 3d modelling. Thanks for sharing the near future insight on parametric design which is a new field for me. I can imagine your field of expertise has had so many digital innovations and more keeps on coming! That’s a great variety in your role, you must be thrilled with learning more every day. I agree with the GDPR – citizens of the EU do need to be protected against huge overseas information data collection, and we do have the right to know what and where our data has been collected and shared.
Regards, Riina Luttinen (https://blogi.savonia.fi/riinamluttinen/ )
Hi Sini,
Thanks for your post! 🙂 It was really interesting to read about your work which is very different compared to mine. Digitalization has clearly changed your industry significantly during your career. Your text clearly shows how important it is to develop skills and learn new things.
Br, Laura
https://blogi.savonia.fi/lauranblogi/
Hi Sini!
It’s nice to hear about the development of digitization in your line of work. I work in the health care sector and it seems that we have digitalization and its solutions quite far behind in development, especially in everyday work. Nowadays, we already have more robotics in use, but still quite a small part compared to your work. The development of information technology and software has progressed at a furious pace in both fields, although in nursing work, technology matters are still in its infancy.
The stressful working life and pace of work are certainly a challenge in all fields. On the other hand, with the development of well-being technology and taking care of well-being at work, technology helps e.g. calculating the employee’s workload and how it could be lightened.
Your work and thoughts are interesting. Your thoughts about remote connections and their security also make me wonder if my own organization has taken such matters into account and if so, in what way. In the everyday life of an ordinary employee, instructions for remote connections have not been taken into account, although remote connections are largely limited to remote receptions, where software created for this is used.
Best regards,
Kaisamari Koponen (https://blogi.savonia.fi/kaisamarikoponen/)
Hi Sini!
Very interesting to read about the usage of digital tools in the structural engineering field, especially the tools you have been using during the last several years. Usage of VR and 3d technologies definitely transformed the industry from an engineer’s perspective and a client’s view, making easier to visualize designs and give comments or make decisions.
Let’s see how quickly parametric design will be adopted in companies and how much it will simplify and make the work of engineers more efficient. Having such many tools in use it’s also a question of how much work will be left to people and what will be robotized. What is clear, is that employees should quickly adopt to usage of new tools and technologies.
Hi Sini,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 😊 It was interesting to learn how digitalization and digital transformation have changed your field of work. You mentioned that you use Virtual Reality, when presenting new models to customers, which sounds fascinating and I’m sure customers appreciate this too. It kind of leaves you wondering if so much has already changed in only 5 years, what the future holds for the industry employees with parametric design and utilization of AI.
Best regards,
Valensija
(https://blogi.savonia.fi/vnurmi/)
You’ve provided a detailed and insightful reflection on the impact of digitalization in your field of expertise as a structural engineer. You’ve effectively highlighted how the transition to digital tools has revolutionized the way engineering projects are conducted, emphasizing the shift towards 3D design and the incorporation of technologies like point clouds and virtual reality. And your reflection provides valuable insights into how digitalization has impacted your profession and personal life, while also highlighting the importance of privacy and security in an open digital society. Well done!