In the second half of last year, the financial world got into trouble. As regards the building world, 2008 has still been a good year, but 2009 will tell a whole different tale. ‘Economizing’ will be the topic for this year.

The solution is reducing expenses. From the draft on, design teams will have to think of a well-considered project in order to keep the costs to a minimum. Another trend is the design of ‘green’ buildings.
There is a sustained effort to come to energy-neutral buildings (minimal energy consumption or even energy generation).

Nemetschek wants to do pioneering work in this field. At the end of 2008, they already started up cooperation with 5S AG (specialized in Energy-Efficiency). Together they are developing simple tools for environment-friendly buildings, in the field of design as well as with regard to the execution. With these tools it will be possible to determine the energy-efficiency and even to create ‘Energy-Performance-Certificates’ of the building in question. Actually, this EPC is already obligatory with the sale of houses, apartments, etc. The re-use of materials also arises more and more interest. Green buildings strive after all to have the smallest ecological footprint possible. For example, about ten years ago timber frame constructions were the exception, rather than the rule. Nowadays timber frame construction has earned its position in the building world and Nemetschek has already concluded a cooperation with e.g. WETO for the purpose of developing new functionalities for enabling a consistent data flow, from design to production. And last but not least, let us not forget the BIM developments. BIM is after all the moving force behind an integrated design process in which all construction partners work together with the purpose to push back design and execution mistakes … and precisely this BIM is the force of Allplan.

Reducing conceptual mistakes, combined with an accurate calculation of the costs will bring back confidence to investors. New investments are indeed crucial for boosting the economy and defusing the present crisis.

With Thanks to http://www.scia-online.com/eNews/en/eNewsFeb09_EN.html#Product

A common sense approach to the solution of engineering problems is required while case studies and research reports do a lot help especially practical case studies. The role of the engineer, the type of work involved and the methodologies employed in engineering practice are the core elements in engineering jobs.

If we focus on civil engineering practice and design ability, problem solving, and the range of techniques and tools, following are the core elements:

• creativity and problem solving, social and environmental issues, management, communications and law, and ethics
• planning, design, modelling and analysis phases and the implementation or construction phase.

If a civil engineer is honest to his profession, then no doubt his works will be memorable and beneficial to humanity.

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