Moving into the bridge industry.

[wadavis]

What surprised you when you started with bridge engineering? What have you found to be standard operating procedure that you didn't expect walking in?

I am asking because I am interviewing for a position in a bridge engineering firm, a very different professional community than my current gig; structural work on oil and gas upstream development. This is a very open ended question, I understand that. I'm trying to start a conversation to find out the right questions. In a different medium this is where I would buy you a beer.

Structural E.I.T., Alberta

 

[ukbridge]

Hey wadavis,
I'm a structural engineer with about 1.5yrs experience who deals mainly with bridges, couple of other highway structures occasionally too.

It's a great gig, pay isn't incredible in this market relative to offshore but very satisfying nonetheless.

Good luck!

Pete

 

[cooperDBM]

A key difference between various fields of structural engineering is the form of loading. The live loading in bridge engineering is unique and you'll need to understand it right off the bat. Load distribution as well. I assume you'll be using S6 so make sure you know chapters 3 (loads) & 5 (load distribution & analysis). It would be helpful to you to study the statistical background of highway live loading.

I did bridge engineering for a consultant in Ontario for 20 years and would definitely recommend it. Also, I like brown ale.