2018 Issue

42 Water heater sizing not only depends on the engineer doing the calcula- tions, it can even depend on the mood of the engineer at the time he does the design. There is not just one per- fect size for a building. Some people might consider sizing domestic water heaters as a form of black magic. You could take most of the art out of water heater sizing by assuming all fixtures will be used at full capacity all day long. This will guarantee the owner will never run out of hot water and the water heater supplier will love you because they just sold a really large water heater. The owner may not be too happy when they realize they spent way more for the water heater than they needed to. Even with this approach you still end up making assumptions on the temperatures. You could save the owner a lot of money by embracing your artistic side and reducing the size of the water heater. You can do this and still be confident the owner will never run out of hot water (unless they leave all their hot water fixtures on all the time for no good reason). When we believe that there is no art to science, we limit our abilities and designs. If you gave the same house architectural plans to two different mechanical engineers. You would get two different HVAC designs. This does not mean one is wrong. It is like giving a blank canvas to two different artists. You would not expect the paintings for each artist to match. This does not mean one painting is wrong or bad. It just means they made different assumptions as they painted. They may have had different paints (experi- ence and expertise) to use. If there was no art in science, the two engineers would give identical designs. No matter what kind of engineering we do, there is an art to it. The more we allow our minds to embrace the art of science, the more creative we can be with our designs. Albert Einstein said, “After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in aesthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are always artists as well.” If you cannot embrace art, you will not meet your potential as an engineer. Source: http://www.wakingtimes.com/2014/10/18/think-like-einstein/ Take pride in your art. Be creative in your designs. Find an elegant solution to the problems presented, whether it is HVAC, aerospace, nuclear, ergonomic, programming or whatever. I often hear the phrase “I am an engineer, I am not the creative-type.” If that is true, you are not the engineer you could be. It does not matter what you design, you are an artist. Theo Jansen said, “The walls be- tween art and engineering exist only in our minds.” Creativity is a muscle that we can develop. The more we practice, or exercise, the more capable our creative muscles can be. When was the last time you read a fiction book? Reading fiction is an excellent exercise for your creativi- ty muscles. It can help you learn how to be more creative. You can then apply that creativity to your engineering designs. Just like reading technical manuals can help you develop your technical skills, reading fiction books can help you develop your creative skills. Painting, sculpture, storytelling and crafts are other effective creativity exercises. Leonardo da Vinci has stated, “Principals for the Development of a Complete Mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of sci- ence. Develop your senses – especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” If you, as an engineer, have not thought of yourself as an artist, I hope you begin to rethink that perspective. As soon as you change your perspective, your path changes. If your path is different, your life is different. You may not always notice a significant life change when you change your perspective, but over time there will be a difference. If you recognize the artistry in your designs, you will improve at your skill. Embrace the art of science. Brad Welch has been an engineer with Van Boerum & Frank Associates (VBFA) for 12 years. He has participated in plumb- ing design, HVAC design, energy modeling and commission- ing. A graduate of the University of Utah‘s prestigious College of Engineering, Brad has provided mechanical engineering services for some of VBFA’s most noteworthy projects. He is familiar with the design of all types of buildings including K-12 buildings, recreation centers, hospitals, offices, libraries, and a courthouse. Brad has been a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engi- neers (ASPE) for the past 11 years and has served on the local chapter board for 10 years, serving in almost every position available.