> Yes, we can not except softwares to think instead of us, but we can
> learn them to do design calculations for us.
The difference between that and design is that you need a design of
sorts to perform the calculations on. COmputers can do analysis, and
tell you if a particular section meets AISC criteria, but it won't pick
a suitable section. Or detail the connections and bracing. With some
FEA Codes you can 'optimize' a detail for one or two criteria, so you
can come up with a minimum thickness for a flat head on a cylindrical
pressure vessel, but FEA won't tell you why a flat head is such a
rotten idea.
Christopher Wright P.E. |"They couldn't hit an elephant at
chrisw@skypoint.com | this distance" (last words of Gen.
____________________| John Sedgwick, Spotsylvania 1864)
http://www.skypoint.com/~chrisw
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