Previously untouched by automation, the construction industry has become recently permeated with new technology and robotics. While manual labor is likely to always remain a vital component in modern construction, technology has and continues to evolve to support and optimize the construction process. Over the last few years multiple digitized strides have been made within the construction industry. The newest piece of technology is emerging from Purdue University. Innovators are developing robotic technology that promise to assist construction companies and contractors in producing higher quality buildings, at a lower cost, and faster turnaround.
The National Science Foundation provided support for the development of this new technology. This new automation combines a contemporary mechanical design with advanced computer vision sensing technology. Jiansong Zhang, an assistant professor of construction management technology in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, describes their technologies as “help[ing] to address workforce shortages in the construction industry by automating key construction operations.” Zhang goes on to explain “on a construction site, there are many unknown factors that a construction robot must be able to account for effectively. This requires much more advanced sensing and reasoning technologies than those commonly used in a manufacturing environment.”The group of innovators working on this project reimagined the extent to which robotic sensing can be utilized, focusing on the computer vision sensing mechanics. The computer vision sensing software curated for this project uses a newly developed algorithm “which allows the robotic system to sense building elements and match them to building information modeling (BIM) data in a variety of environments.” This novel technology will monitor safety hazards and decrease the amount of equipment required in the field. In the end helping to minimize expenses while also speed up production.
NJSPE Continuing Education Webinar is offering 3 PDH credits for NJ Professional Engineers and PE’s in other states that accept NJSPE accredited programs.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021!
9AM – 12:30 PM
NJSPE Member Rate – $69
Non-Member Rate – $138
The first course, held from 9:00 – 10:00 am, is titled “Digital Signatures & Seals – Know how to comply with the soon-to-be adopted rules at NJDEP on electronic submission of applications for Watershed and Land Management permits.”
The course accreditation is 1.0 PDH credit NJ.
Presentation to the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers
Participants will learn the difference between electronic and digital signatures. When digital signatures are appropriate and when they are not. What rules govern the use of digital signatures and options in implementing a digital signature environment.
The speaker for this course is James J. Purcell, PE, PMP Jim Purcell has over 40 years of engineering experience in civil engineering design. After 35 years in the consulting community, Jim is currently the Land Use Engineer for the Municipality of Princeton. Jim has also served The College of New Jersey as an Adjunct Professor. Jim serves on the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, having been appointed in 2005, holding the
position of Board President twice. He held the position of President of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying in 2018-2019.
The second course, held from 10:15 – 11:15 am, is titled “Green Infrastructure (GI): Types, Benefits and Implementation Strategies”
The course accreditation is 1.0 PDH credit NJ.
Presentation to the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers
As more and more communities directly experience the negative impacts of climate change and frequent storms; engineers and municipalities are under increasing pressure to embrace greener and sustainable infrastructure for stormwater management. Green infrastructure refers to a set of integrated strategies to meet stormwater management goals in cost-effective ways as well as achieving multiple benefits by managing runoff with vegetation, soils, and/or reuse.
Very recently NJDEP has adopted Amendments its Stormwater management Rules that requires the use of Green Infrastructure with full effect starting March 2, 2021 to meet the three performance criteria for stormwater quantity, water quality and groundwater recharge. During the current pandemic, it is crucial that engineers; municipalities and utilities, plan and budget their GI projects to stay on track. While there are different scales of green infrastructure, such as large swaths of land set aside for preservation, this webinar focuses on a brief overview of green stormwater infrastructure practices within the urban context. The webinar includes potential environmental benefits, types and functions, implementation strategies, overcoming common installation barriers, and understanding the planning processes required to develop a comprehensive design and avoiding common mistakes during construction of green infrastructure.
The speaker for this course is Tejal A. Patel, PE, CME, LEED AP Tejal Patel – PE, CME, LEED-AP – is Group Manager at T&M Associates, a leading national consulting, environmental, engineering, technical services, and construction management company. She has over eighteen years of extensive public and private experience in management and design of transportation planning and infrastructure, traffic engineering, single- and multi-family development, and private site development.
The third course, held from 11:30 – 12:30 pm, is titled “Permeable Pavers – A Green Alternative”
The course accreditation is 1.0 PDH credit NJ.
Presentation to the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers
This seminar will analyze the goals and criteria for using a permeable pavement system. We will examine design different solutions for challenging site constraints and compare permeable concrete pavers to other traditional storm systems. You will learn how to utilize ASTM
andard C936 for evaluating permeable pavers and learn efficient installation procedures for permeable pavers. This seminar will examine LEED criteria for achieving potential credits for using concrete pavers, such as stormwater quality and quantity controls, solar reflectivity and
cycled materials.
The speaker for this course is Eugene Fernandez, Commercial Territory Manager, Unilock New York, Inc. Eugene Fernandez of Unilock will be the presenter. After attending Rutgers University with a background in landscape architecture, Eugene spent years in California working on commercial, campus, and residential design projects. Currently, he is the commercial manager for New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.
You can register for this webinar here!
Participants registered for this webinar will be sent the Zoom link several days beforehand allowing time to log on and make sure your software is compatible.
If you have any questions you may reach out directly: jlombardi@njpsi.com; 609-393-0099
Look forward to seeing you there!
The contributions engineering has provided can be seen in almost all aspects of modern day life. From the car you drive to the cell phone in your pocket, engineering has played a part. The demand for continued engineering innovations makes it a great fit for a future career path. However, the fact that engineering is such a vast subject, can make it difficult to narrow down which specific engineering discipline is the right one for you.
Below is a breakdown of four different branches of engineering and examples of attributes well suited for that field.
Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering focuses on the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. The field has traditionally focused on problems solving in areas related to atmospheric and space flight, with two primary branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.
“Aeronautical Engineering focuses on the theory, technology, and practice of flight within the earth’s atmosphere.
Astronautical Engineering focuses on the science and technology of spacecraft and launch vehicles.” As described by Penn States’ College of Engineering
If you are interested in the history and mechanics of flight, then this type of engineering will be right up your ally. From the earliest conceptual sketches of modern jets to more modern computer simulations, you will get to see how aircrafts throughout history and into the future perform under varying conditions.
Biochemical engineering
A biochemical engineer is someone who is responsible for the development of new chemical products that can be used by a multitude of companies and industries.
This discipline might be right for you if you have an interest in nature or a desire to work alongside scientists.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineers design and develop computer systems and other technological devices.
This is a great field for individuals who are excited by an environment fueled by change and innovation. Of course an interest in computers would also be beneficial.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, etc.
If you have an interest in developing your design skills and a passion for building this maybe the perfect branch of engineering for you.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is defined as “ an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems.”
As with most branches of engineering a knack for problem solving would serve you well in this field as well as a desire to tinker and design mechanical devices.
All in all if you have a desire to pursue a career in engineering the chances are there is a field or discipline that is right for you. The most important thing is to figure out what you are passionate about and what excites you and then field a field that allows you to explore that.
