• Question: Have you worked on any fun projects in the past? If so what was your favourite and did it effect your view on engineering? (make you like it more or not) Also, who is your role model in engineering and how did they (also) change your view of engineering?

    Asked by Sophie A to Matthew, Neil, Paula, Pete, Philippa on 10 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Neil Taylor

      Neil Taylor answered on 10 Mar 2015:

      Hi Sophie!

      Some of the projects I’ve worked on in the past have definitely been really fun! This was either because I’ve was learning something new, working with some fun people, or producing graphs/presentations/reports that I was really pleased with.

      One of my favourite projects involved a mix of calculations and… detective work!

      Along with a more senior engineer, I had to figure out why a subsea pipeline, which was believed to be out-of-service (i.e. no longer carrying gas), had slowly become pressurised over the space of around 10 years. The pressure suggested that gas had somehow got into the pipe.

      We had to figure out why this had happened, how much gas we expected to be in the pipe, and then recommend how the pressure could be safely removed from the pipe, without endangering people or the environment.

      It was a really interesting project, and made me like engineering more for sure!

      My role model in engineering is an ancient Greek called Archimedes. One of the things he is famous for is Archimede’s Principle. This states that a submerged object experiences an upwards force that is equal to the weight of the displaced water (the water that the object has shifted out the way). The is called BUOYANCY, and is the reason that objects appear to weigh less under water.

      I have to use the equations behind this principle most days at work – so I’m thankful!

      (I’ve written more about the principle here if you’d like to read more:
      /safetym15-zone/2015/03/08/how-does-the-principles-of-science-and-mathematics-apply-to-your-everyday-tasks/comment-page-1/#comment-65)

    • Photo: Pete Symons

      Pete Symons answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      Hi Sophie,

      My most fun project and most challenging was helping to design the Air to Air Refueling Pods (see link);

      http://www.cobham.com/about-cobham/mission-systems/air-to-air-refuelling/products-and-services/hose-and-drogue-systems/wing-air-refuelling-pods/a400m-refuelling-systems-datasheet.aspx

      It did effect my view on engineering (but for the better). It really gave me an appreciation of the different types of challenges you have such as; working with other companies to get parts, working inside tight timescales and budgets, the way the work you do affects the work of other e.g. if you are late then other people can’t do their work.

      My most recent role model in engineering is my boss and engineering director of Osprey (when I was growing up my role model was my dad, but he’s since retired!). He hasn’t necessarily changed my view of engineering but he challenges my points of view and gives me a lot of room for creativeness!

    • Photo: Philippa Jefferis

      Philippa Jefferis answered on 13 Mar 2015:

      I find most of my projects quite fun, but when I was designing the drainage for a road I found it really fun trying to work out the best way to get the water to drain away – without using any pumps, just the natural effect of gravity. It was just really satisfying to have one clear problem to focus on. I also learnt a lot about sustainable urban drainage during the project – so this is looking at trying to make engineering replicate nature much more when it comes to managing water.

      My role model, or at least someone I have enjoyed learning about is I.K. Brunel – he’s one of the most famous engineers, but with good reason, he really did a lot in his career. He was always look for new ways of doing things and understanding what engineering could achieve.

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