Olek Zienkiewicz, the civil engineer acclaimed as one of the pioneers of the computational modelling technique known as the Finite Element Method, passed away on 2 January 2009. Despite being sometimes in the same building during my MSc year I have never had the chance to meet him in person. Anyway, I really enjoyed his books and it is surprising the lack of recognition on the media for a man who represented a strong influence in a generation of young computational optimists and who made important contributions to the development of a top-one computational commnity not only in Swansea but in Barcelona as well.
Zienkiewicz (1921 - 2009)
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As a part of my PFC, I must do some finite element calculation of a steel sheet and tube structure. I never heard about Zienkiewicz, as I'm not precisely a fan of computer calculation (well, in fact I'm not a fan of any kind of calculation :S), but people should know the incredible step ahead tech got with such a development as F.E.M. Years of test took shortcut with a single computer, saving lots of lives, for example, in automotive industry, where safety structures design got a huge trust with computer simulation possibilties.
ReplyDeleteHola, en primer lugar, disculpas por salirme de la lengua inglesa :)
ReplyDeleteEn segundo y en lo referente a la noticia, DEP este buen hombre.
Y por ultimo, aprovechando una nueva entrada quería felicitarte por tu blog. Me resulta muy interesante y entro con frecuencia en busca de actualizaciones. Decir que también visito los foros de e-ciencia asiduamente desde hace mucho tiempo, y que he leído numerosos post tuyos porque de verdad que merecen la pena. Admiro tu preparación, y la sensatez y raciocinio que demuestras en tus respuestas.
No estoy relacionado con el mundillo, tengo 20 años y por unas cosas y otras, no se muy bien como, he terminado en la diplomatura en óptica y optometria. Pero la verdad es que me interesa y me llama muchísimo todo esto de la ingeniería civil, y me estoy plateando muy seriamente de aquí a tres años cuando termine mis actuales estudios comenzar caminos. Espero no desviar mucho el tema del blog pero bueno, tu que tienes mas experiencia y que has cursado dos ingenierías, ¿como ves el tema?. 23 años seria una edad muy tardía para comenzar ingeniería civil/caminos, y dedicarse profesionalmente a ello después?.
Gracias por tu atención si llegas a leer este comentario, y perdona las molestias que pudiera causar al desarrollo de la temática del blog.
Un saludo!
Álvaro: Of course, you can complete your degree in civil engineering. It will never be too late if you have the appropriate motivation and discipline. I am 29 and I think I am at my best moment ever to study and work.
ReplyDeleteBut remember that nowadays civil engineering implies, with few exceptions, a road to serfdom: you can make a living as a civil engineer with a decent salary but the best salaries and conditions are for the finantial and health gurus. If you expect money, prestige and little responsibility, engineering will not the right choice for you.
thx for the answer :)
ReplyDeletegreetings!
I had used his books and finite element system when I was in university too about 25 years ago :))
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