Framework for structural design learning
The framework incorporates:
- Ethos
- Processes
- Examples
- Guidance
Ethos
Ethos is about how you think, the principles that guide your actions. It is about being a critical thinker. Structural design is a very good context for developing skil in critical thinking. Critical thinkers submit to a discipline for establishing outcomes that best satisfy the goals. For ideas about learning to be a critical thinker see this paper.
Processes
Working with processes and seeking to improve them is a core issue in good design.
Process mapping
The Institution of Structural Egineers publises a Structural Plan of Work that sets out an overall process for structural engineers working on a project for a building. It is based on the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work
The stages in the IStructE Plan of Work are shown in Figure 1.
