An Unorthodox Dissection of Structures with Sophisticated Features

The design of sophisticated structures involves careful consideration of many technical and non-technical factors that influence their functionality.Buildings and constructed facilities do not only have engineering and architectural features but their design also requires an in-depth examination of impacting environmental, economical, historical, and cultural factors.Engineers are entrusted with the task of reconciling various view points in order to reach a consensus acceptable to all stakeholders.Artistic Engineering is a new course that explores the engineering and non-engineering aspects of structures.Students are asked to select a structure whose design embodies an insightful appreciation of the role each of the above factors plays in shaping the structure.Teams of two students, an engineer and a liberal artist, are charged with conducting a study that critically looks into the parameters considered in the design.A major component in this project is to dissect the structure and study what lies beneath its outer skin, including the foundation, skeleton, framing system, and other amenities.A requirement in this project is detailed three dimensional drawings of the structure and its various components using powerful software (SolidWorks) for engineering design and drafting which allows the user to view the assembled structure in a virtual space environment.The structure my team selected for this project was Dubai's Burj Al-Arab, an engineering and architectural marvel that this paper will objectively scrutinize.The coupling of engineering and non-engineering students in each team complemented each other's effort and helped create a climate of understanding that bridged the perceived gap between the two disciplines.Based on my experience, the assigned research methodology was greatly enjoyable and appealing.The course illustrated the interdependence of engineering and the liberal arts and developed a sense that integration is beneficial for the betterment of both disciplines.