1. Humanities
Lecture (8)
The Engineering Approach to
Problem Solving

2. Problem Solution
 Real – world problems are often unstructured and
open – ended
 A problem may have multiple solutions
 Each solution has many advantages and disadvantages
 The preferred solution is that best meet the needs and
desires of an employer, a client, or the public.

3. The Nature of Engineering Design
• Engineering work often involves planning and analysis
in the initial stages, but the essence of engineering
problem solving is design.
• Engineering design is as varied as the engineering
profession and as board as the problems facing
humankind.
• Engineering design: is to conceive, imagine, devise and
plan a device, a structure, a process, or a system that
will benefit people.

4. Team Work
• Design of large projects needs to be carried out by
many engineering teams of different engineering
specialists.
• Team work: “is the work done by several associates
with each doing a part, but all subordinating personal
prominence to the efficiency of the whole ’’
• Team work can lead to better decisions, products, or
services.
• A disadvantage of the team work is the “social loafing”
i.e. an individual’s doing less work than what he
would normally do working individually.

5. Engineering Design Phases
1- Identification of the problem.
2- Gathering needed information.
3- Searching for creative solutions.
4- Stepping from ideation to preliminary designs.
5- Evaluation and selecting of preferred solution.
6- Preparation of the reports, plans, and specifications.
7- Implementation of the design.

6. 1 - Identification of the Problem
• An incorrect definition of the problem will make the
engineer to waste time and may lead to inappropriate
solution.
• It is important that the stated needs be real needs
• If it is a product that is being designed, a preliminary
market analysis will be essential
• The problem shouldn’t be unnecessary constrained
• If too many constraints are placed on the problem, this may
cause its solution extremely difficult or impossible

7. 2 – Gathering Needed Data
• Data or information will depend on the type of the
problem to be solved
• Data could be physical measurements, maps, results of
laboratory experiments, patents, results of opinion
surveys
• Engineers shall undertaken literature search to learn
what others have learned about related problems

8.  Engineers may visit technical libraries, study text
books, journal articles, and manufacturer‘s catalogs
 If the engineer is employed by a large corporation or a
public agency, it will be useful to search old files and
interview other colleagues who dealt with similar
problems

9. 3- Searching for Creative Solutions
 Several operational techniques can be used to help a
group to produce original ideas:
- Brainstorming:
- group of usually 6-12 people who introduce ideas to
solve a specific problem
- They generate as many ideas as possible
- They may combine or improve on ideas of others
-Brainstorming sessions usually last not longer than
one hour.

10. - Checklists:
Checklists include various points of design
possibilities. For example if it is supposed to
improve a certain device the checklist may include (
ways the device could be rearranged, ways the device
could be magnified, ways the device could be put to
other uses, . . )
- Attribute Listing:
List all attributes of product / object: Ex: Color,
Material, Size, Weight, . . .
Think of all ideas to improve each attribute separately

11. 4 - Stepping From Ideation To Preliminary
Designs
 This is the heart of the design process.
 Possible solutions and ideas to be carefully evaluated.
 Engineers often rely on models to facilitate the design
process.
 The model is “ any simplified description of an
engineering system or process that can be used in the
analysis or design “

12.  Three types of models:
a - Analytical or mathematical models
A mathematical model consists of one or group of
equations that represent a physical system.
EX: = k h
Where : = lateral earth pressure
= soil weight
h = height of soil

13. b – Simulation Models
When studying complex systems, engineers use
computer simulation models ( 2D or 3D )
c – Physical Models
Have been used for many years in the fields of
structure design, hydraulics, hydrodynamics,
aerodynamics

14. 5- Evaluation and Selection of Preferred
Solution
 Feedback, modifications, and evaluation may occur
repetitively as the device or system evolves from
concept to final design.
 If we deal with a product : safety, cost, reliability, and
consumer acceptability are of paramount importance.
 Economic studies can be used to: (determine the
feasibility of a project, compare alternate designs,
priority of construction of a group of projects )

15. 6- Preparation of Reports, Plans, and
Specifications
 The final design must be presented ( to those who
must approve it ), in the form of an engineering report
, a set of plans and specifications.
7- Implementation of the Design
To the design engineer , it is the most satisfying phase
of all

16. Learning From Failures
 Engineering failures may be attributed to:
1- Mistakes made by careless designers.
2- Imperfections in building or manufacturing materials.
3- Careless workmanship by technicians or craftsmen
who implement the design.
4- Poor communications between the managers,
engineers, technicians, and craftsmen who produce or
construct the design.

17. Case Study
 Kansas in 1981: Two walkways in Hyatt Regency Hotel
collapsed. 114 people killed and 185 injured.
A connection detail was changed at the site by the
contractor without consulting the designer.