Cornell Engineers - Structural Engineers

04/06/2026

One of my engineers once accompanied me on a site inspection.
Later, I heard him complaining to a colleague that following me around and taking notes made him feel like "the pleb carrying the clipboard."

At first, I was surprised. Maybe even a little hurt.

Then I realised he had completely misunderstood why he was there... He wasn't there to make me feel important.

** He was there to learn. **
He was there to watch how we approached and solved real problems. He was there to listen to the client, observe the building and bring a fresh perspective to the problem.

The moment he decided the role made him feel small, the opportunity passed him by. And that is a shame.

Every profession has its version of "carrying the clipboard."
Sitting in meetings, taking notes, shadowing senior staff.

Some people see those moments as beneath them. Others recognise them as front-row seats to an education that cannot be bought.

There is a huge difference between feeling small and being willing to learn.

Humility is not humiliation.

Sometimes the most valuable lessons in your career come when you stop worrying about how important you look and start paying attention to what you are being shown.

And btw, it was never about the clipboard.
It was about the opportunity.

02/06/2026

Seemed like a nice day for a selfie.
Oh and here's a box gutter

27/05/2026

Warning: excavation on the low side or construction on the high side of an existing retaining wall can be devastating. Please read this article.

This safety alert relates to a fatal incident involving the collapse of a concrete retaining wall.

05/05/2026

I think I’d rather use a concrete pump

30/04/2026

A lot of people misunderstand restraint clauses in employment contracts.

They are not designed to stop someone from working.

They are designed to protect the goodwill of the business they just left.

That can include clients, staff, referral sources, industry relationships, and contacts developed through the business.

The common mistake is assuming:

“They weren’t technically a client, so it’s fine.”

Not always.

If the relationship, trust, introduction, or referral pathway was built through the employer, it may still be covered by the contract.

For employees: read your contract before contacting former clients, referrers, staff, or business contacts.

For employers: make sure your contracts clearly explain what is protected, for how long, and why.

Goodwill is not just a logo or a database.

It is the relationships a business has earned over time.

Protect it properly.

29/04/2026

Thanks, April. You've kept us busy!
Hello May. Whatcha thinkin?

27/04/2026

Next part of this poor drainage saga, the plumbers have dug up the site to install their pipes and a bit of rain overnight shows where the problems are already.

And that’s just the problems that you can see. Because where the pipes have been put into the ground and backfilled with gravel, the water is soaked straight into the trenches and can’t even be seen now.

Stay tuned for the next exciting instalment where the concrete is will turn up and lock this poor drainage site in with concrete.

The only question is… Should I put music to this drama? 

22/04/2026

Houses crack, don't they? Actually, not all of them.
Sadly, I don't think my message about good site drainage to prevent slab heave is getting through. This house will be built right below the slope, and when water sits in the scalloped area for the garage, slab heave will inevitably follow.
It doesn't have to be this way, but the builder has gone for the cheapest option for preparing the site.
As a homeowner, you need to be aware of these issues. Take a moment to educate yourself before you start your next home. It really is too late when your house is built and then starts moving and cracking.
https://youtu.be/5Cu8PXN3Wl4?si=vMgjiMrKlUlqYF0x

21/04/2026

Please stop building rooftop decks.

You’re not waterproofing them properly.

And it shows.

No image necessary.