What is the use of engineering?

Question

What is the use of engineering?

Answer 1

You can't live without it.

Answer 2

Engineering is the application of science to practical life.  For example, using the science of materials and material properties, we can design structures like buildings, bridges, etc., strong enough to accomplish what we want.  The scientists discover the properties of materials, the engineers apply that knowledge to what they design.

Answer 3

You can easily discover the answer by implementing the opposite - not engineering a solution to fit a requirement usually results in failure.

Lots of examples:

Requirement - span a 1/2 mile wide river with a road surface capable of supporting  500 cars.

Non-engineering solution: Use left over wood scraps and duct tape.

Requirement - Restrain 4,000 foot-pounds of air pressure in a lightweight container so that firemen can breathe fresh air in hostile environments.

Non-engineering solution: Give them used footballs with soda straws.

Get the idea?

Like someone sort of said above, engineering is the discipline of applying material science and physical science together to provide workable solutions to physical requirements. Without engineering solutions, you'll have lots of dead firemen, drowining motorists and hungry families.

Answer 4

Engineering (when you don't get specific about what kind of engineering) is problem solving.  That's it.  You need to get something done.  An engineer figures out how to do it.  Since it will be expensive to do the project, you try to think through it and try to make sure everything will work before you start making anything.

How would you build a road, make a better household cleaner, create new medical technology, or do anything that hasn't been done exactly the same way before, without either thinking it through in detail or wasting a whole lot of money and effort?

Answer 5

Check out the link.