Vízügyi Közlemények, 1935 (17. évfolyam)

Kivonatok, mellékletek - Kivonat a 3. számhoz

34 VII. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND OF DETAILS IN THE PRACTICE OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING. By E. NÉMETH. (Pages 496—510.) Hydraulic structures, just like all other engineering works; have to be suitably adapted to a milieu already existing or systematically prepared, and at the same time they must be perfect in detail. The former requirement is precisely defined by general considerations, the latter demands the exact solution of several particulars. Thus the engineer has to devote his attention on the one hand to general aspects, and on the other to details ; and he must strive to harmonize these two sides of his activities, lest excessive regard of one part should involve neglect of the other, and jeopardise the quality of his work. As a rule the solution of details is a task falling to the share of the engineer at the outset of his professional career. During this period every young engineer will do well to devote his attention almost entirely to a thorough study of details, for the definite resolution and concentration essential to independent creative power can only be attained by perfect knowledge and instinctive skill in details. Later on, the turn of small, original problems comes, where the work to be done is not given, but only the object to be attained. In these cases one has to choose among several possibilities, and in so doing, not only the technical points of view, but the object to be attained and the costs, must be taken into account. So, besides details, general considerations present themselves with increasing importance, and in order to satisfy the latter it is not enough to know exactly the rules of hydraulic structures, but it is also important critically to estimate their bearing. (The writer illustrates his statements with two examples). It is certain that in solving hydraulic problems we cannot rely upon formulae alone ; but on the other hand, by neglecting them we should deprive ourselves of an aid to deliberation, which in many cases serves as a good guiding idea. It is evident that problems are not solved by formulae, but by common sense ; nevertheless, proper theoretical methods are of great assistance to sound cogitation. The engineer has long ceased to be a specialist of limited range. In order to be able to serve the interests entrusted to him, he requires a thorough knowledge of allied spheres of activity, and must also have correct ideas as to remoter fields of science. The ability to consider general aspects will increase with the number of years spent in practice and with extension of the sphere of activity. As it is a fault in the young engineer to be unequal to solving details, it is dangerous for the engineer of higher position to be obstructed in his management by absorption in details. The engineer's concaptions should shift towards general considerations with a natural ease ; each member of the group of collaborators should stand in a right position of due independence according to his ability and disposition.