How can I contract structural engineering services for a sculpture online and inexpensively?

Question by NixPhenom: How can I contract structural engineering services for a sculpture online and inexpensively?

I need to have the strength of a bent piece of sheet metal analyzed to see the maximum load it can support given some gauge of stainless steel. I would also like some process engineering services to determine the best way to assemble the final sculpture. I would like to know the best and most economical way to contract these services online.

Best answer:

Answer by Dave D
Go here to search the various structural engineering firms:-

https://online.acec.org/acecforum/acecLogin.asp

They ain’t cheap! Some sculptors have hired firms like these, but you need a wealthy sponsor such as the City of New York or whomever.

Or you could get yourself a copy of Solid Works and do your own analysis.

Or you could build a test piece and measure the failure load yourself.

Sculptors and civil engineers are not generally a happy mix. You will have your work cut out for you, as all sculptors do. The ways to stay on the right side of an engineer are as follows:-

1) All financial arrangements must be agreed in advance. Do not show up with no money and ask what to do next!
2) Always follow through immediately on things like returning phone calls, providing information and so forth.
3) Do not change anything once you have asked for an analysis to be performed. If necessary, do another analysis (at extra cost, of course) later.

Good luck – you are going to need it!

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