SAWE Mass Properties https://www.sawe.org Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc. Fri, 29 May 2026 17:19:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 231197347 3817. Mass Property Data Checking for Modular Construction https://www.sawe.org/product/3817-mass-property-data-checking-for-modular-construction/ Fri, 22 Aug 2025 21:09:17 +0000 https://www.sawe.org/?post_type=product&p=10085 Paper
Robert J. Hundl, Jeff Robertson: 3817. Mass Property Data Checking for Modular Construction. 2025.
 

Abstract

In the Energy and Chemicals Construction Industry, many projects utilize modular construction, which necessitates transporting modules from the fabrication yard to the project site. This often involves a combination of ocean and land transportation and may require lifting the modules on or off vessels or into place at the site. Ensuring the safe transport and lifting of these modules is critical, with weight and center of gravity being key factors. Despite the accuracy of 3D models, detailed checks of attributes are essential to verify calculations for weight and center of gravity. Large projects, with over 100 modules, can generate more than a million rows of data that need to be checked. Additionally, many items are not modeled, requiring manual estimates that also need verification. Automating this checking process is crucial to allow engineers to focus on critical issues rather than being overwhelmed by data. This paper describes several methods developed to improve data checking and provide more accurate estimates.

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Robert J. Hundl, Jeff Robertson: 3817. Mass Property Data Checking for Modular Construction. 2025.
 

Abstract

In the Energy and Chemicals Construction Industry, many projects utilize modular construction, which necessitates transporting modules from the fabrication yard to the project site. This often involves a combination of ocean and land transportation and may require lifting the modules on or off vessels or into place at the site. Ensuring the safe transport and lifting of these modules is critical, with weight and center of gravity being key factors. Despite the accuracy of 3D models, detailed checks of attributes are essential to verify calculations for weight and center of gravity. Large projects, with over 100 modules, can generate more than a million rows of data that need to be checked. Additionally, many items are not modeled, requiring manual estimates that also need verification. Automating this checking process is crucial to allow engineers to focus on critical issues rather than being overwhelmed by data. This paper describes several methods developed to improve data checking and provide more accurate estimates.

 ]]> 10085 3815. Defending Mass Properties https://www.sawe.org/product/3815-defending-mass-properties/ Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:38:44 +0000 https://www.sawe.org/?post_type=product&p=10082 Paper
Robert Zimmerman: 3815. Defending Mass Properties. 2025.
 

Abstract

The mass properties profession as viewed by outsiders is a simple job, even not seen as true engineering, a glorified accounting job. As seen from the inside, we who endeavor to perform mass properties as a career know that mass properties is simple is not the case. This dichotomy of views hinders our ability to perform our function, lowers our perceived value, and even threatens our very existence on programs. This problem stems from bias and ignorance from those who aren’t intimately familiar with our capabilities and the perception that two equations are the foundation of mass properties. The first equation is This equation has two consequences, first it equates mass and weight, and secondly the equation cements the mindset that the role of the mass properties practitioner is that of a weight accountant. The second equation is:

W=ρV

or simply put weight equals density times volume. Although true, this is only applicable in limited situations that a mass properties engineer encounters, yet this limited aspect is not thought about by most people, even in engineering. The equation applies to most structural elements, such as a strut or a beam, but is inapplicable when an item is made of multiple components such as an electronic box. Moreover, these equations completely ignore other aspects of mass properties engineering such as determination of Centers of Gravity and Inertia, as well as reporting, controlling mass properties, and verification activities. This paper will use the author’s own experience with interactions with personnel he has encountered in his career and present ways to counter the “Mass Properties is Simple” mindset to make believers out of mass properties skeptics.  ]]> Paper
Robert Zimmerman: 3815. Defending Mass Properties. 2025.
 

Abstract

The mass properties profession as viewed by outsiders is a simple job, even not seen as true engineering, a glorified accounting job. As seen from the inside, we who endeavor to perform mass properties as a career know that mass properties is simple is not the case. This dichotomy of views hinders our ability to perform our function, lowers our perceived value, and even threatens our very existence on programs. This problem stems from bias and ignorance from those who aren’t intimately familiar with our capabilities and the perception that two equations are the foundation of mass properties. The first equation is This equation has two consequences, first it equates mass and weight, and secondly the equation cements the mindset that the role of the mass properties practitioner is that of a weight accountant. The second equation is:

W=ρV

or simply put weight equals density times volume. Although true, this is only applicable in limited situations that a mass properties engineer encounters, yet this limited aspect is not thought about by most people, even in engineering. The equation applies to most structural elements, such as a strut or a beam, but is inapplicable when an item is made of multiple components such as an electronic box. Moreover, these equations completely ignore other aspects of mass properties engineering such as determination of Centers of Gravity and Inertia, as well as reporting, controlling mass properties, and verification activities. This paper will use the author’s own experience with interactions with personnel he has encountered in his career and present ways to counter the “Mass Properties is Simple” mindset to make believers out of mass properties skeptics.  ]]> 10082