Significant and decimal places for engineering report

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SUMMARY

In structural calculation engineering reports, the number of significant figures and decimal places for values such as dimensions, stresses, and safety factors is determined by the uncertainty of the measurements involved. Engineers must assess the required significant figures based on the context of the calculations and the precision of the data. The discussion emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all answer, as each report may have different requirements for reporting meaningful digits.

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  • Understanding of significant figures in engineering calculations
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  • Experience with engineering report writing
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Structural engineers, engineering students, and professionals involved in creating technical reports who need to understand the importance of significant figures and measurement precision in their documentation.

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Hi

I was wondering when I am completing a structural calculation engineering report with values like dimensions, stresses, safety factor and constants etc, to what significant number or decimal place should I put them?
 
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The best answer is "it depends," no two reports will have the same requirement. An engineer needs to be able to discern required sig figs for a calculation and result.
 
in what we do, it depends upon the uncertainty of the values,
then reporting enough digits to be "meaningful"

dr
 

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