Structural engineers are the professionals who design the skeletons of buildings and other structures to make sure they are sturdy enough to stand up to stress and weight. Like all engineering careers, a degree is essential and you can choose an academic route or access this career via an apprenticeship that allows you to study alongside work experience.

Structural Design

As a structural engineer, your job is to ensure a structure’s safety and function before a shovel even hits the dirt. You’ll work closely with architects to turn their blueprints into a sturdy, usable design and conduct the necessary calculations for the project. Using computer software, you’ll determine the expected loads and stresses that the building will undergo during its lifetime. These can vary depending on location and include live, dead, or environmental loads.

You’ll also consider factors like shear, tensile, and compressive stress (or forces that pull or push against the building). This is where your knowledge of different materials comes in handy as you calculate optimal dimensions, sizes, and placements for structural elements and verify they can withstand anticipated load combinations. You may even create a skeleton model to visualize the overall structure.

Structural Analysis

During structural analysis, engineers use computer software to determine the forces and stresses that structures will be subjected to. This allows them to make informed decisions about the materials, design and construction methods that will ensure the structure is safe for its occupants. This process requires a strong knowledge of physics and mathematics. Engineers must be proficient at applying intricate mathematical equations and developing a keen eye for assessing a physical structure’s strength, integrity and capacity to bear loads.

Structural analysis can be used to analyze a wide variety of structures, including buildings, bridges and towers; vehicles, aircraft frames and tanks; equipment; furniture, attire and soil strata; even prostheses and biological tissue. It is an essential skill for civil engineering and other branches of engineering that involve designing and constructing structures. Performing structural analysis involves using analytical methods to determine a structure’s response to external loads like gravity and wind. It also takes into account the internal forces and moments in a structure.

Structural Detailing

Structural detailing is the process of preparing structural steel drawings and steel erection plans for projects like bridges, buildings, and miscellaneous steel items. Structural detailers work closely with project teams to ensure that the final product meets design specifications and building standards. Entry-level structural engineers design individual structural elements such as beams and columns, while more experienced engineers may be responsible for the structural integrity of an entire structure, such as a building. They also study the behavior of materials such as concrete, wood, masonry, and metals, and analyze the response of individual structural components and entire structures.

Students who choose to have a particular course count as a technical elective should consult with the undergraduate engineering office and their adviser to develop a plan of study. The program allows thirteen general-education (GE) courses to be used for this purpose. However, some colleges require more than thirteen GE courses. Students must consult their college requirements for more information.

Structural Testing

Structural engineers test and analyze new structures to ensure they are safe to use. They are often called upon to inspect existing structures as well and make recommendations for repairs. They design buildings to be strong enough to hold heavy loads (like people and equipment) and stable against forces like wind and earthquakes. They also design them to be stiff, meaning they don’t vibrate too much when people walk on them or when equipment is used.

Structural engineers work closely with architects and civil engineers to plan a building or structure. They may also be responsible for ensuring the materials that are used will be able to support the load and pressures that the structure will be subjected to. They also must comply with standard and building codes and make sure the structure is cost-efficient to build.

Conclusion

A structural engineer designs the skeleton of structures like buildings, bridges and space stations. They also inspect homes and other structures for safety and quality. You can get into this career via the academic route or by doing an apprenticeship with an engineering company. Gaining chartered membership with IStructE is important for your professional development later on in the career.