Who are Structural Engineer and What are their Roles and Responsibilities?

Structural Engineers

The field of civil engineering primarily focuses on the construction of buildings, structures, roads, and bridges. While civil engineers work to create innovative construction, it is the role of a structural engineer to ensure that those plans are safe for the public and that these buildings and structures are created to last longer. Structural engineers are highly skilled, creative professionals who design the strength and stability of our buildings, and bridges. structural engineers help create record-breaking structures, beautiful structures, useful structures and sometimes just cool structures- anything from bridges, rollercoasters, and skyscrapers to hospitals, homes and public artworks. Structural Engineers play a vital role in the planning, design, supervision, and implementation of a construction project for the structure to be materialized.

Rion-Antirion Bridge

They make sure the building works well in practice, depending on what it is used for. For example, a dance floor shouldn't vibrate too much when people jump up and down on it. A tall building shouldn't dance when an earthquake event is there and there is no To and Fro movement of the building during the event of the wind storm. Utilizing a vast knowledge of mathematics and physics: structural engineers are tasked with making sure that a planned structure does not break, collapse, or fall over during its lifespan. One assumes that this is a simple task couldn't be further from the truth.

Roles and Responsibility of the Structural Engineers

Designer

Good academic background with a Civil Engineering Bachelor's degree or master's degree-chartered status in Civil or Structural Engineering for experienced engineers. Working knowledge of relevant structural design software i.e. ETABS, SAFE, SAP2000, STAAD.Pro, Prokon are few common. Practical experience of design and detailing to related IS codes ACI, British, European codes, local codes, etc. Structural engineers design buildings so they're strong enough to support the loads on them (People and equipment) and stable against elements like wind and Earthquake. They usually design buildings to last for fifty years, and bridges for over a century, so their structures are used and enjoyed by thousands, or even millions of people.

Problem Solver

Structural engineers use many skills to solve problems- from basic maths to cutting edge technology. They work design sustainable structures: that is buildings that are larger and last longer, but use less material and require less maintenance

Safety-Expert

Structural Engineers make sure all our buildings and infrastructure are safe to use. For instance, they study how to stop buildings from falling down during earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. They support architects to achieve their design and vision.

Economist of Project

It is the job of the structural engineer to design the structure in the minimum cost but with the best safety features fulfilling probably all the requirements of the practicing codes. He does so many iterations before reaching the concrete decision to find out the est design for any project. He also knows how to max utilize any resource available at the site.

Creator

Structural engineers are masters of all the materials we use to build, from glass and steel to concrete and bamboo, with a unique understanding of their qualities as building materials. They are specialists in how best to arrange beams, columns, and foundations that make up a building's skeleton. They combine this unique mix of abilities in highly creative ways to design structures that are as low-cost easily build,, efficient, strong, safe and durable and sustainable as possible.

Investigator

Structural engineers are key specialists for designing and assessing buildings. They help determine the suitability of a site for construction. They identify potential challenges in the architect's design and propose solutions. They investigate problems (or damage to) existing buildings and recommend repairs. They assess whether an existing building can be adapted or extended and if a building is no longer safe to use.

Teamwork

Structural Engineers work with other construction industry professionals like architects, surveyors, and skilled and semi-skilled workers. That means working as a team and communicating complex technical issues is a big part of the job. it also means it's an exciting chance to meet and who with all kinds of people on all kinds of projects. Structural engineers will be required to coordinate and consult with others of their projects, including engineers, environmental scientists, architects, and landscape architects. they may also be required to assist government bodies in their own inspections relating to the project. 

Training

As structural engineers work on complex projects and are concerned with safety, they have to ve highly qualified and keep up to date with the latest technology and working methods. Many engineers will study throughout their carers- first to gain a  degree, then to become professionally qualified, then to acquire new skills. Becoming a structural engineer takes a substantial amount of time and dedication- including a focus on professional development. Once qualified, however, the learning process continues as new methods and materials are introduced into the construction industry. Structural engineering jobs can take place across national and international contexts and involve work on some of the most exciting construction projects in the world.

Travelling

Some structural may work mainly in an office, but many will split their time between the office and construction sites. Some may work mainly in their own countries but many others enjoy opportunities to participate in projects all over the world. sometimes sites will be in tightly packed cities, others in wide-open space. There is the potential for working on a huge range of interesting projects.

Respect

As structural engineers, one should not consider ourselves superior to another discipline of Engineering. We must respect the other discipline of Engineering also like wind engineering, Earthquake Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Environment Engineering, Etc. For Example, when starting the design, we must go through the Geotechnical report and follow the recommendations given by the geotechnical engineer. The same way the building is very tall then we should go to the wind consultant for help and follow their advice. Always taking extra Factor of Safety is not economical and safe for the people who are going to live or work in that building.

Education

As a structural engineer, it is our sole responsibility to teach the client the importance of the other discipline. And also guide our Junior structural engineer on how to approach the design of the project in a holistic way. For Example, if we are going to construct the foundation, we need to ask the client for the Geotechnical report. We need to educate the client about the importance of the Geotechnical report.

Coordination

Throughout the course of the above duties, you are also in charge of liaison with the Clients, Contractors, Sub-Contractors, Governmental Authorities, and other related authorities and project follow-up and approval. So, expect a lot of coordination meeting during this journey although we have structural engineers available at the site, sometimes we need to visit sites to address design-related issues, an inspection of works carried out on-site and monitors quality to ensure that the contractor met the standard of construction with compliance with approved drawings. Coordination with other disciplines is also very important like Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, etc.