Structural engineering is the discipline of civil engineering that focuses on the foundations of structures and how to construct them in a way that they can withstand the stress and strain of their environment while staying safe, stable, and secure. To put it another way, structural engineers ensure that buildings and bridges must not collapse. The title “Structural Engineer” is gained by civil engineers who already have completed their education and gained professional experience.
Structural engineering is indeed one of the oldest engineering fields, dating back to when vines were used to bind tree branches together to construct a shelter. However, humanity has been constructing and erecting increasingly larger and more advanced structures throughout recorded history; from primitive shelters to the International Space Station.
Structural engineers commonly interact with civil engineers and architects as part of a construction team. This is because structures must be capable of withstanding the environment on which they are built standing. While constructing bridges, for example, designers must consider the impacts of water, terrain, wind, and traffic volume. Structural engineers, who provide technical guidance on the project, consider all of these factors.
Need of structural engineers-
The structure of a building is designed to work in tandem with its architectural characteristics, and that’s when structural engineers are brought in after the architectural designs are complete. Engineers develop the supporting framework – pillars, columns, slabs, support beams, and other load-bearing components – after architects plan the building’s look and use of space.
They are experts in solving issues, overcoming obstacles, and coming up with innovative solutions. To overcome these challenges, Steel, masonry, timber, concrete, and aluminum are among the materials they use. The construction is designed to withstand forces such as gravitation, tremors, high winds, water, dirt, collisions, and bomb explosions.
Structural engineering services include-
- Examining blueprints, maps, documents, and topographical as well as geological data;
- Estimating material, equipment, and labour costs and quantities;
- Calculating load and grade necessities, water flow rates, and material stress aspects to ascertain design specifications;
- Examining worksites to supervise progress and make sure the project is being built according to design parameters;
- Conducting traffic or environmental studies to identify potential issues and assess how they might affect the project.
Several structural engineering services providers provide highly skilled and highly creative structural engineering services to meet the needs of civil, commercial, domestic, industrial, geotechnical, as well as environmental projects.
Design and Analysis of High-Rise Structures –
Structural engineers undertake structural analysis for all sorts of domestic and commercial structures applying industry-standard designs and finite element methods. We work with composite constructions, prefabricated building systems, RCC, and steel structures.
Customized Home Design–
They analyse and design a variety of custom homes, whether masonry or RCC, using the most up-to-date standards and laws applicable to a certain area, which is usually specified by the customer.
Existing Structures Redefying & Rehabilitation–
Structural Engineering services can help with the inspection and strengthening of deteriorated structures. In addition, NDT is used to test strength in heritage structure rehabilitation and seismic retrofitting.
The Bottom Line
In order to avail of structural engineering services, in-depth knowledge of math and physics is required. Therefore, a structural engineer must be familiar with the density, durability, tensile strength, bulk modulus, and bending strength of various materials.
In addition, they must be able to predict how different materials will behave under diverse strains like compression, tension, bending, and twisting, as well as temperature, stress, chemical gases and solutions, and even radiation. They must also be able to forecast how these components will be able to withstand everything over a long period. As a result of these skills, Structural Engineering services bring a fresh perspective to design management and execution.
