Think of a structure as the human body: each body part should be healthy for it to be able to function as a whole. A structural engineer focuses on the strength of the materials used, stability, and whether the skeleton structure will stand the test of time.
The specific tasks of structural engineers can be hard to explain without familiarity with the building process but, according to the Institution of Structural Engineers, they are specialists in design, construction, repair, conversion and conservation.
Construction Materials Evaluation
A structural engineer is responsible for the design and evaluation of anything that supports or carries a load. Their primary concern is the backbone of a structure, the skeleton and sinews, ensuring that the foundation of the home is strong enough to withhold as much force as possible.
Area Inspection and Site Appraisal
Before work can begin, structural engineers are involved in the inspection and survey of build sites to determine the suitability of the land for the requirements of the upcoming project.
Structure engineers look into other factors of structure stability, including the geotechnical and geological aspects. While planning a new building, the design should not only be the focus but also other aspects such as the soil conditions and other environmental factors that all play a vital role. Structural engineers aid in evaluating these factors so that the construction of a structure is successful.
Structural Engineers do:
- Salinity assessment
- Soil erosion assessment
- Design of pavements
- Slope stability assessment
- Subsurface investigation
- Management of acid sulfate soil, etc.
Building Code Implementation
Structural engineers are responsible for evaluating schematics and ensuring that the building meets the building codes for structural safety. During a site visit, the structural engineer inspects the foundation, infrastructure, curtain wall, insulation and building envelope—using the state’s building codes as their guidelines.
Through careful inspection and comparison to the approved building plans, the engineer can ensure that the actual building meets what the law prescribes and structural engineers will do adjustments and necessary corrections.
Building Design and Inspection
Structural engineers also participate in designing a building, and are later called in to inspect and analyze stability and strength of a structure at specific stages of project completion. Their official approval is often required before the next stage of development can begin.
They are expected to be able to factor in the different qualities and strengths delivered by a range of building materials, and understand how to incorporate support beams, columns and foundations.
Damage assessment
Structural engineers also assess the level of structural damage caused by different phenomena such as termite infestation, water or fire damage, earthquakes, sink holes, and severe storm damage to name a few.
They draft and submit reports that can be used in subsequent actions such as litigations and insurance claims.
Oversee Demolitions
The essence of safe demolition lies in efficient risk control, environmental management and careful planning. Buildings handed over for demolition generally contain hazardous waste, rubbish for landfill and recyclable material. Structure engineers help in preventing further damage.
Before the scheduled demolition, structural engineers survey the building’s support structure. They investigate these structural materials to make sure the building is safe to be torn down.
Structural engineers also make sure that there are no hazardous materials present that can harm workers or nearby residents. Additionally, they are tasked to weigh which demolition method is best for the structure—excavation, implosion, or explosion.
Testify as Experts in Legal Proceedings
Structural engineers can also stand as witness in legal proceedings on cases with issues involving blast-resistant structural design, bridge engineering, and building construction. They provide reports regarding structural design, structural failure, structural fatigue, structural safety, structure collapse, trusses, and underpinning, among others that could be factors in which a structure was found faulty, or why it collapsed.
