ENGINEERING

• is a specialty within the field of Civil Engineering that focuses on the

framework of structures, and on designing those structures to withstand
the stresses and pressures of their environment and remain safe, stable,
and secure throughout their use
• structural engineers make sure that bridges don’t fall down, and buildings
don’t collapse
• it is among the oldest types of engineering, dating back to the first
instance of tree branches being lashed together with vines to make a
shelter
• prominent structural engineers include Gustave Eiffel (Eiffel Tower,
Statue of Liberty) and Eero Saarinen (Gateway Arch)

structural engineering is mainly involved with two activities:

structural analysis
• it deals with analyzing a particular structural system; structural
system may vary from simple systems (like beams, columns, slabs,
etc.) to more complex systems (like frames, bridges, piers,
foundations, retaining walls, etc.)
• the objective behind analysis is to estimate or find resultant stresses
(or forces) so that these elements can be designed to withstand the
load that comes over it

structural design
• it determines the type of structure that is suitable for a particular
purpose, the materials to be used, the loads and other actions that
the structure must sustain, and the arrangement, layout and
dimensions of its various components
AREAS/SUBFIELDS OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
• it is the science of the performance of buildings and structures
when subjected to seismic loading
• it also assists analyzing the interaction between civil infrastructures
and the ground, including consequences of earthquakes on
structures
STEEL DESIGN
• or more specifically, structural steel design is an area of structural
engineering used to design the steel structures (these structures
include schools, houses, bridges, commercial centers, tall buildings,
warehouses, aircraft, ships, and stadiums)
• the design and use of steel frames are commonly employed in the
design of steel structures, more advanced structures include steel
plates and shells
TIMBER DESIGN
• it can refer to designing (conceiving, drawing, 3D modelling) a
structure that will be built using primarily wood elements from raw
logs to milled timbers and or engineered wood products like glulam
beams ad columns and cross laminated timber panels for floors and
walls
• it is based on the post and beam structural system
• also called “post and lintel,” this is one of the oldest construction
methods known
REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN
• is a versatile composite and one of the most widely used materials in
modern construction
• concrete is a relatively brittle material that is strong under
compression but less so in tension (plain, unreinforced concrete is
unsuitable for many structures as it is relatively poor at
withstanding stresses induced by vibrations, wind loading, and so on
to increase its overall strength, steel rods, wires, mesh or cables)
WIND ENGINEERING
• it is a subset of mechanical engineering, structural engineering,
meteorology, and applied physics to analyze the effects of wind in
the natural and the built environment and studies the possible
damage, inconvenience or benefits which may result from wind
• in the field of wind engineering, it includes string winds, which may
cause discomfort, as well as extreme winds, such as tornado,
hurricane or heavy storm, which may cause widespread destruction

how to become a structural engineer?

some common Structural Engineer duties and responsibilities include:
• test building materials for use in certain projects, such as concrete or
steel
• manage repair, replacement or maintenance of public or private
infrastructure.
• provide estimated costs for a project to determine economic feasibility
• complete and submit permit applications to various agencies as needed
• perform or supervise soil testing for foundation strength

Structural Engineers must have excellent knowledge of the types of

construction materials and how they are best used. In addition, creativity,
commercial awareness and team working are all important skills that a
Structural Engineer must possess

other key structural engineer skills include:

• mathematics
• critical thinking
• complex problem solving
• active listening
• negotiation
• persuasion
• writing
• operations analysis
to become a professionally accredited structural engineer you are usually
required:
a. academic foundation
b. an apprenticeship
c. a license
d. working towards this role

structural softwares currently used

STAAD PRO
• this is a structural design and analysis tool developed by Research
Engineers which was later acquired by Bentley Systems, a CAD/CAM
software company based in Pennsylvania
• is considered as the best structural analysis software and an array
of essential tool required for accomplishing an analytical process on
different structures.
SAFE
• this software is mostly used in designing foundation slab system and
concrete floors
• is a comprehensive package that combines all the aspects of
engineering design process – from creating layout to detail drawing
production in a single, intuitive environment. It enables highly
advanced local assessment of foundation systems within larger
structures and imports files from CAD, ETABS, and SAP2000
• some of other benefits it offers are wide ranging templates to
quickly initiate a model, post-tensioning, support conditions and
loadings
RISA
• 3D analysis and design tool for creating general structures such as
buildings, bridges, arenas, industrial structures, crane rails, etc.
• it is fast, productive and accurate
• it has an intuitive interface that integrates with many other
products like RISA Floor and RISA Foundation
• it comes packed with the latest steel, cold-formed steel, concrete,
aluminum, masonry and timber design codes.
 methodologies
HAND CALCULATIONS
• are the cornerstone of engineering: they force users to apply logic
and exercise their mental capacity
• regardless of your other design method, a quick check of your work
by hand will help you be confident in your results and keep your
engineering skills in tune
• the limitations to hand calculations, as it is generally the slowest of
the possible methods
• it results in a thorough and well-considered report, but can mean the
member is over-engineered due to the difficulty of iterating on a
design
• by relying on this approach alone, you are susceptible to inevitable
human error

IN-HOUSE SPREADSHEET
• Excel is a valuable tool used by engineers to produce a repeatable
outcome
• Macros are also relatively easy for engineers to pick up as they
typically have an analytical and logical mind
• it is an extremely cost-effective solution, as the only 'cost' is the time
spent by the engineer or IT department to build the solution
• the limitations include a high upfront time and cost, as engineers
build the tools themselves

FREEWARE
• can be a great way to calculate your designs once you can roughly
estimate the forces applied to your members
• however, there is some disconnect between analysis and design: many
of the forces, members, and lengths must be manually input
• this can slow down your design process and prevent iteration for
optimal design but is still faster than the first two options

FULL ANALYSIS AND DESIGN SOFTWARE

 • a powerful Structural Analysis and Design Software is the most
effective and fastest method of designing your structure
• it helps engineers speed up the process exponentially
• the user can model and design each of the members within one
workflow and all internal forces, members, materials and section
properties are automatically pulled from the model
• the only setback of this method is the lack of accessibility, as these
programs are fairly expensive and require lifetime licenses.

jobs/ careers of structural engineering

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
• are primarily concerned with designing and constructing buildings
and structures that are safe and capable of withstanding the
elements to which they will be exposed, as well as improving the
structural integrity of existing buildings
JUNIOR STRUCTURAL DESIGNER
• prepares structural analysis/investigation on existing house plans
and structural analysis/design on different structures for site
development/special projects such as, but not limited to riprap/flood
control/slope protection, box culverts, retaining wall, NIA canal and
perimeter fences
• provides recommendations on structural integrity requirements of
different structures
• conducts periodic site visit on site that requires actual investigation
• provides investigation and recommendation on projects requiring
structural repairs
• inspects existing structures such as warehouse for structural
stability certificate and compliance
• helps in the preparation of land development plan
SENIOR STRUCTURAL DESIGNER
• creates and recommends valuable and cost-effective structural
designs to our prospective clients
• prepares construction material estimates, requirements, engineering
proposals and specifications
• monitors and supervises the erection of steel structures &
structural steel works upon commencement of construction
BRIDGE ENGINEER
• management of structural analysis and design, load rating of
roadway and rail bridges, and contract document preparation
(plans, specification, and estimate) for design/build and conventional
bridge projects
• management of project budget and schedule
• coordination and communication with clients, subconsultants, and
team members
• proposal preparation and scope and fee development