What does a structural engineer do? Really?

There’s a TV commercial for Toyota Hilux wherein a project manager (PM) is shown trying to explain what he does to a group of kids. He started with “I manage projects…”. Near the end of the commercial, one of the kids asked “what do you do again?” and the PM answered “I drive a Hilux”.

As a structural engineer, we usually encounter a similar experience when it comes to explaining the job, albeit without having the pleasure of driving a Hilux. Unlike architects, we work in the background and are focused less on the arts and more on science. Simply put, structural engineers work with architects/builders in making sure a building is structurally sound.

Let me walk you through our work process for a better understanding of what we do.

What is a structural engineer’s job?

We study the form of the building and create an analytical or mathematical model of it. We apply loads to it, loads that the building will be encounter throughout its lifetime such as its own mass, weight of building equipment (i.e. air-conditioning units), occupancy capacity (is it to be used by 1000 people or 50 people at a time?), wind, earthquake, fire, floods, among others.

We then take the models and analyse the effects of these loads to the building using the laws of physics. From there we can see how much stress each part of the structure will experience before it even gets built and strengthen them, using engineering design, to avoid failures that will cause collapse.

Building 2D analytical model

Building 3D analytical model (using computer)

As-built structure

Once the structure above ground is taken care of, we take the results of our analysis and look at the site soil report to understand the characteristics of the soil where the building is to be built. We take all this information and design an appropriate foundation for the building to ensure its stability under any loading event and prevent the structure from sinking excessively into the ground.

Many would think that once our design is done, we can directly draw it on a piece of paper (nowadays, electronically). However, before we do that, we stop and ask ourselves more questions. Practical questions, such as those touching on the buildability, safety, practicality, economy, sustainability, and overall suitability given the parameters of the project. This is an important part of our work as structural engineers. Often, this is where a good design becomes a great design, and it all depends on how much thought and experience goes into this step.

While creating drawings and crunching numbers are important, I believe one of the most crucial tasks of a structural engineer is to communicate and work effectively with their clients and other project stakeholders. Being able to relay technical information and translating it in layman’s termsis one part of it, communicating well and being proactive on the project is another. For instance, structural engineersshould be able to explain why long steel columns using Grade 690 are not significantly better than Grade 300. We should be able to anticipate the work required for a project by actively engaging various project stakeholders and taking initiative. This gives room for adequate resource planning, thereby ensuring project deliverables are ready even before the clients ask for it.

Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of what structural engineers do. Our work may seem invisible to many but the impact that we have is real (not to scare anyone but try googling ‘building collapse’). If you have any questions or topics you want me to write about, kindly leave a comment below.