Structural engineering is a civil engineering branch that specializes in the structural design field. This form of engineering involves understanding the rigidity, overall stability, and strength of various infrastructures. Some key factors they typically consider are loading and susceptibility to potential earthquakes, for example.
Structural engineers will work with architects and building service engineers. They specialize in mathematics, physics, and material science and play a major role in the construction process. If you are still curious about when you need a structural engineer, and how to hire a structural engineer, read below for more details.
The Role of Structural Engineering
Structural engineers have knowledge of applied mathematics and mechanics to determine how structures can cope under their own weight or any other imposed load. This requires structural analysis, alongside the application of design codes, and most of this falls within the hands of the structural engineer.
Structural Engineers and Why They Are Necessary
Engineers work on specific elements of a structure. These can be beams, columns, or the entire structure itself, depending on the experience level of the structural engineer in question. The more experience a structural engineer has, the more responsibility they will carry. The field of engineering ensures that the designed structures can withstand any potential pressures or stresses, such as loads, earthquakes, or storms.
Structural engineers specialize in specific types of structures, such as bridges and tunnels, or they can even be split based on the materials used. Some might prefer and specialize in concrete, others in steel, and others in wood. Structural engineers can design buildings or other structures alongside the assistance of civil engineers and architects, which ultimately form the broader team.
What a Structural Engineer Needs to Know
Engineers can work on multiple different types of projects; from buildings to bridges, parking garages, retaining walls, or even remodeling and renovation. A structural engineer will have experience in the field of construction and specialize in different types of jobs. For example, their work experience might include residential buildings, commercial projects, construction of bridges, city infrastructure, or community development.
Ideally, companies need to look for a structural engineer that has the proper qualifications. They can assess an engineer’s fit with the project by looking at their previous projects, references, and testimonials. Look for structural engineers with a consistent track record and have a questionnaire prepared to help them see how experienced they truly are.
Hiring a Structural Engineer
There are numerous ways in which a company can hire a structural engineer. It has never been easier to find all the available structural engineers and learn about their history and reputation through online freelance platforms such as Guru.
Guru provides individuals, as well as companies, access to a search engine that will enable them to find structural engineering freelancers that can fulfill their specific demands. Access hundreds of engineers, their portfolios, and resumes within minutes. Thanks to Guru, anyone can hire a structural engineer with ease today.
Moving Forward With Structural Engineering
Most structural engineers will typically operate through an office environment, where they create the structural engineering designs for construction or engineering consultants. Others might work directly on-site as a means of overseeing the construction procedure.
They can be called upon to develop a new design or help plan a specific change for a pre-existing structure. This can include adding floors or even an expansion to the building. They need to ensure that the structure will remain safe and that it will meet the safety requirements set forth by the client, any property owners of the site, as well as local and state building regulations.
Alongside all this, structural engineers will also typically be called upon if there is damage to an existing structure, which can occur due to corrosion, fire, flooding, or general usage.
Structural engineers work on everything from the largest buildings to bridges or other structures. As such, it is one of the most important roles and carries high responsibility. We have gone over everything businesses need to know surrounding the role of a structural engineer and how you can connect with one. Connect with the perfect structural engineer for your project and specifications today through Guru!
