Structural engineering firms provide many services for residential and commercial property owners, builders, contractors, architects and building materials firms. The reports, evaluations, inspections, designs and oversight services they provide for firms, businesses, property owners, contractors, architects and builders around the world are essential for the construction of safe buildings, residences, bridges and structures of all kinds. Without the services of structural engineers, buildings may be unsafe or even collapse, either under ordinary circumstances, or during weather events like severe snow or rain storms and hurricanes or seismic events like earthquakes and the like.
Whether you’re a property owner commissioning the design of a new building or remodeling an existing building, or you’re a contractor or professional in the construction industry, sooner or later, you’re going to find yourself working with a structural engineer. Knowing what structural engineers do, and how they do it, and why, can help you choose the right engineering firm for your needs.
Knowing what structural engineers do, and how they do it, and why, can help you choose the right engineering firm for your needs.
What is a Structural Engineer?
Structural engineering is a specialty field within the broader field of civil engineering. Structural engineers focus on the structural integrity of buildings. They design, oversee construction of and inspect alterations to structures. They ensure that structures are able to withstand stresses in their environment and stresses from within. It is the job of structural engineers to ensure that structures are secure and stable under ordinary, and even extraordinary circumstances.
A structural engineer is a person who oversees and evaluates buildings and construction sites, creates drawings and performs load, weight and material calculations. These professionals write reports, make observations, review existing buildings to determine structural integrity and check the work of other structural engineers, designers and architects.
To become qualified to do the work they do, structural engineers must go to school and complete a structural engineering program with an accredited institution. When the education is completed, the prospective engineer must take and pass a state test to get their professional engineer license, and in some states, structural engineers must get a special structural engineer license, which requires additional experience and another exam. Within the field there are even additional licensing requirements, such as New York City Special Inspections for which they have to be approved.
A structural engineer is a person who oversees and evaluates buildings and construction sites, creates drawings and performs load, weight and material calculations. These professionals write reports, make observations, review existing buildings to determine structural integrity and check the work of other structural engineers, designers and architects.
What Does a Structural Engineer Do?
Structural engineers work for design firms, construction companies and builders. Typically, they specialize in a type of structure, like buildings or bridges. They can be found in offices or at construction sites. Throughout their day, structural engineers perform a variety functions.
Structural Engineers Perform Building Inspections
By performing inspections of construction sites and existing structures, structural engineers look for potentially destabilizing problems or damage. To perform inspections, structural engineers may visit homes, job sites, newly constructed buildings and pre-existing buildings.
Some inspections are performed simply to determine whether a wall is load bearing and what would be needed to support the structure if that wall needed to be removed, while other inspections may be concerned with cracks in a foundation, which could be evidence that the structure is unstable and unsafe, or the overall structural integrity of the building. There are a whole host of reasons a structural engineer might be called in to perform a building inspection and evaluation. Structural Engineering Inspections may be performed when real estate is being bought/sold, when damage has been observed, after disasters like storms or earthquakes, during the construction process and as a part of routine inspections.
Structural Engineers Prepare Reports
After an inspection, the structural engineer will likely follow up with a certified report that proves the inspection was performed. The findings of the inspection will be documented in the report. Reports range from one page to several pages, and may include pictures, drawings and suggestions for repair.
Structural Engineers Perform Design Development
Structural engineers work with clients to create schematic designs and drawings for construction, remodeling and repair projects. These designs take into consideration elements in the environment, measurements of the existing structure (if any), zoning and permitting, land use rules and laws, and state and federal requirements.
Structural Engineers Check for Quality Construction Materials and Methods
Structural engineers check each other’s work for accuracy, quality control and even grammar and spelling errors. Checking for quality helps prevent problems that can slow down projects, cost clients money and prevent issues with permitting offices.
What is a Structural Engineering Inspection?
Inspections are a common job function of most structural engineers. During inspections, the engineer performs a visual inspection of a structure’s various systems, including its foundation and walls, roof, basement or crawl space, interior and exterior walls, chimney, mechanical systems and looks for evidence that the structure is (or is not) withstanding the forces acting upon it. Sometimes inspections uncover evidence of pest damage, water damage or a faulty foundation.
What is the Difference Between a Structural Engineer and an Architect?
In some ways it could be said that both architects and structural engineers design buildings. However, the finished products from both professionals may be very different. Architects prioritize the appearance of buildings. A good architect will create a building that is long lasting and stable, but their primary focus is on aesthetics, beauty, ambiance and physical environments created by their building.
Structural engineers, on the other hand, focus almost entirely on the stability of the building, and less on the appearance of the structure. They prioritize the creation of a sturdy, stable, code-compliant building that will withstand various tensions and pressures that may occur from outside and within, including earthquakes and storms.
How Do I Evaluate a Structural Engineering Firm for My Project?
Evaluating a structural engineering firm is much like evaluating a contractor or builder. You’ve got to know which questions to ask, and while you’re interviewing your potential structural engineer, you’ll have to assess their method of communication as well as their experience and level of expertise with the issues that are important to you. Have a list of questions prepared for your initial discussions with the engineer.
Here is a list of potential sample questions you might want to ask:
- What sort of projects are your specialty?
- Who is the primary point of contact?
- What method of payment do you require, how much do you charge, and what would be the anticipated charge for may project?
- Who are your typical clients?
- How much insurance and bond coverage do you have?
How to Find the Right Structural Engineer for Your Project
When shopping around for a structural engineer, it’s important to contact several firms, offices or professionals before deciding on the right firm for you, especially if the structural engineer you contact initially does not have exactly the right qualifications for your project. Structural engineers tend to specialize in certain types of projects, buildings, and structures. If the engineer you’re thinking about hiring does not have the right background for your project, then it’s better to choose a structural engineer that does.
Ultimately, the Structural engineer you choose for your project will determine your project’s its success. The right engineer can help you, your builder or your contractor create a structure that will last for decades or even centuries.
Ultimately, the Structural engineer you choose for your project will determine your project’s its success. The right engineer can help you, your builder or your contractor create a structure that will last for decades or even centuries.
For more information, contact AS Engineering Services today at 631-560-0259.