A Day in the Life of a Structural Engineer

What is a Structural Engineer?
An engineer is a person who applies principles of math and science to solve problems. A structural engineer focuses on built objects that resist loads. Structural engineers typically work in building construction industry, but highway departments, space agencies, airframers, and the petroleum industry also employ structural engineers.

An engineer typically acquires a college degree showing that he or she has mastered the basic knowledge requirements. (see earlier post on engineering education) At this point, the graduate engineer enters the industry as an engineer-in-training or engineering intern and must work as an apprentice to another fully qualified engineer. After several years of gathering experience and passing a professional exam, the engineer is allowed to practice engineering as a licensed professional.

An engineer is obligated to continue learning throughout their career. An engineer's academic degree does not qualify them as an engineer, it only verifies their willingness and ability to learn. The skills that help an engineer succeed in the real world are learned after their first degree is earned.

What Does a Structural Engineer Do?
The primary responsibility of a structural engineer is to ensure equilibrium between a load and resistance. Engineers quantify loads and resistances using principles of physics or from collected experience (tabulated and published in building codes). Failure occurs when loads overcome resistance. Because knowledge about loads and resistance is never perfect, structural engineers must include additional strength in their designs to account for this uncertainty.

Preventing failure of structural systems is the main goal for a structural engineer, but there are many other constraints that also must be considered such as:

• safety / reliability
• serviceability (limit deflection and drift)
  
• cost
• constructability
• communicability of design
  
• interaction of structure with other systems
  
• aesthetics
  

Balancing all of the criteria requires knowledge, design talent, a toolbox full of analysis tools, and a lot of experience. While most engineers will arrive at similar conclusions when faced with the same problem, each will have their own unique path and put their own "fingerprint" on the project. Every engineer will view the problem through their own set of experiences and perceived responsibilities.

Our final product is a set of plans communicating our design

How Are Structural Engineers Different From Architects?
Simply stated, structural engineers are not architects. While much of the basic knowledge requirements are similar, the role that each professional plays during a project is very different. The architect is the "master-builder" who is responsible for the overall project. Architects are the single point of contact for the client or property owner. They are responsible for assembling a design team that will design the building. Architects often employ outside consultants or specialists, but sometimes architectural firms will have engineers on staff.

The architect devises the shape, size, use, and requirements of the building. In other words, the architect presents the "problem" to the engineer. This is where technical education helps an architect, because it is very helpful to present a problem that has a solution. If the architect is designing something unconventional, it is helpful to involve an engineer early in the process so that the design need not drastically change for the sake of structural issues.

Some professionals are both architects and engineers, taking on both roles. Santiago Calatrava is a good example. His designs are notable for being structurally and visually integrated. His technical background is a great advantage in his work, as he uses structural constraints as a source of inspiration.

One of the greatest differences between an engineer and an architect is how much time they spend on design versus analysis. An engineer takes years of college courses and spends a great amount of time learning analytical methods. In contrast, an architect student will focus on learning design. Little time in spent on quantifying loads and structural systems. Architects and engineers both spend considerable time in each others' worlds, but usually they do not feel comfortable enough to do the others' job. Some states allow engineers to sign architectural drawings (and vise versa), but this is not a general rule.

Computers are the engine of modern analysis and design

What Does a Typical Day of Work Involve for a Structural Engineer?
I spend most of my time at work doing structural analysis and design. This is just like they teach in school. The first step is to fully describe the problem, including all known information and preferably including a graphical representation. Careful notes must be kept because as a professional engineer there is a chance of litigation or sometimes you get sick and someone else needs to step in to finish a project. In any case, documentation and organization are very important skills to develop.

project calculations, code references, office papers, and client contact information

Analysis and design, design and analysis. It's an iterative process. It is made more iterative because projects are always changing. Sometimes part of the project will be getting built while some of it has not even been designed yet. Managing this web of uncertainty requires a goal of adequacy, not perfection. Striving for excellence is different than striving for perfection.

My office does not specialize in any particular type of structure, so projects can range from pipeline crossings and roadway bridges to large office buildings. We design structural systems in concrete, steel, wood, masonry, or whatever material our clients request.

A typical day in the office is not much different for a structural engineer as it is for any office worker. The majority of the day might be spent on "real" work, that is work that involves design & analysis calculations, but the realities of operating a business mean that much of the time engineers are busy with other tasks. That includes organizational inefficiencies just like you see in Dilbert or The Office. But it also includes an inter-office camaraderie that is fun, and in the end the most difficult tasks do provide a sense of accomplishment.

Some of the other important things that happen in the office involve networking or marketing services to potential clients, maintaining professional licensure, and professional development. It's all part of the business, and most of it is enjoyable if you have the right support from your organization.