What Are The Main Tasks And Responsibilities Of A Structural Engineer?

Most of the world’s major cities have soaring skyscrapers and even the smallest of villages have terraces on the land. All of these are thanks to the efforts of structural engineers who make it possible to have sports stadia, bridges as well as hospitals. So, what exactly does a structural engineer do? We talk about this in more detail on this blog.

The Role Of A Structural Engineer

A structural engineer is a core member of a professional team that designs and builds possibly every structure that is man-made across the globe. While architects help to design bridges as well as buildings, it is the structural engineer who brings these concepts to life and makes them a reality. While the principal designer may create beautiful drawings and designs of potential buildings, it is the structural engineer who ensures that these are safe for usage by people, that these buildings can withstand earthquakes or even ferocious weather.

What Does A Structural Engineer Do?

Structural engineers carry out the surveys across existing structures to ensure that they are fit for the purpose. While buildings constructed five or ten decades ago might have been compliant with regulations at those times, it does not entail the same building will be safe today as well. In some situations, a building may be damaged due to an explosion or a fire, and in such a case, the structural engineer inspects the building and takes a decision on whether the building needs to be demolished or saved. The engineer often takes on a lead role within a construction site project. Hence, the engineer also needs to have a host of managerial skills as well. The principal designer will design the construction or the building, but the engineer will ensure that the development is compliant with environmental, legal, safety and health regulations. They also ensure that the development meets any budgetary and commercial requirements.