| What is Structural Engineering? |
Planning and analyzing any structure before implementation is structure engineering. A structure could be any masterpiece in the world a building, machine or industrial project. Structural engineering study can benefit structures like building, pipeline projects, bridge evolution, or special mechanical structures such as vehicles or aircraft industrial structures.
The brain behind any structure is structure engineer. There job is to plan, analyze, design, and research on structure architecture. In case of industrial projects the engineer has to plan the structure in such a way that it could profit the company in future. He has to take care of risks and threats in extreme situations. He has to make proper use of resources efficiently and find optimal solution for all challenges.In automobile and mechanical industry the engineer has to find the feasibility of their proposed product. He has to come up with new ideas to overcome any consequences or challenges in the path. He has to implement his practical knowledge and redevelop the structure.
In civil engineering structural engineering is one important sub-branch. The study plays prominent role in designing complex architecture like Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, Millennium Dome in London and massive earthquake-proof pyramid El Castillo, Chichen Itza. An architect sketches the basic design of structures whereas a structural engineer applies his practical knowledge to that structure. He is responsible for load balancing, safety and life of the structure.
He has to inculcate new ideas so that the structure can sustain in natural calamity like earthquake or so. Planning periodic maintenance of the structure is also expected. In the analysis, structure engineer has to apply own logic according to his experience considering the location of the structure. He also has to make proper use of resources available around. He has to implement all physical laws whenever required. In civil industry structure engineer is highly experienced one. New engineers initially work on load balancing, beam structure and ventilation of the structure. He tries small projects. Later as he gains experience he will be given big projects.
Structural engineering has worked wonders in creation of long and durable flyovers, bridges, towers, huge buildings, aircrafts, machinery, satellites and all other revolutionary structures. It has its evolution from earlier days of mankind in 2700 BC where Imhotep the first known engineer built step pyramid. Later in ancient civilization pyramid structure was a common platform. In that era masons, carpenters, artists and master builder played supporting role.
Any negligence in the structure design can results in its failure. There is an example in Pétionville where Pétionville school building collapsed on November 7, 2008. There was no architecture plan and whole building was constructed without engineer. Hence proper design and analysis is needed and that’s where structure engineering comes in picture. |