Engineering is a big field and there are countless niches within it that fulfill the gaps in our daily lives. And one of them is civil engineering. The cozy houses we live in, the offices we go to and those shiny and tall buildings are built with the support of civil engineers. And within civil engineering, there’s a field known as structural engineering. Simply put, they make sure the building and other constructions are structurally stable.
Without them, it would be difficult for a structure to withstand the stresses and pressures and remain safe, stable and secure throughout their lifetime. Essentially, a collapsed structure is the worst nightmare for a structural engineer.
Applications of Structural Engineering
During construction of High-rise building
Construction of bridges and walkways
Construction of Stadiums and mass gathering locations
Installations of large exhibitions and equipment
Forensic structural analysis and assessment
And much more
As you can see, the structural engineers don’t just do the boring stuff. They are the people responsible for coming up with stable designs for venues of your favorite band’s concert venue. The structural engineers use a variety of materials including steel, concrete, masonry, wood and other materials. Then he uses these materials to form beams, columns, and other members that make up the structural support.
TO understand with an example, if a building is a human body, structural engineers would be the professionals responsible for designing the skeleton. Just like support structures, the skeleton in the body supports its weight and other forces that act on it.
The Difference between Civil and Structural Engineering
There is a misconception that civil and structural engineering are exactly the same. But this is not true.
Civil engineering is concerned with the actual engineering design of the building or project. On the other side, a structural engineer follows this design and decides on the materials and structure of the construction so that the final result will hold its shape. The give stability and security to the design to prevent a collapse.
Another difference is in the way these subjects are taught. Civil engineering is a broader subject and covers a vast array of related subjects. The first step to being a certified structural engineer is to be a civil engineer. At first, you will be taught structural engineering as a subject of civil engineering. After completing your civil engineering degree, you can take up structural engineering as a master’s degree or a doctorate.
In reality, their difference and similarities are not that important, the important thing is that they are both crucial knowledge needed by the construction industry. Engineering firms, such as Godfrey-Hoffman & Hodge in Connecticut, provide both civil engineering and structural engineering services to customers because they understand that they are both essential in any construction work or development project.
In practical terms, civil engineers are responsible for the traditional disciplines such as designing the grading, water, and other basic systems. It becomes more advanced with structural engineering as they deal with the construction, design, and maintenance of load-bearing structures.
