STRUCTURAL AND CIVIL ENGINEER

JUNE 2014

Produced by Saw Hwei Ying

0318093

What is a STRUCTURAL

ENGINEER

Structural engineers are

s p e c i a l i s t s i n d e s i g n , construction, repair, conversion and conservation. They are concerned with all aspects of a structure and its stability. They are fundamental to any build project.

!If a structure was a human body then the architect would be concerned with the body shape and appearance, and the structural engineer would be concerned with the skeleton and sinews.

Structural engineers make a difference and shape the built environment. They are people who enjoy a challenge, r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d t h e excitement of an innovative and varied career. Structural engineering presents both c r e a t i v e a n d t e c h n i c a l challenges and requires excellent problem solving skills.

What do Structural Engineers do?• analyse configurations of the basic

structural components of a building or other structure.

• calculate the pressure, stresses and strains that each component.

• consider the strength of various materials.

• liaise with other designers, including architects, to agree on safe designs and their fit with the aesthetic concept of the construction

• examine structures at risk of collapse and advising how to improve their structural integrity.

• make drawings, specifications and computer models of structures for building contractors.

• i n v e s t i g a t e g r o u n d conditions and analyse results of site tests

• l i a i se wi th cons t ruc t ion contractors to ensure that newly erected buildings are structurally sound.

• apply expert knowledge of the forces that act on various structures

• use computers and computer-aided design (CAD) technology for stimulation purposes

What is a CIVIL

ENGINEER

Civil engineers touch

many aspects of our everyday lives. From the water you use to brush your teeth in the morning to the road you drive on to work and the school where you take your children to the power that charges your cell phone.

!Civil engineer practices civil engineering such as the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining and operating inf ras t ruc tures whi le protecting the public and environmental health.

Civil engineers usually practice construction engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, land development, transportation e n g i n e e r i n g , h y d r a u l i c engineering, and environmental engineering. Some civil engineers, particularly those working for government agencies, may practice across mult iple special izations, particularly when involved in c r i t i c a l i n f r a s t r u c t u r e development or maintenance.

What do Civil Engineer do? • consult with clients, government

officials and other professionals on the requirements of each project

• evaluate the suitability of proposed construction and development sites

• plan and design structures such as roads, drainage systems, buildings, dams or wharves

• work out whether structures will be able to withstand the loads that will be placed on them by people, weather and other natural forces

• prepare reports, working drawings and specifications

• prepare cost estimates and evaluate the cost efficiency of projects

• assess environmental impacts of p r o p o s e d developments

• g e t p l a n s approved by r e l e v a n t authorities and obtain building permits

• supervise construction to ensure structures are built correctly

• ensure assets such as water plants and roading are efficiently managed.

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r Although they may belong to the same field of engineering, they differ in several aspects . For example, civil engineering focuses more attention in design elements while structural engineering is more concern on inspecting materials to be used for the construction. They ensure that the materials being used for construction can support the design of the structure.

To sum it up, civil engineering is a broad subject which covers structural engineering. On the other hand, structural engineering is a subject under civil engineering.

However, it is a l s o a specialization which leads to a master's degree or a doctorate.

In reality, their difference and similarities is not that important, the important thing is that they are both crucial knowledge needed by the c o n s t r u c t i o n i n d u s t r y. Engineering firms, such as Godfrey-Hoffman & Hodge in Connecticut, provide both civi l engineering and s t ruc tu ra l eng inee r ing

services to customers because they understand that they are both e s s e n t i a l i n a n y construction work or