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If you intend to do a big home project, there is a list of professionals you need to hire. For instance, you’ll need designers, architects, contractors, realtors, and engineers. Among these, very few homeowners understand the role of structural engineers.
In this blog post, we’ll tell you exactly what structural engineers do and why you need them for your project. Let’s get started….!
As the name suggests, a structural engineer focuses on the building structure. They create the structural design, do structural calculations and oversee the building of structures. Also, they specialize in the design and physical integrity of tunnels and bridges. They ensure that the physical structure can handle the forces/ loads they encounter.
Structural engineers are in charge of designing and, in many cases, supervising the construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures. They use their knowledge of physics and mathematics to analyze the load-bearing capacity of structures, which necessitates knowing how much weight a structure can withstand before buckling or collapsing. Structural engineers also create structures that can withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes.
Because of the large number of new buildings being built in major cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, structural engineers are in high demand.
Structural engineers usually serve as consultants to building contractors or architectural designers. They calculate loads, define project specifications and determine the ideal structural systems/ materials. Some of these materials include; wood, concrete, and steel. Moreover, they evaluate the building’s strength, safety, and durability.
Some engineers specialize in commercial, townhome, and residential building projects. However, the areas of interest of a structural engineer may include;
Let’s assume you want to eliminate a load-bearing wall to increase the size of a certain room. Here, the project size will determine the ideal course of action. For major additions, you will need a plan from a designer or architect. But for minor renovations, you can choose to skip this step altogether.
However, both minor and major renovations will require an engineer. The engineer has to understand every aspect of the building. This includes structural components, home performance, and thermal technology.
Therefore, you can’t make any home improvement without consulting structural engineers. They’ll provide calculations as well as structural drawings. This will help the architectural designer and building contractor undertake the renovation work.
Also, the Building Control may need these documents to follow the Building regulations. The planning officials will need these documents to give you planning permission. However, that will depend on the scope of the renovation project.
Some renovations project that requires an engineer are;
In general, any structural change to your property will require building control approval. To obtain that, you will need technical details from a Professional Engineer (PE).
When building a new structure, there are several plan/ design resources you’ll need. For instance, you will need an architectural design and plan. On top of that, you’ll need a structural plan, created by a structural engineer.
The architectural plan can either be a standard house or a custom house plan. For a standard house plan, you may not need structural engineering upfront. That is because those types of plans are common. For that, lumber yards offer the proper elements for a load-bearing structural system. However, it’s still good to look for an engineer to inspect the plan before you order the materials. If the building elements are undersized, it will be a regrettable and costly expense.
Sometimes, the building on your property may experience structural issues. This includes things like cracking walls sagging roofline/ ceiling and so on. In such scenarios, you’ll need an engineer to inspect the structure. The engineer conducts a detailed investigation to determine the possible causes and remedies.
As far as commercial projects are concerned, structural engineers are essential and required. The architect in charge of the project hires an engineer to work with them directly. The engineer considers various structural aspects including;
As we stated earlier, engineers work with architects to create detailed structural plans. These plans tackle various aspects of the projects. This includes; foundation design, environmental loads, appropriate job materials, and beam sizing. Moreover, the documents highlight how this stress impacts the building structure.
A structural engineer is involved in the project even before the design work begins. They undertake an initial site investigation to assess if the soil is ideal for the project. Certain landscapes or soils can hind the project’s success. Using their expertise, structural engineers will determine if soil corrections will be needed.
After completing the drawings and obtaining a permit, engineers still have work to do. They are an essential resource to the entire team throughout the implementation phase. They supervise various project teams and offer progress reports to the client. Moreover, they ensure safety/ health requirements, legal guidelines, and environmental directives are met.
A structural engineer is also involved in commercial and residential storm damage cases. The damage can result from catastrophic events like hurricanes, earthquakes, wind, and tornadoes. The engineer can either be hired by a 3rd party company hired by the homeowner or an insurance agency.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now have some basic details on what a structural engineer does for your project. Whether you intend to start a new build or renovation, consider hiring one for your project.
If your project is in California, call Innodez Design and Engineering. Our firm offers structural design consultancy services. These services are; foundation design, ground investigation, and beam design for multi-story buildings. We ensure that your structure is sturdily built in compliance with industry-approved standards.
