The Profession
What do Structural Engineers do?
A career as a structural engineer offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the design of the built environment. Structural engineering covers areas such as structural analysis and design, structural mechanics, foundation design and properties of materials.
Structural engineers contribute towards shaping the world we live in, often working with architects, on the design, refurbishment and construction of all structures including:
- Houses
- Offices
- Hotels
- Offshore oil platforms
- Sports stadia
- Bridges
- Space satellites
Structural engineers use their creativity and innovation to respond with economic and sustainable solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our world, including climate change.
They may work for:
- Contractors
- Consultants
- Local authorities
- Institutions
- Education
- Research
- Many opportunities exist for working overseas.
Basically, structural engineers construct. But there is more to it than dreaming up a design and constructing it.
When you look at a construction – a bridge, a concert hall, a block of flats - you may not see an apparent similarity with one of nature's finest examples of structural engineering – the human body. But the similarity is there.
The central strength of the body lies in the skeleton, the hidden framework that supports our shape and is integral to our ability to function. Without it we would collapse.
To the Chartered structural engineer, the same considerations of strength, shape and function are paramount in their conception of the framework of a structure.
Every construction project is unique and will involve the expertise of a number of professional people including a structural engineer. Keep up to date with the latest industry news -
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