Structural Engineer
How to Become a Structural Engineer
Structural Engineer Job Duties
Skills and Qualities of a Structural Engineer
Structural Engineer Salary
Influential Professionals in the Structural Engineer Field
Leading Organizations for Structural Engineers
Top Cities for Structural Engineering Jobs
Other Careers of Interest
How to become a Structural Engineer
Structural engineers must usually attain bachelor's degree in civil engineering (under the auspices of which structural engineering falls) as a basic requirement. Often a master's degree specializing in structural engineering is the next step for a potential structural engineer.
There are several fundamental core subjects that potential structural engineers must display competency in. Some of these are solid mechanics, dynamics, statics, material science and conceptual structural design. More general structural design courses include masonry, composite structure, timber, reinforced concrete and structural steel designs.
The structural analysis courses every potential structural engineer must take at the graduate level are designed to build up the fundamental analytical abilities and theories for structural engineering students. As such, most of them center on mechanics, composition and failure.
In graduate programs and at the senior year level other more advanced structural engineering subjects are usually introduced, including those dealing with aerospace engineering and advanced bridge technology.
An internship is usually the next step, with a potential structural engineer learning the ropes with an engineering firm and gaining valuable work-related experience in regards to their chosen specialization. Often, a successful internship can lead to full time employment in the case of a talented individual.
There are several fundamental core subjects that potential structural engineers must display competency in. Some of these are solid mechanics, dynamics, statics, material science and conceptual structural design. More general structural design courses include masonry, composite structure, timber, reinforced concrete and structural steel designs.
The structural analysis courses every potential structural engineer must take at the graduate level are designed to build up the fundamental analytical abilities and theories for structural engineering students. As such, most of them center on mechanics, composition and failure.
In graduate programs and at the senior year level other more advanced structural engineering subjects are usually introduced, including those dealing with aerospace engineering and advanced bridge technology.
An internship is usually the next step, with a potential structural engineer learning the ropes with an engineering firm and gaining valuable work-related experience in regards to their chosen specialization. Often, a successful internship can lead to full time employment in the case of a talented individual.
What does a Structural Engineer do?
Structural engineers analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and the systems that those components make up. While their work normally takes account only of the various technical, economic and environmental factors related to their project, it is not uncommon for some structural engineers to also consider factors relating to the social and aesthetic issues.
Structural engineering is one discipline among many covered by the general civil engineering banner. However, it is a form of engineering in its own right. Structural engineers plan and design buildings, stadiums, bridges and towers as a matter of course. They may also have a hand in the design of more exotic projects such as oil rigs, satellites, space craft and ocean-going vessels.
The construction industry is the leading employer of structural engineers, but the aerospace, automobile and ship-building industry are also possible employers. Regardless of the industry which employs them, structural engineers will often find themselves working closely with architects, surveyors and various other types of civil engineers who specialize in mechanics, electricity and construction.
Structural engineers are also employed in ensuring that buildings and bridges are stable enough to resist the various strains and structural loads to which they will be subjected to. They also analyze the potential for fatigue both in the structure's design and the materials used in its construction.
In essence, a structural engineer is responsible both for building a structure and seeing to its maintenance and survival in any conditions that a particular environment displays at a given time.
Structural engineering is one discipline among many covered by the general civil engineering banner. However, it is a form of engineering in its own right. Structural engineers plan and design buildings, stadiums, bridges and towers as a matter of course. They may also have a hand in the design of more exotic projects such as oil rigs, satellites, space craft and ocean-going vessels.
The construction industry is the leading employer of structural engineers, but the aerospace, automobile and ship-building industry are also possible employers. Regardless of the industry which employs them, structural engineers will often find themselves working closely with architects, surveyors and various other types of civil engineers who specialize in mechanics, electricity and construction.
Structural engineers are also employed in ensuring that buildings and bridges are stable enough to resist the various strains and structural loads to which they will be subjected to. They also analyze the potential for fatigue both in the structure's design and the materials used in its construction.
In essence, a structural engineer is responsible both for building a structure and seeing to its maintenance and survival in any conditions that a particular environment displays at a given time.
What skills or qualities do I need to become a Structural Engineer?
Structural engineers should be both creative and inquisitive, while maintaining the detachment necessary to be concerned with details and thorough analyses.
Teamwork is a vital quality, as well. Most structural engineers will work as part of a team of experienced professionals, and they must have the ability to communicate with their fellow employees effectively, as well as listen to and subsequently analyze any information they are given in an unbiased and scientific manner.
Teamwork is a vital quality, as well. Most structural engineers will work as part of a team of experienced professionals, and they must have the ability to communicate with their fellow employees effectively, as well as listen to and subsequently analyze any information they are given in an unbiased and scientific manner.
How much does a Structural Engineer make?
As a group, structural engineers earn some of the highest average starting salaries per year among people with bachelor's degrees. A BA will net a structural engineer $48,509 on average per year. A Masters will garner an engineer roughly $48,280 per year while a PhD will earn $62,275 per year, in most cases.
Who are some influential professionals in this field?
There have been a number of well-known and influential structural engineers over the years. For example, Stephen P. Timoshenko is reputed to be the father of modern structural engineering. He wrote many of the seminal works in the areas of strength of materials, engineering mechanics and elasticity, most of which are still widely used today.
Then there was John A. Roebling, the structural engineer who designed the Brooklyn Bridge, which, of course, is still standing today. That alone is a testament to his abilities as an engineer.
Li Guohao, a structural engineer who's unique method of calculation has become known as 'Li's Theory'. 'Li's Theory' has been widely adopted in the design of international bridges. He participated in several famous bridge designs and constructions such as Cheng-Du Kunming Railway Bridge and Nanjing-Yangtze Bridge. In 1981, due to his outstanding achievements in the field of structural engineering, Li was rated as one of top 10 world famous bridge experts by the International Bridge and Structural Engineering Association.
William LeMessurier is one of the United States' most distinguished structural engineers. He designed and served as a construction consultant on the famous Citicorp headquarters tower. The tower was completed in 1977 in New York. In 1978, LeMessurier discovered that the building was structurally problematic after being alerted to problems by another structural engineer. Displaying the qualities of a professional structural engineer, LeMessurier alerted officials to the structural deficiency and enlisted their cooperation in repairing said deficiencies before the building was inadvertently brought down.
Leslie E. Robertson designed several notable edifices, including the World Trade Center, which was unfortunately destroyed in the 9-11 attacks.
Then there was John A. Roebling, the structural engineer who designed the Brooklyn Bridge, which, of course, is still standing today. That alone is a testament to his abilities as an engineer.
Li Guohao, a structural engineer who's unique method of calculation has become known as 'Li's Theory'. 'Li's Theory' has been widely adopted in the design of international bridges. He participated in several famous bridge designs and constructions such as Cheng-Du Kunming Railway Bridge and Nanjing-Yangtze Bridge. In 1981, due to his outstanding achievements in the field of structural engineering, Li was rated as one of top 10 world famous bridge experts by the International Bridge and Structural Engineering Association.
William LeMessurier is one of the United States' most distinguished structural engineers. He designed and served as a construction consultant on the famous Citicorp headquarters tower. The tower was completed in 1977 in New York. In 1978, LeMessurier discovered that the building was structurally problematic after being alerted to problems by another structural engineer. Displaying the qualities of a professional structural engineer, LeMessurier alerted officials to the structural deficiency and enlisted their cooperation in repairing said deficiencies before the building was inadvertently brought down.
Leslie E. Robertson designed several notable edifices, including the World Trade Center, which was unfortunately destroyed in the 9-11 attacks.
What are some leading organizations in this field?
There are many structural engineering firms active in today's marketplace. Among the leaders are such companies as Betchel Group Incorporated, out of San Francisco, CA, and the Foster Wheeler Corporation, out of Clinton, NJ. Examples of other leading companies include Kellogg, Brown and Root in Houston, Texas and Duke Engineering and Services in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What are the top cities for Structural Engineering jobs?
The top-paying metropolitan area for structural engineering jobs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics is Punta Gorda, Florida. Oxnard, California comes in second in the statistical rankings for per annum payment. Houston, Texas rounds out the top three as the third highest paying city for structural engineers.
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