Structural Engineering for Beginners

28th September 2010

History of the Institution of Structural

Engineers
Founded in 1908 as The Concrete Institute
First meeting took place in the Smoking Room at the Ritz
Hotel on 21st July.
Change its name on 28th September 1922
Edwin Sachs (1870 1919), Architect was the
driving force behind the creation of The Concrete
Society.

The worlds largest professional body

dedicated to the art and science of
structural engineering, we have led the
profession worldwide for over 100 years

What is the Institution of Structural

Engineers?

Membership organisation
Members in over 100 countries worldwide
Membership of the Institution currently stands at over 24,000
Resource centre - Library
Publications Technical / The Structural Engineer

A Definition of Structural Engineering

What do Structural Engineers do
How do we design?
Teamwork and Coordination
What happens if things go wrong!
Life as a structural engineer

Definition of Structural Engineering

Structural Engineering is the art and science

of designing and creating a skeleton or frame

that can resist the loads that are applied to
it. The skeleton or structure should be
efficient and although draped in a skin or
faade, the structure should be considered as
architecture in its purest form
John Roycroft, BDP

So what do Structural Engineers do?

We hold structures up!

So what do Structural Engineers do?

We must ensure that a structure is:

Safe from Falling down Strength

Safe from Falling over - Stability

Not susceptible to making people feel uncomfortable

- Serviceability & Dynamics

Not prone to getting old quickly - Durability

Able to fit together well - Build-ability

Before we can do any analysis, we must

understand what effects or loads a
structure must resist.

How do Structural Engineers Design

Phase 1 : Concept or Scheme Design

How do Structural Engineers Design

Lots of options is the norm:
via a number of sketches / options in parallel with simple
calculations
There is rarely one solution, and often must assess options
against some criteria

Phase 2 - Detailed calculations

Teamwork

Structural Engineers do not work in isolation

We are part of a larger project team and need to
coordinate with:
Clients
Architects
Building Services Engineers
Civil & Geotechnical
Contractors

Responsibility

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay!

Alas! I am very sorry to say that ninety lives
have been taken away, on the last Sabbath
day of 1879, which will be remembered for a
very long time.

Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris (2004)

- 4 died, 3 injured

Hyatt Regency Walkway, Kansas City (1981)

- 114 died, 200 injured

Why become a Structural Engineer?

Innovative, challenging, responsibility and excitement
Global profession
Variety office one day, on site the next

Academic Qualifications?
At School
GCSE subjects
Mathematics, Science, Computing or Design and Technology
Diploma: 14 to 19 year olds
Combination of class room learning and hands on experience
Consider Engineering or Construction and the Built Environment

Academic Qualifications?
At School
A-levels
Maths, Physics usual route
Plus anything which interests you - History, Geography, Design,
Art or a language
Work experience

At University:
MEng/MSc degree course: 3/4 Years
Several course combinations available .

Civil and Structural Engineering..

Civil Engineering with Architecture..
Structural Engineering with Architecture..
Mechanical Engineering..

Placements
Gap year
Summer placement

Life as a Structural Engineer

Defenders of Gravity
John Roycroft, BDP

9.00am

Arrive in the office

Make tea
Check email

9.30am

Team Meeting

11.00am

Calculation and
sketches to contractor
and architect

1.00pm

Grab some lunch and

head to site

2.00pm

Design Team Meeting

3.30pm

Site Visit

4.30pm

Back to the office for

project review with
Director

5.306.00pm

Shut down and head

home.or pub

How a typical day looks

Guess the structures?

1.

3.

2.
5.

8.
7.

6.

10.

4.

11.

9.

14.

12.

15.

13.
16.

Answers
The O2 Arena / The Millennium Dome

The Petronas Towers

The Guggenheim Bilbao

Wembley Stadium

The Oriental Pearl Tower

The Burj Al-Arab

Gateshead Millennium Bridge

La Sagrada Familia

La Grande Arche de la Defense

Chrysler Building

The Empire State Building

The Gherkin / 30 St Marys Axe

Millau Viaduct

The Millennium Wheel

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Why become a Structural Engineer?

Innovative, challenging, responsibility and
excitement
Global profession
Variety office one day, on site the next

Thank you!