A Brief History of Structural Engineering (Infographic)

PropertyFindsAsia.com | Structural engineering is considered as one if not the most important branch of engineering because it focuses on the strength and structural integrity of a building. Without structural engineers, it is difficult to identify if a structure can carry its own weight and the loads put inside it without collapsing. 

Structural engineering follows the principles of physics and math. Structural engineering demands intricate geometrical calculations and geometry for a structure not to crumble down to the ground. Having the knowledge of physical laws and empirical research into the strength of different materials is also helpful in the field of structural engineering. The design and analysis of the structure are some of the affected areas in structural engineering. 

The design of the structure is relying on structural engineers because structures should be designed so they can withstand their own weight and other loads and pressure that will be placed on the building. Structural engineers are responsible for informing the types of roofs used, foundation, floors, steel beams, and quality of the materials. The structural engineer ensures that the building would not collapse because of its own weight or other environmental factors. 

Meanwhile, analyzing the structure is also the job of a structural engineer. A thorough analysis of the structure of the building is ensured by the structural engineer according to the principles of structural engineering. These principles will ensure that the buildings follow all necessary design codes. Analysis of the building also provides information about the maximum load the building can hold, the wind velocity it can withstand, and the overall capacity and utility of the structure.

Structural engineering is important because it directly affects the safety and toughness of the structure being constructed. A perfect example of this is the construction of a bridge. Every day, tons of weight is being pressured on the bridge. The job of the structural engineer is to tell the safest maximum weight a bridge could carry every day. They also tell how much environmental pressure a building can withstand before collapsing. Structural engineers are mostly needed in areas with rampant hurricanes and earthquakes.

A structural engineer is also important in making sure that the materials for the building are effectively used. If there is a raise on the costs of a material, a structural engineer’s job is to check if that increase is because of buying materials with higher grade. Structural engineers must also be able to work within the architectural design of the project given. All in all, a structural engineer’s work encompasses the visual design of the building, the structural capabilities of a building, the practical function of a building, and budgetary resources in a way that it satisfies all needs. 

The technological revolution has given birth to structural engineering innovations. One of the developments of the field is parametric modeling. Parametric modeling is creating 3D models of a structure that can be interactively changed by adjusting design parameters which makes design optimization faster and easier. 

Structural engineering software are now capable of doing more and more structural analysis faster but requires highly skilled structural engineers to operate them effectively. The development of these systems is surely great for ensuring the safety of buildings. 

However, like any other discipline, there are people who are responsible for making these things happen. Knowing who these people are and the continuous development of the field of structural engineering from the ancient times to the present is important because this serves as blueprint for further developments. 

To know who the forefathers of structural engineering are, here is an infographic about the history of structural engineering brought to you by Lockatong Engineering.

SOURCE: https://www.lockatong.com/a-brief-history-of-structural-engineering