The role of the structural engineer is an essential element in the construction process. Structural engineering is a specialised discipline within the broader discipline of civil engineering, where structural engineering is concerned with the design and integrity of structures such as, buildings, bridges, and monuments.
Structural engineers must have a sound understanding of maths and physics, and the ability to apply those skills in creative problem solving. Being able to understand the theoretical principles of mechanics, mathematics and physics is not enough, however, to define an engineer. Those skills must be developed by applying them to the design of safe and sustainable structures. Structural engineers often take a sophisticated concept design and develop a solution that is capable of being executed practically, safely and within commercial parameters.
The roles and responsibilities of structural engineers can be diverse and varied but typically include: