subject: Structure Engineers Providing Support To The Oil And Gas Industry [print this page] As the field of engineering becomes more and more complex and detailed, structural engineers face bigger challenges than ever before. Where once a bridge could be built with what seems now to be an almost primitive plan, today many things have to be considered. The amount of traffic using the bridge on a daily basis, the stability of the ground it will be anchored to, the overall longevity of the finished structure, the cost of the entire project from plans to building materials, and the environmental impact of the structure all must be taken into consideration.
Modern day engineering defines a structural engineer as an engineer with specialized knowledge, training, and experience in the sciences and mathematics relating to analysing and designing force-resisting systems for buildings and other structures. Structural Engineering is concerned with the research, planning, design, construction, inspection, monitoring, maintenance, rehabilitation and demolition of permanent and temporary structures, as well as structural systems and their components. It also considers the technical, economic, environmental, aesthetic and social aspects of structures. Structures can include buildings, bridges, in-ground structures, footings, frameworks and space frames, including those for motor vehicles, space vehicles, ships, airplanes and cranes. They can be composed of any structural material including composites and novel materials. Structural engineering is a creative profession that makes a significant contribution to infrastructure, industry, as well as residential and recreational developments.Structure Engineers can be categorized as:
Structural Engineer of Record (SER)
Specialty Structural Engineer (SSE)
The Structural Engineer of Record (SER) performs or supervises the analysis, design, and document preparation for the building structure and has knowledge of the requirements for the load carrying structural system. The SER is responsible for the design of the primary structural system, which is the completed combination of elements which serve to support the buildings self-weight, the applicable live load which is based upon the occupancy and use of the spaces and the environmental loads such as wind, seismic, and thermal.
A Specialty Structural Engineer (SSE) performs structural engineering functions necessary for the structure to be completed and who has shown experience and/or training in the specific specialty. The SSE is usually retained by a supplier or subcontractor who is responsible for the design, fabrication, and sometimes installation of engineered elements or by the general contractor or subcontractors responsible for construction related services. Common examples of such elements are precast or tilt-up concrete, open web steel joists, pre-engineered cold-formed steel or wood trusses, and metal building systems.
Structural engineers have a uniquely significant responsibility for protecting the public relative to the other design disciplines. Architectural, mechanical, and electrical system failures usually result in unattractiveness, poor functionality, discomfort and/or inconvenience. A structural system failure almost always has more serious consequences, even in the best cases, there are often substantial costs associated with correcting what is or could become a life-threatening situation.
Some structural engineers work in the design of structures carrying out the strength calculations and supervising drawings, others specialise in the building of structures and some work in research. Structural engineers commonly work with architects, builders, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers to ensure that all parts of the structure are safe and capable of fulfilling their intended function. They also make sure structures use appropriate materials efficiently.
