Finding The Right Prescriptive Structural Engineer

One of the world’s most iconic structures is Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa, yet its very appeal is due to failures in structural engineering. The fragility of the materials first used in construction and the weight of the stories built on soft ground caused the famous tilt.

Conversely, after centuries of failed attempts to correct the increasingly dangerous incline, an epic engineering project in the 1990’s finally succeeded in stabilizing the edifice.

Architects, civil and structural engineers are responsible for creating safe, as well as aesthetically pleasing, structures.

This is as true of national projects like bridges, monuments, tunnels, and civic buildings as it is for every house and homestead.

What Does a Structural Engineer do?

Structural engineering is a sub-branch of civil engineering. The specific concerns of a structural engineer relate to the materials used in the construction of a building.

The engineer must calculate what will ensure the stability and durability of the building design.

This involves assessing the effects of weight within the structure and load outside from weather forces or destabilizing local conditions e.g. quarrying.

The type and condition of the soil or ground for the site of a new project is also a fundamental consideration.

A structural engineer will advise on, and select, all the building blocks from the internal skeleton to the outer walls and masonry.

Reasons to Hire a Structural Engineer

Local news reports often show incidences where homes have been damaged by subsidence or natural forces. A structural engineer is needed in these cases to assess the causes and actions required in restoration.

In choosing a new home, surveyors will look at some of these possibilities but a structural engineer will have additional expert knowledge.

Similarly, if the property is old and showing signs of cracks, masonry, or other structural damage, expert advice may be needed before purchasing.

For all buildings, the role of the engineer may involve regularly inspecting the soundness of the structure and advising on any necessary repairs or improvements.

Whether they are offices, civic buildings, or homes this may be advisable or imperative when insuring the property.

Structural Design Engineer

The structural engineer will select the appropriate materials for the building project. This will include stone, brick, metal, steel, wood, or concrete.

The integrity of the building’s support structures depends upon the deep analysis and plans set forth by the design engineer.

Particular structural support elements such as wooden beams or concrete pillars may be created by the designer for the project.

At the planning stage of a new building, the designer will produce detailed drawings, computerized images, and schematic diagrams based on structural analysis.

The plans will take into account the financial, aesthetic, and environmental requirements.

Recommendations and further schematics may follow before building work can commence. Structural design engineers usually are engaged in the construction of larger projects like bridges, public buildings, dams, and tunnels.

They also oversee the construction of the project and plan future extensions or modifications.

Prescriptive Engineer

This role in engineering has been highlighted recently by the need to improve the stability and safety of buildings in regions subject to earthquakes.

Many of these high-rise buildings were of poor design and construction, wood-framed and weak, particularly at ground level.

The materials and styles were outmoded and inadequate to deal with the pressures of tremors and shocks during or after a quake.

Following many investigations, reports, and findings, a prescriptive and cost-effective method was devised, also known as retrofitting, to strengthen the existing buildings.

This pre-set design plan combined with a computer software program to identify the weak structures is used by a prescriptive engineer to resolve structural instability.

Residential Structural Engineer

Designing a new home or creating extensions/alterations to an existing building requires specialist professional help.

Sometimes an initial survey will recommend the services of an engineer to review the condition of an existing property or planned building.

A residential structural engineer is a highly trained professional with the ability to inspect a property or evaluate the viability and safety of a proposed construction.

The engineer is also responsible for seeing that the plans comply with local building regulations and safety standards.

Any changes to a property may alter the original calculations to support weight and load. A residential structural engineer is qualified to review and recalculate to ensure the continued stability of the property.

Finding The Best Prescriptive Structural Engineer

Education, qualifications, experience and references are foundational considerations when choosing a structural engineer for a project.

In addition to acquiring a university engineering degree, this profession requires several more years of training and work experience before attaining certification.

Additionally, factors to review in the structural engineer’s profile relate to the type and success of completed projects and the originality of design.

We have strong and proven creative ability and understand the aims of the contractors and all the moving pieces of the project.

If you are looking for a prescriptive engineer to help with design and inspection, need high level consulting or need to expedite a job that seems full of complicated hurdles, let me and my team help you today. 

You can call us today or visit here to get an idea of how a design inspection works and what information helps us better evaluate your project needs.