Structural engineering: Difference between revisions

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'''Structural engineering''' is a sub-discipline of [[civil engineering]] in which [[structural engineer]]s are trained to design the 'bones and joints' that create the form and shape of human-made [[Structure#Load-bearing|structures]]. [[Structural engineers]] also must understand and calculate the [[structural stability|stability]], strength, [[structural rigidity|rigidity]] and earthquake-susceptibility of built structures for [[building]]s<ref>[http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2433e/i2433e04.pdf FAO online publication] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119191121/http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2433e/i2433e04.pdf |date=2016-11-19 }}</ref> and [[nonbuilding structure]]s. The structural designs are integrated with those of other designers such as [[architects]] and [[Building services engineering|building services engineer]] and often supervise the construction of projects by [[contractors]] on site.<ref name = IStructE/> They can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, and vehicles where structural integrity affects functioning and safety. See [[glossary of structural engineering]].

Structural engineering theory is based upon applied [[physics|physical laws]] and [[empirical]] knowledge of the structural performance of different materials and geometries. Structural engineering design uses a number of relatively simple structural concepts to build complex [[structural system]]s. Structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals.<ref name="IStructE">{{cite web|url = http://www.rmg-engineers.com/what-is-a-structural-engineer/|title = What is a structural engineer|access-date = 2015-11-30|date = 2015-11-30|website = RMG Engineers|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208052438/http://www.rmg-engineers.com/what-is-a-structural-engineer/|archive-date = 2015-12-08}}</ref> Structural engineers are also concerned with the structural health monitoring and structural assessment of structures to establish the safety standing of structure using different techniques such as visual inspection, vibration method, contactless/non-destructive methods such as ultrasound and the very new method of using robots in assessing structural health of structures.

It is necessary to establish that structural engineering is not only limited to the field of civil engineering and its structures alone. It also involves the design of aero-structures which include but not limited to aeroplane structures, space vehicles, amongst other structures. Similarly, structural engineering is also include design of wind energy structures and nuclear structures. The fundamental structural analyses, design, material selection and optimization are the same but the material of use and design requirements may be different.

Structural engineering theory is based upon applied [[physics|physical laws]] and [[empirical]] knowledge of the structural performance of different materials and geometries. Structural engineering design uses a number of relatively simple structural concepts to build complex [[structural system]]s. Structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals.<ref name="IStructE">{{cite web|url = http://www.rmg-engineers.com/what-is-a-structural-engineer/|title = What is a structural engineer|access-date = 2015-11-30|date = 2015-11-30|website = RMG Engineers|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208052438/http://www.rmg-engineers.com/what-is-a-structural-engineer/|archive-date = 2015-12-08}}</ref> Structural engineers are also concerned with the structural health monitoring and structural assessment of structures to establish the safety standing of structure using different techniques such as visual inspection, vibration method, contactless/non-destructive methods such as ultrasound and the very new method of using robots in assessing structural health of structures.

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