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Structural Engineering

Structural engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the design and development of structures (like buildings, bridges, stadiums, tunnels and wharves) in a manner that is resilient against the varying forces to which it may be subjected. It is a specialized field of civil engineering. The primary objective of a structural engineer is a finished product that will serve its function efficiently, that will conform to its allocated budget and, at the same time, that will not collapse or deform itself (for example, by bending, sagging or vibrating to an unacceptable degree).

In order to achieve this objective, a structural engineer must take into account the loads that will have an impact on the project. There are different types of loads, such as wind loads, snow loads, and earthquake loads. There is also what is referred to as a dead load (like the weight of the building in itself) and a live load (like the weight of the equipment and the people who will be inside the structure). After properly assessing these loads, the engineer must design a structural system that is appropriate for handling them, establish the suitable dimensions for supports such as beams, slabs and foundations, and determine grades and proportions of cement, sand, etc. The engineer may possibly be also requested to oversee the actual construction phase of the project.

Web Resources On Structural Engineering

Wonderful World of Structural Engineering
Wikipedia: Structural Engineering

Book Resources On Structural Engineering

Handbook of Practical Engineering by Wai-Fah Chen
Structural Engineering by M. Myint Lwin

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