Structural Engineering

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4. Questions - Got a question about Structural Engineering then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

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6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Structural Engineering wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Structural Engineering then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Structural Engineering site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Structural Engineering, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Structural Engineering, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

, the world's tallest building as of 2004.Structural engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the design of a structural system(s) with the purpose of supporting and resisting various loads. Though other disciplines touch on this field, a physical object or system is truly considered a part of structural engineering, regardless of its central scientific or industrial application, if its main function is designed to resist loads and dissipate energy.

A structural engineer is most commonly involved in the design of buildings and nonbuilding structures, but also plays an essential role in designing machinery where structural integrity of the design item impacts safety and reliability. Large man-made objects, from furniture to medical equipment to a variety of vehicles, require the input of a structural engineer.

Structural engineers ensure that their designs satisfy a given "design intent", predicated on safety (e.g. structures do not collapse without due warning), on serviceability (e.g. floor vibration and building sway do not result in discomfort for the occupants). Structural engineers are responsible for making efficient use of funds and materials to achieve these goals. Entry-level structural engineers may design simple Beam (structure)s, columns, and floors of a new building, including calculating the loads on each member and the load capacity of building materials such as (steel, timber, masonry, and concrete). More experienced engineers would render more complex structures, often calculating the physics of moisture, heat and energy as they relate to building components.

In the United States, the structural engineering field is often subdivided into bridge engineering and building engineering. Structural engineers often further specialize into special structural manufacturing or construction, such as pipeline engineering or industrial structures.

Structural loads on structures are generally classified as live loads and dead loads. Live loads are the weight of a building's occupants and furniture, the forces/weights of wind and water, and seismic activity. Dead loads are the weight of the structure itself and all major architectural components, as well as roof loads experienced only during construction. The limiting design criteria include forces of nature such as winds, earthquakes and tsunamis. In recent years, reinforcing structures against terrorism has also taken on increased importance. Buildings are now designed with anti plane protection, which limit the number of plane crashes into buildings via the means of a nightwatchman; whos job is to blind the pilot in case of collision so that the optimal crash doesnt take place.

History of Structural Engineering Structural engineering is one of the oldest professions in the world, dating back to at least 2700 B.C. At this time, the stepped pyramid of King Djoser was built by Imhotep, who many regard as the first structural engineer. In ancient times, most of structural engineering works were carried out by other professions, such as architect, royal builder and other artisans. No actual record exists pointing to the first calculations of the strength of structural members or the behavior of structural material. At that time, structures tended to be a simpler and more straightforward element compared to today's standards. Nevertheless, the desire to build higher and longer structures with larger internal spaces pushed the need to formulate improved structural configurations and materials.

Here is an outline of developments in Structural Engineering since 1500 A.D. :

- By the 16th/17th centuries, an introduction of ‘Two New Sciences’ by Galileo established the scientific approach for structural engineering. This is also regarded as the beginning of structural analysis, the mathematical representation and design of building structures.

- Late 19th and early 20th centuries, structural engineering undergoes a tremendous development. In 1868, reinforced concrete was developed by Joseph Monier to strengthen cement material that was considered to be too brittle. Russian structural engineer Vladimir Shukhov developed many new analysis methods in structural engineering which led to new industrial designs such as the hyperboloid structure, tensile structure and others.

- In 1889, the cast-iron Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel and Maurice Koechlin, and visibly demonstrated human talent for constructing modern high-rise structures.

- Prestressed concrete, invented by Eugene Freyssinet in 1928 (and later standardized by Tung-Yen Lin) gave a novel approach in overcoming the weakness of concrete structures in tension.

- In 1930, with Professor Hardy Cross’s Moment Distribution Method, the stresses of many complex structures can be determined quickly and accurately.

Modern structural engineering’s achievements can be seen all over the world in examples such as Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Mega-Float at Tokyo Bay, Sears Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Millennium Dome.

Specializations Architectural Structures

Building Engineering
Demolish
Facade engineering
Fire Protection Engineering
Roof
Tower
Wind Engineering

Civil Structures

Bridge
Earthquake engineering
Foundation (architecture)
Offshore construction
Retaining wall
Pipeline transport

Mechanical Structures

Industrial Structures

Forensic engineering
Material Science