Structural engineers collaborate closely with architects to ensure the safety, functionality, and efficiency of building design. Structural engineers bring their technical expertise in the design and analysis of structural elements such as foundations, beams, columns, walls, floors and roofs to the architect's creative vision, providing valuable insights into how to make the building better. Structural engineers can assess different building plan layouts and structural systems and materials to propose several solutions to the architect and together select the most appropriate solution. They consider gravity and lateral load resisting structural systems. For example, they can provide recommendations on building materials, such as steel, concrete, masonry or timber, which will ensure the structure meets the building code and the owner’s design loads while meeting the architectural intent.

While all structural engineers have similar training and qualifications, different types of structures require different areas of expertise. For example, a structural engineer who has designed a stadium may not have experience designing houses, and vice versa. Therefore, it's important to hire a structural engineer with relevant experience for your specific project. Ask your structural engineer to provide qualifications and example projects similar to the project you are designing.

Utilizing their knowledge of structural systems, structural engineers can review proposed renovations and determine how the proposed renovation may alter the base building structure, providing structural reinforcement detailing if necessary.

Structural engineers can collaborate with architects and contractors to ensure that the structure is designed with sustainability in mind through thoughtful building material selection, efficient structural layout, and optimization of the building’s foundation and superstructure. Further, structural engineers have the tools to evaluate the entire life cycle of a building, from construction to demolition, and can partner to reduce both the embodied and operational carbon of a building.

A professional engineer (PE) license applies to a variety of engineering disciplines, including civil, environmental, geotechnical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural. A structural engineer that is a Professional Engineer can only advise on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems only if they have expertise also in those disciplines. Depending on the jurisdiction and location of the project, a practicing structural engineer with a PE license in good standing can sign off on most projects. Some states require structural engineers to have a structural engineer (SE) license in addition to a PE license for certain types of projects.

Yes. Structural engineers can play an important collaborative role in helping artists realize their vision for large-scale sculptures. Because these sculptures often involve complex geometries and unconventional materials, a structural engineer can provide the necessary technical expertise to consider the sculpture’s safety, stability, and durability. To help artists with large-scale sculptures, a structural engineer will typically work with the artist to understand their creative vision and technical requirements and develop a structural solution that achieves that vision.

Understanding the soil conditions that exist at a particular site is critical in determining not only if a site is suitable to support a new structure, but also in determining the foundation structures required. Your structural engineer relies on the geotechnical report for the structure’s foundation to soil interface. Discussions between the structural engineer and geotechnical engineer are important if unusual ground conditions are found, or if the structural engineer wants to receive information on a specialist foundation system not mentioned in the geotechnical report. The geotechnical engineer shall also review the construction documents and be involved in special inspections of foundation installations. A geotechnical report provides detailed information about the subsurface conditions of a particular site. Typically prepared by a geotechnical engineer, a geotechnical report can help avoid costly mistakes, reduce the risk of unforeseen conditions, and help construction progress more smoothly.

Some structural engineers play an important role in emergency response after natural disasters, conducting critical safety assessments of buildings and infrastructure. For example, structural engineers can consult on the stability of a partially or totally collapsed structure so victims can be extracted from debris. Later, they can assess structural damage to establish whether buildings and bridges are safe to use, need repair, or should be demolished. Structural engineers may also design and oversee the construction of temporary structures, such as shelters and tents, to provide immediate and safe shelter for those affected by natural disasters.

Even before natural disasters, structural engineers can work to reduce risk by assessing buildings and infrastructure in high-wind or seismic risk areas, to recommend retrofitting or strengthening measures to improve safety and reduce potential damage.

 Researchers and committees of structural engineers also work together to develop amendments to building codes, creating advanced guidelines for design that consider these forces of nature.