UNIT 2

BUILDING ENGINEERING

Background About Building Engineering

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 44 percent of
all building engineers have at least a high school diploma. A
larger percentage -- about 48 percent -- have a high school
diploma. Four percent not only have a college degree but also
have a professional degree or a PhD. Some may have specific
training, such as a degree in mechanical engineering or a
certification in building technology. Depending on local
regulations, some may also hold licenses as boiler operators,
electricians or plumb.
An engineer is a person who uses scientific knowledge to
design, construct, and maintain engines and machines or
structures such as roads, railways, and bridges.

A building engineer is recognized as being an expert in the use

of technology for the design, construction, assessment and
maintenance of the built environment. Commercial
Building Engineers are concerned with the planning,
design, construction, operation, renovation, and maintenance of
buildings, as well as with their impacts on the surrounding
environment.
The job of building engineers is to provide advice on design,
installation, and maintenance of energy-efficient and cost-
effective systems for all building services, including lighting,
water, and air conditioning.
Architectural engineering, also known as building engineering or
architecture engineering, is an engineering discipline that deals
with the technological aspects and multi-disciplinary approach
to planning, design, construction and operation of buildings,
such as analysis and integrated design of environmental
systems.
The basic components of a building structure are the
foundation, floors, walls, beams, columns, roof, stair, etc.

 Roof. The roof forms the topmost component of

a building structure. ...
 Parapet. ...
 Lintels. ...
 Beams and slabs. ...
 Columns.
 Damp Proof Course(DPC) ...
 Walls. ...
. Floors
The roof is definitely the most important part of your house,
which is why it's so important to take good care of it with
regular roof maintenance and roof repair.
You probably think of the kitchen, the bedroom, or the places
that you spend the most time while inside your home.
However, the correct answer is actually the roof. That’s
because the roof protects everything inside your house.
Without a solid roof over your head, your house would
eventually crumble. That’s why it’s so important to take care
of your roof and make sure that you choose the best roof
installation company you can find.
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The Roof Provides Structural Support
You can think of the roof as something like the backbone of
your house. It provides structural support that keeps the entire
house together. Without a roof, many things like lighting,
electrical wiring, and interior design would not be able to
happen in your home. Structural support is essential for every
home, and roofs make it happen!

The Roof Protects You from the Weather

There’s nothing like coming home to a nice warm house after

being out in the rain or snow. Roofs are vital because they
protect our home from bad weather conditions. A solid roof can
protect your home when there are strong winds outside. It can
keep you dry whenever it’s pouring down rain outside. It
provides some much-needed shade on a scorching hot summer
day. Keeping your roof in good shape with roof maintenance is
absolutely essential, otherwise, your house will be at a greater
risk of weather-related damage.

The Roof Provides Insulation for Your Home

A good roof over your head helps to insulate your house and
keep your energy bills minimalized. Every part of the roofing
acts as a barrier against the outside world. They can help to
keep your rooms warms during the winter and cool during the
summer by preventing air from getting in or out of your home. If
you have leaks in your roof, you’ll probably notice that your
energy bills go up in a significant way. Contact Custom Roof
Company if you think your roof is not insulating your house
correctly due to damage.

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The Roof Raises the Value of Your House
The roof of a house is usually the first thing that people notice
when they are looking at it. If you are trying to sell your house,
having an aesthetically pleasing roof is one way to get the
maximum value out of the sale. There are tons of different
custom roof options you can choose from to create a unique
style for your home.

They are sometimes called porters or building superintendents,

building engineers duties are concerned with personnel
maintenance in the employ of a building owners who carry
out maintenance activities with some cleaning tasks in
building common areas, such as lobbies and elevators.

A building engineer takes care of tenant’s maintenance

problems with plumbing, heating, air conditioning and
electrical systems. The engineer works with all of the common
power and hand tools, including hammers, drills, wrenches,
saws and pliers, to keep the systems that serve individual
apartments, plus the building’s overall systems, running
properly. Some tools are electronic in nature, such as a
computer used to keep maintenance records or volt-ohm
meters used to investigate problems in the building’s wiring.

In addition to repairs, a building engineer performs

preventative maintenance work, such as changing the filters in
heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems or replacing
seals in plumbing systems. Some building engineers repaint
apartments or office spaces in preparation for new clients, or
re-carpet both private and common areas of the building as
part of their duties. Building engineers also do building and
space inspections to determine needed repairs or actions
required to prevent problems such as those that result from the
presence of vermin.

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Depending on a building’s location, municipal, country or state
ordinances or laws may require licensed contractors to
complete certain repairs, such as elevator repair. Major
electrical work or some kinds of plumbing work require city,
county or state inspection. The building engineer arranges for
contractors or for required inspections when work is complete.
When a manufacturer’s warranty covers new systems, the
building engineer may contact the manufacturer for repairs,
rather than risk voiding the warranty.

 A civil engineering and construction engineering are similar to

the degree that both deal with the construction industry. Civil
engineering deals more with the design, planning, and analysis
of a construction project, while construction engineering is
primarily on-site management of actual construction.

To become a building maintenance engineer at
smaller buildings or properties, you need a high school degree
and vocational training. For larger facilities, employers prefer
candidates with several years of experience
in building maintenance and who are licensed or certified.

What does a building engineer do? Across

industries, a building engineer is likely to perform the following
duties and responsibilities in their various roles:

1. Analyze topographical or geologic data

Building engineers analyze aerial photography, blueprints,

configurations, designs, drawings, maps and survey reports.
They also calculate pressures, loads and stresses.

2. Inspect project sites

They inspect sites to monitor the progress of construction
projects and ensure that the structures being built conform the
design specifications, safety and sanitation standards. They
also direct or participate in surveying the layout to establish
reference points, grades or elevations to guide construction.

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They regularly inspect equipment such as elevators, fire
extinguishers and smoke detectors and ensure that they comply
with local fire and building codes. They also ensure that the
building has the requisite number of ramps for wheelchair users.

3. Determine project feasibility

Building engineers must determine if a construction project is

feasible by estimating the quantities of materials, equipment
and labor that will be needed and the associated expenses.

4. Provide technical advice

Industrial or managerial personnel go to building engineers to

provide technical advice on the design, construction, or
program modifications or structural repairs of buildings.

5. Test soils or materials

To determine the adequacy and strength of foundations,

asphalt, concrete or steel, building engineers need to test soils
or materials.

6. Determine design specifications

They determine design specifications by computing load and

grade requirements, material stress factors or water flow rates.

7. Plan and design

Building engineers use computer-assisted design or drawing

tools to create simulations and plan and design energy-efficient
and environmentally sound civil structures, transportation or
hydraulic structures or systems. They must also engineer
systems to safely and efficiently dispose of chemical, biological
and other toxic wastes. They must ensure that the indoor air
quality, heating and lighting are optimal.

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8. Direct engineering activities

Building engineers direct engineering activities such that they

are compliant with environmental, safety, regulatory and
governmental regulations. They must explore all phases of the
life cycle of a building.

9. Manage and supervise construction projects

At project sites, building engineers are required to manage and

supervise the construction, operations and maintenance
activities, including contracts, budgets and personnel. They are
also responsible for all physical aspects of a building, including
the electrical infrastructure and heating and cooling equipment.

10. Research and conduct studies

Building engineers must research and conduct studies on

environmental conditions and traffic patterns and identify
engineering problems to assess the potential impact on the
project. They must also study architectural history, earthquake
resistance and wind effects on building structures.

11. Develop risk management strategies

They must identify environmental risks and develop risk

management strategies for construction projects.

12. Develop and implement solutions

Building engineers are responsible for developing and

implementing solutions for construction and reconstruction
projects and to clean up industrial accidents or contaminated
sites. They must also ensure that the output of carbon or other
pollutants is minimal and that lighting and acoustics are
appropriate.

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13. Prepare public reports

They might also be required to prepare public reports, including

bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements or
property descriptions.

Building costs, time, buildability, function and aesthetics are

key considerations in designing a building and they must be
carefully balanced to meet the needs of the owner.

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ASSIGNMENT No. 1
NAME: ________________________________ ID#: _____________________

READ THE ABOVE READING AND THEN ANSWER THE

FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1. What is the full meaning of engineering?

2. What is building engineering?

3. What are commercial building engineers?

4. What kind of job a building engineer does?

5. How is a building engineer also called?

6. What are the basic components to build a good building?

7. What is the most important part of a building?

8. Why is the roof the most important part of your house?

9. What are the benefits of a good roof?

10. What are other extra benefits that a good roof provides to
your house?

11. What are the duties of a building engineer?

12. What are the tasks of a building engineer for tennnant

buildings?

13. What are the most necessary tools used by a building

engineer?

14. What are the preventive maintenance tasks that a building

engineer has to perform?

15. What is the difference between a civil engineer and a

construction engineer?

16. What you need to become in a building engineer?

17. How long does it take to be a building engineer?

18. What are other extra tasks that a building engineer has to
do?

19. What building engineer have to consider when designing a

building?

20. Why civil engineer inspect project sites?

21. Why did you decide to study Building engineering?

22. Where can we study building engineering in Panama?

23. Where would you like to work when you finish your bachelor
in building engineering?
24. When you began to study building engineering?

25. What are your recommendations to be an excellent building

engineer?

VOCABULARY NO. 1
NAME: _____________________________ ID: ___________________________
LOOK FOR THE MEANING IN SPANISH OF THE FOLLOWING
WORDS
1. BEANS:
2. ROOF:
3. STAIRS:
4. CRUMBLE:
5. HAMMER:
6. WRENCH:
7. SAW:
8. PLIERS:
9. VERMINS:
10. DEAL WITH:
11. AESTHETICS:
12. OWNER:
13. BOILER:
14. BACKBONE:
15. WALL:
16. FLOOR:
17. STRUCTURAL SUPPORT:
18. WIRING:
19. FOUNDATION:
20. STRONG:
21. DAMAGE:
22. LEAK:
23. PORTER:
24. PLUMBING:
25. DRILL:
26. VOIDING:
27. LAYOUT:
28. WHEELCHAIR:
29. RAMP:
30. TOXIC WASTE:
 UNIVERSITY OF PANAMA
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ASSIGNMENT No. 1 FOR GRADE
NAME: _________________________________ ID: _____________________
DATE OF DELIVERY: Friday June 25, 2021 SCORE: ___________