CURRENT FIELD_STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING
Structural Engineering
: branch or speciality within/of civil engineering
: involves application of the laws of physics,
mathematics, and empirical knowledge to safely
design the ‘bones’ and load-bearing elements of
man-made structures
: focuses on the framework of structures, and on
designing those structures to withstand the
stresses and pressures of their environment and
remain safe, stable, and secure throughout their
use
: make sure that buildings don’t fall down and
bridges don’t collapse
: among the oldest types of engineering, dating
back to the first instance of tree branches being
lashed together with vines to make a shelter
: encompasses a wide range of areas and
specialities that focus on the design, analysis,
and construction of various types of structures
Modern-day Structural Engineering
: provides a large and detailed body of knowledge
that can accurately predict the performance of
different shapes and materials used in structures
to resist loads and stresses on structures
Principles of Structural Engineering
: used thousands of years ago when building
structures like the pyramids in Egypt or the
Acropolis in Greece
Throughout recorded history, people have been
designing and building increasingly larger and
more sophisticated structures, from primitive huts
to the International Space Station
Key Aspects of Structural Engineering
● Structural Analysis
: Engineers use mathematical and
computational methods to analyze the
forces and stresses that act on a structure.
: This analysis helps determine how the
structure will behave under different
conditions, such as loads from gravity,
wind, earthquakes, and other
environmental factors
● Design
: Structural engineers design the structural
systems of buildings and other structures,
including the selection of appropriate
materials, dimensions, and configurations
to ensure safety, functionality, and
cost-effectiveness
● Material Selection
: Structural engineers choose materials
that are suitable for the specific
requirements of a project
: Common construction materials include
concrete, steel, wood, and masonry, each
with its own properties and advantages
● Safety and Building Codes
: Ensuring the safety of structures is
paramount in structural engineering
: Engineers must adhere to building codes
and standards that outline minimum safety
requirements for construction
: They also consider the safety of
occupants and the public.
● Construction Oversight
: Structural engineers often play a role in
overseeing the construction process to
ensure that the design is executed
correctly and that the structure is built
according to specifications and safety
standards
● Retrofitting and Renovation
: Structural engineers may also be
involved in the retrofitting or renovation of
existing structures to bring them up to
modern safety and performance standards
● Specializations
: Structural engineering encompasses
various specializations, such as bridge
engineering, earthquake engineering,
offshore engineering, and more. Each
specialization deals with specific
challenges related to different types of
structures
Structural Engineers
: work in collaboration with architects,
construction professionals, and other engineers to
create functional and aesthetically pleasing
structures that can withstand the test of time
: their work is crucial in ensuring the safety and
reliability of the built environment
: ensure the safety, functionality, and longevity of
various structures , from building and bridges to
industrial facilities and more
Some of the Key Areas Involved in Structural
Engineering
● Building Design and Construction
: involves the design and construction of
residential, commercial, and industrial
building
: ensure that buildings are safe, stable and
meet local building codes and regulations
● Bridge Engineering
: design and oversee the construction of
bridges and other transportation-related
structures
: address unique challenges related to
traffic loads, environmental conditions,
and maintenance
● Earthquake Engineering
: specialize in designing structures that
can withstand seismic forces
: focus on preventing structural damage
and ensuring the safety of occupants
during earthquake
● Offshore Engineering
: work on designing and analysis of
offshore platforms, oil rigs, and other
marine structures
: must withstand harsh environmental
conditions, such as waves and corrosion
● Industrial Structures
: design and analyze structures from
manufacturing facilities, warehouses,
power plants, and other industrial
application
: often have unique requirements based
on their specific functions
● Tall and Special Structures
: involves designing skyscrapers, towers,
and other unusually tall or complex
structures
: engineers must consider factors like wind
loads and innovative construction
materials and methods
● Structural Rehabilitation and Retrofitting
: work on existing structures to improve
their safety and functionality
: may involve strengthening a building to
meet modern safety standards or adapting
it for new uses
● Infrastructure Design
: includes the design of infrastructure
elements like retaining walls, tunnels,
dams, and water treatment facilities
: engineers in this field ensure the stability
and durability of these critical components
● Material Science and Technology
: focuses in researching and developing
new construction materials and
technologies
: plays a crucial role in improving the
durability and sustainability of structures
● Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
: use computational methods to analyze
complex structural systems
: especially valuable for simulating and
understanding the behavior of structures
under various conditions
● Environmental and Sustainability
Consideration
: structural engineers increasingly
incorporate environmental and
sustainability principles into their designs
: aim to reduce the environmental impact
of structures and promote eco-friendly
building practices
● Computational Tools and Software
: the field of structural engineering is
increasingly reliant on computer-aided
design (CAD) software, finite element
analysis software, and other digital tools
for modeling, analysis, and design
Basic Procedure in Structural Design
● Design Code, Standards, and Designing
Criteria
: basis and guidelines
: design code, use in our design depends
on the location of the project
: generally, the structural design criteria
adopted for the project is based upon the
principle of the codes and standards
: supplementary codes, and local codes
are also considered when required
: most common design codes adopted by
most countries
- International Codes and Standards
like the British Standards, Euro
Codes, and American Codes
● Load Considerations and Calculation
: load considerations are depending on
the type of occupancy of the project
: the three Basic Loadings of a building
are being assigned
- Dead Loads
: usually composed of self-weight
of the member or a structure
- Superimposed Dead Load
: comprises of the floor finishes
and the weight of the partitions
- Live Loads
: constitute the movable loads that
the structure may carry
: depending on how high the project is, a
Wind Load and Seismic Load shall also be
considered accordingly
● Propose a Framing System
: the framing system is a vital part of the
structural design
- Where the overall safety of the
structure will rely upon
: the designer should study and review the
possible framework of the project without
compromising the safety and soundly of
the building
: standard thicknesses of slabs,
dimensions of beams and columns, its
location and orientations are being
considered initially
: proper coordination in other departments
like the architectural and MFP should also
be observed
: prior to structural modeling, a draft
framing system is highlighted at first in the
architectural drawing to make sure that no
architectural aspects are being
compromised
● Structural Modeling and Manual Design
: using available structural software in the
market, structural modeling can be easily
done
: using 3-dimensional modeling structural
software like E TABS and Staad-Pro, it is
convenient for the designer to extract the
design forces needed in the design of
structural members
: if the structural software is not available
the designer can do a manual design, but
designing the structure manually is limited
for small projects
● Design the Structural Members
: the designer should check or design the
reinforcement in the beams according to
the loads that we inputted
: design of slab and punching
reinforcement check is required
: vertical members design such as shear
wall design and designs of columns and
check for buckling are necessary
: extracted forces or the column loads that
the footing will carry according to SLS load
combinations for foundation should be
designed
● Produce a Structural Drawing
: draft sketch of structural framings or
structural markups, its design and
structural schedule shall be handed over
to structural draftsman for him/her to
interpret it into a structural drawing
: structural design engineer supervision is
required, to make sure that every detail in
structural drawing is accounted for
: final review of the produced structural
drawing should also be considered upon
submission for building permit approval
CURRENT FIELD _ CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
Construction Engineering Management (CEM)
: involves the application of technical and
scientific knowledge to infrastructure construction
projects
: often represents a blend of both disciplines,
bridging design and management or project
execution
Construction Management
: concerned with overseeing the actual
construction
Construction Engineering Manager
: may have an educational background at both
undergraduate and graduate levels as well as
experience in constructions management
techniques
: their skills may be applied widely to the
architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC)
industry
: key players in the successful completion of
construction projects
: likely to work on and oversee a broad range of
projects
: include, design of drainage and sewage
systems, building construction, or even larger
infrastructure projects like developing highways or
railroads
: others choose to focus on one particular type of
constructions and build a career around it
: some common specialities include,
- Commercial Business or Housing
- Construction Electrical System Design
- HVAC/Mechanical
- Highway/Heavy Construction
CEM PROGRAM
: develops knowledge, tools, and methods that
can add value to construction projects and
organizations with a focus on risk management
In mature industries such as construction
successfully managing risk largely determines the
success or failure of development projects and
enterprises
By developing basic risk management skills and
participating in leading edge research students
can position themselves to make enormous
differences in for-profit, government, and
non-profit development organizations
Understanding the nature and structure of
development risk provides a foundation for
modeling, quantifying, and mitigating those risks
Technical and Leadership Background
: construction engineering managers are often
called upon to use computers and construction
management software to produce and analyze
designs for their projects
: they are responsible for assembling teams of
qualified engineers who can ensure completion of
a given project
: construction engineering managers also need to
possess the right knowledge for controlling
estimation and planning of associated costs for a
projects
Work Responsibilities
: construction engineering managers often work
out of a central office but may make frequent
visits to job sites and sometimes engage in
on-location work with labor
: they also tour sites regularly to inspect the work
being done and to ensure that proper standards
in the construction project are being maintained.
: the typical workweek for a construction
engineering manager is 40 hours, but many work
longer hours in an effort to meet deadlines or
solve problems that arise within a project
: construction engineering manager also has a
host of other responsibilities
: he or she is often called upon to survey the job
site prior to the beginning of a project, addressing
environmental issues and local laws or codes that
must be followed
: before work commences, an engineering
manager typically prepares a report on their
findings and collaborates with others involved
with the project, including governmental agencies,
environmental associations, contractors, and
subcontractors
Professional Skills and Expertise
: construction engineering managers must
possess a thorough understanding of laws,
regulations, and building codes, especially those
that have a direct impact on the project at hand
: they must also be able to estimate the total cost
of a given project with consideration to:
- Site inspections
 - Drainage, sewage, and elevation level
tests
- Equipment and materials
- Labor

: Construction engineering managers are also

responsible for managing the workings of various
other entities involved in the project
: they are responsible for providing expert
supervision from beginning to end while also
keeping the project running on or ahead of
schedule and within budget
: the job requires strong leadership and
interpersonal skills and attention to detail
: like any other kind of engineer, construction
engineering managers need to possess strong
problem-solving, analytical, and mathematical
skills

Construction Engineering Management Jobs

: as with other areas of construction, the job of a
construction engineering manager is in demand
and experiencing growth
: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
the construction industry is expected to see
upwards of 20 percent growth over the next 8 to
10 years
: that alone will expand the need for qualified
managers at every level of the construction
process, making it a good choice when trying to
decide on a career in construction