When it comes to building design, an architect and a structural engineer work in tandem. Architects are people who are interested in the layout and aesthetic design of buildings. Structural engineers are the experts who ensure that an architect’s design is safe and sound from a structural standpoint.
Both an architect and a structural engineer must have extensive education and pass licensing exams in order to work professionally. Architects typically pursue a bachelor’s degree in architecture from a recognized university. Structural engineers usually have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, most commonly in material or civil engineering, though some go on to get master’s degrees. In order to do their jobs, both of these professionals must usually obtain a license from their national or local government. These licenses usually require the applicant to work for a period of time under the supervision of a licensed professional and pass a special examination.
An architect and a structural engineer usually work on very different aspects of the design process after completing the necessary education and earning licenses to create building designs in their own state. Architects talk to the people who will be commissioning the structure to get a sense of what the clients want. He or she will then translate these concepts into detailed building plans. These include details about every aspect of the building, such as floor plans and structural support system details.
The architect’s design is then examined a structural engineer to ensure its integrity and safety. An architect and a structural engineer both receive similar training in building fundamentals, but an architect’s education focuses on design and aesthetics, whereas a structural engineer’s education focuses on testing the physics of that design. Structural engineers look at how the weight of the building is distributed across the structural support system. This analysis allows the structural engineer to determine if the structure can withstand the stresses imposed the area’s geography and weather.
The physical properties of the materials that the architect wants to use in various building components are part of the structural engineer’s analysis. This enables the structural engineer to determine if the overall design is sound as well as whether the individual materials will be able to withstand their loads. Depending on the contents of the structural engineer’s analysis, the architect may have to change aspects of the design or the materials used in various building components.