WOMEN IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

What is structural Engineering?

Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering that is concerned with the structural design of man-made structures. Often described as designing the ‘bones and muscles’ of structures, these engineers need to understand the rigidity, stability and strength of both buildings and non-building structures. This includes factors such as loading and susceptibility to earthquakes.

female engineer


Structural engineers work with architects, building services engineers and other professionals and may be charged with supervising construction projects. In addition, structural engineers can also be involved in the design of other assets where structural integrity impacts function and safety, such as machinery, medical equipment and vehicles. Using mathematics, physics, materials science and empirical knowledge, these engineers need to understand the structural performance of different materials and geometries in order to apply structural engineering design concepts to build structural systems. This work needs to be completed within budgetary requirements while making sure any structural elements are suitable for purpose. The basic principles of structural engineering date back thousands of years to the construction of structures including the pyramids in Egypt and the Acropolis in Greece. However, modern-day structural engineering has advanced to include a detailed body of knowledge for the accurate prediction of how different materials, shapes and structures will resist loads and stresses.
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