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| Structural Engineers Association of Illinois |
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| WHAT IS STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING? |
| "Structural Engineering is the science and art of designing and making, with
economy and elegance, buildings, bridges, frameworks and other similar structures so that they
can safely resist the forces to which they may be subjected." |
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| So what does that mean? Well, an architect designs the way a structure looks (for example
a building or bridge). A structural engineer takes the architect's ideas for how the structure
should look and figures out how to keep the building or bridge standing under expected loads.
Loads range from the weight of a person in a room, to a car on a bridge, to wind hitting the side
of a building. So the engineer will decide how big the columns need to be or how thick the
concrete floor should be. |
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WHAT DOES A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER DO? |
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Analysis
To ensure the structures we build are
safe, we must analyze the loads that could be on the
structure such as snow that accumulates on a
roof or the weight of 18-wheelers on a bridge.
We overestimate these loads to be safe.
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Meetings / Coordination
Once we have an idea of how we want to
build the building or bridge, we must sit down with the architect and other parties and
make sure all our ideas fit together. For
example, the architect wouldn't want us to put a big
column in the middle of a bathroom shower!
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Design
After we determine the loads on a
structure, we must design the parts (beams, bridge
cable, floors, etc) to carry these loads safely to
the ground. Computers are an invaluable source
in this step due to the increasing complexity of
structures.
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Construction Administration
Next, the contractor will build the structure from our set of
drawings. To ensure it is constructed how we designed it, an engineer
will visit the construction site and check the work done by the contractor and
solve the inevitable problem that arises.
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Documentation
Once we have designed the structure, we
have to convey this design to the architect,
contractor and other parties involved in the
project. We do this through drawings similar
to a blueprint and put them together in a "book"
with the architect and other parties' drawings.
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Inspection/Investigation
In addition to the tasks described above, engineers help investigate and inspect structures.
This is sometimes done on an old building, after an accident, during a
construction problem, or for legal reasons.
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OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MORE |
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The Future City Competition
Future City Competition serves students in 7th and 8th grade. Sponsored by National Engineers Week, this
national program introduces students to engineering with the popular Sim City software. Students design
future cities with simulation software, build scale models, write essays and give oral presentations on
their city's design. |
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ACE Mentor Program
The ACE Mentor Program serves high school youth who are exploring careers in Architecture, Construction,
or Engineering. The mentors are professionals from leading design and construction firms who volunteer
their time and energy. The program is designed to engage, inform, and challenge youth. |
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ASCE Kids and Careers
American Society of Civil Engineers' webpage with information on the field of civil engineering |
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West Point Bridge Design Contest
The purpose of the contest is to provide middle school and high school students with a realistic, engaging
introduction to engineering. We provide this contest as a service to education--and as a tribute to the
Academy's two hundred years of service to the United States of America. |
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Wind Science and Engineering Research Center Engineering for Kids
Information and links on weather - hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. |
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| NEWS AND OTHER INTERESTING
INFORMATION |
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