What is Structural Engineering?
The structural design of man-made structures is the focus of the civil engineering specialty known as structural engineering. These engineers, who are frequently referred to as designing the “bones and muscles” of structures, must comprehend the rigidity, stability, and strength of both building- and non-building structures. This includes elements like loading and earthquake susceptibility.
The fundamental ideas of structural engineering have been used since ancient times to build structures like the Acropolis in Greece and the pyramids in Egypt. But structural engineering today has developed to include a thorough body of knowledge that allows for the precise prediction of how various materials, shapes, and structures will withstand loads and stresses.
Together with other engineers, builders, and architects, they form a team.
Depending on the use the building will receive, they ensure that it will function properly. For instance, a dance floor shouldn’t vibrate excessively when people jump up and down on it.
Areas of Specialization
STE offers two areas of specialization,
(a) Structural Analysis, Mechanics, and Computation,
(b) Structural Design and Materials.
The availability of inexpensive computer technology allows structural engineers to equip themselves with advanced structural theories to improve the quality of their professional work and achieve global competencies. This is the core of studies in the area of Structural Analysis, Mechanics, and Computation. Finite element methods, computational and applied mechanics, structural dynamics and vibration control, wind and earthquake engineering, computer-aided design, and expert systems are some of the areas of study in this field.
Structural Engineering Schools in Louisiana
Most of the Six schools in Louisiana offer graduate-level structural engineering programs. The largest enrollment of 348 students in a structural engineering program (master’s or doctoral) is at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, two of the top graduate institutions for structural engineering. Louisiana’s Tulane University charges the highest graduate tuition and fees ($61,130), and Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College have the highest number of graduates (111 students) from the structural engineering program.
The following table compares the ranked, tuition-based, and completion rates of the well-regarded graduate programs in structural engineering offered by Louisiana-based universities.
Best Structural Engineering Schools in Louisiana
| Institution | category | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Educational institution | 131 Rex St | http://engineering.louisiana.edu/ |
| College Of Engineering | University | ||
| Patrick F. Taylor Hall | College | 3304 S Quad Dr | http://www.lsu.edu/eng |
| P. B. S. Pinchback Hall, Southern University | Engineering school | 70813, Robert Smith Blvd | http://www.subr.edu/cecs |
| Integrated Engineering and Science Education Building | Engineering school | https://coes.latech.edu/ | |
| ITI Technical College | Technical university | 13944 Airline Hwy | http://www.iticollege.edu/ |
| Department of Construction Management | University | http://www.cm.lsu.edu/ | |
| Louisiana Tech University | University | 201 Mayfield Ave | http://www.latech.edu/ |
| Louisiana State University | University | Research-oriented public university | http://www.lsu.edu/ |
| Southern University and A&M College | University | 801 Harding Blvd | http://www.subr.edu/ |
| Nicholls State University | Public university | 906 E 1st St | https://www.nicholls.edu/ |
| UNO College of Engineering | University department | Engineering Bldg, 2000 Lakeshore Dr | http://new.uno.edu/academics/coe |
| LSU Electrical Engineering | University | Patrick F. Taylor Hall (Formerly Ceba) | https://www.lsu.edu/eng/ece/ |
| McNeese State University | University | 4205 Ryan St | http://www.mcneese.edu/ |
| Northshore Technical Community College | Community college | 65556 Centerpoint Blvd | http://northshorecollege.edu/ |
| Tulane University | Private university | 6823 St Charles Ave | https://tulane.edu/ |
| Northwestern State University | Public university | 175 Sam Sibley Dr | http://www.nsula.edu/ |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Public university | 104 E University Ave | http://louisiana.edu/ |
| Boggs Center for Energy and Biotechnology | University department | 201 Lindy Boggs Center | http://tulane.edu/sse/ |
| Nunez Community College | Community college | 3710 Paris Rd | http://www.nunez.edu/ |
Career building in structural engineering:
Building and manufacturing are just two examples of the industries structural engineers work in. Buildings, bridges, and other significant infrastructure projects are designed and constructed under their direction. In this position, you’ll use a combination of your creative and analytical thinking to bring inspiring projects to life. Because of the diversity, there are numerous career paths one can pursue after working as a structural engineer. The following four choices might be of interest to you:
structural engineer senior:
A senior structural engineer position would be the logical next step after a position as a structural engineer. This change will allow you to expand your mentoring and training responsibilities while maintaining your area of expertise. You’ll oversee a design team and motivate them to turn their technical know-how into original concepts.
Engineer in construction design:
Construction design engineers concentrate on the appearance of a structure, whereas structural engineers are accountable for ensuring that structures will withstand the elements and follow health and safety regulations. To understand the inventiveness of building design, one only needs to take a look at the Empire State Building, which the American Society of Civil Engineers has hailed as a Wonder of the Modern World.
Initiative management:
Essentially, anyone who is fascinated by the world of design should consider a career in engineering project management, especially for those who want to hone the following abilities:
- Scheduling\sBudgeting
- management of risk
- Participant management
- Leadership
Research and teaching:
Anyone who has taken engineering courses in college has a natural curiosity to learn more about the subject. Therefore, it makes sense that some people would want to keep expanding their understanding and teaching others. While looking into research and teaching positions after working in structural engineering may not seem conventional, it is a viable career path.
Do you wish to create a more favorable future in structural engineering?
Structural engineers have a great deal of professional anxiety about that, which is primarily fueled by three things. First off, structures are now significantly more complex as a result of the enormous advances in computer modeling. It’s almost like a feedback loop, or self-fulfilling prophecy, according to Odeh. “More complex designs result from more sophisticated modeling and analysis. And that results in even more intricate proposals that demand even more sophisticated computer tools.
The SEI Board of Governors anticipated these changes ten years ago and started to prepare for them. Creating a conceptualization of the profession’s future state was the first step. This Vision Statement was produced by them. It says, in part:
- The structural engineering profession in 2033 will consist of.
- A distinct, actively involved career with a clear sense of self.
- commended for the contributions to the field.
- guardians of the built environment, as well as
- attractive to the smartest people.
The next step was to pinpoint potential adjustments and create initiatives that would aid in realizing our vision. In order to specifically identify topics and strategic issues for consideration for action, the Board established a follow-up Task Force in 2011. The end result was the document A Vision for the Future of Structural Engineers: A Case for Change. This group came up with the following initiatives:
- Change the curriculum for structural engineering.
- Enhance mentoring and lifelong learning.
- bolster our position as the world’s leaders in the field of structural engineering.
- Encourage the use of performance-based codes and standards.
- organize multidisciplinary summits on highly specialized topics with broad appeal.
- As leaders and innovators, structural engineers should be praised.
- Promote licensing for structural engineers.
“The Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE is actively promoting this vision for the future (PDF), and Odeh reports that the response has been “hugely positive.” “Structural engineers have a real desire to stay relevant, be respected, and keep helping to design great buildings,” says the author.”
