A lot of people have misconceptions on what structural engineers are responsible for due to their little knowledge of the engineering field. Some people may think that engineers are only responsible for conducting mathematical calculations regarding the durability of their structures. But that notion cannot be farther from the truth.
It is thanks to structural engineers that many people can enjoy the security provided by residential and commercial buildings even during the hurricane season in New Jersey. Structural engineers are also responsible for making sure that building owners can fulfill their legal obligations to provide a safe and secure space for people.
From as early as the 27th century BC up to today’s information age, structural engineering has been making significant contributions throughout history that allowed us to enjoy sturdy structures today.
One of the earliest contributions in history was the construction of the step pyramid by Imhotep, the first-named architect in history, to dedicate for Pharaoh Djoser. Many more structures like it were made and the 2560 BC saw the rise of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest man-made structure in history before people were able to build towers and skyscrapers in the 19th century.
More developments in the engineering field were seen even before the 19th and 20th centuries. The principles behind the ancient materials and machines used by the Romans to construct their structures, the publishing of several researches, and other groundbreaking concepts in structural engineering in this period are still applied in engineering projects today.
The 19th and 20th centuries saw various structural engineering feats including the use of cast iron as a structure’s interior frame, the construction of the first “fire-proof” building, the patenting of the most common cement used today, Portland Cement, and more.
The information age today has seen the rise of various software to help structural engineers with their construction projects. The use of software capable of computational analysis allowed for the construction of the Sydney Opera House. Currently, many engineers are benefitting from modern BIM software, ensuring that they achieve great structural efficiency for their projects.
Structural engineering has made more significant contributions throughout history, and one can see them in this infographic by Lockatong Engineering.
