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If you are interested in what a structural engineer does on a day-to-day basis, or are perhaps considering a career in structural engineering, read on below.

Structural engineers are, fundamentally, problem solvers. We work within the built environment, often from the initial conception of an idea right through to the careful maintenance of historic buildings. We work on a huge variety of projects and scopes of work, meaning we very rarely have two days that are the same.

at addition to any property, but its exposed nature means it faces continual weathering, moisture, and temperature shifts. Because of this, keeping the structure in good condition is essential to support the ongoing safety of users.

Bringing Visions to Life
For new buildings, we work alongside architects, builders, and other disciplines to realise the architect’s vision and facilitate the spaces they wish to create.

Large open spaces require support. You might know you need a beam, but who specifies exactly how big it needs to be? We do the maths! We calculate and analyse the loadings, review load paths, and examine the forces. We also look at the overall stability of the building to withstand lateral loads (like wind) and ensure all these forces are safely transmitted back into the ground.

We don’t just blindly engineer what has been drawn by an architect. We collaborate and make proactive suggestions to deliver more economic designs, simplify the construction process, or enhance safety. It is so much more than just specifying an “RSJ” (which, by the way, we no longer call it!).

Mastering the Materials
A key part of our day-to-day work is designing with the right materials to suit the specific needs of a project. Every material behaves differently under stress, and we regularly engineer solutions using four core building blocks:

• Steel: The go-to for heavy loads and long, open spans. It is highly versatile and allows for the vast, column-free spaces you see in modern commercial buildings.
• Concrete: Exceptionally strong under compression and highly durable. We use reinforced concrete extensively for foundations, retaining walls, and multi-storey structural frames.
• Timber: A lightweight, highly sustainable option. It is the backbone of traditional residential roofs and floors, and with modern engineering, it is increasingly being used in larger, eco-conscious developments.
• Masonry: Traditional brick and blockwork. We design load-bearing masonry panels and walls that form the robust structural shell of most domestic properties and many commercial ones.

We analyse the specific forces at play to determine not only which material is most appropriate, but exactly what grade, size, and specification is required to make the design safe and efficient.

Alterations and Home Improvements
If you are looking to make alterations to an existing building—for example, taking out a wall in a property—we assess if it is indeed load-bearing and determine the requirements to provide alternative support for its safe removal. This may involve a single steel beam, or, in cases where the stability of the building is reliant upon that wall, we can design a frame and the necessary foundations to support it.

We also have to think about the logistics of how a building is put together. We must understand the construction process and how to instruct others so that our designs are actually achievable on-site.

Investigating Defects
We deal extensively with investigative works relating to building defects. If, for example, you have cracking in your building, we aim to attend quickly to review if there is an underlying issue with your property, such as subsidence. We look at the surroundings and the local geology to help determine what has caused the cracking and narrow down the potential causes. From there, we can design and specify the appropriate remedial repairs.

Often, when we are initially asked for assistance, the exact solution isn’t immediately obvious. The true skill of an engineer lies in the problem-solving process required to find that way forward!

Holding Back the Earth: Retaining Walls
Simply put, a retaining wall holds back earth, preventing soil from collapsing, sliding, or eroding down a slope. Whether you are carving out a flat driveway on a steep residential plot or excavating a massive commercial basement, these structures have to resist immense lateral (sideways) pressure from the ground behind them.

While there is sometimes a crossover with other disciplines, such as geotechnical engineering, the design of these walls frequently falls to structural engineers. You can’t just build a wall and hope for the best—we have to ensure it won’t overturn or slide forward under the weight of the earth.

To do this, we look at a variety of factors: the type of soil, how groundwater drains away, and what is sitting on top of the retained earth, such as a road, a driveway, or another building. We then do the maths to determine the necessary thickness of the wall, specify the exact materials and steel reinforcement needed, and design a foundation capable of keeping it all safely anchored.

As with most things in the modern built environment, we produce a detailed, highly specific design for a builder to construct. We adhere to strict codes of practice, designing structures to specific tolerances that vary greatly depending on the project. Ultimately, it is up to our judgement and engineering expertise to decide exactly what dictates the safest and most efficient design in each unique situation.

Commercial Buildings and Infrastructure
Ever wondered how there are so few internal columns in a large DIY store? Look up, and you will see the steel frame designed for this exact purpose. Most people don’t look up, but if you do, you are looking at a framework designed by a structural engineer.

Sea defences, electricity pylons, adventure playgrounds—you name it. Pretty much any building or structure that supports a weight, is used by the public, or could cause damage should it fail, will have been assessed by a structural engineer.

The Heavy Lifting
Ever wondered what a tower crane is supported on? You guessed it—a structural engineer is required to design the foundation to safely support the massive loadings from the crane.

The same applies to mobile cranes. These are often required for the temporary lifting of elements, and they exert huge forces on the ground. They can’t just be parked anywhere. A rigorous process involving ground testing and a review of below-ground surfaces must be considered. We often get involved in advising on safe positioning—it’s not just about the maths in situations like these; it’s about practical site understanding.

While some engineers may specialise in one particular sector, many work across multiple different areas. We are one of those versatile practices. If you have a project you think we can assist with, please get in touch.