What is Structural Engineering? | Science Spotlight

Structural engineering is a specialized branch of civil engineering that entails analyzing and designing structures -- things like buildings, bridges and even concert stages.
Engineering is a big discipline that involves a systematic approach to designing solutions to problems experienced in the real world. There are many different fields of engineering, like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering and systems engineering. And within these categories there are various subcategories-- and structural engineering is a subcategory of civil engineering.
Transcript
Ever wonder how tall buildings can withstand windy days, or why bridges don't collapse when large trucks drive over them? The answer is structural engineering. Structural engineers use physics and math to design and analyze the sturdiness of structures, things like bridges, buildings, concert stages, and even roller coasters. Don't get me wrong. Designing any one of these things can involve multiple types of engineering, but it's structural engineering that's responsible for making sure that that structure won't collapse or fall over. You see, a structure must be able to handle the forces or loads that it's likely to experience. Take a skyscraper, for example. It not only has to support itself, but also all the people and furniture inside the building, and then external factors, like wind, snow, or an earthquake.
The materials and geometry that make up a structure influence how it may respond to those forces. Different materials have different properties, like strength, weight, and flammability, that can influence a structure's sturdiness. For example, steel is generally stronger, and weighs more than wood, and different geometric shapes work better for different purposes. For example, a square or rectangular base can typically hold more weight than a triangular base. Structural engineers perform calculations to determine the best materials and shapes to use in order to build a study structure. The next time you find yourself at the top of a roller coaster, you can thank structural engineers for doing their part to make sure it's nice and sturdy.

[@davidbutler9080]

Great simplified explanation of the engineering that structural engineers perform. Of course it doesn't deal with office politics, fiscal considerations, coordination with the lead designer and other sub contractors, but those are topics for another video. I'm going to use this when I meet with school kids.

[@NaagaLingam]

Lauren Farrar!! You did the best, thank you for your cool and pretty narration.

[@personontheinternet1]

This is a good video

[@pick3618]

why do we use KN/m^2 instead of Kg/m^2 or tonn/m^2 ,Can someone give me a resonable answer ?

[@allrounder7398]

One is weight, one is mass

[@z87ubt]

somebody explain me why have the formula of 1:00 mentally????
or why have not it mentally
i think that is absolutely wrong. Somebody explain that (with figure and diagram) !!!

[@deepali18patel]

She is calculating the polar moment of inertia for the I section. Since both the flange plates have different widths, that's why she is getting such unique equation.

[@osc3682]

@@deepali18patel that polar moment of inertia formula is still incorrect, should be the sum of the flanges and the web.

[@KILONEWTONS]

Still wondering

[@olgayadchuk8098]

thanks for the video!

[@QuestscienceOrg]

+Olga Yadchuk Glad you liked it!

[@olgayadchuk8098]

+KQED QUEST, you should make a video on politics, one time. I think that it is important for many people to understand their political environment. Oh, and at least one documentary would also be inspiring!

[@potatoes8209]

Cool vid

[@lucillecolantuono2113]

VERY NICE EXPLANATION.

[@Rustyfork_25]

I thought the triangle was the strongest shape in structural concepts, or am I tripping

[@user-ee4ke2oq6q]

im realy interested in engineering

[@sepambalau9604]

How can I be a good structural Engineer

[@garystinten9339]

Sepa Mbalau study hard, know your stuff, have plenty of experience in the environments you want to work in by getting placement on site so you can SEE THE DESIGN come together and how your work impacts the final outcome.
perhaps even understanding the other side of the same coin by learning the skills that are used like welding and basic construction and possibly even a small amount of plumbing so you are familiar on what techniques are necessary in order to build certain structures.. concreting might also be a good one too..

[@manny3332]

Study civil engineering