Most people do not understand the concept of structural engineering, and hence do not know the difference between an architect and a structural engineer. The architect (or sometimes the owner) plans the home spaces, room dimensions, window sizes, building facades, and wall colours. The structural engineer provides the builder with the specifications of all building elements (foundation, walls, columns, slabs and roofs) to build a safe structure at effective cost. From homes to bridges, shelters to dams, structural engineers work with other engineers and architects to ensure that structures are safe and unlikely to break down. Since structural engineering is considered as being part of civil engineering, structural engineers spend a lot of time at building sites, bridges, dams, and even in the construction of machinery.
You may be wondering why you would need to hire a structural engineer to help construct your home. Building (or repairing) a structure in Florida must follow Florida Building code and Structural Engineering standards. A
Florida professional engineer (with structural engineeringemphasis) is well versed with the code assuring a smooth building permitting and building construction processes. Only professional engineers or licensed architects can sign and seal building drawings for submission and approval by county and city building officials. If you have a cracked wall, sagging balcony, or just burned wood truss, you need a structural engineer to assess the failure and prescribe a repair.
Structural engineers are adept at building structures that are designed to support any and all loads during the structure life span. Whether these loads are man-made (e.g., people, furniture, machineries) or nature made (e.g., hurricane, tornado, earthquake, tsunami),a structural engineer ensures that your future home is safe.
If you think about it; Florida is known for hurricanes and tornadoes. These natural disasters produce wind force and flooding that devastate thousands of homes and businesses and in many cases injuries and loss of lives. Whether it is a new structure you want to build solid, an existing structure you want to make it Hurricane proof, a damaged structure you want to inspect and assess the extent of its damage, a Structural Engineer is the primary professional you want to retain.
Building a strong structure can be very costly. This is where
structural engineering can help. Since structural engineers understand the behaviour of heavy loads and their impact on buildings, they are more capable than anyone else, to prescribe the least inexpensive building elements that assure safety and meet owners budget. When next hurricane hits, you know you are safe although you did not have to overspend for this safety.
As an adult you have more to worry about than structural issues with your home. Thats the reason its called a home. Its a place you can be comfortable and sleep soundly knowing that whatever storm comes by you will still have a roof over your head. If you want a structural engineer who can keep you safe and will work within a budget that you are happy with go ahead and visit the website of Universal Engineering Inc at http://www.universalengineering.net/index.html. Remember, you have more things to worry about than the roof over your head.
