What are the differences between structural engineering vs civil engineering:
Engineering is a field of science and technology that is mainly focused on designing and constructing buildings through various elements using the principles of science and technology.
Engineering is a very vast major with many disciplines. However, at present, the most popular and profitable are civil engineering and structural engineering. Both disciplines are playing a very profound role in today’s construction and building.
Many people who want to opt for civil and structural engineering are often confused about the focus of these disciplines. That is because the two disciplines can be quite confusing.
Moreover, it is important to acknowledge your skills and opt for the discipline, whether structural or civil engineering according to your interests.
To help you choose your interest, we are going to tell you about the differences between structural engineering vs civil engineering.
Civil engineering:
Civil engineering is one of the oldest professional disciplines of engineering. This branch deals with the construction, building, and maintenance of the physical or natural elements of the world such as roads, pipelines, bridges, tunnels, etc. A civil engineer works to design and construct the physical infrastructure. Expertise included in civil engineering:
Following are the tasks or expertise that a civil engineer must do:
- Creating designs or prints using building elements.
- Analyzing and drawing maps and determining the location and budget accordingly.
- Communicating with clients and understanding their desires.
- Determining the time limit of construction.
- Collaboration with structural engineers.
- Solving problems and deriving solutions.
- Keeping the government regulations and legal requirements under consideration.
Education requirement for civil engineering:
The educational requirement for this discipline includes a Bachelor’s degree for practice which lasts for four years.
Specialization in sub-disciplines of civil engineering such as in geotechnical, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, etc, or a doctor’s degree is a plus point.
However, for providing public services, a license is required, whose procedure may vary from state to state.
Projects for a civil engineer:
A civil engineer may get the following projects:
- Road construction or repair.
- Bridge construction.
- Water and wastewater treatment systems.
- Railways.
- Flood studies.
- Stormwater collection.
- Dams and reservoirs.
- Traffic studies.
- Utility construction.
- Conveyance and detention systems, etc.
Salary and job opportunities:
The average salary of a civil engineer is at least $85,000 which may increase with growing experience. It has high scope in future as the world is progressing and the need for new roads or buildings or their repair is increasing day by day.
Structural engineering:
Structural engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering. A structural engineer works to analyze and construct the elements that are the foundation for the public infrastructure.
Our company “Omega” also provides services in this sub-discipline. With talented engineers analyzing and inspecting the work, creating detailed structural designs, and following safety guidelines, you can rest assured and let us do the rest of the work.
Expertise included in structural engineering:
A structural engineer should have the following expertise:
- Analyzing the elements required for the construction.
- Determining the environmental influence and human load on these elements.
- Performing mathematical and statistical calculations.
- Designing structures according to requirements.
- Creating blueprints with detailed specifications via computer software.
- Tracking and reporting the work progress.
- Inspection of sites and project collaboration.
The educational requirement for structural engineering:
A person with a Bachelor’s degree can do specialization in structural engineering or obtain a post-graduate degree in structural engineering as it has been made into a separate discipline.
It is offered as a 2nd or 3rd degree and is considered to be equal to a master’s or doctorate in civil engineering.
However, they need a professional license along with a structural engineering license to get public projects like schools or hospitals.
Projects for a structural engineer:
A person with a specialization in structural engineering may work on the following projects:
- Structures for water-based systems.
- Creating blueprints for towers of a reservoir or bridges.
- Project requirement assessment and inspection.
- Dam walls.
- Building repair.
- Deep fountains.
Salary and job opportunities:
There is not much difference in the salaries of civil and structural engineers. In fact, the structural engineer can even be paid more than the civil engineer. This discipline holds a high scope with an average salary of almost $88,000. Do dig deeper, you can read what do structural engineers do?
Conclusion:
In short, both the fields hold a bright future as the need for new buildings and industries is increasing. It is interesting to note that a civil engineer must also know the structural functions, however, a structural engineer does not have to be a civil engineer.
Civil engineering is more about physical work and construction while structural engineering focuses more on mental work. It forms the basis for civil engineering.
Moreover, it can sometimes be quite hard for people to find trustworthy structural engineers. And if you are one of these people, then look no further.
Because Omega structural engineers are highly educated and well-experienced engineers that work with great efficiency and care and always meet the client’s expectations.