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Structural Engineer
Structural Engineer

Summing Up: What Does a Structural Engineer Do?

Tagged With: Construction Professionals, Interview, Self Build, Structural Engineer29/03/2016 By Allan Corfield11 Comments

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An interview with Darryl Bailie – Structural Engineer, Future Space Structural Consultants Ltd

Throughout a Self Build project, Structural Engineers are usually called upon at the detailed design stage, and are required for Building Warrant approvals. Your Structural Engineer will also check the ground conditions of your proposed site, which will define the foundation design.

But when is the best time to appoint one? And what other decisions do they make? We sat down with our good friend and engineering know-it-all, Darryl Bailie, to answer some of the key questions Self Builders ask about Structural Engineers…

1. First of all, what does a Structural Engineer do?

The easiest way to explain it is this: If a building was a human being, a Structural Engineer designs the skeleton!

2. What makes a good Structural Engineer?

Self Builders need to find a Structural Engineer who is a good communicator; someone who speaks with the client, and shares and receives feedback from the architect.

A good engineer will guide architects – they won’t just go with what has been designed if there are more efficient ways of creating a structure. Structural Engineers should be adaptable, and sympathetic to the needs of their client – whilst always aiming to provide what the client wants, for the lowest possible cost.

It’s the engineer’s job to create a mathematical model, which is a representation of the real-life scenario; they have to consider all of the factors which might effect the structure of the building, before the actual building work can go ahead.

Structural Engineer Blog

3. At what stage should you consult a Structural Engineer and get them involved in your Self Build project?

It’s probably best to have a construction style in mind first before appointing the right engineer. Most architects typically have a couple of engineers they work with regularly, but it’s still up to you who you appoint.

The most direct communication regarding design tends to happen between architect and engineer, so it’s worthwhile finding a good pairing. I’d say the best time to get a Structural Engineer involved would be during the initial design concept stage.

You’ll be paying for an engineer at some stage – so getting them involved from the offset means that you can benefit from their input the whole way through.

If you have a specific system in mind, it is worth using an engineer who has sufficient experience, whether that is with SIPs, timber frame, or steel frame designs.

Often a system builder, such as a SIPs manufacturer or a timber frame supplier, will have a ‘pet’ engineer they prefer to use. This engineer will have had feedback over the years relevant to the system – and will know the details that work, and which ones don’t.

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4. What key things should clients keep in mind when looking at a new plot?

There are a lot of resources available to investigate a plot without leaving your house!

  1. Ordnance Survey Maps are available through Bing maps online, which can help you identify things like boggy ground, rock outcroppings, and adjacent watercourses.
  2. In Scotland, you can find historical maps showing previous land use through the National Library of Scotland.
  3. The Coal Authority have an online gazetteer which identifies which parts of the country could be affected by mine workings.
  4. Online flood risk maps are available through the Environment Agency.
  5. The British Geological Survey (BGS) may have online records of historical boreholes on or near the site.
  6. Google Maps Streetview is also very useful.

Putting the above information together can help you determine whether there are mains drains available and, if not, possible ways for you to drain the site. A lot of field drains nearby, or boggy ground, might suggest a poorly draining soil unsuitable for soakaways.

Outcropping rocks nearby might indicate solid rock at shallow depth which would be good for building foundations on – but awfully costly for a basement build!

Nearby flooding or possible historical mining might also affect the development of the site – as might industrial land use on or near the site in the past. The best source of information regarding foundation design is from the local council.

Bringing this information together will give you an understanding of what risks there are in the foundation design, and also the extents and necessity of carrying out a site investigation.

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Structural Engineer Blog

5. Which construction styles offer the best structural efficiency?

It really depends; different construction styles suit different types of buildings. Structural efficiency is worked out on a house-by-house basis – you have to pick the construction method to suit the kind of building the client wants. Factors such as time can have a bearing on the construction style you opt for.

For example, say you were originally thinking about a timber frame Self Build: you could speed up the entire process by choosing a steel frame structure with timber infill panels instead.

This might cost more, but you could have a wind and watertight envelope much quicker – without compromising the structural efficiency of the building.

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR PROJECT IN TULLYMORAN?

Low energy self build home Tullymoran

Have a look at our low energy project in Tullymoran, Perthshire which was built from Structural Insulated Panels.

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6. Can you talk us through some specific problems a Structural Engineer might have to solve for Architects and Self Builders?

There are a number of issues I see time and time again:
  1. Try to avoid non-rectangular openings for stairs – an ‘L’-shaped cut out will need down-stands or fabricated steelwork.
  2. Internal chimney breasts can cause problems with the build sequence, and major problems if they interfere with a ridge beam where you have a vaulted roof.
  3. External balconies protruding from the building line should have external supports to avoid cantilevered support steelwork causing a cold bridge.
  4. Inset balconies over living accommodation should be considered carefully to ensure there is a sufficient buildup for finishes, drainage, insulation and structure – which can reduce the ceiling height below.
  5. Please let us have a deep enough floor buildup to fit the structure! SPAN/20 is a good rule of thumb for floor depth i.e. a 6m wide room should allow for a 300mm deep floor deck over.

Structural Engineer Blog

7. How much should a client budget for Engineers’ Fees?

As a rough guide, a Structural Engineer will charge between 0.8 and 1.2% of the total build cost.

8. How can Engineers save clients money but still get the same design outcome?

Ultimately, a building is a problem that needs to be solved. The more convoluted the load path, the more complex the problem – making the process more costly.

It all comes back to having an engineer you can have an open dialogue with, someone who will tell you the most efficient way of creating the structure you need.

You have to have a think about what’s really important to you: if there isn’t a particular view you’re trying to capture with that window, you don’t need it; if you don’t need the window, you don’t need the extra beam – so you can spend the money on something else instead!

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9. What are your top tips for designing a brilliant, structurally-efficient Self Build?

  1. The client must be willing to listen to their engineer.
  2. Find an Architect who is prepared to listen to the chosen engineer.
  3. Choose an engineer who is prepared to talk to the client and their architect!

Overall, this is not only a one-off Self Build home; it is a ‘one-off’ process. There are new problems, bespoke requirements, and individual circumstances to overcome.

Communication is really vital, and developing a good working relationship between all parties from the offset can make a huge difference. Typically, architects will be able to guide clients through the design, and will know the right time to consult the engineer for structural advice.

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You can find more articles about other Self Build specialists below:

  • How appointing a Lighting Designer can improve your Self Build
  • The benefits of using an Interior Designer for your Self Build
  • Why appoint a Planning Consultant for your Self Build in England
  • Why appoint a Planning Consultant for your Self Build in Scotland
  • How to choose a Self Build Architect for your project

We’d like to thank Darryl for his time and contribution to ACA’s blog for this week. Darryl is our go-to expert in structural engineering, and joins ACA to offer advice at Self Build Seminars hosted by our friends at SIPS Industries. If you’d like to sign up for a seminar, or would like more information, click here.

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Are you considering building your own self-build dream home? If so, download our free ‘introduction to self building’ ebook.

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Filed Under: Blog, Have Building Regs, Have Planning, Purchased A Plot, Self Build Professionals

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cara says

    31/03/2016 at 8:11 pm

    Fantastic blog Nath, this is a perfect “go to” page for explaining to my BC customers what an engineer is for. Thank you. xx

    Reply
    • Allan Corfield says

      01/04/2016 at 8:02 am

      Thanks Cara! Glad you found it useful! 🙂

      Reply
    • Zariel says

      12/08/2016 at 9:17 pm

      At last! Someone with the insight to solve the preoblm!

      Reply
  2. Andy McChesney says

    03/08/2016 at 12:05 pm

    Great blog! Great info given at last seminar 🙂

    Reply
    • Allan Corfield says

      03/08/2016 at 1:14 pm

      Thanks Andy! Have you downloaded our eBook? You’ll find it here: https://www.acarchitects.biz/ebook/

      Reply
      • Jailyn says

        12/08/2016 at 11:00 pm

        It’s really great that people are sharing this infarmotion.

        Reply
  3. Gregory Willard says

    17/08/2016 at 12:33 pm

    I really like that you say that if a building was a human, the structural engineer designs the skeleton. The design of a buildings structure has always been something that intrigues me. It always seemed like one person would do all the work, but it doesn’t look that way now.

    Reply
    • Allan Corfield says

      25/08/2016 at 11:32 am

      Gregory…. its a team effort!

      Reply
  4. Derek Mcdoogle says

    07/10/2016 at 1:57 am

    You mentioned that throughout a building project, structural engineers are usually called upon at the detailed design stage, and are required for building warrant approvals. Can a building be built and used without the work of a structural engineer? I imagine that each building has to meet certain codes or regulations. Hiring a structural engineer for any building project could be very beneficial.

    Reply
  5. John kaye says

    23/10/2016 at 9:21 am

    One thing which may be worth noting regarding hiring a structural engineer is that in order to get accurate quotes from any prospective builders you will need good structural drawings. To do this you need to get the structural engineer involved as soon as the planning consent comes through if you intend to start works 6 months after planning consent. Builders get booked up in advance and you need time to get the best quotes and the best builders. I’m just at the stage of looking for a structural engineer for my build and they all seem booked up in my area jeapordising my start on site of March 2017.

    Reply
  6. Eileen Benson says

    18/10/2019 at 8:35 pm

    It was helpful when you talked about the qualities that make a good structural engineer. My husband and I want to hire a structural engineering service for our construction project. Thanks for teaching me how to evaluate structural engineers effectively!

    Reply

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