Computing load and grade requirements, water flow rates and material stress factors to determine
design specifications;
Inspecting project sites to monitor progress and ensure the project is being constructed according to
design specifications;
Conducting studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify potential problems and
Critical skills that a person needs in structural engineering include an in-depth understanding of physics
and mathematics. A structural engineer must also know the properties of various materials, such as their
density, hardness, tensile strength, bulk modulus and bending strength. They need to be able to calculate
how different materials will perform under stresses such as compression, tension, bending and twisting,
as well as under various environmental conditions of temperature, pressure, corrosive gases and liquids,
and even radiation. They also need to be able to predict how these materials will perform over an
extended period of time.
Structural engineers rely increasingly on computer-aided design (CAD) systems, so proficiency with
computers is essential. In addition to speeding up the drafting process, CAD systems allow for quick and
easy modifications of designs and three-dimensional (3D) visualization of finished parts and assemblies.