Building a skyscraper is no small task. It demands the effort of many specialists. Structural engineers and construction managers are two of the most essential members of the team, ensuring the project’s safety and success.
What do they do in reality? What are they?
This post will compare structural design vs. construction management. Learn how the two are different, and why they’re needed to create cool and safe buildings.
What is structural engineering?
Imagine that you’re building a home out of cards. Be careful not to let it fall. Make sure that the cards on the bottom can support the cards at the top.
Here’s what structural engineers do, with actual buildings.
The structural engineer ensures that a structure is sturdy. The “skeleton” is designed using math and science. The skeleton of a building includes columns, beams and foundations. They are responsible for making sure that the structure can withstand gravity, wind and earthquakes.
What Do Structural Engineers Do?
What are the major tasks of a structural engineering?
- Design the Bones : These plans are for the concrete and steel that holds a building.
- Do the Math : They determine how much weight the building is going to have and the strength of the materials needed.
- Check for Safety : The building is checked to make sure it won’t fall down during a hurricane.
- Choose Materials: The user decides whether the structure should be constructed of concrete, wood or steel.
Imagine a structural engineering as someone who creates the bones and muscles of the body. They are the ones who design the muscles and bones of a body.
What is Construction Management?
Let’s return to the house of cards. You already know the way to construct it. You also have to be able to tell where each card should go. Make sure that you have plenty of cards. Also, make sure that your brother does not knock over the table while you are working.
Here’s what a Construction Manager does.
The construction management process is about managing the entire project. They are in charge of the construction site. The managers make sure that the construction is completed on time, and at a reasonable cost.
What do construction managers do?
These are the most important jobs of a construction supervisor:
- Create a schedule: Decide which parts of the building are built first, then second and finally.
- Find Workers: The workers are carpenters and electricians.
- Keep an eye on the money: Make sure that the project does not spend more than the budget allows.
- Everyone should be safe: The company makes sure that all workers are wearing hard-hats, and following safety regulations.
Imagine a construction manager is the coach for a team of sports. The construction manager doesn’t play, but he tells the players what they should do to win.
Structural Engineering vs Construction Management: The Big Differences
What are the main differences between structural Engineering and construction management? It’s easy to understand.
1. This is the main focus
- Structural engineer: Focuses on design and safety. The question is, “Will it stand?”
- Construction manager: Focuses on time and money. The question is, “Can this be built quickly and inexpensively?”
2. What They Do
- Structure Engineer: Works in an office. The majority of their time is spent on computer drawing up plans.
- Construction manager: Works often on construction sites. The construction managers walk about in hard hats and boots to inspect the progress.
3. The Beginning
- The structural engineer: starts working prior to building. The first thing they have to do is draw up the blueprints.
- Construction manager: Begins working During The Building Process. The plans are made real by them.
Why do we need both?
It is impossible to build a beautiful building by doing just one of the two jobs. Both are needed!
You would be able to draw a beautiful building if you had only a structural designer. You would not have anyone to buy bricks or hire workers. It would be impossible to build the building.
You would be able to get a lot of people ready to work if you had only a construction supervisor. They wouldn’t be able to know how to build the walls, or what thickness of concrete is needed. It could fall apart!
This is an example of their working together.
- Engineer: Plans a bridge capable of holding 100 vehicles at once.
- Manager: Examines the plan and orders enough steel. The workers are told when the concrete should be poured so that the bridge can be ready to receive traffic the following year.
What is the right career for you ?
Like math and science? You might enjoy solving puzzles or figuring out the workings of things. You could be a structural engineering.
Are you a good leader? You may enjoy organizing and working with others. It’s possible that you would make a great project manager.
The two jobs are equally important. Both jobs are very important.
Conclusion
When you approach it as a team, understanding structural engineers vs. construction management becomes easy. The one designs strength and the other manages work.
The manager ensures that the construction is completed. The manager ensures that the construction is completed. They turn the drawings from paper into places we can learn, play, and live.
Look for people wearing white hardhats and holding clipboards the next time you are at a construction site. These are probably the engineers who ensure that the smart idea of the designer is brought to life.