The field of engineering encompasses many different disciplines that are all essential in some way to life and the functioning of society as we know it. From urban planning and transportation to geology and environmental protection, there are many areas that civil engineers and structural engineers can work within. It’s easy to get types of engineering confused when there can be so much overlap.
Civil engineering involves the evaluation, design, construction, and preservation of elements from the ground and environment to buildings and bridges. Meanwhile, structural engineering has a more specific focus on the safety of load-bearing elements. You can say that all structural engineers are under the umbrella of civil engineering, but not all civil engineers are structural engineers.
If you’re wondering which type of engineer you should be pursuing, or whether your project might require both, this blog looks into the definitions and differences of structural and civil engineering.
What is a civil engineer?
As a broader discipline, civil engineering covers most aspects of problem-solving when it comes to public infrastructure. They help to design roads and bridges, pipelines and sewage systems, canals and dams, railways and airports – essentially the foundations of our safe and functional urban lives.
It’s one of the oldest types of engineering that dates back to ancient times. Today, people can study civil engineering at university and gain a qualification through a four-year course that allows them to practice as a civil engineer. They can then pursue a Master’s and even a PhD in a sub-discipline of civil engineering if they want to specialise, like structural engineering or geotechnical engineering.
A qualified civil engineer is a professional who works with architects, clients, and contractors to create plans for efficient infrastructure that will improve the quality of life for people in the area. They usually split their time between working in their office and supervising construction sites.
Common tasks for civil engineers include analysing maps, creating design drawings, assessing project practicality and feasibility, and reviewing relevant legal requirements and regulatory codes.
What is a structural engineer?
After doing a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, a graduate can earn further qualifications by training in a specialised area of the civil engineering field. These degrees are usually required to get a license to practice as a structural engineer, contributing to important structures like bridges, skyscrapers, hospitals, schools, and more. Their main concern is load-bearing support systems.
Structural engineers will join a project to ensure that structures are strong, stable, and safe enough for their intended purpose. This includes calculating loads for components like foundations, walls, and rafters, and helping to select the right construction materials for the building’s requirements.
While a structural engineer can still be considered a civil engineer, their jobs commonly include more focused tasks like calculating pressure, weight, and resistance, creating computer-aided designs, analysing structural designs, inspecting construction sites, and writing progress reports.
They have to think critically about how the location of the building and its usage will affect the structure, including human and environmental influences, and adjust building plans accordingly.
How are they different?
The functions of civil engineers and structural engineers differ because the latter have a more specialised job. They often do the same kind of work, and can even be found working together on the same jobs, but structural engineers will be focusing on the structural elements of the project.
Civil engineers have a wider scope, encompassing the initial studies into the geological technicalities of the design, project cost estimates and proposals, document preparation, and risk management. Structural engineers will be involved in site appraisals, evaluation of materials, following building regulations, and inspecting structures. They also do damage assessments and manage demolitions.
You might say that civil engineering is mostly about the broader design and project co-ordination, while structural engineering is mostly about construction materials and methods. For example, when building a road or bridge, the civil engineer would consider the ground conditions it would be built on, connections to other highways, traffic distribution, and annual flooding estimates. The structural engineer would consider which materials should be used to bear the loads of heavy cars and trucks and how they should be put together to withstand these and environmental conditions.
Both types of engineer are important in various infrastructure projects, and the two roles can even involve a level of collaboration to ensure that the final product is both efficient and safe for use.
Which one do you need to hire?
If you have a construction project in the works, you might be wondering whether you need to hire a civil engineer or a structural engineer. Bear in mind that structural engineers are technically civil engineers, so when you hire one, you’re benefitting from their extended knowledge and experience on top of their initial training in civil engineering. Since they’re specialists, though, should you only look for a structural engineer if the project specifically requires structural design or alterations?
Depending on the scale, type, and location of your project, it will probably involve factors that fall under the remit of both types of engineer. Looking for a civil engineer is a good place to start, but with 81.2 thousand civil engineers in the UK as of 2021, it’s better to search directly for a structural engineer. If they don’t offer the services you need, they can still point you in the right direction – they’re often collaborating with all kinds of engineers, architects, and local authorities, after all.
For example, specifically looking for structural engineers in Manchester or companies that provide structural engineering in Liverpool should turn up civil engineering businesses who are best-placed to help you with your construction project. Whether they list their services as a civil engineer or a structural engineer, they should be registered with an official engineering body to confirm their status, such as ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) or IStructE (Institution of Structural Engineers).
At the end of the day, a structural engineer will have the same skillset as a civil engineer but will apply them in a specific way, while a civil engineer won’t necessarily have the advanced knowledge of a structural engineering qualification – so it makes sense to contact a structural engineer first!
