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How do you explain structural design to non-engineers?

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Structural design is the process of creating safe and efficient structures that can resist various loads and environmental conditions. It is a complex and technical field that involves many concepts, calculations, and tools. However, as a structural engineer, you may often need to explain your design decisions and solutions to non-engineers, such as clients, contractors, architects, or the public. How can you communicate effectively and clearly without confusing or boring them? Here are some tips to help you.

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Syed Muzammil

Structural Steel Detailer | Certified by Tekla & AISC | Advanced Tekla Modeler
Hadeer Korayem

Specification Expert, Consultancy Services in Sales and Building Materials

1 Know your audience

The first step to explaining structural design to non-engineers is to understand who you are talking to and what they need to know. Different audiences may have different levels of interest, background, and expectations. For example, a client may want to know how your design meets their functional and aesthetic requirements, while a contractor may want to know how your design affects the construction process and costs. Therefore, you should tailor your explanation to suit your audience's needs and goals, and avoid unnecessary details or jargon.

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Hadeer Korayem

Specification Expert, Consultancy Services in Sales and Building Materials
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Creating a presentation and planning a meeting depends on the audience and attendees. Knowing your audience guides you to focus on what′s important for them to hear and what′s essential for them to know in order to give a feedback. When I plan a presentation, I show or hide slides that of interest to my audience. I never have 1 presentation only for any specific subject! Keep it simple and focus on your audience interests.

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2 Use simple language

The second step to explaining structural design to non-engineers is to use simple and clear language that they can understand. Avoid using technical terms, acronyms, or symbols that may confuse or intimidate them. Instead, use plain words, analogies, or examples that relate to their everyday experience. For example, instead of saying "the beam is subjected to bending moment and shear force", you can say "the beam is like a ruler that bends and twists when you push or pull it". You can also define or explain any terms that are essential to your design, but do it briefly and concisely.

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Syed Muzammil

Structural Steel Detailer | Certified by Tekla & AISC | Advanced Tekla Modeler
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To grasp the essence of structural design, let's begin with the fundamentals. Think of a building as a complex puzzle, and its structure as the invisible framework that holds it all together. Just as our bones provide support and shape to our bodies, beams and columns act as the architectural backbone, ensuring that structures stand tall and strong.

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3 Use visuals

The third step to explaining structural design to non-engineers is to use visuals that can illustrate your design concepts and solutions. Visuals can help your audience grasp the main ideas, see the connections, and remember the information better. You can use different types of visuals, such as sketches, diagrams, photos, videos, or models, depending on the purpose and context of your explanation. For example, you can use a sketch to show the layout and dimensions of your structure, a diagram to show the load paths and reactions of your structure, a photo to show the appearance and materials of your structure, or a video to show the behavior and performance of your structure under different scenarios.

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4 Use stories

The fourth step to explaining structural design to non-engineers is to use stories that can engage and persuade your audience. Stories can help your audience relate to your design, understand the challenges and opportunities, and appreciate the value and impact of your design. You can use different types of stories, such as anecdotes, case studies, or scenarios, depending on the message and emotion you want to convey. For example, you can use an anecdote to share how you came up with your design idea, a case study to show how your design solved a similar problem in the past, or a scenario to show how your design will benefit the future users or stakeholders.

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Syed Muzammil

Structural Steel Detailer | Certified by Tekla & AISC | Advanced Tekla Modeler
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The power of storytelling lies in its ability to transport us into the heart of engineering feats. Imagine hearing the tales of iconic structures – the intricate iron lattice of the Eiffel Tower or how the Burj Khalifa ingeniously tackles the challenge of powerful winds in Dubai. These stories ignite the spark of curiosity.

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5 Use questions

The fifth step to explaining structural design to non-engineers is to use questions that can stimulate and involve your audience. Questions can help your audience think critically, clarify their doubts, express their opinions, and provide feedback. You can use different types of questions, such as open-ended, closed-ended, or hypothetical, depending on the purpose and level of your explanation. For example, you can use an open-ended question to invite your audience to share their thoughts or expectations, a closed-ended question to check their understanding or agreement, or a hypothetical question to challenge their assumptions or perspectives.

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6 Use feedback

The sixth and final step to explaining structural design to non-engineers is to use feedback that can improve and refine your explanation. Feedback can help you assess the effectiveness and clarity of your explanation, identify the gaps or errors in your explanation, and adjust your explanation accordingly. You can use different sources and methods of feedback, such as verbal, non-verbal, or written, depending on the mode and medium of your explanation. For example, you can use verbal feedback to ask your audience to summarize or repeat your main points, non-verbal feedback to observe your audience's body language or facial expressions, or written feedback to ask your audience to fill out a survey or a questionnaire.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Syed Muzammil

Structural Steel Detailer | Certified by Tekla & AISC | Advanced Tekla Modeler
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Analogies Are Your Allies: Analogies are our go-to tools for simplifying complex concepts. Consider this: Beams are like the invisible spine of a bookshelf, preventing it from sagging under the weight of books. Columns, in turn, are akin to the legs of a table, providing essential stability and balance. Real-Life Applications: Structural engineering isn't confined to textbooks; it impacts our daily lives. Well-designed structures can withstand earthquakes, storms, and other challenges, ensuring our safety and the functionality of our environment.

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How do you explain structural design to non-engineers?

1

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3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your audience

2 Use simple language

3 Use visuals

4 Use stories

5 Use questions

6 Use feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Structural Engineering

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How do you explain structural design to non-engineers?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your audience

2 Use simple language

3 Use visuals

4 Use stories

5 Use questions

6 Use feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Structural Engineering

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