Role of a Design Engineer in Construction Industry
The exposure about the Steel construction Industry in India is been slowly lighting up in recent years. Steel as a construction material is being widely utilized by developed countries, as its advantages remain boundless. It's been a few decades since developing countries have started trying their hand in constructing steel structures.
So, this would be the right time for you, to know the answers to two main questions.
# What a Steel Design Engineer actually does.
# What it takes for you to be one.
Ok, we’ll start with this, suppose just imagine a potential client has an idea of a building in his mind and?he's sure about the purpose for which the building is going to serve.?Now based on that, he would choose a suitable location. Now, the work of a Surveyor and a Geotechnical engineer then comes in. Following this the Architect comes up with the layout of the building and it is from here the role of a Design engineer commences.
********************Communicating with Client****************************
For any building, the work of a Design Engineer starts with collecting all basic information about the building from the Client and Architect side.
This would include,
# Verifying the dimensions of the building
# Knowing the purpose of the building
# Building location
# Design code to be followed
# Mezzanine or any Crane system
# Any Equipment supporting system or Accessories to be included.
It is also the responsibility of a Design Engineer to take in, all the demands from the client side, analyze its feasibility from every possible angle and if there has to be any modifications, explain and help the client understand its impact.
********************Design Process****************************
The design stage includes two main steps Model Creation and Connection Design.
Model Creation - A Design Engineer creates a model of the structure, assigns its Properties, Loads and Sections. Having done this Analysis and Designs are the two main pillar steps to settle on the final sections of the members. The model created can be two or three dimensional.
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Connection Design - Two main types of connections used in steel structures are Steel-to-Steel Connections and Steel superstructure to Concrete substructure Connections. And furthermore the type of connection can be pinned, fixed, roller or any depending on the model designed. Each connection has to be individually designed, based on the loads it gets subjected to, design code and connection type.
********************Estimation****************************
This process includes estimating the amount of material required considering each and every requirement of the client and providing a summary of the material take off, which helps the client to scrutinize it and decide to move further or not, to the next stage, based on his budget or to include any modification.
********************Design Sketches****************************
The Building Plan, Anchor Bolt Setting Plan, Cross Sectional details, and the Elevation are all to be presented as a complete set of Approval Drawings to the client side, once it gets cleared from the client side, the next process of Detailing is started.
Building Plan
Provides complete detail about the basic dimensions, Column Position, Bracing location and Sloping Conditions.
Cross Section Drawings
The details of the sections of the primary members (beam and column), secondary members (purlin and girt), connections and bracings are all provided, which is highly important for the fabrication process.
Anchor Bolt Setting Plan
Provides details about the Bolt diameter, length and the position of each bolt around the column and also the Base Plate details.
Elevation
The location, size and number of openings in each side of the building and as well the Sheeting condition of the entire building are clearly understood via the Elevation Drawings.
********************Reports****************************
A document containing all the details of the building, the loads considered, any assumptions made, material specification, design standards, codes followed, design files and all essential calculations is to be prepared and submitted to the client, which may be scrutinized by a third party.
********************Clarifying Detailing Queries****************************
The next step in construction involves preparing Detailing drawings by the Detailers. It is the responsibility of the Design Engineer to transfer all information to the detailers and clarify in case of any queries.
The detailing drawings include Fabrication and Erection drawings which are important for fabricating each section and erecting them.
From the above said, you may have some idea of, what, it takes to be a Design Engineer. Basically, design and drawing software knowledge and a certain amount of negotiating and persuasive skills may help you enter into it, but, Fundamental Knowledge of what, why and how you do, helps you to sustain and grow further.