Structural Engineers Can Do More than Just 'Calc'
By Perry A. Tabor, P.E.
For over 20 years, we have been actively collaborating with building industry colleagues, acquiring valuable information that we look forward to sharing in this column. Our goal is to help introduce information in our monthly articles that can have a direct and positive impact on your future projects.
We are proud to serve as the structural engineering experts for Builder/Architect, featuring our monthly "Structural Design Corner."
The topics we will bring to you will include design concepts, innovations and trends, as well as practical considerations that can bring value to a wide variety of projects.
Our first column topic is "Structural Engineers Can Do More than Just Calc." More specifically, we will highlight the importance of having your structural engineer serve as a collaborative partner; actively participating from early conceptual design, into design development and construction documents, continuing through construction administration.
Architects are unquestionably the most visible design professional associated with any building project. Who and what a structural engineer does is much less visible to the public and his/her name is very rarely remembered. The satisfaction of efficiently transforming a concept into a tangible object that serves and shelters its occupants is the engineer's reward.
Builders and architects have welcomed a change from the old industry standard in which the structural engineer only became involved in a project after the architect has completed the fully dimensioned drawings with building elevations and sections, having limited input during the design phase and almost no involvement once actual construction began.
Today, structural engineers continue to be more fully involved as an integral part of the project team. There are certain stages of involvement that are particularly important to consider.
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PHASE
Collaboration meeting(s) between the architect, owner/developer, structural engineer, geotechnical and other engineering professionals during the conceptual design can translate into substantial construction savings. This is the stage when the structural engineer can help by proactively discussing the most viable foundation and building assembly, as well as by identifying other challenges.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE
Continued periodic collaboration between the owner/developer, design team and the general contractor can further refine construction savings. Together, they can help to identify opportunities for practical plan modifications, as well as identify potential challenges (e.g., grading, sound, etc.). For example, in a recent project design meeting, the team agreed to adjust the store front opening by eliminating one window panel, which reduced header member sizes, as well as changed the store front lateral system to a shear wall panel system from an inverted column (steel) system. This simplified construction, reduced coordination of different trades (steel fabricator and erector), avoided potential schedule delays and reduced building costs (reducing footing sizes and reducing man-hours/material costs). This is just one example of how a minor change translated into more efficient and economical construction.
On small projects, a schematic design meeting may be more appropriate than the conceptual and design development phase involvement.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT PHASE
As the design is evolving, periodic meetings should be held at milestone stages with the critical team members. Architects have an invaluable opportunity to enlist the participation of the structural engineer, truss manufacturer, framing contractor, MEP engineer/contractor and sound consultant during superstructure discussions. It is also important to enlist the participation of the geotechnical, structural engineer, concrete contractor and civil engineer during foundation discussions.
Their joint collaboration (value engineering) can help to identify appropriate cost saving assemblies prior to finalizing the building design, as well as create an opportunity to introduce alternative assembly or design considerations much earlier than by value- engineering during the construction process.
On small projects, a preconstruction meeting during which the project team briefly can interface may be more appropriate than the above listed construction documentation phase outlined meetings.
CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION PHASE
Periodic site observations by the structural engineer during various structural stages of construction are critical and will vary by project type, size and complexity. At a minimum, site observations should be conducted at foundation reinforcement, rough framing and interior/exterior/roof shear, as well as after the HVAC/plumbing/electrical installation.
The engineer can often assist to identify noncompliance structural assembly and offer immediate solutions/directions to rectify the assembly, avoiding potential construction delays and reducing their clients' potential liability.
In addition to fully engaging structural engineers throughout the above described phases, it is also important that the structural engineer be encouraged to present viable design innovations and alternatives. Structural engineers can be forward-thinking in implementing new concepts and communicating new methodologies. Becoming familiar with and evaluating alternative materials can often lead to introducing design options that promote greater flexibility, easier installation, reduced delays and lower construc- tion costs overall.
We've highlighted certain design and construction stages in which to involve your structural engineer. These stages can certainly be further elaborated in future articles as well. Do you currently engage your engineer as a collaborative partner to the fullest extent? If not, we encourage you to join the increasing number of building participants that wholeheartedly embrace this valuable concept of increased involvement. By doing so, you can yield cost savings and greater efficiency while producing structurally sound homes and buildings.
September 2007 Commercial Edition Issue