Why Structural Engineers Need Maths GREGOR MORGAN 2C

Introduction I have chosen Structural Engineering for my careers topic. I chose Structural Engineering because I might want to be one when I’m older. My dad is an Engineering Geologist and my Grandad was a Civil Engineer so I already have a rough idea, of how much maths you use in engineering. For my investigation I have asked two of my parents' work colleagues, who are Structural Engineers, some questions about how they use maths in their job.

Questions I asked a couple of my parents’ colleagues some questions about maths and structural engineering. Here are the questions and their answers:  1. Were you always good at maths in school?  One of them said that they found maths easy throughout school but the other said he found it trickier when he got to his Highers  2. Did you need to get a good grade in maths higher to get into Structural Engineering?  They both said that you need a higher grade B, minimum  3. How much of your school maths did you use when studying?  Both said that they used most, if not all of their maths  4. Did you study maths as another subject when at Uni?  Both said that they did

Questions Here are the rest of the Questions:  5. What kind of structural engineering did you specialise in?  One specialises in bridges and the other specialises in buildings  6. How many times a day do you use maths?  Both said they use maths a lot everyday  7. How do the graduates today, compare to your generation in terms of maths ability?  Both said that the only difference is that they are better with the design software  8. What made you want to be a structural engineer?  One said that he thought the idea of creating and analysing complex structures sounded fun and the other said that he did not leave university intending to become a structural engineer but when he was offered a job as one, he gave it a try and really liked it. He had studied civil engineering which meant he could specialise in the workplace.

Computing Models using Maths in Structural Engineering  Design software is used to analyse forces or to analyse and design structural elements. The models are simplified 3-dimensional representations of the real buildings and the software packages decompose load actions and report the forces. This is effectively replacing the extensive maths that the engineer would have spent a long time doing before computer models were developed.  S-Frame is one of these packages.

Iconic Structures  An part of the structural engineering career that appeals to me is the chance to work on major structures that will stand for years to come.  The engineers I asked told me they had worked on a selection including:  International Climbing Centre Ratho Used mathematics to solve complex roof geometries and load paths

 Crossrail Project, London. Largest Infrastructure Project in Europe

 A82 road up loch Lomond

 A9. Perth to Inverness. Aldclune bridge. Computer model simulation of new proposed bridge north of Killiecrankie.

Summary  I have discovered that Structural Engineers use maths every day in their job and that they need to be able to apply their maths to lots of different design situations.  You have get a good grade at Higher (B minimum) in order to be able to cope with the maths you will learn on your professional training, at University or College.  I’m still keen on Structural Engineering because the projects look really interesting.