From Barns to Bridges to Buildings: Structural Engineers in Hunterdon County Have a Wide Array of Structures to Inspect

The daily life of structural engineers in Hunterdon County, New Jersey is quite busy and complex, to say the least. Aside from doing structural design work and studying different projects in the office, their typical work day also includes going into the field for project inspections and ensuring that these structures are following the construction and structural code specifications.

Hunterdon County is a progressive place and is home to dozens of facilities, establishments, and structures – both modern and century-old. It houses various parks and recreational areas, hospitals, schools, churches, and privately-owned barns. There are also several historic truss bridges, such as the White Bridge Road bridge, that require regular inspection and maintenance in order to preserve their condition and prevent any further deterioration.

With a wide variety of structures to monitor, structural engineers play a crucial role in Hunterdon County and it is their responsibility to make sure that these buildings and structures are safe and can stand the test of time.

For example, there are days when they have to work on the structural repair of dilapidated old barns. From post-and-beam timber frames and wooden pegged joinery structures of 19th century barns, to stud-frame construction with dimension lumber and roof trusses structures of 20th century barns, structural engineers must fully understand the construction style and materials used on wood frame agricultural buildings like barns so that they will know exactly where to look for defects, and provide accurate remedies before structural failure occurs.

Aside from barns, historic truss bridges are another type of project that engage structural engineers in Hunterdon County. According to Preservation New Jersey’s website, the bridges are a “testament to the state’s industrial heritage” and were the “precursor to the iron and steel frame skyscrapers which never would have been possible without the understanding of the materials achieved through bridge experimentation.” As such, it is the job of structural engineers to conduct restoration projects not only to preserve the physical condition of the bridges but also to promote the historical value and heritage that these structures contribute to Hunterdon County.

Multiple historic taverns can also be found in the Hunterdon County, many of which are still in service. In order to continue their operations and serve more guests in the future, the owners of these establishments also depend on structural engineers for renovations and upgrades required by the structures.

As an area with rich cultural heritage represented by century-old establishments, bridges, and communities, Hunterdon County relies on the expertise of structural engineers to determine the causes and evaluate the repairs that should be made on these historical structures. But to say that they only exhibit the high-level of attention and expertise on old structures is a mistake. With over a hundred thousand inhabitants, multiple business offices, and manufacturing plants, projects involving historical sites and structures are just part of the typical workload of structural engineers in Hunterdon County.

But the responsibilities of structural engineers don’t end as projects and inspections conclude. After they make sure that residential homes, commercial buildings, and old establishments are safe for occupancy, they must also stay updated with the amendments on building codes as newer technology and developments are being introduced in the engineering industry.

In summary, the day-to-day life of structural engineers in Hunterdon County can be very busy and challenging and can involve structures that span over one hundred years.