How to Select a Capable Structural Engineer
Choosing the right structural engineer can be a very challenging but rewarding process. Whether it’s a residential property, commercial complex, or industrial infrastructure, the right structural engineer can provide valuable insights that can determine a safe structure and save the owners money and time in the process.
Hiring a capable structural engineer can be difficult if the owners do not know exactly what they need for the job. With so many different types of engineering firms, it makes it daunting to pick one that can do the job efficiently and correctly instead of someone with little or no experience in structural inspection.
Here are some things to consider when looking for a structural engineer:
- Certification
Structural engineers can not only have a Professional Engineering license but can also obtain an additional structural engineering certification. As for the case of structural engineers in the US, the Structural Engineering Certification Board (SECB), in partnership with the American Society of Civil Engineers – Structural Engineering Institute (ASCE-SEI), certifies those that have additional education, experience, and skill that are particular to the practice of structural engineering, and most importantly, that have already been granted Professional Engineer (PE) status by the state licensing board and National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE) is an organization of Professional Engineers specializing in building inspection engineering with expertise in structural evaluation, inspection, and design. Hiring a member of NABIE can provide peace of mind for a thorough inspection process. Members of NABIE abide by an established Standards of Practice to provide their clients with the highest level of experience in the industry.
In addition, NABIE is an affiliate organization to Building Inspection Engineers Certification Institute (BIECI). BIECI is a certification organization for board-certified building inspection engineers. To become a board-certified engineer, the individual needs to demonstrate years of experience, a breadth of knowledge, competence, and structural skills, and take a written exam demonstrating their aptitude.
- Assessment Techniques and Technologies
Suppose the owner suspects that the property is suffering from a specific structural issue. In that case, it is ideal to choose a structural engineer who has the experience and knowledge to properly evaluate the situation and can determine if additional testing is needed to adequately assess the building’s structural integrity.
The structural engineer should be capable of conducting non-invasive structural testing. This is an important tool that can be utilized in buildings with historical or architectural significance. Examples of non-invasive structural testing include:
- Thermography,which assists in recognizing potential structural anomalies by using the capacity of materials to transfer heat.
- Magnetometry,which allows localizing metal bars in reinforced concrete.
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR),which enables an engineer to see reinforcement bars and can determine the reinforcement location, type, diameter, and other critical references.
- Ultrasonic testing,which enables defining the level of corrosion of metal reinforcements in concrete.
- Ultrasound investigation,which allows a qualitative assessment of the concrete resistance by using the capacity of concrete materials to transfer ultrasound waves.
- Sclerometric tests,which measure the superficial hardness of the concrete from the recoil of an incident mass after the collision with the surface being tested.
A capable structural engineer also employs several technologies to ensure that the structure is safe and structurally sound. These technologies span from basic design calculations and material science to applied mathematics and applied mechanics, all paired with industry knowledge on how to create a safe and efficient structure.
- Scope of Services
A capable structural engineer should also offer a comprehensive scope of services to meet any needs that their clients may require for the project. For a residential project, the required services will likely be less extensive than a large-scale commercial building project. Nonetheless, a capable structural engineer should provide a customized service offering that exactly fits their clients’ needs.
Typically, a NJ structural engineer’s scope of services could include the following:
- Construction material identification and condition evaluation
- Building code compliance
- Building structural design review and inspection
- Structural deficiency identification, evaluation, and repair design
It is also considered a best practice to give the prospective structural engineer a call for an initial consultation to discover which of their services is best suited for the job at hand.
- Staffing
When hiring a structural engineering firm, try to select one that has a talented and diverse team. Having a dynamic group of licensed, experienced professionals all under one roof helps ensure a faster and more efficient project.
Furthermore, a diverse team of structural engineers can help achieve an insightful report drawn upon years of combined experience, thus providing the property owners with solutions that are both actionable and suited to their particular needs.
- Client Reviews
When looking for a structural engineer, it is also valuable to understand their experience with other similar clients. Doing so will provide a clear picture of how well the structural engineer or the firm handled similar jobs.
It is also a good idea to find previous clients in the same area to determine that their reviews demonstrate their level of experience and quality for the client’s project. Doing so will confirm that the structural engineer or firm understands the local regulations and has successfully complied with those in their past projects.
Conclusion
By hiring an excellent NJ Structural Engineer, property owners in the Garden State will be able to confirm the safety, stability, and performance of their structure in a cost-effective manner. Not only that, but these experts can also assist companies in capital planning of critical structural maintenance, repair, and inspections to maintain the integrity and lifetime of the structural components of the building.
Lockatong Engineering offers building inspection services conducted by experienced licensed structural engineers. Our diagnostic services include:
- Building envelope & façade inspections
- Fire protection & life safety
- Mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP)
- Process distribution systems
- Structural evaluation and repair design
- Parking garage surface, weathering & corrosion
- Site stormwater management
- System vulnerability analysis
- ADA evaluation
For more information about the services and expertise that our professional NJ structural engineers provide, click here to contact Lockatong Engineering today.
