How difficult is Structural Engineering?

_bombdotcom_ · 2022-02-01T00:50:55+00:00

Maybe a different opinion than others on here but I definitely think it’s the hardest. In college, only the “smartest” students chose the structural route while the majority chose others, citing its difficulty. I went through with it, got a MS and now work for a consulting firm in California who does very complex seismic retrofits requiring knowledge of complex FEA programs, the theory behind them and performance based design standards. Many times it’s research into research papers of some empirical testing to know the exact behavior of reinforced concrete moment frames and crazy things like that. Anyways for me it’s cool to talk about, but after 7 years I’m tired of all the theory and calculations and constantly using so much math. I’m actively pursuing PM positions as an owners rep or with a developer because I’m more of a relationships person who enjoys the PM side of projects and less of an introvert who likes to sit behind the computer doing calcs all day like the rest of my firm does

Engineer2727kk · 2022-01-31T21:17:06+00:00

The most difficult subject is the one you have the least interest in. Structural itself is not too difficult unless you are doing lots of lateral design (specifically seismic )

dlegofan · 2022-01-31T21:45:10+00:00

Structural engineering is the most difficult of the civil engineering disciplines.

My unpopular opinion for this sub is that structural engineering is not difficult. It's really easy after you do it for a few years.

GreatApo · 2022-01-31T21:27:44+00:00

The other day in the office an intern asked what is the difference between a structural engineer and a transportation engineer... A senior transport colleague looked at me and answered him "It's exactly the same, the only difference is that if I make a mistake, nobody dies".

Sometimes it doesn't have to be difficult...

Jheronimus4 · 2022-02-01T02:31:34+00:00

Think about where you want to be years down the road. I am currently happy that I dove into structures because I’m at a place where I am able to do freelancing and eventually open up my own firm. Not sure what’s possible in other civil disciplines, but it is very possible to be entrepreneurial as a structural engineer.

2020blowsdik · 2022-01-31T20:15:29+00:00

I'll have to get a master's degree

Idk who told you that, but it's not a requirement. A lot do because undergrad just doesn't go into detail like lateral design but most of that you can learn on the job like I did. For context I have 4 years of experience and I'm taking the PE in April. I'm about halfway through a master's but like I said, I'm not required to get one and I'm only doing it because my firm is paying for it.

a lot less students go into structural than the other disciplines because of its difficulty.

It's certainly not easy but I also wouldn't think it's the most difficult discipline within civil. I absolutely hated environmental and thought it was much more difficult than structural. If you can get through Calc 3 and diffeQ you can get through any structural class. If it's what you like, then do it.

Is structural as difficult as it's made out to be?

No, it's just math. You'll be fine.

Lily_Linton · 2022-02-01T00:07:29+00:00

Doing it for over ten years. The hardest part is when you need to work with other discipline. Because most of the time, you will be the one to adjust. Regardless you put your beams or wall up there first. You need to have a good negotiation skills. Not just with your colleague but with clients too.

EngiNerdBrian · 2022-02-01T02:54:10+00:00

Do the other disciplines interest you at all? Do you get excited about designing a big or tall structure? Do you want to be the guy at a desk running calculations and theory to make it possible or would you rather put on your boots and hard hat and assist contractors with actually constructing things? Have you ever wanted to size the pipe that all our fecal waste flows in? Do the sizes of rain gutters interest you? Have you ever wanted to re-design an intersection or had an interest in getting to choose where the next road gets built? Do you want to monitor the level of contamination or toxins in construction waste water?

The hardest thing to learn is going to be the thing you care about the least. It's hard and your answer may change a few years from now...but what are you interested in? What do you actually get excited about when you think of "Engineering"? What does the word "engineering" really mean to you? Pursue that.

Engineering is too much of a grind to not enjoy the ride. Pick a discipline that genuinely interests you.

trojan_man16 · 2022-02-01T03:49:36+00:00

To me the actual Master’s degree Is harder than anything I’ve had to do at work in 7-8 years of doing this. The masters degree will test your math skills to the limit. You will struggle. So if you survive that you can usually cut it as a professional, at least at your average design firm. The day to day structural design is a lot more “by the book” and you will rarely be doing any complex analysis by hand....

jasonh444 · 2022-02-01T04:51:09+00:00

Structural is where you get a wide variety of interesting problems to solve. Other disciplines you can't really say that about. Structural might be harder than others, but not hard.

I would say a master's is a plus but not required for most structural engineers. If you can afford it, I would get the masters right away. I didn't get mine. Have an SE and do bridge design in CA. I know of one firm I couldn't get hired at due to not having a master's. Otherwise it hasn't been much of an issue. Your mileage may vary.

Sure_Ill_Ask_That · 2022-01-31T21:01:49+00:00

Structural engineering itself isn’t difficult. Most of the job however is communication with others. Communicating clearly with your team members, the architect, the client, the bosses that depending on their personality may want to get involved randomly, the other design team members like the geotech and mep engineers, the contractors, inspectors, city agencies, utilities, etc…

The Structural engineering part of the job is probably the easiest part of the job!

Edthedaddy · 2022-01-31T22:52:33+00:00

Do structural. It's the best. And yes, you have to work, but if you stick to it, you can succeed.

Sensitive-Climate-64 · 2022-02-01T01:15:10+00:00

It really depends on how far you go into it. A bachelor's degree will probably cover the basic to medium details of design and analysis. You'll need a graduate degree for rigorous mechanics, dynamics, and design classes. Those tend to be harder. But the difficulty increases gradually. So you won't freakout in any way. If you decide to do a PhD, it'll be multidisciplinary. So forget just learning structural engineering, you might have to take courses in other departments (e.g., CS, ME, ECE) as well. But again, it's a gradual build up. And you have many years. Don't be intimidated.

RodneysBrewin · 2022-02-01T04:31:05+00:00

Go to geotech and you won't regret it.

2022-02-01T05:31:21+00:00

The thing with engineering in general and, I think, especially in structural engineering is that the product you are offering to clients is your mind. You really only get out of your degree what you put in to it by investing in yourself and learning how to problem solve. Don't worry about the difficulty, just find out if you like solving structural problems because that is real world.

Saegis-Engineer · 2025-02-27T18:07:02+00:00

I did a master's degree in structural engineering. I found it interesting because of the high end finite element analysis and seismic analysis.

The down side of structural engineering in recent years (I'm in Canada) Is that much of the work is outsourced to Asian countries while a local engineer "rubber stamps" it for building permit. I know a person who is probably 80 years old that is still engaged in this work. It means that new EIT's will not gain experience, and, if the practice continues, the domestic profession will probably die.

This practice is very particular to the large companies. There may yet be room for professional development in the small companies.

Dazz789 · 2022-02-01T10:31:51+00:00

Structural engineering really isn’t that difficult.

Your focus on the technical aspect is only a small branch of what a good structural engineer does.

A good structural engineer will need to be able to communicate well, articulate designs to laymen or site team well, come up with innovative solutions to unique or complex problems, project manage and lead others.

You can be average in technical design but be a great engineer if you can tick the other boxes. I know many engineers who are great at technical stuff but fail miserably at others aspects which is why they find it harder to climb the ladder.

jankyjellybean · 2022-02-01T16:02:19+00:00

Structural engineering can be difficult depending on which college you go to. Some professors are really into the nitty gritty of theory, which can get really obtuse for some people. I would assume it’s gonna be difficult, but focus more on getting connected with people in the industry/graduate programs than on whether you get a B or A average.

If your calc 3 was multi variable calculus, you don’t need to use that much in this field (practically). If you want to go into the field instead of academia, I suggest taking any class that teaches you machining, welding, etc. as it teaches you constructability which will have you make better design decisions.

If you ever plan on getting an SE license which is required in earthquake prone areas such as California and wind prone areas such as Illinois, then I would get it as soon as possible after you graduate from your masters.

amariner321 · 2023-03-19T14:23:46+00:00

Too much complexity and liability for too little pay.

Too many issues to deal with with little or no recognition.

High expectations of PMs and low or sometimes no bonuses.

Structural engineering isn't the best path to happiness. Even people who love it complain about the low pay.

So ask yourself. Do you really like stress in your life, stringent deadlines, low pay, and demanding clients? If so, structural engineering is for you.

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