Civil Engineering Vs Structural: What’s the Difference?

When planning a building project – whether it’s a home extension, commercial property development or anything in between – understanding the roles of different engineers is crucial. 

Two of the most commonly confused disciplines are civil engineering and structural engineering. While both are essential to a construction project and often go hand-in-hand, they can sometimes be used interchangeably when in fact they both do very different things. 

At IKT Consulting, we’re expert structural engineers who offer a wide range of services for homeowners, developers, architects, contractors and more. In this article, we’ll break down what civil and structural engineers do, how they differ and when each is needed. 

Read on for more… 

 

What is civil engineering?

Civil engineering is one of the oldest and broadest fields of engineering. It deals with the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and structures. The field covers everything from roads, bridges, railways, water supplies and much more. 

Civil engineers are responsible for planning and managing infrastructure projects at every step. Their work usually begins long before any construction is started and continues after it is finished as they design, plan and analyse structures. 

Some of their key tasks include: 

• Investigating construction sites to ensure they’re feasible 
• Assessing environmental conditions 
• Planning designs 
• Ensuring regulatory compliance 
• Managing projects and coordinating with multiple disciplines 
• Overseeing construction
• Managing budgets
• Addressing problems that may crop up during the project 

In essence civil engineers ensure a structure is safe, efficient and built to last. 

 

What is structural engineering? 

Structural engineering is a much more specialised branch of engineering. It has a much more focused role that pays special attention to the stability, strength and durability of structures. While civil engineers concentrate on the broader project, structural engineers zoom in on the bones of a building to make sure it can withstand weight and forces over a lifetime. 

Typical responsibilities of a structural engineer include:

• Analysing and calculating loads
• Designing beams, columns and foundations 
• Ensure the structural integrity of the project
• Selecting the most appropriate materials 
• Collaborating with architects and contractors 
• Supervising on-site activities 
• Producing detailed structural drawings and calculations 
• Identifying potential hazards and risks  
• Inspecting existing structures for signs of weakness 

Overall, structural engineers make sure a building stays upright and is safe for occupants.  

 

Civil engineering vs structural 

While civil and structural engineering may overlap in many areas, they each have distinct responsibilities. Let’s take a look at some of the key differences:

Focus 

While civil engineers will take care of the overall project, structural engineers will be focused specifically on the structural aspects of a new building. In particular, they’ll be keeping a close eye on load-bearing areas and making sure all materials used can withstand robust forces.

Knowledge 

Structural engineers have a strong knowledge of how conditions will affect a structure and will put mitigations in place to make sure they do not collapse. While civil engineers may concentrate on how infrastructure may impact people after it is built, structural engineers will be fully focused on using their knowledge to aid structural integrity. 

Analysis 

Structural engineers will analyse how different forces and construction loads will impact a structure, whereas civil engineers will spend their time analysing the project more widely. 

Project scope 

Civil engineers have a broad scope, covering all infrastructure and construction tasks. In contrast, structural engineers are solely focused on building integrity.

Education 

To become a civil engineer, a general engineering degree is a good place to start. However, structural engineers will usually require a general degree that also has a specialisation in a field of structural engineering. 

Despite the various differences, both civil and structural engineers will frequently collaborate with one another on their projects. Their skills complement one another rather than compete. 

 

When do you need a structural engineer? 

While civil engineers are typically involved in larger infrastructure projects, structural engineers are essential for both domestic and commercial property work. Some of the circumstances where they are needed include:

Domestic structural engineering

• Home extensions: Any major alteration to a property, including extensions and loft conversions, will require a structural engineer to do calculations to ensure walls, floors and roofs are properly supported.
• Removing load-bearing walls: If you’re knocking down a wall to create an open-plan space, a structural engineer is needed to assess whether it is safe to do so.
• Subsidence or damaged walls: Any visible signs of structural movement often require the professional assessment of a structural engineer. 
• Roof conversions: Turning a loft into a living space involves strengthening the structure to cope with new loads. 

Commercial Structural Engineering 

• New build developments: When constructing new houses, offices or industrial buildings, a structural engineer is needed to provide input from the start. 
• Change of use: If you’re repurposing an existing building, such as converting a warehouse into an office, a structural engineer is needed to advise on structural reinforcements or reconfiguration. 
• Structural alterations: Large-scale renovations or refurbishments need detailed oversight from a structural engineer. 
• Compliance: Structural calculations and drawings are often required for building regulations approval and planning submissions.

If there’s any question about whether a change to a building will affect its integrity, it’s wise to consult a structural engineer.  

 

IKT Consulting – our structural engineering services 

At IKT Consulting, we offer various structural engineering solutions, including:

• Structural inspections: We conduct detailed on-site assessments of buildings to identify structural issues, including cracks, settlements or poor workmanship. 
• Structural calculations: We produce accurate structural calculations for a range of projects, including new builds, extensions, conversions and more.
• Structural drawings: Our engineers can create clear, precise drawings to illustrate the load paths, materials and structural elements of a project.
• Structural engineer reports: We provide comprehensive reports outlining the findings of our inspections, calculations or site visits. These can be used to support planning applications, repair works and more.

This is just a snapshot of the structural engineering services we offer. If your project involves structural changes or a brand-new structure is being built, you will need the assistance of a structural engineer. Contact our team today to find out how we can help.