Structural Integration in Practice: Constructing a Framework from the Experiences of Structural Engineers
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 141, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper presents results from a qualitative analysis study conducted on the integration of structure in a building. If integration is to become more of a priority, what does this mean to structural engineers, and how do they add value? Eighty-five total participants—38 architects, 46 structural engineers, and one practicing as both—were interviewed in four major U.S. cities to record their experiences. The practitioners identified structural integration as being multifaceted, and the scope of structural integration is bigger and broader than what has been presented previously. Due to the need to understand the perspectives for each of the fields individually and the large number of responses, the analysis presented here encapsulates the responses from only the structural engineering professionals. Engineering practitioners incorporate aspects of time, professional relationships, and a collaborative environment with structural integration. Integration also includes working toward goals such as technical innovation, constructability, architectural design, combining structures with other systems, and ensuring that the owner’s needs are met. Both the process and the aims lead to the physical articulation of the structure through its expression, detailing, and construction. A proposed framework for structural integration has been constructed from the responses to expand the current definition. With the changing practice environment, structural engineers need to consider what integrated design means to their profession, and this paper is intended to aid this process.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
A resounding thank you must be given to the study’s participants, who were generous with their time and experiences. Their kindness is very much appreciated. The author is also thankful for the financial support of the College of Fine and Applied Arts: Creative Research Award.
References
Ali, M. M., and Armstrong, P. J. (1995). “Architectural-structural integration.” Architecture of tall buildings, McGraw-Hill, New York, 94–106.
American Institute of Architects. (2012). “IPD case studies.” AIA Electronic Rep., American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC.
American Institute of Architects. (2013). “AIA foresight report: The changing context, business, and practice of architecture.” AIA Electronic Rep., American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC.
ASCE. (2007). The vision for civil engineering 2025, 〈http://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/Vision_2025_-_New/TheVisionforCivilEngineeringin2025_ASCE.pdf〉 (Mar. 13, 2013).
ASCE. (2012). Quality in the constructed project: A guide for owners, designers, and constructors, ASCE, Reston, VA.
Bachman, L. R. (2003). Integrated buildings: The systems basis of architecture, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.
Billington, D. P., and Garlock, M. E. M. (2010). “Structural art and the example of Felix Candela.” J. Struct. Eng., 339–342.
Charleson, A. W. (2005). Structure as architecture: A source book for architects and structural engineers, Elsevier/Architectural Press, Oxford, U.K.
Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE). (2012). “CASE 962: National practice guidelines for the structural engineer of record.” Electronic Rep., American Council of Engineering Companies, Washington, DC.
Denzin, N. K., and Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research, 3rd Ed., SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.
Groat, L., and Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research methods, Wiley, New York.
Rush, R. D., ed. (1986). The building systems integration handbook, Wiley, New York.
Seidman, I. E. (1991). Interviewing as qualitative research: A guide for researchers in education and the social sciences, Teachers College Press, New York.
Structural Engineering Institute (SEI). (2013). “A vision for the future of structural engineering and structural engineers: A case for change.” 〈http://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/sei/About_SEI/A%20Vision%20for%20the%20Future%20of%20Structural%20Engineering%20Oct%2016%202013(2).pdf〉 (Mar. 24, 2014).
Structure Magazine. (2013). “Educating future structural engineers.” STRUCTURE Mag., 46–50.
Zeisel, J. (2006). Enquiry by design: Environment, behavior, neuroscience in architecture, interiors, landscape and planning, Revised ed., W. W. Norton & Company, New York.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 141 • Issue 3 • July 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 5, 2013
Accepted: Jun 16, 2014
Published online: Jul 15, 2014
Discussion open until: Dec 15, 2014
Published in print: Jul 1, 2015
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.