Construction Research Congress 2020
Revisiting the Roles of Structural Engineering Design Professionals under Their Increasing Risks and Associated Liabilities
Publication: Construction Research Congress 2020: Project Management and Controls, Materials, and Contracts
ABSTRACT
Structural engineering is an age-long profession which historically has played a central role in shaping our landscapes and societies with countless iconic structures. However, throughout the years, the role of structural engineers has significantly changed. From the “master builder”, responsible for all project aspects, their role nowadays is often confined to ensuring structural integrity. They are considered as supporting members led by others and are seldom involved in project decision-making. The paper aims at addressing the marginalized role of structural engineers which currently is not aligned with the vital importance of their profession. The methodology adopted consisted of a literature review to explore two main aspects. First, the role and competencies of structural engineers were investigated with respect to established and emerging fields such as structural and construction safety, integrated design, new project delivery methods, sustainable design, BIM, and other technological developments, including artificial intelligence and data analytics. Second, the new increased responsibilities, challenges, and liabilities that structural engineers are subjected to were identified. The findings revealed that in most fields, structural engineers play secondary roles especially as compared to architects. Unrealistic requirements and deadlines are frequently imposed on them and they operate in a legal context that does not properly shield them from professional liabilities. This is often hindering their performance as they become more conservative and averse to risk to the detriment of innovation and value engineering. Structural engineers should be proactive in redefining a more prominent and wider role for themselves. They should also regain control of decisions that directly affect their work. This will help their profession reach new heights while mitigating their risks and liabilities.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Construction Research Congress 2020: Project Management and Controls, Materials, and Contracts
Pages: 1001 - 1011
Editors: David Grau, Ph.D., Arizona State University, Pingbo Tang, Ph.D., Arizona State University, and Mounir El Asmar, Ph.D., Arizona State University
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-8288-9
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© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Nov 9, 2020
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