Civil Engineering Vs Structural Engineering: Understanding the differences

So, what is the difference between civil and structural engineering? With many similarities yet distinct differences it’s a really good question. Civil engineering and structural engineering are two closely related disciplines within the construction and infrastructure industry making it really important to understand the distinction between the two to know which one to appoint for your project, or even which one most appeals as a potential career.

What is Civil Engineering?

A civil engineer is focussed on the planning, design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects. Think roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, water supply systems and buildings to name a few and you’ll be on the right lines. It is a civil engineer’s responsibility to ensure that structures like these are safe, functional and sustainable. Quite often a civil engineer will work on big scale projects, working closely alongside other professionals such as architects, environmental engineers and urban planners.

It is within the scope of civil engineering to take responsibility for civil and structural design. In other words, taking the lead on analysing factors such as soil types and conditions, environmental impact and the material strength needed to develop efficient and long-lasting structures. Whilst doing this, a civil engineer will also be thinking about any economic, social and environmental concerns that might be associated with the project.

What is Structural Engineering?

This is where the role becomes even more specialised. Structural engineering focuses on the integrity and stability of structures so if you were to take a structural engineer position you would need the knowledge and expertise to design things like buildings and bridges, any structure that needs to withstand loads, environmental forces and wear over time. A structural engineer is needed to make sure the building is safe and resilient, and constructed in line with all relevant regulations.

If structural engineering is about understanding the strength and stability of materials used in construction essential it means a structural engineer is responsible for analysing how loads and forces affect a structure, using calculations, simulations and latest technologies to ensure that construction projects can handle specific pressures without failure.

Civil Engineer Vs. Structural Engineer as a career

In simple terms a civil engineer is focused on the ground and a structural engineer the building that emerges from the ground. As mentioned before, the main difference between civil and structural engineering lies in their focus, with civil engineers taking care of large-scale infrastructure projects, while structural engineers focus on the design and details of the load-bearing components within the project. For example, if the project was a bridge, the civil engineer would manage the design, environmental impact and overall functionality while the structural engineer would ensure that the bridge’s framework can support the necessary loads and resist external forces.

So, if you’re someone who’s asking yourself “What do structural engineers do?” or “How does a structural engineer differ from a civil engineer?” you’re hopefully now understanding that structural engineers concentrate on the structural work, such as designing beams, columns and foundations, while civil engineers take care of the broader project management and infrastructure planning.

Choosing between civil and structural engineering

Like we’d suggest for most career choices. It’s always best to reflect on what your personal interests and skills are. If you’re someone that likes to be involved in things from start to finish, then you’d probably like to be the civil engineer overseeing an entire infrastructure project or urban development. However, if you’ve more of a natural aptitude for physics and mathematics and feel more passionate about designing strong and safe structures, structural engineering might be a better fit.

Now that you understand that civil and structural engineering are interconnected but also, we hope that you feel confident in making your decision on which one you need to hire or which one you might like to find out more about as a career choice. As a business that is passionate about engineering for life, DSA would love to hear from you.