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Structural Engineering: What it is and How it Works

Have you ever stopped to marvel at the huge variety of buildings and structures we see all around us every day? Have you ever admired a piece of industrial city art? What goes into ensuring that houses, large art structures and bridges stay upright and in place?

A structural engineer is at the center of the answer to these questions. Keep reading to discover the intricacies involved in doing this type of work and how it is utilized in the realm of public art.

What is a Structural Engineer?

A structural engineer is someone who has studied under the brand of civil engineering and has a deep understanding of the laws of physics, mathematics and design to develop the concepts that go into large structures. They often work alongside construction engineers, surveyors, architects and others to accomplish their vision. Understanding the key aspects of supportive structures and the intense amounts of load they carry is crucial.

Structural engineers are experts at these key components and possess a large body of knowledge involving the details of a successful construction. This includes knowing the best types of materials to use and the proper shapes, sizes and dimensions that will best carry the load while maintaining structural integrity for many years to come.

Both Creative Designers and Problem-Solvers

To be successful in the field of structural design and engineering, you need to have equal strengths in creativity and problem-solving as the foundation of your learning. It’s essential to take into account the extreme conditions structures may undergo. These variables will play into the materials, shape and dimensions of a project, meaning a structural engineer needs to weigh the environment and other factors in their design.

Structural Engineering and Public Art

Now that you have a better understanding of what structural engineering is and how it works, you can better appreciate its role in developing public art. Encountering a piece of public art outside of a museum can feel like stumbling across a treasure in the middle of a busy downtown area.

Public art is a breathtaking interruption to a busy commute or hurried walk to your next destination. The best form of public art is one that connects you to the city in which it is located. It tells a story, and it roots you into a better understanding of where you are and the significance of the area, its people, local history, culture and more.

Structural engineering also uses public art to display work that reflects our contemporary culture. Although one of the main focuses of a piece of public art is its meaning, the use of creative imagination and the components to make it happen are nothing short of impressive. What’s the use of an amazing, creative idea with no viable plan to carry it out through structural engineering? The integrity of the structure and its artistic expression are inventive, bold and need a lot of talent and skill to pull it off.

The next time you come across a display of public art, consider the many decisions that went into it to make it happen.

EG Structural Supports Better Diversity in the Arts

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design sculpture pieces that highlight their exceptionalism.

If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece or if you have questions about being more involved in public art, contact EG Structural today!

A custom fabrication professional is welding pieces of metal

What is Custom Fabrication?

Metal fabrication is a broad term that encompasses the entire process of building anything from raw metal materials. This means everything from cutting and shaping to the final assembly. But, to create a piece that meets your structural needs, you need custom fabrication services to truly make it your own.

EG Structural is looking to change how people perceive public art by creating incredible art installations and brand identities that excite the public. However, our mission would amount to nothing without the strong expertise of the custom fabrication professionals we partner with. Read our blog post below to learn what exactly they do and how they play an important role in the public art community.

What Do Custom Fabrication Professionals Do?

Metal fabrication contractors use manual tools alongside machinery to create metal objects or structures by bending, cutting, and assembling various metal materials. They work very closely with their clients on what they are looking for and determining the best course of action in how to achieve their vision. When working on our projects, custom fabrication experts will examine our conceptual designs and strategically figure out what needs to be done to craft its shape and scale.

What Can You Create with Custom Fabrication?

We’re not exaggerating when saying that they can pretty much create anything. Whether you’re looking to build beautiful railings for your staircase or construction equipment parts for your project, they are proficient at the job. They’ll be able to stretch metal materials to meet the dimensions of your project. Additionally, they can use sectional metals such as I-beams, Z shapes, hollow structural sections, and bars and rods for each unique project.

8 Steps in the Custom Fabrication Process

According to Reinke & Schomann, Inc., the average metal fabrication expert will encompass some or all of the following steps in their project.

Cutting
Forming
Welding
Machining
Punching
Shearing
Stamping
Casting

The process may seem strenuous, but it’s a very important process that ensures your structure takes shape. Without the expertise of fabrication professionals and their 8 step process, our works such as our Mesa Del Sol and Tulsa Route 66 signs would not be possible.

How to Choose a Fabricator

Choosing the right custom fabrication shop that will meet your project needs is probably the most important decision you can make. It can affect every aspect of projects like the manufacturing rate, production quality, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, it can even affect when the project will be completed. Some things to consider when bringing on a fabricator includes:

Experience: Just like with any job you need done, you want an experienced team working on your project. This will ensure you’re getting quality work that meets your standards.
Industries served: It’s also helpful to pick a custom fabrication team that is used to working in your industry or on projects of your scale. Some shops will specialize in one or two types of fabrication, while others may work with a wide variety of businesses.
Resources: Many fabrication shops use a variety of materials and tools to build incredible structures. When searching for the right team for your project, you may consider what materials, machinery, and tools they have on hand to get the job done.
Stock materials: Another important aspect to consider when choosing your fabrication shop is if they already have or can form the specific metal to your project needs. If they have a metal supplier, you may consider looking into them as well to check into their reputation.

EG Structural Works With Many Incredible Custom Fabrication Experts

EG Structural is fortunate to have partnered with several wonderful individuals to design public art that highlights their unique communities. We combine intense research, strong conceptual design, custom fabrication, and engineering expertise to develop landmarks that inspire engagement. We help build an identity that exhibits what it means to be a part of a community.