Structural Engineering Applications in Land Development
Structural Engineering Applications in Land Development
(OP)
I'm curious if any land development engineers out there use structural engineering at all? Its commonly said that land development engineers are the "jack-of-all-trades" but what I've found so far in the industry without exception, even among people with 30+ years experience, is "jack-of-all-trades-except-structural".
Probably the most obvious example would be retaining walls. At my current company, we would just limit the walls to a certain height because short walls did not require a building permit. But suppose a client did want a relatively tall retaining wall? Is it heard of for land developers to perform the calcs?
Also, what do you think about a land development engineer making a transition into structural engineering? Personally, as I'm preparing for the PE exam, I'm considering whether this may be the time to make the leap. In college we did get up to concrete and steel design, obviously that's no substitute for professional experience and I'd need to start at the entry level.
Also, one last question on this topic. Would you say structural engineering is relatively "recession-proof" in comparison to land development? Seems like both fields are tied to development activity but I could be wrong.
Probably the most obvious example would be retaining walls. At my current company, we would just limit the walls to a certain height because short walls did not require a building permit. But suppose a client did want a relatively tall retaining wall? Is it heard of for land developers to perform the calcs?
Also, what do you think about a land development engineer making a transition into structural engineering? Personally, as I'm preparing for the PE exam, I'm considering whether this may be the time to make the leap. In college we did get up to concrete and steel design, obviously that's no substitute for professional experience and I'd need to start at the entry level.
Also, one last question on this topic. Would you say structural engineering is relatively "recession-proof" in comparison to land development? Seems like both fields are tied to development activity but I could be wrong.





RE: Structural Engineering Applications in Land Development
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Structural Engineering Applications in Land Development
Agreed that structural engineering is no less (or maybe very marginally so) recession proof than LD. I think that's dictated more by individual companies rather than disciplines.
As for the transition -- that will depend on your personality and passions. What led you to Land Development originally, and what is leading you to Structural now?
RE: Structural Engineering Applications in Land Development
Generally, civil engineers will not provide structural engineering because of the increased liability and complexity in code requirements. If you want to start learning structural engineering, light framed wood design is very intuitive. That would be a good place to begin.