I wasn't exactly sure how to pose this question but here goes. My practice of structural engineering, focusing heavily on residential construction with some small commerical thrown in from time to time, has been rapidily growing at a pace that I did not anticipate. I am constantly trying to refine my practice and get better at what I do but there is only so much time in a day. There are a lot of topics that I want to understand more clearly, such as wind design, concrete design, etc. but I have trouble relying on reviewing old textbooks or watching youtube tutorials. Has anyone ever found a good online class or even a mentor that has helped in these areas or with these types of subjects? Open to any and all feedback. This is probably a very vague question but the world of SE is so vast and when running my own business and doing all of my own work, finding time to educate myself is becoming more and more tricky.
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Becoming a Better Structural Engineer 6
- Thread starter zero1238
- Start date
Lomarandil
Structural
Boy, are you in the right place.
Most of what I've learned (including during school, and including studying for exams), I've learned right here... reading posts on relevant topics and creating discussions when something unique or puzzling came up.
Most of what I've learned (including during school, and including studying for exams), I've learned right here... reading posts on relevant topics and creating discussions when something unique or puzzling came up.
canwesteng
Structural
Spend some time here, do some light reading (the best text recommendations have also come from here). Studying for the SE has also been good to me, opened my eyes to some stuff I don't deal with (unfortunately also exposed me to bridges).
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1
- #4
- For me personally nothing has improved my skills more than broadening my experiences. And I suspect that most people would agree here.
- Second to that has been Eng-Tips.
- Courses etc: Including industry webinars, in-person courses, online YouTube structural blogs, textbooks and free online courses/tutorials.
- Never stop learning!
(One final comment.) You don't need to be a jack of all trades. Structural is a broad field. Personally I still struggle with residential both in experience, knowledge and workflow. I sometimes wonder if I should persist as I currently don't enjoy it. But for the moment it is still on my radar so I can keep my client base broad. I suspect I might never try to branch into concrete construction beyond foundations and retaining walls. But who knows what the future holds. My current area of expertise is keeping me busy, paid and challenged. I'm also getting referrals so my client base is broadening organically.
Thus, I haven't felt the need to broaden significantly outside what my existing work asks of me. (Residential for me is annoying and I don't chase the work, but I continue at it and hope I eventually improve my interest and productivity.)
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1
- #5
Here are three Youtube channels that I occasionally view. They are all Australian based. All pitched at a strucutral engineering audience but generally for targeted toward those just beginning their career. I still find them a little useful as they a palatable and can cement knowledge or add a question to your current knowledge.
www.youtube.com
www.youtube.com
www.youtube.com
Please let me know if there are similar channels that you find productive.
BEng The Brazilian Engineer in Australia
Content for individuals and companies in the structural engineering and building industry. Disclaimer: While the contents of this video are believed to be accurate and complete, the information given is intended for general guidance and does not replace the services of professional advisers on...
www.youtube.com
Brendan Hasty
I am a structural engineer based in Australia with over 20 years of experience. My portfolio encompasses diverse projects, from modest undertakings to some of the largest and most prestigious in the Southern Hemisphere. I have a passion for good structural design and teaching/mentoring...
www.youtube.com
BEng Hielscher
Helping you to become a better engineer Hey! I’m Ben, a structural engineer. I make videos about tech, engineering, productivity and self-development. If you want to get in touch with me, please leave a comment on any of my videos, or for anything business related, send me an email at...
www.youtube.com
Please let me know if there are similar channels that you find productive.
Since opening my practice, I have been niching down and being hyper focused on my niche. I have found trying to become one of the most knowledgeable people in my niche has both helped me grow as an engineer and helped my business become more profitable.
Getting involved on committees (like TRB and AASHTO), reviewing papers for publication, and subscribing to every webinar related to my niche are ways I keep sharp. Even if I can nearly give 90% of the presentation myself, there is usually one gold nugget in there that makes sitting through the rest of the presentation worth it.
I have also found attending contractor trainings helpful. I am usually the lone engineer there, and I will have a dozen contractors approach me with questions that help me think outside of engineering numbers and look more at practical solutions a contractor can implement (in addition to gaining clients that are trying to broaden their knowledge as well).
Getting involved on committees (like TRB and AASHTO), reviewing papers for publication, and subscribing to every webinar related to my niche are ways I keep sharp. Even if I can nearly give 90% of the presentation myself, there is usually one gold nugget in there that makes sitting through the rest of the presentation worth it.
I have also found attending contractor trainings helpful. I am usually the lone engineer there, and I will have a dozen contractors approach me with questions that help me think outside of engineering numbers and look more at practical solutions a contractor can implement (in addition to gaining clients that are trying to broaden their knowledge as well).
Well done. Being a niche provider in any field generally results in better income than a jack of all trades. In some cases it can make things boring and less diverse, but some niches have so much diversity that isn't a problem. Lack of breadth can give diversification risk, but overall I think it is worth it. Even if you only less than half a dozen regular clients then you can work to keep your books full.
I'm essentially niching down. I still take on roles outside my niche because I don't want to close doors YET. But in general I find them less interesting, less pay and more hassle.
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1
- #8
probablyyomama
Structural
Small firm, residential volume production, residential small and large custom, residential commercial, commercial, retail, light industrial, healthcare, municipal, education, wood, cfs, concrete, steel, masonry, shallow and deep foundations, oceanfront, tilt up, wood bridges, etc.
For understanding you can break it down in four categories, fundamentals, intricacies, implementation, and examples.
Fundamentals would be the classes like college.
-The best by far is Gregory Michaelson on youtube. He is a west virginia professor that webinars all his lectures of all his courses and he basically teaches all of them. https://www.youtube.com/@gregorymichaelson
-Second is the Testmasters PE course has videos that are 2-10 hours long covering all the fundamentals of each material in their structures videos with 1000s of pages of video accompanying pdf notes. https://www.testmasters.com/pe/civil-online-course
-Other calculation channels are
www.youtube.com
-This website has all their software as design calcs, first half of the pdfs are hand calcs, https://structurepoint.org/publication/design-examples.asp
Intricacies would be heavy in the weeds on conditions connections and etc
-CRSI Books are essential https://www.crsi.org/
- Heavy google searching and rabbit holing
- I find old books are alot better and simpler at describing information and read more narratively, scour google for old pdf books
- Youtube videos that show the animations of rebar detailing such as
www.youtube.com
www.youtube.com
www.youtube.com
www.youtube.com
-Youtube channels of all the governing bodies always have tons of webinars for accute topics like AWC
www.youtube.com
-This website is like those anaimation site, i cant read spanish but familiarity with how things are just laid out helps alot
www.libreingenieriacivil.com
-Websites that are just a data dump of details or cad drawings have extensive libraries of conditions
www.arcat.com
Implementation would be learning how the people actually build it and what typical designs and methodologies they are generally doing
-Contractor Youtube videos
www.youtube.com
www.youtube.com
www.youtube.com
And no better teacher than studying other peoples plans and details
-Scour google for structural permit plans pdfs of anything you can find
Very importantly sign up for chatgpt and grok and have endless conversations. you can dump all the code pdfs in there and have it synthesis and interpret and find a lot of stuff. You have vet it though and use your brain, trust but verify, but its really great at generating like custom Wikipedia pages of information for your specific questions and helping understanding concepts and helping you do calculations and finding google links to information. They're not gods yet but they are really powerful tools to compliment and speed up google rabbit holing.
Now I generally use chatgpt and grok, old engineering pdf books, like 1950s-90s, the detail and cad websites, and CRSI. But when i was learning concrete Gregory Michaelson, CRSI, the contractor youtube channels, rebar animation channels, structure point calculations, and searching for other peoples permit plans on google, and information through google images instead of web results.
For understanding you can break it down in four categories, fundamentals, intricacies, implementation, and examples.
Fundamentals would be the classes like college.
-The best by far is Gregory Michaelson on youtube. He is a west virginia professor that webinars all his lectures of all his courses and he basically teaches all of them. https://www.youtube.com/@gregorymichaelson
-Second is the Testmasters PE course has videos that are 2-10 hours long covering all the fundamentals of each material in their structures videos with 1000s of pages of video accompanying pdf notes. https://www.testmasters.com/pe/civil-online-course
-Other calculation channels are
2x civil Engineering
I am a civil engineer from the University of Kashmir. I've worked as a CADD trainer and Center manager at EduCADD learning solutions pvt ltd. The purpose of starting "2x civil engineering" ð· is to help the students understand the basic as well as advanced concepts of core subjects. Easiest...
www.youtube.com
-This website has all their software as design calcs, first half of the pdfs are hand calcs, https://structurepoint.org/publication/design-examples.asp
Intricacies would be heavy in the weeds on conditions connections and etc
-CRSI Books are essential https://www.crsi.org/
- Heavy google searching and rabbit holing
- I find old books are alot better and simpler at describing information and read more narratively, scour google for old pdf books
- Youtube videos that show the animations of rebar detailing such as
DECODE BD
Welcome to "DECODE BD" channel which may introduce different types of Software for Civil Engineers to you. Here you can get useful tutorials for learning software related to Civil & Structural Engineering. Subscribe the channel, stay tuned. You can suggest any tutorial to be prepared in the...
www.youtube.com
civil engineering اÙÙÙدسة اÙÙدÙÙØ©
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
www.youtube.com
gregvancom
Before you make any repairs, remodeling or construction to any property, you should check with your local Building and Safety Department to make sure you're actually allowed to do the job yourself. Some building and safety departments require permits for things as small as changing out your...
www.youtube.com
homebuildingandrepairs
Our channel can be used to learn more about construction, home building and repairs. Visit our website for organized list of videos we have already made on our different channels. This channel will be used to create three-dimensional models to provide architects, engineers, contractors and...
www.youtube.com
-Youtube channels of all the governing bodies always have tons of webinars for accute topics like AWC
American Wood Council
The American Wood Council is the industry leader in development of building codes and standards for wood design and provides online and live contact training to support their implementation.
www.youtube.com
-This website is like those anaimation site, i cant read spanish but familiarity with how things are just laid out helps alot
Escalera autosoportada o autoportante : Planos y detalles del armado
Planos y detalles del armado de una escalera autosoportada o tambien llamada autoportante, detalle del acero de refuerzo inferior, superior y bastones
-Websites that are just a data dump of details or cad drawings have extensive libraries of conditions
Search results for 'structural' | ARCAT
Search results for 'structural' in architectural information on building materials, manufacturers, specifications, BIM families and CAD drawings.
Implementation would be learning how the people actually build it and what typical designs and methodologies they are generally doing
-Contractor Youtube videos
Odell Complete Concrete
Independent Contractor License Numbers. 620752 C-8, B. AZ. 337940 Serving all of Mohave County AND LA Ranked #1 In Both Counties No Job too large or too small, we do them all! My work Ranges from Home Remolding, Concrete work, driveways, barbeque islands, Patios, Planters, Foundations, Block...
www.youtube.com
Perkins Builder Brothers
Pro building and project tips on how to build better homes... always with a bit of humor. Construction techniques that will save time and money. We are actively looking for partners and sponsors! Email us at perkinsbuilderbros@gmail.com Learn more about us at...
www.youtube.com
Home RenoVision DIY
Learn How to Renovate Like a Pro Welcome to Home RenoVision DIY, where we empower homeowners to renovation, save money, and build lasting value in their homes. I’m Jeff Thorman, a contractor with over 25 years of experience and now I’m here to pass on everything I’ve learned. On this channel...
www.youtube.com
And no better teacher than studying other peoples plans and details
-Scour google for structural permit plans pdfs of anything you can find
Very importantly sign up for chatgpt and grok and have endless conversations. you can dump all the code pdfs in there and have it synthesis and interpret and find a lot of stuff. You have vet it though and use your brain, trust but verify, but its really great at generating like custom Wikipedia pages of information for your specific questions and helping understanding concepts and helping you do calculations and finding google links to information. They're not gods yet but they are really powerful tools to compliment and speed up google rabbit holing.
Now I generally use chatgpt and grok, old engineering pdf books, like 1950s-90s, the detail and cad websites, and CRSI. But when i was learning concrete Gregory Michaelson, CRSI, the contractor youtube channels, rebar animation channels, structure point calculations, and searching for other peoples permit plans on google, and information through google images instead of web results.
In addition to all the great advice above, one thing that really helped me was doing actual construction/carpentry projects. If you ever have the chance to build a small deck, addition to a house, etc. I'd recommend it. Better yet, help somebody who is already an experienced builder. If you don't have time for this while running your engineering business, you can learn a lot from a good youtube video, as noted in the comment above.
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1
- #10
I have a few questions that would help me better understand your current situation.
- What is your 4-yr college degree? Ex: Civil (where structures are taught in many colleges), Mechanical, Building Science etc.
- Did you get an advanced degree centered around structures? Due to Civil's wide range of specific areas of study in the Bachelors arena, at least a Master's is sometimes recommended for structures.
- Do you have a PE license?
- How long have you been working with structures since graduation?
A couple easy things I do to keep learning that don't take up much time (also do mostly residential)
- Look at other consultants' drawings to see how they do things - government projects are public or you can FOIA any address
- Subscribe to the Journal of Light Construction - lots of good articles written be PE's and tradesmen you can read at lunch
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1
- #12
JoshPlumSE
Structural
One thing that helped me is reviewing other people's work. Like being a second set of eyes on a friends project. Especially if it was a project that I had limited experience in. I've only done that a couple of times though. Call this a "peer review" if you want a formal name for it or if you want to charge a fee.
I've thought for awhile that it would have been good to spend some time in a plan check department to see what other engineers were doing and how they put together their calculations and drawings.
Also, I have found that attending meetings and luncheons from the local Structural Engineering society is a really good place to network with other structural engineers. Some of whom have relatively small practices. It helps to have people you can refer clients to for projects that aren't up your alley. Maybe even hire them to sub-contract that work for you while you review how they do their design and drawings.
I've thought for awhile that it would have been good to spend some time in a plan check department to see what other engineers were doing and how they put together their calculations and drawings.
Also, I have found that attending meetings and luncheons from the local Structural Engineering society is a really good place to network with other structural engineers. Some of whom have relatively small practices. It helps to have people you can refer clients to for projects that aren't up your alley. Maybe even hire them to sub-contract that work for you while you review how they do their design and drawings.
milkshakelake
Structural
Lots of good suggestions here. Just wanted to add one thing: follow what you're interested in. Maybe you're not interested in anything, but perhaps you're more drawn to seismic design than other things? Or concrete? Whatever it is, just read up on that. @Eng16080 mentioned carpentry, maybe do that if you like it. Every little bit helps become the next KootK. You mentioned a lack of time; there's no cure for that other than massive life changes, and it's very non-trivial. But if you're going to spend time learning, do it in the most enjoyable way possible.
Follow the path of least resistance. Sun Tzu said that water trickles down a rock through the easiest path.
Follow the path of least resistance. Sun Tzu said that water trickles down a rock through the easiest path.
- Thread starter
- #14
Thank you for all of this amazing information!Small firm, residential volume production, residential small and large custom, residential commercial, commercial, retail, light industrial, healthcare, municipal, education, wood, cfs, concrete, steel, masonry, shallow and deep foundations, oceanfront, tilt up, wood bridges, etc.
For understanding you can break it down in four categories, fundamentals, intricacies, implementation, and examples.
Fundamentals would be the classes like college.
-The best by far is Gregory Michaelson on youtube. He is a west virginia professor that webinars all his lectures of all his courses and he basically teaches all of them. https://www.youtube.com/@gregorymichaelson
-Second is the Testmasters PE course has videos that are 2-10 hours long covering all the fundamentals of each material in their structures videos with 1000s of pages of video accompanying pdf notes. https://www.testmasters.com/pe/civil-online-course
-Other calculation channels are
2x civil Engineering
I am a civil engineer from the University of Kashmir. I've worked as a CADD trainer and Center manager at EduCADD learning solutions pvt ltd. The purpose of starting "2x civil engineering" ð· is to help the students understand the basic as well as advanced concepts of core subjects. Easiest...
-This website has all their software as design calcs, first half of the pdfs are hand calcs, https://structurepoint.org/publication/design-examples.asp
Intricacies would be heavy in the weeds on conditions connections and etc
-CRSI Books are essential https://www.crsi.org/
- Heavy google searching and rabbit holing
- I find old books are alot better and simpler at describing information and read more narratively, scour google for old pdf books
- Youtube videos that show the animations of rebar detailing such as
DECODE BD
Welcome to "DECODE BD" channel which may introduce different types of Software for Civil Engineers to you. Here you can get useful tutorials for learning software related to Civil & Structural Engineering. Subscribe the channel, stay tuned. You can suggest any tutorial to be prepared in the...civil engineering اÙÙÙدسة اÙÙدÙÙØ©
Share your videos with friends, family, and the worldgregvancom
Before you make any repairs, remodeling or construction to any property, you should check with your local Building and Safety Department to make sure you're actually allowed to do the job yourself. Some building and safety departments require permits for things as small as changing out your...homebuildingandrepairs
Our channel can be used to learn more about construction, home building and repairs. Visit our website for organized list of videos we have already made on our different channels. This channel will be used to create three-dimensional models to provide architects, engineers, contractors and...
-Youtube channels of all the governing bodies always have tons of webinars for accute topics like AWC
American Wood Council
The American Wood Council is the industry leader in development of building codes and standards for wood design and provides online and live contact training to support their implementation.
-This website is like those anaimation site, i cant read spanish but familiarity with how things are just laid out helps alot
Escalera autosoportada o autoportante : Planos y detalles del armado
Planos y detalles del armado de una escalera autosoportada o tambien llamada autoportante, detalle del acero de refuerzo inferior, superior y bastones
-Websites that are just a data dump of details or cad drawings have extensive libraries of conditions
Search results for 'structural' | ARCAT
Search results for 'structural' in architectural information on building materials, manufacturers, specifications, BIM families and CAD drawings.
Implementation would be learning how the people actually build it and what typical designs and methodologies they are generally doing
-Contractor Youtube videos
Odell Complete Concrete
Independent Contractor License Numbers. 620752 C-8, B. AZ. 337940 Serving all of Mohave County AND LA Ranked #1 In Both Counties No Job too large or too small, we do them all! My work Ranges from Home Remolding, Concrete work, driveways, barbeque islands, Patios, Planters, Foundations, Block...Perkins Builder Brothers
Pro building and project tips on how to build better homes... always with a bit of humor. Construction techniques that will save time and money. We are actively looking for partners and sponsors! Email us at perkinsbuilderbros@gmail.com Learn more about us at...Home RenoVision DIY
Learn How to Renovate Like a Pro Welcome to Home RenoVision DIY, where we empower homeowners to renovation, save money, and build lasting value in their homes. I’m Jeff Thorman, a contractor with over 25 years of experience and now I’m here to pass on everything I’ve learned. On this channel...
And no better teacher than studying other peoples plans and details
-Scour google for structural permit plans pdfs of anything you can find
Very importantly sign up for chatgpt and grok and have endless conversations. you can dump all the code pdfs in there and have it synthesis and interpret and find a lot of stuff. You have vet it though and use your brain, trust but verify, but its really great at generating like custom Wikipedia pages of information for your specific questions and helping understanding concepts and helping you do calculations and finding google links to information. They're not gods yet but they are really powerful tools to compliment and speed up google rabbit holing.
Now I generally use chatgpt and grok, old engineering pdf books, like 1950s-90s, the detail and cad websites, and CRSI. But when i was learning concrete Gregory Michaelson, CRSI, the contractor youtube channels, rebar animation channels, structure point calculations, and searching for other peoples permit plans on google, and information through google images instead of web results.
- Thread starter
- #15
I have a 4 year engineering degree in Civil and have been studying structural ever since for the past 10+ years. I also have my PE.
- Thread starter
- #16
Sorry for the late reply everyone. Shortly after I posted this, I came down with the flu, was out of commission for over a week, and then was buried with work. Admittedly, I almost forgot about this post and after reading all of the replies, I can't thank everyone enough for the information you provided and the time you spent to do so. So many great recommendations here! I'm going to take some time to start combing through everything, looks like I have plenty to choose from. Thank you to everyone again!
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1
- #17
I totally understand. The key is to find resources that fit your pace and needs. I'd recommend exploring courses on platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning, which offer specialized content in structural engineering. Also, finding a mentor in your network or through professional forums like SEAOI can provide more personalized guidance. The goal is to integrate continuous learning into your daily routine efficiently. Keep up the great work
- Thread starter
- #18
Thanks so much! A mentor would be ideal but I would have to provide value back in some way to make it worth their time (which I have no problem doing). I'll check out Coursera and didn't know about LinkedIn Learning but I'll check that out too. Thanks!
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