Definition

Structural engineering is a field of engineeringthat deals with the design of structural systems with the purpose of supporting and resisting various loads. Though other disciplines touch on this field, a physical object or system is truly considered a part of structural engineering, regardless of its central scientific or industrial application, if its main function is designed to resist loads and dissipate energy. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty discipline within civil engineering , but it can also be studied in its own right.