A building is only as good as its structure. When a building goes up there is a lot of math involved as there are a number of factors that need to be allowed for, such as load and wind speed; the taller the building the more important it is to get those factors right. However, most construction companies simply do not build enough buildings fast enough to keep those sorts of experts on staff full-time; as such structural engineers are some of the most important consultants that every construction company has on their list of contacts.
The Importance of Consultants
Structural engineer consultants are a necessary part of the construction business. They are generally one of the last individuals to go over a set of blueprints in order to make sure that the plans will work out; as noted, issues involving load-bearing walls and wind speed need to be looked at, but those details cannot really be considered until everything else has been allowed for, such as wiring, a plethora of codes, and all sorts of other issues. It is only when the plans are almost solidified that the structural engineers are called in to look at the plans, build some models, and make sure that the building will hold up under the stresses it will need to work with during its lifetime.
What They Do
A building has a lot of stresses that are put on it during its lifetime; not only does it need to worry about gravity but it also needs to worry about environmental issues such as rain and wind. Someone needs to go over the plan and make sure that those factors have been allowed; otherwise, a building may collapse under its own weight if it has not been properly reinforced and balanced. In some areas, extra issues need to be allowed for, such as anti-earthquake measures or wind issues. Structural engineer consultants are the people who need to look at the blueprints and ensure that all of those various issues have been allowed so that the building will stand despite all of those issues.
This makes their job all the more important. Without a structural engineer it is entirely possible that a building will have a flaw that will lead to a catastrophic failure resulting in the loss of human life. Thus, you need one to make sure that the math works out before you even start building to ensure the safety of the building in question.
