Do You Need a Structural Engineer? part 1-- BYHYU 003

​This is the first part of an interview that I had with structural engineer Phillip Lewis.  We’ll learn more about what a structural engineer does and who might need one. ​

Before we get to that, let's go over our PRO TERM.

Our pro term today is footing.  A footing is the base of the foundation  on which the foundation walls are placed. It is usually wider than the foundation walls and made of concrete and steel.  The footing is designed to distribute the the weight of a house over a larger area of soil and to provide a firm, level surface for constructing the foundation walls. The footing helps to prevent the house from settling and it’s usually the first part of a house that makes contact with the soil.

In today’s interview, Phillip Lewis answers the following questions:

• What exactly does a structural engineer do and are they always needed for residential construction?

• What is the difference between a structural engineer and a civil engineer?

• How early in the design or construction phase should an owner-  builder consult  a structural engineer?

• What is the difference between a pier, a footing and the foundation?

• When is it best to have a slab vs crawl space vs basement foundation?

• What architectural or design features in a house plan should get the stamp of approval from a S.E.?  (basement, large open spaces, balconies?)

• Are there special considerations in the foundation design that are specific to different soil types (clay vs bedrock vs swampy)?

Quiz

1. Which one of these is NOT one of the purposes of a footing?

      A.  To prevent the house from settling.
      B.  To distribute the weight of the house over a larger area of soil
      C.  To waterproof the foundation.
      D. To level the surface for constructing the foundation walls.


  2.  Do all house plans need input from a structural engineer?       
      No, most often a structural engineer is needed when there is a 
      challenging home site such a steep lot or one with unstable soil  or
      with a house plan that includes a large open area, such as a
      two story great room.   But when in doubt, consult a professional.

Remember, the purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform.  It is not a substitute for professional advice.  The information that you hear on this podcast is based the only on the opinions, research and experiences of my guests and myself.  That information might be incomplete and it is subject to change so may not apply to your specific project. Always consult a professional about specific recommendations for your home. 
 
Well, that’s it for today.  I hope you learned as much as I did. Come back for the next edition of BYHYU.