IStructE Core Objective 05: Materials

Besides being able to size and analyse structural engineer solutions, candidates need to display an ability to specify appropriate materials and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of them. 

The four main materials usually considered by structural engineers are:

• Steel;
• Concrete;
• Masonry; and,
• Timber.

Ideally, you should demonstrate evidence of working with all four materials. However this isn't always possible, particularly for certain regions where one or two materials may be heavily favoured over others. You should show good knowledge of two materials, and general knowlegde of others (properties, behaviour, potentialapplications). It is possible to be a specialist in other less common materials such as aluminium and glass, but you are still expected to have ability level competence in two of the four above.

What to Include in your Report Form and Portfolio

Try to cover the range of materials you have worked with on a project-by-project basis. Try to list at least 3 projects or more, and what materials and material applications you considered on them. Here's a range of items you could potentially cover:

• Floor framing material comparisons (concrete on metal deck, RC slabs, PT slabs, CLT etc.)
• Specifications you wrote for projects (concrete, steelwork, timber)
• Durability considerations for a RC or steelwork scheme (corrosion, bimetallic corrosion, etc.)
• Timber moisture monitoring
• Consideration of various fire resisting systems
• Material testing information
• Long-term deflections analysis considering creep
• Internal presentations you may have done covering a material
• Training courses you have attended for specific materials
• Connection designs you have performed, with commentary on the various conditions and interactions between different materials
• Special material considerations for seismic design
• Cracked stiffness effects for concrete, and impact for assessment of lateral loads

What kind of questions to expect in your Interview?

Here are a few example questions which you might be asked for your Professional Review Interview:

• What construction material are you most familiar with?
• Explain the interaction of different materials (e.g. timber and masonry, mixed metal connections, composite behaviour)
• What is the difference between different steel grades (e.g. S355JR and S355J0)?
• What are the most common timber grades? Difference between sawn timber and engineered timber?
• Have you worked with blockwork?