Structural Design of High-Rise Buildings: What You Need to Know – Ep 028

Image by TravelScape on Freepik In this episode of The Structural Engineering Channel Podcast, we talk to Mostafa El-Mogy, Ph.D., P.Eng, an active researcher, passionate instructor, and highly talented structural engineer about the design of high-rise buildings. Mostafa also talks about the structural engineering profession and provides some great tips for aspiring structural engineers. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Mostafa El-Mogy in This Episode: Can you share with us what you currently do in your role at Structural Engineering Basics? How did you get into structural engineering and what got you interested in it? Why did you choose to go back to school? Can you explain what the process is to get a professional engineering license of Canada (P.Eng.)? What are some of the most unique projects you have worked on? Can you tell us what the procedure is in wind-tunnel testing for high-rise buildings? What are the lateral systems, software, and construction materials you would use in the designing process of a high-rise building? Do you have any advice for the career path that should be taken for people who want to design high-rise buildings? What are some of the steps that a recent structural engineering graduate can take to further their career in high-rises? Why did you decide to start Structural Engineering Basics as an online course? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About High-Rise Structural Design and Tips for Aspiring Structural Engineers: Being a consultant who does design work, a master’s degree is an excellent way to get more technical experience and strengthen your background in engineering design. The P.Eng. in Canada is equivalent to the P.E. in the United States. To get a P.Eng., you need to do four years as a practicing engineering member in training under the supervision of a professional engineer. You also need to submit a regular report that outlines your experience, the tasks you worked on, and that was signed off by your supervisor. You need to then write an exam on the practice of engineering ethics at the end of the four years. This is a pass or fail exam. Then you need to submit three reference letters that you get from professional engineers that you worked with. The taller a building gets; the more wind dynamic effect becomes part of the load that the building needs to withstand. A 3D model of the design needs to have experimental testing done in a wind tunnel to see the effect that different wind speeds and turbulence will have on the design. To start the designing process, you need to start with reinforced concrete shear walls and cores that are usually around the stairwells and elevator shafts. You can then start with the analysis of the design and assign the loads, and then look at the results that you get. Things you need to check when designing a high-rise building are: Is the design going to be safe? The deformation and lateral movement of the design when different stresses are applied to it. For very tall buildings, you need to engage the perimeter of the building into your design. Some of the materials used would be reinforced concrete, steel columns and beams, hollow core slabs, and post-tension reinforced concrete. A civil engineering degree with structural engineering design courses is a good start for someone who would like to start designing high-rise buildings. You should also take courses in analysis, materials, structures, and dynamics. In addition, try to get experience in these fields and start networking as early as possible. To start their career path in high-rise building design, recent graduates need to start networking with prof...