Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE)

(Incorporated with Confederation of Engineers)

Dear Engineers,

Institution of Structural Engineers, ISE India is established for making the central act on Structural Engineering, Licensing of Structural Engineers, and National Information Centre on Land with Geological Codes, Steel Designers with Code of Conduct, Structural Audits, Check Points, Standards, Continuing Education Programmes, Development & Control Rules, Incorporation of Earthquake, Seismic & Geological Engineering in Civil Engineering, Safety Initiatives etc & its amendment.

ISE India offering membership to those, who are engineering Graduate with First Division & Experience in Design Engineering is almost (5) Five Years in a reputed Firm/Company/Individual Professional.

Structural Engineering is a field of engineering with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering. Structural engineers are most commonly involved in the design of buildings and large structures but they also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, vehicles or any item where structural integrity affects the item's function or safety. Structural engineers must ensure their designs satisfy given design criteria, predicated on safety. Buildings are made to endure massive loads as well as changing climate and natural disasters.

Structural engineering theory is based upon physical laws and empirical knowledge of the structural performance of different landscapes and materials. Structural engineering design utilizes a relatively small number of basic structural elements to build up structural systems that can be very complex. Structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals.

Structural Engineer:

Structural Engineer is professional whose responsibility to design a building or any other structure that meets code and life safety standards must be integrated in to the aesthetic and functional characteristics that the architecture desires. Additionally construction costs are critical to the viability of a project. Therefore, producing a design that maximizes structural efficiency is essential. The ability to provide a design that meets all of these demands is the essence of good structural Engineer.

Structural engineers are responsible for engineering design and analysis.

The role of a structural engineer today involves a significant understanding of both static and dynamic loading, and the structures that are available to resist them. The complexity of modern structures often requires a great deal of creativity from the engineer in order to ensure the structures support and resist the loads they are subjected to. A structural engineer will typically have a four or five year degree, followed by a minimum of five years of professional practice before being considered fully qualified but these are according to the different for different Institutions, societies, and bodies.

Structural engineers should licensed or registered by different societies and regulatory bodies around the country (for example, the Institution of Structural Engineers India). Depending on the degree course, ISE enlisted them as a Registered structural engineers, or as civil engineers, or as both civil and structural engineers.

Structural Engineers also have to be knowledge of related fields like science of structural engineering, Geotechnical engineering & seismic hazards and earthquake engineering also.

Aims of ISE:

The aim of the Institution of Structural Engineers - India:

• To promote and advance the science and practice of Structural Engineering in India.
• To help in the acquisition and interchange of Structural Engineering knowledge by holding lectures, seminars and symposia, conducting discussion, maintaining libraries, publishing papers and books, mounting exhibition, encouraging original research pertaining thereto and any such other means.
• To set and apply appropriate standards for qualifying applicants for the various grades of membership and to conduct examinations and interview to test their competence and to grant certificate in accordance with the By-Laws and rules in force for the time being.
• To regulate the Professional activities of the Society's members and to assist them in maintaining high standards of Professional conduct.
• To give the Government, other public bodies and others the facilities for Conference with and to ascertain the views of Structural Engineers as regards matters directly or indirectly affecting Structural Engineering.
• To encourage and assist in the settlement of disputes by arbitration and to nominate arbitrators and umpires.
• To do parliament act of structural engineers.

Challenges to structural engineer

A career as a structural engineer offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the design of the built environment.

Structural engineering covers areas such as structural analysis and design, structural mechanics, foundation design and properties of materials.

Structural engineers contribute towards shaping the world often working with architects, civil engineers on the design, refurbishment and construction of all structures from houses, offices, hotels, multi – storey buildings offshore oil platforms, sports stadia to bridges, space satellites and many other structures.

Structural engineers use their creativity and innovation to respond with economic and sustainable solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our world, including climate change.

Structural engineers may work for contractors, consultants, local authorities, institutions or in teaching and research.

Vision:

Institution (ISE) as it works to maintain the set standards and support the role of the structural engineer around the country.

Professional:

Maintaining professional standards for structural engineering; ensuring continued technical excellence; advancing safety, creativity and innovation across the built environment.

Excellent:

Celebrating excellence, sharing inspirational thinking with the public, students and young people; communicating with a wider range of engineers, for understanding of the role of the structural engineer as a shaper of the environment: influencing governments.

Sustainable: social, environment, economic:

Promoting a sustainable approach to both the structural engineering profession and the built environment; supporting engineers as they protect, influence and take forward our environment’s development responsibly.

Qualification & duties of structural engineer

INITIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Objectives

• Communicate the environment within which structural engineering is practised.
• Produce viable structural solutions, within the scope of a design brief, taking account of structural stability, durability, aesthetics and cost.
• Determine and document the form and size of principal structural elements from a proposed structure.
• Specify and co-ordinate the use of primary structural materials
• Communicate construction techniques and sequencing for structural engineering works

Activities

• Working under the supervision/ mentorship of a Structural Engineer / Structural Engineering Technologist, both in a design office and on a construction site, on a broad range of structures and related work.
• Attendance at appropriate seminars, lectures and courses.
• Participation in Municipal Corporations and Town Planning meetings and events.
• Self study and personal researching of aspects of structural engineering to improve knowledge and skills.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)

Objective:

• The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the Structural Engineer

Activities:

• Formal education and training activities
• Informal learning activities including regular reading of technical journals and in-house training
• Industry related conferences, seminars and workshops
• Presentation of seminars, courses, workshops, articles and papers (both preparation and presentation)
• Work based activities (work-based learning, work shadowing, and transfers to new departments or changes in employer) writing computer programs, drawing up manuals Development and professional activities (e.g. mentoring young engineers in the work place, career guidance, external examiner, review of technical papers, participation in technical (non-Institution and Institution committees or task groups) as well as taking part in Professional but non-technical committees

General procedure:

Qualifying procedure:

The Institution of Structural Engineers (India) was established for the common goal of practising structural engineers i.e. moving towards “Parliamentary Act of Registered Structural Engineers” and it’s Members (M. I. Struct. E.) to use the designation “Registered Structural Engineer”. The Institution has members living in India and working in some 33 states around the country.

So many institutions (In different countries) are giving licenses or membership on the basis of Examination and experience with educational qualifications. Only in India, ISE gives membership according to the policy.

The Institution’s policy & rule of qualifying procedure involves a written or oral examination of structural engineering competence. This procedure is unique, and is compulsory for every newly enrolled member of ISE.

Successfully passed engineers are eligible for membership only. And can apply for Membership and finally for permanent membership.

Duty of Structural Engineer:

We try for Legislation in India that structural engineer to be responsible for all three stages of the design and construction process (design of structures, checking of the design and supervising the work on site). The Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE) membership examination and its quality and standard is greatly respected. The Institution of Structural Engineers has awaiting for a Joint Agreement with all Municipal corporations of the Country India so that we can maintain the standard and the codes in the field.

Registration of engineers as Registered Structural Engineers is not mandatory but compulsory in few states of India, although some States do have legislation governing the practice of engineering. The Institution of Engineers (India) has established a national database. This identifies members and non-members.

Within structural engineering, where there is a key responsibility for public safety, and this can only happen by the bonding of Institution and members with annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) returns.

THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS & ISE (INDIA)

1. Introduction

Structural engineering is the science and art of designing and making, with economy and elegance, buildings, bridges, frameworks, and other similar structures so that they can safely resist the forces to which they may be subjected.

Structural engineering may include:

• Design (initiating ideas, feasibility analysis, technical supervision, safety of finished structures, converting an architect's visions into functional reality, etc.)
• Management of projects, personnel, finances, materials and production.
• Construction.
• Maintenance, and ultimately demolition.
• Risk assessment for public protection, defining and maintaining safety standards and the carrying out of structural integrity assessments.
• Acting in a "watchdog" role by ensuring compliance with National Building Regulations, planning and safety legislation.
• Research and teaching

Structural engineers are responsible for applying engineering principles to ensure that loss of life and damage to property during the lifetime of a structure due to the instability or lack of strength, serviceability or durability of a structure or part thereof is within acceptable and legal limits. Structural engineers need to provide safe and effective solutions with a high degree of certainty to demanding structural requirements where the constraints are often complex and sometimes conflicting.

The tasks associated with structural engineering vary in complexity. Accordingly different skills are required for different tasks.

2. Building Safetys

According to the Town Planning and Municipal Corporations which was made by the Section established under the constitution of India, states that everyone has the right ¬ to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being”. The modern habitat i.e. the buildings in which people live is an integral part of the environment and, as such, needs to be safe. The regulations issued by the Town & Planning Authority & Municipal Corporations terms of the Building Department give effect to this right in a wide range of structures which are constructed for the accommodation, occupation or convenience of people including places of work and storage, tanks, reservoirs, bridges and the like.

The Municipal Corporations Act prohibits persons from erecting buildings without prior written approval from a local authority; requires local authorities to appoint building control officers to exercise powers and duties assigned to such persons and to issue certificates of occupancies; and empowers local authorities to evict owners of buildings, or any person having an interest in a building, who occupy the building in the absence of the aforementioned certificate. The regulations to the Act provide functional requirements relating to health and safety.

Structural safety requirements currently can be satisfied in terms of the Building Department by adhering to deemed-to-satisfy rules, the preparing of a rational design by a Structural Designer or Regd. Structural Engineer or other Approved professional.

3. Membership & Fees Structure

The engineering profession in India is not regulated through legislation. The Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE) is promoting Membership to the structural engineers according to the prescribed education levels at accredited institutions and experience in an acceptable work environment for a period of time prior to registration. Registered engineers are bound by a code of ethics that prohibits them from assuming responsibility for work for which they are not competent to perform and requires them to place public safety above all else. Breaches in these code of ethics may result in an appropriate sanction including deregistration.

In India, the Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE) makes provision for qualified engineers to be registered in following categories:

• Member
• Eligible Qualification : Diploma / Degree (Engg)
• Experience : 5 Years in a Structural field
• Indication : (M.I.S.E.)
• Fees : Rs. 10000.00 (Life Time)
• Registered Structural Engineer ( after becoming life member)

There is an argument for accepting registered persons as being competent to perform work as in terms of the code of ethics they may only undertake work that they are competent to perform. This approach relies on the integrity of engineers and regulates registered engineers in a reactive manner – when things go wrong, the public has legal recourse against the actions of an engineer.

4. Recent upcoming changes in structural safety

We shall be in position to describe importance that the Govt. shall engaged A Committee on Safety of Structures in India.

• The control of risks to structural safety depends primarily on the competence and integrity of individuals and organisations. The possibility that individuals or organisations might not be competent, or that their competence might be affected by commercial or other pressures is a risk to structural safety and needs to be controlled.
• The certification of structural safety-related work should be entrusted only to appropriately qualified and experienced engineers.

5. Proposed changes for Structural Engineers ACT

The Institution of Structural Engineers (India) inviting proposals from the practicing professional of structural engineering to prepare a draft of structural engineers Act.

6. Benefits of the Institution

The registration of Registered Structural Engineers in terms of their demonstrated ability to perform outcomes has several benefits both to those responsible for implementing the National Building Regulations These bodies can readily determine the competence of persons who are to assume responsibility for structures in terms of these pieces of legislation.

Client bodies who appoint Structural Engineers / Structural Engineering Technologists to perform services associated with structural engineering can minimise their risk exposure to structural defects as they will have the comfort that their appointed engineer (staff member or external consultant) has the necessary and appropriate credentials to render the required service. This has implications for organs of state (national and provincial departments, local authorities, and public enterprises and entities) who are required, in terms of the Public/Municipal Finance Management Act, to have a system of risk management in place .

Structural Engineers / Structural Engineering Technologists may, in the future, obtain reduced professional indemnity insurance premiums on the basis that the underwriter’s risk exposure is lessened through demonstrated competence in a field where their risk exposure to claims is on the increase.