Assurance of Structural Safety—Priority Issue for Structural Engineers

Abstract

Assurance of structural safety should always be a key project goal. However, a number of impediments have arisen that work against the uniform achievement of this objective in current American practices for building design and construction. The characteristics of the several commonly used project delivery systems and the reasons for concern about current practices are described. Changes that are required in the present practices are suggested. These changes include developing better owner perception of the essential need for and value of competent structural design services, and new provisions in building codes that define requirements for project quality assurance of both design and construction. With the recent emergence of more active local, state, and national structural engineer associations, our profession may now be in a position to implement improvement in building codes and in structural design practice that will restore the assurance of structural safety as a key project goal under all project delivery systems.