How I Would Learn Structural Engineering (if I could start over again)

📙LINKS MENTIONED 📙
Steel Construction:

Concrete Construction:

Wood Construction:

Fundamentals of Building Construction Book:

Sample Drawings and Resources:

Commercial Building Construction by David Madsen (Sample Plans):

📗 Chapters 📗
0:00 Intro
0:18 1. Learn about construction
2:45 2. Drawings, blueprints, and sketching
5:04 3. Programming and Coding (sponsor)
6:34 4. Structural engineering basics and material behavior

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Mat Picardal is a structural project manager at DCI Engineers. This video and this channel does not necessarily reflect the opinion nor beliefs of DCI Engineers. All thoughts expressed are purely his own observations and experiences.

Disclaimer: Product links are 'affiliate links' so if you click and buy something I get a small commission. This affects you in no way and helps support the channel.

#structuralengineering #civilengineering #structuralengineer

[CaptainJuiccy]

I'm a 3rd year mech eng student from Canada and I love your videos :) was so happy when you finally passed your Structural PE exam!!!

[BenScott]

Mat - thanks for the video. That's a great point about using software to 'verify' rather than 'design'. The best structural engineers I have worked with pull out the ole' pen and paper, sketch out a solution, then check it with software. If you don't have a good understanding of your structural system before you model it, you risk errors and headaches down the line. Thanks again!

P.S. If I could add an item to your list, it would be training in soft skills. So much of what structural engineers do (especially in the consulting world) involves being on a team, be it internally or externally. Having the skills to communicate well, not just speaking but listening, is SO valuable to your career.

[tube-usefuls]

3rd year Civil Engineering student in Nigeria.
Your videos make the path ahead look way clearer
Thanks alot

[oscarquispe]

I'm from Peru, your videos are awesome. I just starting on this field of structural engeneering. I hope i can make it. You make me feel passion about. So glada i met your channel.

[baldorjgurragchaa]

Hi, I am writing to you from Mongolia. I am a student of civil engineering. I hope your videos help me to graduate from civil engineering. Thank you for helping me :)

[ctstructures]

Really appreciate the insight. The fundamentals must be learnt by heart.

[dmontenegro]

I would also recommend Building Codes Illustrated by Francis Ching. It covers the IBC and has pictures of what the code covers. Am I a child who needs pictures in my books? Maybe, but I can't help being a visual learner! lol

Also messing with 3d models in revit is where I learned how to actually build a structure. 10/10 would recommend. Thanks for sharing Matt!

[mohammadqasim]

Much appreciated Mat ! Keep up this good work.
More power to you!

[rakibsheikh]

Sir, I'm your big fan. i would like say you are my mentor. you are the inspiration of young Engineers 🇧🇩🖤❤️

[SoidHoid]

I intentionally worked for a contractor before I worked for a Structural Engineering firm. I also took drafting, welding, and fabrication classes at the local JC or in Highschool. I build stuff for fun. It's not uncommon to hear the trades call the engineer a dips**t, so I also seek criticism from the builders to learn how challenging it was to build. The hands on, non-engineering experience has made me a far better engineer than I would have been otherwise.

[ChuksEdoziuno]

I'm a second year civil engineering student in Nigeria, I love your videos bro ) but here is not easy at all things have been difficult no time to keep head down and because of money for school expenses
I just hope I will achieve my dreams some day

[adamsicmundus]

1. Learn about construction
this is very important, especially for a new design engineer, but how would I learn this if I have no opportunity to go construction sites?

[johnjericholadringan]

Nice video matt i'm structural engineer from Phillipines.

[yeggey]

Keep it up Engineer !! love your video :)

[angelandkatgirona]

Hey man... Just trying to give some constructive criticism. Your background music has an alarm that goes off periodically. It makes it very hard to get through the video. Besides that thank you for your insight. It is helpful.

[blackpearl]

Make video on interview questions on civil engineer jobs

[babakabbasi]

Would you please mention the names of resources for Statics, Strength of Materials, and... ? Thank you

[bhavanab]

Hi Matt. I have 2 queries
1. At 7.43 mins in your video, you have used a resource to show an example on FEM, may I know which book it is or which resource.
2. Also as a beginner in learning programming could you give us a road map how to go about, or could you do a separate video on it.

[hilasela]

Which book of codes and regulations do you recommend to purchase for residential in CA? Also what engineering calculations program is most used for residential?

[jr-rw]

I've been looking for a part time job that would help me in the long with my career in structural engineering. Would you recommend for me to work in construction or in something else, if so, what would you recommend