The 'Hows' and 'Whys' of Building Construction
Canadian Property Management | March 2024
Evan Cambridge, P.Eng. | Project Engineer
When embarking on complicated projects, construction engineers play a critical role
As building designs become more complicated, construction engineers play a critical role in the construction process, ensuring the physical structure is built with safety and durability in mind without compromising on the architectural vision and cost implications to the contractor. In fact, according to Evan Cambridge, Project Engineer, Construction & Specialty Engineering with RJC Engineers, today’s buildings are becoming much harder to build despite improvements in technology, tools, and methods. To facilitate a safe and successful outcome, construction engineers are there to ask the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ that correspond with each aspect of the building project.
“Construction engineers are an important piece of the puzzle,” he explains. “We work alongside the contractor to figure out the best way to proceed using the available materials and labour in the most efficient way. As technology progresses and the demand for architecturally appealing buildings increases, it’s our job to solve the problems and safely bring the building to life.”
Cambridge says his team is typically brought on board before the contractor has even dug the hole for the project. This early perspective helps construction engineers gain a fuller understanding of what the job entails and establish the best path forward, solving inevitable issues as they arise.
“We determine the process of how to build, often using formwork and materials that the contractor is using on different jobs,” he says. “It’s a bit like a grown-up game of Tetris. We also heavily assist the contractor during construction by solving problems as they come up. Our team has a broad range of skills, so we’re able to foresee issues that others are not aware of on site.”
Common challenges at the worksite
Oftentimes, according to Cambridge, its the location of the building that proves to be the trickiest part of the construction. From nearby waterways to the proximity of the surrounding structures, project sites aren’t always easy to navigate, and construction engineers need to pay particular attention to challenges that lay ahead.