The NCI building companies employ engineers to design a product. Whereas engineers in the consulting industry sell engineering services to the public, we sell a complete structural building shell. A fair comparison would be the automobile industry. Although the major car manufacturers employ hundreds and even thousands of engineers, they produce a finished good rather than provide an engineering service. Our industry is no different.

So what would a typical day look like to a metal building design engineer? After the initial training period and acclimation to the design process, an NCI engineer is responsible for the design of the metal building structure.

The design parameters such as building loads (snow load, wind load, etc.), deflection limitations, etc., are provided to NCI engineers via the building order process. Using this customer-supplied information, the engineer uses proprietary software to design the main frame, cold-formed secondary members, bracing and endwall structurals.

Let’s consider the frame design. After all the design parameters have been input into the software, the software will design the most optimum frame according to frame weight. Although the frame generated by the software meets all the code requirements and is structurally sound, there are other factors that must be considered in order to produce not only a lightweight frame, but one that is the easiest to fabricate and erect.

Since the design process occurs in the “front end”, it is the responsibility of the engineer to be aware of the fabrication and erection process in order to design the most desirable frame in all phases of the project. In order to do so, an engineer must have some knowledge on how the different frame elements are going to be fabricated, as well as how it will interact with the secondary members of the building during erection. For example, when the frame is being manufactured, one must be aware of the different thicknesses and lengths of the material that are in stock.

Knowing the capabilities of the machines at the manufacturing shop is also critical, as it limits the different connections, member shapes, depths, and lengths. After the engineer has designed a constructible frame, he/she determines if the secondary members will interfere with any of the frame elements. If so, the frame is changed accordingly until the frame is satisfactory with all specifications.

Another important task of each engineer is to continually expand their knowledge on every aspect of design, including building codes, product capabilities and design procedures. Although the software has many capabilities in designing the building structure, there are limitations due to the vast number of differentiations in each building. Because of this, engineers must rely on other sources to complete their design. One of the most valuable sources is other engineers. Here at NCI, the range of experience of engineers varies from recent graduates to those with decades of experience. The younger engineers are able to consult with the more experienced and already licensed engineers on how to solve structural problems on more complex building structures on an everyday basis. Engineers also rely on each other to share not only on design techniques used in the past, but the most recent information on updates of building codes and new product information. Everyday is a learning experience for each engineer as each building is designed. Most every building is different and the slightest change or modification requires an entirely different design.

The engineers also have other functions to fulfill during a typical day. Customers can have quick turnaround requests for adding to or modifying recently ordered buildings. These activities customarily require a letter by the engineer. Checking designs of a fellow engineer is also a regular task.

Although the building designs are rapid, the engineer will encounter many different building approaches per the end-customers’ needs. Clearspan buildings, modular buildings (i.e., containing interior columns), double-slope, single-slope, hi-low conditions – these are some of the many different building design possibilities faced by the engineer.

The metal building design process is a fast-paced environment. The successful design engineer must have attributes beyond the technical training they receive as an undergraduate. The individual must thrive on tight deadlines, be patient with frequent changes as requested by customers and be able to multi-task multiple designs in his or her schedule. Becoming proficient in the design of metal buildings can prepare the engineer for a variety of career possibilities, including higher complexity design assignments, supervisory positions, project management or even sales support of the contractors who market and sell our buildings.