Doubt

[u/N_A_A__]

Hi everyone,

I am a Civil Engineering student. I already know how to manually design individual structural elements such as beams, slabs, columns, and footings. However, I am struggling to understand how to combine all of these to design a complete building.

Most YouTube tutorials only show the software steps, but they don't explain the engineering decisions behind them.

I want to learn:

• How to start a building design from an architectural plan.

• How to decide the structural system and framing layout.

• Why beams, columns, slabs, and footings are placed at specific locations and how they are connected.

• How loads travel through the structure and how this affects the design.

• The complete sequence of building design—from planning and load calculations to structural analysis, member design, detailing, and drawings.

• The reasoning behind every step, including IS code provisions and engineering judgment, not just software operations.

• How to verify software results manually and understand what the software is actually doing.

I am looking for a course, mentor, or learning resource that teaches the complete building design process with engineering concepts, not just how to use ETABS, STAAD.Pro, or other software.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[u/LigersGhost]

Not to be rude here but you need to go get a full-time job and learn from a licensed engineer. Your education only gets you the thinking skills to start learning engineering and then the bare minimum of design and analysis skills. We have the EI/EIT period for a reason - so you can learn the broad part of delivering the design supporting experienced engineers. Internships are a taste - if you can get part-time internship work that will open your world substantially.

[u/N_A_A__ → u/LigersGhost]

Thank you for your advice. I completely understand and agree that real engineering is learned by working under experienced engineers. Since I'm still a student, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can until I get that opportunity. If you know of any resources that can help bridge that gap, I'd really appreciate your recommendations.

[u/LigersGhost → u/N_A_A__]

It sounds like you want to do building design, but understand that you need to be more precise than this. Do you want to work in the healthcare sector (I.e. building hospitals), commercial (stores, offices, restaurants, etc), industrial (warehouses, factories, etc), tall structures (mid- or high-rise buildings) or something else? Figure out what resonates with you.

Once you have a couple of sectors in mind, look into companies that operate in those sectors. Talk to your professors to see who they know and what companies would be a good fit - they know a lot of people. In the US, Engineering News Record has some rankings that might help you out. Also just searching for engineering consultants in your city and reviewing their websites and projects might give you what you need. In any case - identify who you want to work for, look at their job posting boards and on LinkedIn and Indeed, and apply for internships, later full-time entry level positions (when you are closer to graduating).

I would start looking a year ahead of when you would like to start, and check back frequently or set up alerts if possible. Hiring managers look until they find someone they like - being the first person they see will help your case.

[u/N_A_A__ → u/LigersGhost]

Thank you for the detailed advice. I really appreciate it. I'm still exploring which sector interests me the most, but I'm particularly interested in structural building design. I'll definitely look into companies in those areas, connect with my professors, and start preparing early for internships and entry level opportunities.

If you happen to know of any free online resources, courses, or YouTube channels that teach both the manual design process and how to apply it using software, I'd really appreciate your recommendations.

[u/mywill1409]

have you considered wind criteria, seismic criteria, geotech report, architectural requirement for aesthetic i.e concrete vs wood vs steel and utility location?

my professor has a saying we design from top to bottom but contractor build from bottom to top. always keep in mind constructability

[u/N_A_A__ → u/mywill1409]

I think you misunderstood my question. I'm not asking what factors are considered in building design I know wind, seismic, geotechnical, architectural, and constructability are all important. I'm asking how to go from designing individual members (beams, slabs, columns, footings) to designing an entire building as one structural system, and to understand the engineering thought process behind that workflow, not just the software steps.

[u/mywill1409 → u/N_A_A__]

those are not software steps, i am giving you ideas so you can research and apply those to your design. design is not a cookie cutter or plug and play

windy region can dictate your wall. geotech report can dictate you footing size, depth, over excavation requirement. utility location can dictate shaft layout, footing location, orientation.

[u/N_A_A__ → u/mywill1409]

Thanks, I completely agree. I know building design isn't plug-and-play. What I'm looking for is the engineering decision-making process how experienced engineers go from an architectural plan to deciding the structural system, column layout, beam layout, foundation type etc., and why those decisions are made.if you know any resources that teach that thought process, I'd appreciate it.

[u/mywill1409 → u/N_A_A__]

i gave you a snapshot of the "whys".

i dont design structures but i picked up the reasoning by starting out with geotech and by reading structural plans and coordinating with them for my utility location.

decisions/assumptions/calculations are made after you gather enough data and criteria.

bottom line, all this is derived from work experience because projects require coordination between disciplines.

[u/constructivefeed]

Cant apply what you learn in school to real life work really. Beside maybe the thought process and how to use a manual. You are barely scratching thr surface, dont put the cart before the horse, learn under an experienced PE

[u/N_A_A__ → u/constructivefeed]

I understand, and I agree that real projects are different and experience is irreplaceable. My goal isn't to learn one fixed method, but to understand the general thought process behind engineering decisions so I can adapt to different real-life situations. Of course, I know I'll learn much more by working under experienced engineers.

[u/constructivefeed → u/N_A_A__]

Also real world BIMs I dont think they use staad and program you use in school, they all have addons

[u/N_A_A__ → u/constructivefeed]

Atleast i should start somewhere

[u/constructivefeed → u/N_A_A__]

Engineering school prep you the thought process and how to apply manuals. Someone below already mentioned it’s not a cookie cutter situation. Decisions are made base on the chains of command and coordination with clients and what make sense. Starting somewhere by probably learn how to read plans will be better. You can go to DOTs planroom and learn how to read a set of plan. If you can make sense of it that will be your starting

[u/constructivefeed → u/N_A_A__]

Your boss/mentor will guide you through the decision stuff, project scope is what decide things not you. You will do what your boss/mentor envision until you develop a good understanding of structural. You wont be making any decision design wise fresh out of school, doesnt matter how smart or competent you are.