Structures

The wide scope of interesting projects within which the structures department is involved has meant I've managed to work on major UK projects such as Crossrail and at Heathrow Airport, to smaller projects in Angola, Russia and Kazakhstan, each with their own challenges.

My role within the structures team often involves structural analysis of steel, concrete, masonry and timber structures. Analysis can be by hand or computer analysis and can be as simple as calculating the size of a beam to analysing the effect of the wind on large structure such as a stadium. I also undertake design work to consider safe methods of working, buildability, the environmental impact of designs and their sustainability aspects.

As a structural engineer, I am regularly communicating with other members of project teams such as architects, contractors, planners and engineers from other disciplines, either through sketches, drawings, emails or at team meetings and workshops to achieve a high quality, appropriate solution which best meets our clients requirements.

There are many aspects to my job I enjoy, and I feel I'm fortunate to work within the team which I do. I feel I work within an environment where I am encouraged to use my initiative and the ask questions, and team members are always happy to explain principles and discuss ideas.

Victor Zasadzki
University of Exeter
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
Joined in 2007
Works in Structures, Croydon, UK