What are the roles of mathematics in building engineering/technology?

Answer 1

Physics is necessary for accurate understanding and prediction of matters in engineering and technology, and mathematics is necessary for understanding and as a tool of physics.

For example, a building engineer would need to know what a cantilevered beam can support, instead of "winging it on the job". An applied branch of physics, "structural mechanics", and "strength of materials", offers tools and equations for finding answers. But mathematics has laid the foundations for developing such equations, namely calculus in this instance.

A top-ranked expert in building engineering or technology is frequently skilled in mathematics, with good grasp of the theoretical underpinnings of his field. Many will make use of mathematical software as an aid to analysis and computation. For example, specialized software involving sophisciated matrix and finite-element analysis is avaiable and used for understanding stresses in a complex steel frame structure, or even a single machined part, too complicated for simple equations to describe. A lot of high-end mathematics have gone into design of such software.