Tragwerksplaner

Tragwerksplaner is a professional who specializes in the design and calculation of load-bearing structures in buildings and civil engineering projects. The field, Tragwerksplanung, covers the structural design from the initial concept through detailed planning and construction documentation. The core task of a Tragwerksplaner is to ensure safety and functionality by determining loads, selecting materials, and dimensioning structural elements such as beams, columns, slabs, foundations, and connections.

They perform static and stability calculations, verify serviceability (deflection and crack control), and coordinate with architects, geotechnical engineers, contractors, and other disciplines. In addition to design calculations, Tragwerksplaner prepare calculation reports, construction drawings, and execution plans, and may be involved in on-site supervision or in discussions with building authorities to obtain approvals.

Typical qualifications include a university degree in civil engineering with a specialization in structural engineering. Depending on jurisdiction, professional licensure or registration and ongoing professional development are required or strongly encouraged. Practitioners keep up-to-date with design codes and standards, such as national regulations and Eurocodes, and continuously refine their expertise in materials, connections, and detailing.

Tools and processes commonly used include computer-aided design and finite element analysis, along with BIM-based workflows to integrate structural design with architectural and MEP models. Tragwerksplaner collaborate closely with architects, construction engineers, fabricators, and clients to translate concepts into safe, constructible, and economically viable structures. The role is prevalent in German-speaking countries, where the term Tragwerksplanung denotes the formal discipline of structural engineering.