This thread is part of Real-World Practice, our self-paced, case study feature that helps you apply your knowledge in realistic scenarios using references, layered questions, and targeted takeaways.
How come the architect is responsible for a slab deflection occurrence and a structural engineer is on board? Isn’t this a part of the engineer’s services?
Welcome to the Black Spectacles Community @christophermoawad84! Thanks for checking out Real-World Practice and writing in with your question.
The structural engineer is typically responsible for designing the slab and meeting deflection criteria, but the architect is still responsible for their own standard of care, even with an engineer on board.
Engineer’s role: The engineer must size/verify the structure (including deflection limits) and is held to the standard of care for structural design and QA/QC. If they misread design charts or didn’t properly check deflection criteria, that’s on them.
Architect’s role: The architect is still responsible for overall code compliance and coordinating building performance issues that show up in design/construction. Having an engineer doesn’t fully “transfer” code-related responsibilities away from the architect, and the architect can be evaluated on whether they met the standard of care within their scope.
In summary, yes - slab deflection is primarily an engineering service, but both parties can be evaluated separately for whether they met the standard of care based on what a reasonable professional would have done in the same situation.
Hope this helps!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Product Coordinator Black Spectacles
@christophermoawad84 No problem! I responded to this next question of yours on the dedicated Real-World Practice exercise thread, in case other studiers have the same question:
Also, just a heads up - we do not allow screenshots of paid content to be shared, so I have removed it from your post. Check out this article for more about how to ask questions about specific practice questions: ** Black Spectacles Community | Black Spectacles Help Center**
Understanding Standard of Care [Exercise A]
Use this thread to ask follow-up questions, share your approach, or engage with others studying the same content.
Please do not post screenshots or reproduce paid study material.
For tech support or account issues, email support@blackspectacles.com.