SERVICES / 01
Structural engineering
Structural design for new buildings, alterations and additions.
A clear engineering scope.
Turn architectural intent into a practical structural approach, with attention to how loads travel through the building and into the ground.
Each project begins with its own requirements. The work, deliverables and inspection limits should be agreed before the assessment or design starts.
Building structure
Consider the framing, floors, walls and foundations as a connected system.
Alterations & additions
Understand the implications of changing a building, adding space or modifying existing structural elements.
Materials & connections
Coordinate the structural approach for concrete, steel, timber and masonry elements.
SERVICE SCOPE
What the work can cover.
The following areas can form part of a project brief. The services, deliverables and suitability for your site are confirmed when the scope is agreed.
New building design
Structural framing strategies for new residential and commercial buildings, coordinated with the architectural layout and site information.
Renovations & extensions
Assessment of proposed additions, extra storeys and changes to existing structures, including how new and existing elements connect.
Wall removal & openings
Review of load-bearing walls and proposed openings, with consideration of support beams, posts and the load path to the foundations.
Steel, concrete, timber & masonry
Design considerations for common structural materials, including member sizes, supports and connections within the agreed scope.
Footings, slabs & foundations
Foundation and slab design considerations informed by site levels, ground conditions and available geotechnical information.
Retaining walls
Structural assessment and design considerations for retaining walls, coordinated with ground conditions, drainage and the site layout.
Structural drawings & design documentation
Drawings and engineering information that communicate the agreed structural design to the project team.
Construction-stage engineering support
Clarification of structural design questions and review of proposed changes during construction, where included in the commission.
PROJECT INFORMATION
What to have ready.
Your site and proposal
Provide the property address, a description of the existing building or site, and the work you are considering. Explain whether the enquiry relates to a new design, an existing concern or work already underway.
Available documents
Gather architectural plans, surveys, previous engineering drawings, geotechnical reports, planning advice and relevant photographs. Existing information helps identify gaps before the engineering work starts.
Your priorities
Outline the main questions you want answered, your current project stage and any dates the team needs to coordinate around.
Access and scope
Confirm site access and whether particular structural elements or drainage features are concealed. Inspection, testing, design and construction support may involve different scopes.
DELIVERABLES
Clear information for the next stage.
Depending on the commission, outputs may include engineering drawings, an assessment report, inspection findings or recommendations for further investigation. The quotation should identify the exact documents, review stages and any exclusions, so you know what the engineering work will provide.
PROJECT EXAMPLES
See how this service can apply.
The examples below are placeholders for future SK case studies. They do not represent completed projects.
EXAMPLE PLACEHOLDERResidential extension
Structural design for a proposed home extension
- Location
- Replace with the actual project location
- Engineering scope
- Architectural plans, site information and connection to the existing building
- Outcome
- Add the actual outcome and approved project photographs
EXAMPLE PLACEHOLDERWall opening
Assessment of a proposed opening in an existing wall
- Location
- Replace with the actual project location
- Engineering scope
- Existing wall arrangement, loads and required support
- Outcome
- Add the actual outcome and approved project photographs
SERVICE QUESTIONS
Useful things to know.
When should structural engineering begin?
Involve an engineer while the design is being developed, particularly before structural changes or construction decisions are finalised.
Can I remove an internal wall?
A wall’s structural role cannot be reliably determined from appearance alone. An assessment is needed before removal or alteration.
What documents are useful?
Architectural drawings, a site survey, geotechnical information and any existing structural drawings help define the work.
