Structural, Masonry, Timber, Concrete and Steel Design

We enjoy a collaborative approach to building design with the whole team of designers and contractors to fulfill project goals. As engineers, we can play a key role in making a project a success. We will take an active part in project discussions and communicate structural alternatives at an early stage with sketches and drawings so that design strategy in terms of quality, cost and programme is fully explained before detail design begins.

By combining our experience with the latest design codes and software, we can produce elegant efficient structural designs. In particular, using finite element analysis software will significantly reduce structural costs by minimising the materials used on site. This will not only have a cost saving but will also reduce the impact on the environment.

Similarly, we specify re-cycled materials as much as possible especially aggregates in road and concrete design and rebar in reinforced concrete. Using the latest euro-codes permits the greater use of cement replacements in concrete design.

Knowledge of modern methods of construction and recent developments in building products also ensures lightweight structurally efficient buildings can be produced. We work closely with Architects and Building Services engineers when thermal mass of the building is important to regulate the internal building environment. We are also experiencing a resurgence in the use of traditional building materials in this type of holistic building design, such as lime mortar and render to allow flexibility in buildings and humidity control.

Our considerable design experience and understanding of how buildings are put together, both in the traditional sense and also in pre-assembly methods ensures our designs are both practical and elegant.

We are also very familiar with all modern procurement routes that can affect structural design choice. We often work with various forms of ‘design and build’ contracts, partnering arrangements as well as traditional contracts with bills of quantities.

Our areas of expertise:

• Unreinforced and reinforced masonry
• Timber design from traditional oak frame buildings to timber frame utilising modern materials such as laminated and engineered timber sections.
• Reinforced concrete framed structures, especially flat slab frames often used in residential high rise for acoustic performance, slim structural zones and inherent fire protection.
• Transfer structures to achieve clear spans which often utilise various structural materials.
• Structural steel frames, either braced, semi rigid or portalised frames.
• Composite structures which are often used in office developments. Combinations of steel beams with instu or pre-cast concrete slabs depending on Architectural finishes and layout.