Structural Engineering Services
Welcome to our structural engineering services page. Our firm offers a wide range of structural engineering services to meet the needs of our clients. We provide comprehensive solutions for residential and commercial projects, ensuring that all structures are safe, durable, and compliant with building design codes and regulations.
The following are key components of the services we provide:
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Initial Consultation and Survey - The process begins with an initial consultation and survey where a structural engineer visiting the property will assess the suitability of the proposed works. An evaluation of the existing structure, including the roof, floor joists, and load-bearing walls will be carried out to determine if any modifications are needed to support the alteration or new structure.
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Structural Calculations and Design - Once the initial survey is complete, our structural engineer will perform detailed calculations to ensure that the existing structure can support the additional loads imposed. This may involve designing new beams, columns, or other structural elements to reinforce the building’s framework.
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Building Regulations Compliance - Professional detailed drawings will be produced that will include relevant regulations such as: structural stability, fire safety, means of escape, and energy efficiency.
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Project Management and Construction - Coordinating with architects, contractors, and other professionals involved in the construction process to ensure that the structural aspects of the project are executed according to plan. This will include site inspections, quality control, and ongoing support throughout the build phase.
Load-Bearing Wall Removals
Wall removal services are often sought after for various reasons, such as:
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Creating open floor plans
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Expanding living spaces
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Renovating older structures
When considering wall removals, it is essential to engage the expertise of a structural engineer to assess the impact on the building’s overall stability and to ensure compliance with local building codes and regulations.
Removing a load-bearing wall without proper reinforcement can compromise the building’s stability. We at Koleka Engineering will have our expert engineers inspect the wall(s) in consideration, identify weather or not they are load-bearing and develop strategies for redistributing loads through alternative structural elements such as beams, columns, or other support systems. The design of these supports/ systems requires meticulous calculations and adherence to engineering principles to ensure they can effectively bear the imposed loads, achieving building stability and safety.
Before
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Site Inspections
Site inspection services are a crucial aspect of structural engineering, ensuring the safety, integrity, and compliance of buildings. These services involve thorough assessments of construction sites, existing structures, and building materials to identify potential issues, verify adherence to design specifications, and ensure compliance with building codes and regulations. Site inspections are typically conducted by qualified structural engineers or inspectors who possess the expertise to evaluate various structural elements and systems.
We provide the following key components of site inspection services:
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Pre-construction inspections - Before the commencement of any construction project, pre-construction inspections are essential to assess the site’s suitability for the proposed development.
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Structural Integrity Inspections - During and after construction, structural engineers conduct inspections to assess the integrity of building components such as foundations, columns, beams, slabs, walls, and roofs. These assessments involve examining the quality of materials used, verifying proper installation techniques, and identifying any defects or deficiencies that could compromise the structural stability of the building.
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Compliance Verification - Site inspection services include verifying compliance with relevant building codes, zoning regulations, and industry standards. This entails ensuring that construction practices adhere to prescribed guidelines for structural design, fire safety, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and other regulatory requirements. Compliance verification also involves assessing adherence to approved architectural and engineering plans to confirm that construction activities align with authorized permits and specifications.
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Material Testing and Quality Control - Performing material testing and quality control measures to ascertain the suitability and durability of construction materials such as concrete, steel reinforcement, masonry units, timber, and composite materials.
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Safety Inspections - Safety inspections play an important role in identify potential hazards related to construction activities in structural engineering. This encompasses evaluating scaffolding systems, fall protection measures, electrical installations, temporary structures, and overall adherence to occupational health and safety protocols. Safety inspections aim to mitigate risks associated with construction work and ensure a secure environment for workers and occupants.
Extensions
Building a residential extension can offer numerous benefits to homeowners, making it a popular choice for those looking to expand their living space. Some of the key advantages of building a residential extension include:
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Increased Living Space - One of the primary benefits of building a residential extension is the opportunity to create additional living space within the home. This can be particularly advantageous for growing families or individuals who require extra room for various purposes such as a home office, play area, or guest accommodation.
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Enhanced Property Value - The additional square footage and improved functionality can make the home more attractive to potential buyers, thereby enhancing its resale value.
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Customization and Personalization - Building an extension allows homeowners to customize and personalize their living space according to their specific needs and preferences.
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Avoiding Relocation Costs - For homeowners who require more space but are reluctant to move to a new property due to relocation costs, building an extension can be a cost-effective alternative. It eliminates the need to search for a new home and incur expenses associated with moving.
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Improved Lifestyle and Comfort - A well-designed residential extension can enhance the overall lifestyle and comfort of the occupants.
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Cost-Effective Solution - In many cases, building an extension can be more cost-effective than purchasing a larger property.
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Regulatory Flexibility - Depending on local design guides, building an extension may offer flexibility in terms of design and construction compared to purchasing an existing larger property.
Construction of a single/ double storey extention (weather side or rear), usually requires a steel beam or steel box frame structure to support the new imposed loads and for installation of popular bi-folding doors. We can analyse and design the connection details for the box frame and provide detailed drawings to ensure appropriate distribution of load effects for stability and safety.
Loft Conversions
A loft conversion is a popular way to:
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Creating additional living space without extending the footprint of the property
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Maximize underutilized space within the home
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Increase the value of a property.
For every project we will recommend the most efficient design solution. The typical types of loft conversions we deliver include:
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Dormers
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Mansards
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Hip-to-gable
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Roof light loft conversions.
Dormers
Hip-to-gable
Mansard
Roof light (Velux window) loft conversion
New Build
We provide a range of new built services to cater for our clients needs and are highly experienced working with construction materials including: concrete, masonry, steel and timber.
To ensure structural integrity and safety of the building projects we deliver, the following services are:
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Structural Design and Analysis - This involves creating the framework for buildings structures to withstand various loads and environmental conditions. We use advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software and construction techniques to perform accurate structural analysis and design.
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Building Information Modeling (BIM) - We incorporate BIM into projects which have many benefits such as: better visualization, collaboration, and coordination throughout the construction process. It also enables us create detailed 3D models of the structure and enhances efficiency - improving the overall project outcomes.
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Construction Administration - This involves site visits, quality control, and coordination with contractors to ensure that the construction aligns with the approved plans.
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Sustainable Design Solutions - With a growing emphasis on sustainability in the construction industry, we stive to deliver sustainable design solutions that incorporate: green building practices, energy-efficient designs, and environmentally friendly materials into projects.
Chimney Breast Removals
Removing a chimney breast can offer many benefits, including:
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Increase space
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Improved aesthetics
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Enhance property value
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Freedom for renovation
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Improved energy efficiency
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Reduced maintenance
A structural engineer will conduct a detailed site inspection to determine the load-bearing capacity of the remaining elements and devise appropriate support measures to compensate for the removed chimney breast. Before initiating chimney breast removal, a comprehensive structural analysis is conducted to evaluate the existing load distribution and potential implications of removing the chimney breast for the appropriate solution(s). The two common support solutions involve the installation of:
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A steel beam
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Gallow brackets
Whilst the latter requires much stringent requirements to be met, both the solutions are checked to adhere to local building codes and regulations.
Steel Beam Solution
Gallow Brackets Solution
