Structural engineering
We offer the full range of structural engineering services. These include concept, preliminary, developed and detailed structural design, Building Consent documentation, structural peer review and construction monitoring for new construction, alteration, extension, conversion, refurbishment and seismic projects ranging from residential homes to large-scale multi-storey residential and commercial buildings.
Concept design
Based on the client's approval, this stage involves the exploration of sufficient design concepts for the client to be able to test the brief, the development potential of the site and have a concept estimate prepared to establish financial feasibility. Some of our work includes:
Drawings: Sketch plans of primary structural systems marked up on architectural drawings.
Report: Structural concept design brief, key risks and assumptions, key issues and options considered.
Preliminary design
Based on the client's approval and concept design outputs, this stage involves the refinement of the approved concept, including testing options for, and the selection of, the structural system and materials. The structural design should consider regulatory requirements and approvals for both Resource and Building Consent matters. Refinements to the client's brief are incorporated. Some of our work includes:
Drawings: Plans of primary structural systems including preliminary sizing of all primary and typical secondary members.
Report: Update including structural design brief, key risks and assumptions, key issues and options recommended. Provide preliminary building movements, member deflections and vibration. Outline preliminary floor loads, special load areas and design loads for proprietary design elements.
Specifications: Outline preliminary materials, durability / coatings and serviceability. Coordinate surface finishes. Consider construction methodology, constructability of primary structure, unusual temporary stability or sequencing.
developed design
Based on the client's approval and the preliminary design outputs, this stage involves the development of the approved preliminary design such that the scope of all major elements of the structural system is clearly defined and coordinated. Design documentation is produced to scale with grids, principle levels and dimensions. Outline specifications are finalised, and all performance criteria confirmed. Some of our work includes:
Drawings: Layout and sizes of all primary and secondary members, reinforcing as kg/m3, generic details including connections for typical primary elements and facade support.
Report: Update, including key risks and assumptions, issues and options and complex elements. Define proprietary design items such as precast flooring and piling. Identify elements requiring applied fire protection. Update building movements, member deflections and vibration. Finalise floor loads, special load areas and design loads for proprietary design elements.
Specifications: Outline final materials, durability / coatings and serviceability. Coordinate surface finishes. Confirm construction methodology, constructability of primary structure, unusual temporary stability or sequencing.
Detailed Design and documentation
Based on the client’s approval and the developed design outputs, we develop the structural design to a level where the quantity and quality of all structural elements and materials are clearly defined through drawings, specifications, schedules and performance requirements. The design should be comprehensively coordinated with other disciplines. The documents produced at this stage have a critical use in a Building Consent application and subsequent procurement of a construction contract. Some of our work includes the following:
Drawings: Document layout and size all primary and secondary members in cross-referenced plans, sections and elevations. Provide connection details for all elements or reference standard industry details such as HERA details or specify forces for proprietary systems.
Report: Explain design features, including structural systems, load paths, design standards, key design parameters and assumptions. Define building movements, member deflections and vibration. Document floor loads, special load areas and design loads for proprietary design elements. Finalise elements of non-specific code and proprietary design.
Specifications: Performance specifications for proprietary design elements, method statements for critical processes, loads for proprietary non-structural elements, durability/coating requirements, tolerances and so on.
structural peer review
Peer reviews range from a review of completed or partially completed engineering work to establish whether specific objectives have been met, to a series of reviews at pre-determined stages in large, complex projects. The depth of review depends upon several factors, such as the complexity of the design and analysis, the size of the project, and the consequences of failure. Some of our work includes:
Review of assumptions and loadings.
Review for appropriate and realistic modelling, effective and complete load paths and arithmetical accuracy.
Review for robustness and adequate redundancy.
Comparison of analysis outputs with anticipated results.
Parallel calculations on critical elements.
Detailed review of selected elements.
Review for effectiveness of detailing to deliver design intent.
Review for constructability and durability.
Review for completeness of design and documentation.
Prepare and issue PS2 with supporting documentation.
construction monitoring
This stage occurs during the construction of the building and is related to the monitoring of the construction of the structure with respect to the design documents that form part of the construction contract. We undertake construction monitoring at various levels depending upon the size and complexity of the project. We can monitor the construction of our own design or the design by others. Some of our work includes:
Update Building Consent drawings if required and issue construction drawings.
Carry out detailed review of Contractor's deliverables, including producer statements, shop drawings, specifications, testing requirements and construction methodology.
Review certain structural works on site at various stages. Issue site instructions and prepare inspection logs.
Upon completion and satisfaction, prepare and issue construction monitoring report and PS4.
Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA)
An ISA is an Initial Seismic Assessment (also known as IEP). It provides a broad indication of the likely level of seismic performance of a building. It compares a building’s percentage of structural earthquake strength relative to the New Building Standard. However, it is engineering guesswork with no science behind it. It is essentially a visual inspection or a drawing review.
“It is essential that an ISA be carried out, or supervised by, NZ Chartered Professional Engineers (CPEng) or equivalent, who have sufficient relevant experience in the design and evaluation of buildings for earthquake effects to exercise the degree of judgement required and who have had specific training in the Initial Evaluation Procedure.” – Guidance for Territorial Authorities and Property Owners on Initial Seismic Assessments, MBIE.
As a mark of quality, our company is ACENZ-registered, and all of our engineers are a member of Engineering New Zealand. We are well trained and highly experienced in Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA) of a variety of existing buildings using the Initial Evaluation Procedure (IEP) in accordance with the MBIE Guidelines - The Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings.
Our ISA/IEP report includes the following:
Executive summary
Detailed description of building including gravity and lateral load resisting systems
Building record information such as selected drawings
IEP assessment assumptions and factors
Overall building ratings (%NBS)
Structural weaknesses
Conclusions
Recommendations
Appendix - IEP calculation sheets
Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA)
An Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA) is often followed by a more comprehensive Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA). It is a more detailed quantitative appraisal than the Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA) that aims to establish the seismic performance of a building. Unlike an Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA), Tino Seismic’s Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) is based on science. It gives property-owners a detailed analysis of a building based on mathematics, physics and available test data to quantify the %NBS ratings of individual structural elements (e.g., beams, columns, walls, floors, parapets, foundations). It enables us to determine exactly when, where and how structural elements fail during an earthquake.
We can use a variety of structural modelling techniques, analysis procedures and commercial software in conjunction with site investigation and structural testing to accurately determine structural weaknesses and the %NBS rating of your building.
A Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) generally includes:
Executive summary
Technical summary
Detailed building investigations including desktop study and on-site investigation
Seismic Assessment methodology
Overall %NBS rating of building
%NBS ratings of critical structural members
Seismic retrofit recommendations to achieve desired overall %NBS rating
Conclusions
Appendix - Detailed assessment calculations