Structural Engineers Auckland

Structural engineers take the Architect’s vision and make it feasible to build. This is done by making sure the structure will be able to withstand gravity, earthquakes, and other forces.

The route to becoming a structural engineer involves either taking a university degree or completing a civil engineering apprenticeship. This is followed by a postgraduate qualification.

Design

Structural engineers develop plans and designs for structures like bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure. They usually work for construction/engineering consultancies or as contractors on projects in the field. Most structural engineers specialise in a particular type of structure. Consultancy structural engineers tend to spend most of their time in the office preparing blueprints and other documentation while those who are contractors must spend most of their time on site.

When designing a building structure, a structural engineer must factor in the physical conditions that may influence its lifespan. They can also help the construction team select appropriate materials and incorporate technical specifications that improve the structural soundness of a structure.

If you’re considering a career as a structural engineer, you’ll need to have a bachelors degree in civil engineering or a related subject from an accredited university. You can then pursue either incorporated or chartered engineer status with the Institution of Engineers New Zealand. You’ll also need to complete a period of vocational training and undergo professional review.

Inspection

Structural engineers perform inspections of structures like buildings, homes, apartments, commercial and industrial buildings, warehouses, factories, retaining walls, bridges, and other infrastructure. They can provide a detailed report of their scientific findings and a scope of work to complete any needed repairs. This includes repairing and replacing damaged structural components, restoring existing structures, and preparing designs for new structures.

A structural engineer can also conduct surveys on sagging or uneven floors, cracks in the foundation and walls, leakage, and fire damage. Some of these problems can be difficult to repair if left unattended. They can also be expensive to fix.

Unlike home inspectors, structural engineers specialize in load bearing systems and can spot issues that could be potentially dangerous. Mortgage lenders may require a structural engineer inspection to confirm the home’s structural health before releasing funds. You can find a structural engineer through a referral from your general contractor or your city building department.

Repair

Structural engineers are often called in to inspect and assess the structural integrity of buildings or other man-made structures. They are also able to assist with projects that include changes to the load bearing elements of a structure such as adding more floors or changing a building’s use. Such work will require council approval, known as a Building Consent and is generally not possible without the help of a professional structural engineer.

Structural engineers in Auckland design structures to be able to support their own weight, as well as the imposed loads of gravity, wind, snow, earthquakes and other forces such as temperature and traffic. They consider how each load will impact the structure, determine the most economical design, select and design structural members and calculate the optimum loading path for the entire structure down to the foundations. Engineers also consider fatigue, ensuring that their designs will be able to withstand the repeated stress of many loading cycles.

Expert Witness

As a geotechnical engineer, Tim has extensive experience with geotechnical assessments and design of buildings, foundations and retaining walls. He has worked on a variety of projects throughout Canterbury, Otago and Southland including landslide assessments and remediation after storm events. He also provides project and peer review services for infrastructure projects, mining, and buildings.

He has been involved in the assessment of residential and commercial buildings damaged in the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence, and recently in the flood damage assessments in Auckland, the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay following Cyclone Gabrielle. He is experienced in the preparation of building damage reports, providing opinions and presenting these at Court or Tribunal proceedings.

In addition to being a professional engineer, Ramon has over 20 years of structural assessment, design and project monitoring experience for high-rise and low-rise buildings in the Auckland region. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with accreditation from Engineering New Zealand. In a trial, he will provide expert opinions concerning foundation engineering, girders, highway construction, joists, naval vessel and hull engineering, shear value, structural failure, shoring, and structure collapse.