While you may understand the need for them, it’s understandable to wonder, exactly what are structural calculations? Structural calculations are the foundation on which all civil and structural engineering is built — they ensure the safety and stability of any construction project.
For maximum peace of mind, it is important that you, as a homeowner, understand the significance of structural calculations, their role in project planning, and what information the calculations will include. You should also have an understanding of why they will be needed, and who should be conducting them.
What Are Structural Calculations?
Structural calculations are a vital aspect in both civil and structural engineering. These calculations involve determining the strength, stability, and load-bearing capacity of the structural elements of a construction. From new build homes, extensions and renovations, to the construction of bridges, stadiums, and other landmarks — virtually any project you could work on will need structural calculations.
Put simply, these calculations are assessments of the supportive elements of a building based on their geometry, the weight of the materials that they’ll bear, and other important factors.
As an important step in the planning process, a great deal of information can be included in structural calculations, including:
- Information as to how the foundations will be dug (for a new build property)
- What materials will be required
- How much the project is expected to cost from start to finish
- Environmental considerations during the building process
- What reinforcements are to be expected
- If there are any potential risks with the build
Ultimately, what is included in structural calculations will vary depending on the specifics and the needs of the project in question.
With this information in hand, a structural engineer will be able to calculate how big and how heavy the structural elements of a project must be to support the weight of the construction and the materials to be utilised.
Structural calculations should be seen as a part of the planning process for a project. They are in-depth, detailed calculations performed prior to the start of a construction or design assignment.
Do I Need Structural Calculations?
Whether you’re dealing with a loft conversion project, alterations to a basement, or any other construction project it’s likely that you’ll require a structural engineer to design and calculate any alterations. Ensuring that you have the correct and necessary calculations will go a long way towards satisfying Building Control.
You will typically need structural calculations to satisfy Building Control for any alterations to an existing structure that involves creating openings in structural walls larger than 3m in length, or the removal of two or more interconnecting structural walls.
If Building Control aren’t satisfied then they won’t provide a certificate for the work done on your house. This will probably mean you’re unable to sell it (should you want to in future), because a prospective buyer won’t be able to get a mortgage on the house without the accompanying Building Control certificate.
Do Architects Do Structural Calculations?
Architects do not typically perform any structural calculations themselves. They will instead look to work with a structural engineer who specialises in structural analysis and calculations. While an architect does play a vital role in designing a structure, it is the structural engineers who are responsible for ensuring that those designs are structurally sound.
The importance of architects on a construction project cannot be understated. However, they are not responsible for every aspect of a construction. They instead are required to work closely with a structural engineer, as a team. Both utilise their extensive experience and expertise to contribute towards the various aspects of the project that best suit their skills.
On a project, architects and structural engineers do totally different jobs:
- Architect: Primarily responsible for the design and appearance of the structure.
- Structural Engineer: Oversees the technical aspects of the project, including structural calculations, to ensure a building’s stability.
For a project to be successful, the architect and structural engineer must be able to efficiently and effectively work together.
What Information Do I Need to Provide for Structural Calculations?
The act of having structural calculations done on your structure is, thankfully, not overly complex. If the project is relatively simple in scope, some dimensioned architectural drawing will be required for review. In addition to the drawings, an engineer will likely request some photographs, relevant information regarding the project’s location, as well as a clear written description.
For more complex projects, more information may be required. If so, you can expect additional contact from the structural engineer seeking further clarification.
How to do Structural Calculations
As structural calculations are so pivotal in the construction process, the actual process of the calculations is vital. As a result, there are a number of steps involved that must be considered. This includes determining the expected stresses and forces of the structure, what its load-bearing capacity will be, and much more.
The process of structural calculations includes:
Step One: Understand the Project
The very first step in the structural calculations process will require the engineers to collect and assess all of the necessary information and documents, as well as the specifics of the structure itself.
This is done so that the engineer on a project can understand its scope, as well as the structure’s purpose and requirements. Information that will be gathered and analysed at this stage can include:
- The architectural drawings
- The structure’s intended use
- What materials are planned for use
- Relevant building codes and regulations
Step Two: Determine Loads
With the information regarding the structure’s intended use, the next job for the structural engineer will be to quantify the loads the structure can reasonably expect to be subjected to.
This includes factors like the weight of the structure itself, as well as the occupants and furniture. It also includes environmental factors like wind, snow,seismic loads upon the building, the effect temperature may have on the structure, and more.
Step Three: Determine Most Appropriate Materials
With factors like the load capacity and the environment in mind, a structural engineer will make recommendations as to suitable materials for the various structural components of the project.
This will consider the materials’ strength, durability, cost, and how environmentally friendly they are.
Step Four: Check Code Compliance
It is highly important that any structure meets relevant and required building codes and standards. Structural codes can vary greatly depending on location, and the type of structure in question, so it’s essential that a structural engineer is familiar with all the latest applicable codes and regulations for the project in question.
Step Five: Design the Structural Elements
Following on from the assessment results, once the most optimal materials have been selected, the next task for a structural engineer is to design the structural components of the project.
This can include components such as beams, columns, and slabs. The purpose of this is to ensure that the structural elements of a structure will be able to resist the expected loads and stresses.
Step Six: Load Combinations
Another important step in the structural calculation process is to combine loads to assess the structure’s safety under various different scenarios.
This is done to ensure that the structure will remain stable under all expected load conditions. Factors that should be checked at this stage include sway, bucking, and deformation.
Step Seven: Calculation Reports
It’s vital that the structural engineer on a project prepares comprehensive reports during the structural calculation process.
This requires them to document any and all analysis and design work that has been conducted. Detailed calculations, design drawings, and any assumptions made should all be included in these reports.
The documents serve as an all-encompassing record of the work done by an engineer, and should be seen as an essential part in the construction process.
Step Eight: Review Process
Before calculations and designs make it to the client, the structural engineer must make sure that they are reviewed by another senior engineer/peer.
This is important as a peer review can catch errors and ensure maximum quality at all times.
Step Nine: Alterations During the Process
Changes to the plan can be expected in a construction. However, when alterations are made, the structural documentations must also be amended to follow suit.
The engineer will update the structural documentation with any changes that have been made, to create accurate and up-to-date as-built drawings and records.
Build With Confidence: PorthouseDean
In the world of construction, structural calculations are there to guide everybody involved on a project through the complications of design and engineering. The calculations are much more than just a series of numbers on a page or in an email. They are essential as they offer assurances that a project’s structure will not only stand, but can endure the elements and estimated stresses.
From the initial phase of understanding the project’s requirements, through to analysing the loads and making material recommendations, structural engineers play a pivotal role in the construction process. Their expertise ensures that the vision of both the homeowner and the architect can be translated to reality with both stability and reliability.
The PorthouseDean team of expert structural engineers have years of experience supporting a wide variety of low-rise residential projects across the length and breadth of the country.
On every project we assist on, the quality of our structural calculations are vital in the ultimate delivery of a successful structure. For more information about structural calculations and how our structural engineers can assist on your project, get in touch with a member of our team today.
