What is a Structural George Voyias Ashton Consulting Engineers - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

What is a Structural George Voyias Ashton Consulting Engineers

What is a Structural Engineer? • Simple definition: someone who ensures that a building or structure stands up. • Loadings: – self weight of the building elements or 'dead' loads – imposed loadings from the weight of people and furniture – wind loadings • Knowledge of building materials: steel, concrete, masonry, timber, etc • Trained and qualified to a Chartered Engineer

Existing Buildings and • A load-bearing wall is wall that is supporting other parts of the building • External walls and certain internal walls in buildings are load bearing • Altering or extending an existing building: – removal of a load-bearing wall – making a hole in the floor or roof – building a new glass screen – building a new balcony, etc.

Histon Baptist Church

New Buildings and Churches • A structural engineer should be appointed for all but the simplest of buildings like a standard house, garage or shed • He should work closely with the architect designing the building to integrating the structure as part of the design • He often arranges for a ground investigation of the site to assist him in designing the most appropriate type of foundations • He typically prepares a set of structural calculations and drawings that are sent to Building Control for approval before construction work starts.

What should clients look for when appointing a structural • Qualifications - is he/she a Chartered Engineer? • Experience in the particular building sector, e.g. churches • Does the engineer grasp the vision and aims of the client? • Does the engineer carry profession indemnity insurance to protect the client? • References - does the architect know the engineer well? If not take up references from clients or other architects.

Introduction to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations Ashton Consulting Engineers George Voyias

Key aims of the CDM Regulations are to: – improve the planning and management of projects from the very start – identify hazards early on, so that they can be eliminated or reduced at the design or planning stage and the remaining risks can be properly managed – target e fg ort where it can do the most good in terms of health and safety – discourage unnecessary bureaucracy

Time and thought improves health and safety but also leads – reductions in the overall cost of ownership, because the building is designed for safe and easy maintenance and cleaning work, and because key information is available in the health and safety file – reduced delays – more reliable costings and completion dates – improved communication between key parties

According to a 1998 report of the Royal Academy of Engineering typical operating and owning costs of a building are in the ratio: • 1 for construction costs • 5 for maintenance and building operating costs • 200 for business operating costs

Except where the project is for a domestic client, the client must appoint a CDM Co-ordinator for a building project where construction work is expected to: – last more than 30 working days; or – involve more than 500 person days, for example 25 people working over 20 days

In this instance the CDM Co-ordinator should: – notify the Health and Safety Executive of the project – advise and assist the client with their duties – identify, collect and pass on pre- construction information – facilitate good communication between client, designers and contractors – prepare/ update the health and safety file for the building

Party Wall Surveyor and Other Consultants George Voyias Ashton Consulting Engineers

The Party Wall Act 1996 provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to: • party walls • boundary walls • excavations near neighbouring buildings

Party Wall Surveyor Services • Issue a party wall notice to the adjoining owners • Survey the adjoining properties before work commences and record any defects near the party wall and boundary • Prepare a draft Party Wall Award for each of the adjoining properties • Agree the Party Wall Award with the other surveyor/s who may be appointed by the adjoining owner/s • Issue the Party Wall Awards to owners and the other surveyor/s • Be available for visits to the site during the works • Make a final visit to check for any damage

Other Consultants • Mechanical Engineer - designs the heating system, ventilation, air conditioning, lifts, etc. • Electrical Engineer - designs the electrical system including lighting, data, lightning protection, as well as fire and security alarms, etc • Quantity Surveyor - prepares cost plans; tender and contract documents; and keeps control of the costs of a project • Lighting Consultant - specialist lighting • Audio Visual Consultant - designs systems for conference halls and churches