Our blog contains articles encompassing questions and topics that relate to our customers. Please feel free to browse through them and also sign up for our e-mail list. We are always contributing new articles on issues experienced by our customers, which we discuss and provide suggestions to.
Our blog contains articles encompassing questions and topics that relate to our customers. Please feel free to browse through them and also sign up for our e-mail list. We are always contributing new articles on issues experienced by our customers, which we discuss and provide suggestions to.
BIM stands for Building Information Modeling. This is a way of collaborating on a building project through the generation and sharing of information. In a previous post, we discussed what BIM is and now we'll highlight why it is important. Contact Us BIM is strongly...
If your home was built after the 1920s, chances are it’s got cavity walls. Additionally, if it wasn’t built in the last 20 years, then those cavities are empty. By filling these gaps, also known as cavities, could be a cost-effective way to retain heat in your home...
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a form of systems thinking. It is a full system for facilitating interactions between architects, engineers, customers, and construction firms. Anyone that has worked at a construction site or manufacturing process will tell you...
If you’ve ever seen a building project unfold, then you wonder how they achieve efficient foundations Well, if so, this is where Structural Engineering Consulting Services comes to the rescue. The aim of these consulting services is to benefit the whole of society...
A home inspection, also known as a building inspection or a property inspection, is a thorough visual assessment of a home or building conducted by a certified professional. A home inspection can occur for many reasons, but it usually occurs prior to the purchase of a...
In previous posts we have discussed the necessity of roof inspections. In fact, we have delved into the potential dangers of neglecting a roof inspection. Not only do roof inspections serve as damage prevention, but they also save you large costs in repairs longer...
When buildings are designed, we think of everything as physical sketches and blueprints. With the advancement of technology and 3-D models, BIM, (Building Information Modeling), has become the new norm for designing structures. BIM is a highly collaborative process...
For any homeowner, your roof is your first line of defense against extreme weather. This can be in the form of a foot of snow that accumulates overnight or high-speed winds that tear through a town. Therefore, maintaining a roof through inspections is crucial to...
Have you ever noticed how beautiful structures can look and how different they can all be from one another? Houses can all have a different aesthetic to them depending on the materials used to build them. In Manhattan, all the skyscrapers and tall buildings look...
Steel is one of the most used materials in construction because it has many favorable qualities. Steel is extremely strong; it can withstand a lot of weight while taking up very little space. It’s a material that works well under both tension and compression. It is...
Whether you’re selling or buying any type of structure, or simply looking to maintain the integrity of one you already own, getting it inspected is an important step Understanding the difference between a home inspection and a structural inspection and when they’re...
Home renovation projects can sometimes involve removing walls to create a bigger space. Having an open space concept in your home or property can be the end goal for your project. When this is the case, you must keep in mind that not all walls of a home can be removed...
Moisture or water damage is more common than property owners think. It’s also one of the things that should be dealt with as soon as it’s noticed. Moisture is detrimental to the structural integrity of a property’s foundation, and it can also lead to serious health...
Have you ever wondered how a building is able to withstand almost anything that weather throws its way? Strong winds that can cause trees to fall usually do not cause your house to sway back and forth, how is that possible? Structural engineers ensure that buildings...
Taking care of the foundation of your property is the most important thing a property owner can do to prolong the life of their house. The structural integrity of a structure relies completely on a healthy foundation. Performing regular maintenance and waterproofing...
Have you noticed that your floors are sloping to one side? Or that certain parts of your floor are bouncy? Have you seen that doors are not closing correctly? These may all be signs of a sloping or sagging floor. Sloping or sagging floors are very common in houses,...
What is Reinforced Concrete? Reinforced concrete is a building material used in structures that will need to work well under tension and compression. It’s concrete that is reinforced with steel to increase the overall strength and durability of the material. Concrete...
Structural bolts are one of the most important parts of a construction project. They provide strong connections between important steel members of a structure and make sure that it remains safe and secure. Structural bolts are not like regular bolts, they are bolts...
Structural masonry is one of the oldest building methods that exists in construction today. It was used in ancient Egypt to build the pyramids, and across the world in South America for temples. It consists of using masonry, brick, or stone in high volumes so that it...
Building fires are events that can be very traumatic to individuals that live through them, and severely damaging to any structure that encounters one. In construction, avoiding the rapid spread of any fire is an important part of the design process. Spray applied...
During many construction projects, there are several types of third-party inspections that are required by townships and building departments in order to receive final approval. One of these types of inspections is structural welding. Structural welding...
Nondestructive testing methods of concrete are used to check already cured concrete properties and compressive strength without damaging the material in any way. These types of tests evaluate the condition of concrete in all varying types of concrete structures. The...
When thinking of our perfect home, we imagine where we’d like the bedrooms and bathrooms to be located, how big the kitchen should be, and even how many windows we’d like; however, what we don’t imagine or even think about is how our home will be structurally stable....
Water accumulation in or around your home can lead to many negative outcomes for both the structural integrity and residents of the property. Water buildup slowly deteriorates the foundation and can lead to severe foundation damage. Standstill water also results in...
When we hear that the foundation of a property we own, are selling or buying needs possible foundation repairs, we may tend to put it off because the cost may sound like it’s too much, however, there are certain times when looking the other way may end up costing you...
Taking care of the foundation of your home is the most important thing a property owner can do. The structural integrity of a structure relies completely on a healthy foundation. Preventing any foundation issues can save you from major structural damage that will have...
Understanding when you need a structural engineer can be confusing. Here are 3 of the biggest reasons why you may need to call a structural engineer. Structural Inspections of Existing Buildings You might need a structural inspection for an existing building for a...
Whether you’re in the process of starting new construction or in a renovation, you might be required to have a third-party special inspector on your team. Special inspections are an essential part of any construction project because they are required by the governing...
Being a property owner can be very costly. Making sure that your property has no structural flaws is one of your biggest duties, and if there are flaws, making sure that it gets resolved quickly, correctly, and cost efficiently is crucial. When Should you Get A...
BIM manager is an essential part of any modern architectural project. They are usually the decision makers for BIM standards and workflow that will be used for a project. They are responsible for the creation, management, and updating of the BIM model. Contact Us...
BIM was created to have all information related to a specific project organized in one place for all to see. BIM organizes a project from the beginning stages all the way to the end. It helps improve efficiency in steel construction by being able to share information...
Big construction projects require big planning from multiple parties. Making sure the communication between all parties is clear and quick is essential in making sure the process runs smoothly and quickly. Contact Us What Is A Bim Execution Plan (BEP)? A BEP is...
When discussing building projects, there are two major components: the superstructure and substructure. The substructure is the part of the building that is built below the ground level areas. The superstructure is the part constructed above the ground level. In this...
If you are someone involved in engineering, then there are certain skills that you need to possess. One of these skills is the ability to read structural steel drawings. This ensures accuracy and precision in any project. As a homeowner, learning how to read...
Have you ever noticed that most roofs for homes look the similar? As if they were all made from similar material? Well, this isn’t always the case. In some cases, metal roofs are made to look like clay, slate, or even wooden roofs. Metal roofs and gutters come with...
What Is Cold-Formed Steel? Cold-formed steel also known as light gauge steel or metal studs is a type of steel made from structural quality sheet steel that is formed into a “c” or “z” shape. This type of steel can hold heavy loads. It is called “cold-formed” because...
If you are purchasing a new home or even building one, chances are that the process is both exciting and daunting. One of the most common questions which comes up is: when do I need a structural engineer? This is an important question as it can save you both time and...
What is it? Weathering steel is a family of low carbon steels that have additional alloying elements mixed in with the carbon and iron atoms. An alloy is a metal formed by two or more metallic elements, which in this case, is used to enhance the strength and...
Background Did you know that there are more than 600,000 bridges in the United States? Out of these bridges, approximately one-third of them were built using a significant amount of steel. Steel is one of the most common elements used here in the U.S., for building...
All structural steel comes with a set of properties that determines how suitable it is for certain projects and functions. Some of the properties looked at in structural steel are its strength, weldibability, toughness, pliability, its resistance to corrosion, and its...
Steel detailing is the process of drawing the concept of a steel structure. Steel detail drawings are provided to steel fabricators to create steel pieces that are the correct size and orientation. These drawings are also provided to steel erectors for the steel...
Structural steel is one of the most important construction materials. It can be used to build large structures such as bridges or tall buildings. Making sure that structural steel is made correctly is essential in order for construction projects to be durable and...
Structural steel is major part of construction. It is used to build many things from tall buildings to bridges. Structural steel has many properties that allow for it to be used in many construction projects. It is a material...
Introduction Corrosion on structural steel is a concerning problem because it may affect the overall integrity of the structure. Regardless of the steel structure, measures need to be taken to ensure long-term structural integrity remains intact. Therefore, corrosion...
If you are thinking about the most cost-effective building solution, it is important to consider all possible structures. Keeping in mind your initial investment versus long-term savings is a crucial part of the process. Picking the incorrect type of structure for...
Creating buildings and other structures requires a lot of careful planning from many different professionals and at many different points during the project. Steel detailing is the creation of detailed drawings for steel fabricators and erectors. A steel detailer...
Concrete that is used in marine settings must withstand very harsh and extreme pressures from the environment. That concrete must withstand agents that may be corrosive. These agents can begin to eat away at steel which will cause the structure to break down and...
Shotcrete is a method of placing concrete at high speed on to a surface. The surface is usually in vertical position. This method entails applying either mortar or high-performance concrete through a hose pneumatically. The components of this method are aggregates,...
We all know that concrete is an incredibly strong and durable material. It is especially durable if it is kept under the right conditions. One of the conditions that deteriorates concrete is moisture. When moisture enters concrete, it begins to break down the concrete...
Have you ever seen old, broken-down, and unwanted concrete near a building? Perhaps if you are a homeowner, you've seen weathered concrete used somewhere throughout your home. What do you do about that concrete? Do you work around it? Well, that costs money. Do you...
When we look around, we see concrete structures everywhere. Most of construction uses concrete in one way or another because of its strength, durability, and flexibility. Concrete is a material that remains strong and maintains its original shape over many years, and...
What is it? High-performance concrete (HPC) is concrete that is designed to be more durable and, if necessary, stronger than conventional concrete. This does not mean that this form of concrete is constructed with a better mixture. It actually means that the...
Fly ash is a group of materials that can vary significantly in composition. It is residue left from burning coal, which is collected on an electrostatic precipitator or in a baghouse. It mixes with flue gasses that result when powdered coal is used to produce electric...
Introduction Ferrocement is a construction material consisting of wire meshes and cement mortar. Since it has low self-weight, does not need many skilled workers, and has little need for framework, ferrocement has vast applications. Ferrocement has also come into...
What is Durability? Durability is defined as the ability for something to last a long time without significant deterioration. Durable materials help the environment by conserving resources, reducing waste and the environmental impacts of repair and replacement. For...
Standards? What are those? When designing structures and planning for the construction of any building, there are many processes involved. This is especially true when it comes to structural design because there must be some form of standardization across the board....
If you have never heard of cellular concrete or if you have basic questions about it, this is an excellent place to begin. If you are still unsure about typical concrete, then you should check out this article. In this article, we will discuss what cellular concrete...
Fiber reinforced polymer materials are materials that reinforce structures by adding strength while being a light load. Fiber reinforced polymer materials are complex materials that usually contain strong fibers connected in a matrix. The fibers strengthen materials...
Concrete is an exceptionally durable substance, given that the correct courses of action are followed. However, how do structural engineers predict what concrete might experience throughout its life? In general, we do not consider the real-world forces which concrete...
Concrete fatigue describes the phenomenon were concrete breaks down under repeated weight and stressors. Fatigue is seen when concrete fails under added tension, compression, torsion, bending, or a combination of them all. Fatigue is seen after a long period of time....
Modulus of elasticity of concrete is a measurement that tells how stiff the concrete is. Stiffness typically suggests strength. It’s meant to show the concretes ability to keep its form intact while withstanding different stress and strain. In other words, it’s the...
We all know that testing the concrete of our projects is an essential part of construction. Testing old concrete is also important to ensure that our homes foundation remains durable and strong even after many years. Sometimes sending our concrete to a lab is too time...
What is a Concrete Test? When we are constructing a building, we want to make sure the location is suitable to support the structure. We also want to make sure that the quality of the concrete at the bottom of the structure is similar to the top of the structure, and...
How cold can it be before concrete cannot be poured? How about heat? Concrete can endure many different temperature ranges. There are many precautions one can take when pouring concrete in either range of temperatures. However, concrete temperature testing is needed...
Testing concrete is a crucial part during construction of new buildings. It’s also crucial if you suspect that there are malfunctions in the already existing concrete structures. Testing your concrete can prevent any future irreversible damages to concrete structures....
Has there ever been a time when you wandered exactly how a building can withstand so much pressure? How can a skyscraper hold itself up while also withstanding the pressure of furniture and people? I’ve found myself wondering the same thing, and the answer is that the...
When someone decides to prepare a dish, they typically follow a recipe. This recipe guarantees that the right dish is created to perfection; any changes or missed steps can change the result. The same is true in the case of concrete. If you want high-strength...
Have you ever wondered how buildings are able to stand so much weight? The constant added pressure of furniture or individuals walking or jumping? Some buildings even have car garages that can withstand the weight of many cars. How can we ensure that the building can...
Concrete can be used to make such a wide variety of things. It is an excellent material because it is easily molded into anything. It can be used to make anything from art to sidewalks and buildings. Creating concrete structures is not as easy as just pouring...
Concrete is one of most durable materials used in building construction. All over the world, residences are being built with different materials, but the most common material seen is concrete. Of course, these residences are being built with high-quality materials but...
When you think of concrete you may think of an indestructible material. For the most part, that idea is correct. Concrete is one of the strongest construction materials that exists and with proper care it should be highly durable and strong. However, water is the main...
We homeowners have all been there; appreciating the beauty of our costly homes... until you see those ugly cracks! These cracks are especially serious when it comes to your home's foundation. Now, let's clarify what we mean by foundation: usually the concrete walls...
Does your floor have a downward slope or random high spots? Does your floor have areas that squeak when weight is put on it? Do your tiles or concrete have cracks? That means its time to level the concrete floor. One of the main reasons you may want to level...
If you've walked throughout any major city, you've most certainly seen buildings constructed from concrete. These buildings are constantly being erected all over the world. However, have you ever wondered how these cool buildings are designed? Well, in this article,...
Concrete is one the more desired construction materials for homes not only because it is durable and strong, but also because it is extremely fire resistant. Concrete does not burn. It can usually tolerate up to 4 hours of intense heat before it begins to break down....
Concrete is a material used in construction often that is made up of hard substances known as aggregate. Aggregates are usually rock residue, sand or gravel. These substances are bonded together by the right amount of cement mix and water. Concrete is used for...
Building a retaining wall is not something that you plan to do overnight- it takes advanced planning. Before beginning any type of construction, make sure to contact your local building department and check when a permit is needed for a retaining wall. There are...
The simple answer to this question is that after 24 to 48 hours, people should be able to walk on the surface; after 7 days, slightly more pressure coming from a car should be fine; and after 28 days, the concrete should be fully cured, or dry, and ready to tolerate...
Have you ever noticed cracks along your walls, doorways, ceilings, or windows? Do you find that over time your windows are distorted, and your doors don't fully close? Well, these might be signs of what we call structural foundation deficiency. Being aware of these...
Brick is one of the longest wearing home siding options available. Most brick can last up to one hundred years or more, which makes it an attractive choice for most homeowners. However, durability doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its own potential issues. Most of...
Structural engineering deals with the design and structural analysis of buildings, bridges, towers, lighthouses, tunnels, etc. Not only do structural engineers need to be creative, but they also need to ensure a structure is safe and stable for its intended use. This...
Do you wonder how buildings remain intact? Why do the natural stresses from the environment not cause buildings to collapse? How is it possible that a large skyscraper does not collapse under its own weight? Well, structural engineers are responsible for answering...
Have you ever looked at a building, home, or structure and wondered about the process of developing it? More specifically, have you ever wondered who is responsible for what? As it turns out, the two critical roles in the development of a building are structural...
For many homeowners, purchasing a home is a big investment. However, the costs don't end there. It can seem tempting to neglect small repairs, but they can quickly add up. In fact, one of the most overlooked damages happens to be ceiling leaks. Yes, the slow pitter...
