Structural Engineering

Due to many years of project experience, we have acquired comprehensive expertise for planning and implementing a wide variety of structures of virtually any size in concrete, steel, timber or combinations thereof as well as composites. Besides designing loadbearing structures, we also take care of excavations and foundations. Our integrated, holistic design approach takes all involved building disciplines and user interests into account.

Preservation and refurbishment

The preservation and refurbishment of loadbearing structures and facades belong to our key services. Based on the vivid interest in the “dialog of the generations” we actively engage with historical building technologies and with excessive project experience, we have built up expert knowledge in the different historic design and execution methods. In combination with modern design concepts as well as latest analytical methods and tools, we able to activate synergies and deliver the best possible solution.

Bridges

Our services naturally include planning and maintaining bridges, including pedestrian underpasses and similar infrastructural projects of the core fields of structural engineering. After conducting major railway bridge construction projects, our focus has recently shifted to bridges for pedestrians and cyclists with considerable design latitude, and pedestrian underpasses at railway stations.

Facades and light weight structures

As facade specialists, we develop project-specific solutions in the context of the overall project. Our range of services includes concept and detail design as well as structural engineering, building physics of all type of facades, all-glass and lightweight structures throughout all project phases.

Quality assurance support during the execution and support of the client up to the commissioning complete our commitment.

Wind Engineering

We use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods to analyse wind actions on rigid structures. This numerical approach is superior to conventional wind tunnel testing due to the agility during project development and cost efficiency.

For dimensioning of the loadbearing structures, facades or shading devices, the numerical simulations provide valuable information on global and local wind pressure conditions. Often, the values calculated on basis of the standards or codes can be optimised by means of CFD simulations. Additionally, the CFD simulation provide information of the wind velocities and allow therefore wind comfort assessments.

Geometry / Parametrisation

Complex geometries pose considerable challenges to all parties involved in planning and executing. The design process demands often design loops for modifications and improvements. We support project partners with parametrised 3D models allowing for rapid change management and structural re-assessment of the design. Digital links enable immediate responses to changes in the shapes of components by appropriately adjusting the overall structural model. At the same time, precise analyses of geometries ensure that surfaces and loadbearing structures are optimally arranged and feasible to implement.

Digital Chain

A seamless flow of data from the design stage all the way to production reduces the risk of error, making it easier for planners and builders to exchange and share information and increases efficiency across all project phases. Supplementing our competence in using classic 3D CAD tools, this kind of data sharing amongst all involved disciplines, plays an increasingly significant role in our services. The use of tried-and-tested CAD models for building information modelling (BIM) enables us, as part of the planning team, to visualise complex tasks, analyse and compare different possibilities at an early stage, and coordinate all involved trades better. The data output by an optimised digital chain of this kind are fed into the contractor’s production systems.

Second Opinion and third-party review

Supplementary Reports: We prepare supplementary “second opinion” reports and execute third party review, mainly to help institutional builders evaluate and monitor their projects. This work falls into the category of project-specific quality management (PQM), and typically involves assessing concepts and solutions to determine how well they meet the requirements and identifying ways of improving them when requested. We apply a proven methodology that has been optimised over the years, adjusting the method and the level of detail, to meet the client’s needs.

Expertises: Based on many years of experience and sound specialist knowledge we support clients by preparing expertises on specific issues related to planning and executing loadbearing structures and facades.