Structural design

Finding solutions for complex technical challenges.

From project inception to completion the one thing that you can’t afford to get wrong is the design of a structure. It’s a move that can cost a project in time and money through unwanted re-work. For us this means applying our scientific knowledge and research and development findings to solve your technical problems and optimise your approach.  

Structural fire performance

Improving the performance of structures in fire.

The fire performance of structures is an important health and safety metric that design engineers need to get right. Our expertise coupled with capability in sequentially coupled thermal-stress analyses ensures we’re able to predict temperatures and subsequently simulate structural performance in fire and use this data to improve the performance of your steel structures.

Seismic design

Making steel structures safe in seismic events. 

Armed with our extensive and on-going seismic research findings, and access to large scale seismic testing for structural connections, we’re able to deliver a fully informed design approach with tailored solutions to your projects. Meeting each client’s challenges, timeframes and budgets confidently.

Low carbon design

Providing guidance and support in low carbon design.

Our holistic approach to design and construction support is focused on transitioning the sector to a circular economy by making the right design decisions to not only reduce emissions within your structure today, but ensure your buildings and materials are part of an ongoing cycle that benefits future generations. 

Finite element analysis

Modelling the behaviour of structures, products, or physical events under a variety of real-life conditions.

In our mahi (work), advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) supports risk assessment, design optimisation and performance simulation.

Our team has a proven track record in solving a wide range of engineering problems and complex models using Abaqus software. This allows us to perform implicit and explicit numerical analyses and realistic simulations efficiently and accurately, adhering to NAFEMS best practice guidelines and relevant project standards.

Our expertise in FEA includes:

• linear perturbation (static, eigenfrequency-vibrations, buckling);
• non-linear static and dynamic stress/displacement analysis (seismic, buckling, thermal loading, quasi-static analysis, transient, impact, assessment of existing structures);
• non-linear stress analysis for the simulation of manufacturing processes such as metal forming;
• simulation of contact amongst multiple parts in a complex model;
• analyses of a welded and/or bolted connections, including monitoring the history of bolt forces;
• sub-modelling to study a local part of a larger model;
• steel and reinforced concrete buildings, columns, frames, and floors;
• steady state (a detailed and accurate R-value calculation) and transient heat transfer analysis;
• assessment of the influence of imperfections in erected steel structures;
• composite reinforced concrete and steel structures in fire (sequentially coupled thermal stress analyses); and more.