Cornell Engineers provides structural engineering for industrial buildings and structures where inspection, assessment, repair or experienced engineering judgement is required.
Our industrial experience includes workshops, warehouses, concrete structures, steel frames, retaining walls, lifting structures, pavements, sumps, platforms and materials-handling infrastructure.
Our strongest fit is difficult problems involving existing industrial structures — particularly structures that are damaged, deteriorated, being altered, have experienced a failure or require an independent structural assessment.
Tell us about your industrial structural problem.
Industrial Structural Inspections and Assessments
Industrial structures often work hard.
They may be exposed to heavy vehicle loads, vibration, impact, moisture, corrosion, chemicals, repeated loading, equipment changes and years of modification.
We can inspect existing structures and provide engineering advice where there is concern about:
- cracking or structural movement;
- corrosion or deterioration;
- impact damage;
- overloading;
- damaged steelwork;
- concrete deterioration;
- retaining wall movement;
- floor or pavement distress;
- existing structural capacity;
- previous modifications; or
- the suitability of a structure for proposed changes.
Damage Investigations
When an industrial structure is damaged, the visible defect is only part of the problem.
We assess how the structure works, how the damage occurred and whether the remaining structure is adequate.
This may involve reviewing:
- the original structural drawings;
- site conditions;
- loading and operational history;
- photographs and previous reports;
- corrosion or deterioration;
- impact events;
- previous repairs or modifications; and
- the relationship between the damaged element and the wider structure.
Our aim is to provide a clear opinion about the cause, structural significance and appropriate next step.
Condition Assessments
Condition assessments can help owners and operators understand the current state of an industrial structure before committing to repairs, alterations or further capital expenditure.
Depending on the structure, an assessment may consider:
- steel corrosion;
- concrete cracking and spalling;
- connection condition;
- structural deformation;
- local damage;
- wear associated with industrial use;
- previous modifications;
- apparent overloading; and
- areas requiring further investigation.
Repairs and Structural Strengthening
Where a structure can reasonably be repaired or strengthened, Cornell Engineers can develop practical engineering solutions appropriate to the existing structure and its intended use.
This may include repairs to:
- portal-frame buildings;
- steel beams and columns;
- industrial slabs and pavements;
- concrete walls and pits;
- retaining walls;
- platforms and access structures;
- damaged connections; and
- other existing structural elements.
For repair work, we prefer to understand why the damage occurred before simply designing a replacement detail.
Industrial Alterations
Industrial buildings often change as equipment, production requirements and site operations evolve.
We can assist with selected alterations where the proposed work affects existing structural elements or where the capacity of the existing structure needs to be assessed.
This may include:
- new openings in existing structures;
- equipment support modifications;
- changes to platforms or mezzanines;
- local strengthening;
- extensions to existing buildings;
- modifications to steel framing;
- new structural supports; and
- changes associated with industrial plant or equipment.
Selected Industrial Structural Design
Cornell Engineers also undertakes selected industrial design work where the project suits our experience and capacity.
Our past work has included:
- workshop and warehouse structures;
- portal-frame buildings;
- mezzanine floors;
- industrial slabs and pavements;
- lifting and support structures;
- jib cranes and lifting beams;
- concrete pits and sumps;
- retaining structures;
- equipment support structures; and
- materials-handling infrastructure.
We are not trying to operate as a high-volume industrial design office. Our preference is work where existing-structure knowledge, investigation, repair experience and practical structural judgement add value.
Mining and Heavy Industrial Experience
Cornell Engineers has previous experience with mining and heavy industrial structures, including work associated with coal handling, preparation plants, workshops, conveyors, cranes, concrete structures and industrial pavements.
That background remains valuable when we assess damaged or modified industrial structures, even though large greenfield mining design projects are no longer a major focus of our practice.
Working in Operational Facilities
Industrial engineering often needs to happen around operating businesses.
We understand the importance of site safety requirements, access restrictions, production constraints and providing recommendations that can realistically be implemented.
Where appropriate, we can work with facility managers, builders, fabricators, insurers and other consultants to develop a practical path forward.
Industrial Forensic Engineering
Where the cause of damage or failure is important, we can undertake a more detailed forensic structural investigation.
This may be required for insurance matters, disputes, significant failures or situations where several possible causes need to be considered.
Learn more about our forensic engineering services.
Need Help With an Industrial Structure?
If you have an industrial building or structure that is damaged, deteriorated, being altered or requires an engineering assessment, send us some information about the project.
Useful information includes:
- the site location;
- a description of the structure and problem;
- photographs;
- existing drawings if available;
- previous reports or inspection records;
- details of any known damage event; and
- what you need the engineering advice to achieve.
We will review the information and let you know whether the project is a good fit for Cornell Engineers before preparing a fee proposal.