STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
From new construction to evaluations, repair and restoration, BC& E brings practical structural expertise to complex projects.
What We Do
Structural Engineering
FROM DESIGN TO DIAGNOSIS, WE ENGINEER SOLUTIONS THAT PERFORM.
Structural Engineering is the process of creating the framework that supports and stabilizes a building, ensuring it can safely withstand any anticipated loads, forces, and environmental conditions over time. It involves careful planning of elements like beams, columns, and foundations; as well as selection of the proper materials. When structures deteriorate or are damaged, repair strategies focus on restoring strength, addressing underlying issues, and ensuring continued safety and performance.
Structural design and engineering for a wide range of building types and materials.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Evaluation and assessment of existing buildings and structures to understand performance and risk.
EXISTING STRUCTURES
Practical solutions for structural repairs, retrofits and rehabilitation of existing structures.
REPAIR & REHABILITATION
FORENSIC & FAILURE INVESTIGATION
Investigation of structural failures and distress to determine cause and support resolutions.
Our Approach
Structural Condition and Damage/ Failure Assessments
BC&E’s professional engineers have evaluated a wide range of buildings and structures of differing eras of construction. Each problem is unique just as its building is unique. Our engineers bring varied experience and specialties to evaluate problems with collapsed structures, foundation movements, fire, flooding, wind, construction accidents, changes of use, improper design and construction, and deterioration due to exposure to water, de-icing salts, alkali-reactive aggregates, and freeze-thaw cycles just to name a few.
Our Expertise
Evaluation and Repair of Existing Structures
BC&E is experienced in evaluating structural deterioration to determine the underlying cause(s) of damage, which is critical to implementing effective and long-lasting repairs. We then use our historic knowledge from similar projects and understanding of the structure’s unique conditions to develop repair drawings and specifications. Our areas of expertise include parking garages and concrete structures as well as wood and steel framed structures. BC&E often performs construction-phase observations to verify the work is implemented in general accordance with our design. Our presence at the jobsite also gives us the ability to observe previously undiscovered conditions and provide additional direction to our client as required.
Parking Garages and Concrete Structures
BC&E's expertise includes the evaluation of distress and deterioration of various types of concrete-framed structures, including parking garages. These types of structures, especially in colder climates, are prone to structural deterioration due to repeated exposure to water and de-icing salts that may come into contact with the structure. For parking garages, damage can be caused by water dripping from vehicles or by simple exposure to the elements on an unprotected parking deck. Damage related to vehicle impact and earthquakes can result in significant and unexpected repairs. Many of our evaluations include designing the structural repairs, including preparing drawings and specifications for the structural repair work. By observing the contractor's work, we determine whether the work appears to be in general compliance with the drawings and specifications and are able to provide further guidance on any unexpected conditions.
Wood Framed Structures
BC&E's expertise includes the evaluation of distress and deterioration of various wood-framed structures, including residential floor and wall construction, exterior decks, and heavy timber construction. Many of these evaluations have also included designing the structural repairs, including preparing drawings and specifications for the structural repair work. By observing the contractor's work, we determine whether the work appears to be in general compliance with the drawings and specifications and are able to provide further guidance on any unexpected conditions.
Steel Structures
BC&E's expertise includes the evaluation of distress and deterioration of both residential and commercial steel-framed structures. Many of these evaluations have also included designing the structural repairs, including preparing drawings and specifications for the structural repair work. By observing the contractor's work, we determine whether the work appears to be in general compliance with the drawings and specifications and are able to provide further guidance on any unexpected conditions.
