Company insightsJuly 16, 2022October 23, 2023

The Importance of Stormwater Engineering

The importance of Stormwater Engineering

Stormwater Engineering focuses on stormwater run-off, stormwater management, and proper piping for sanitary, potable, and drinking water. Effective stormwater management is crucial to the safety of any new or existing building. Stormwater engineers use their expertise to provide stormwater solutions for the treatment, storage and safe passage of water to ensure that both you and your property are protected.

What is stormwater?

Stormwater is rainwater runoff that flows over-saturated areas or impermeable surfaces in the built environment, such as roofs, roads and pavements. When water is unable to naturally soak into the ground, it flows across different surfaces and collects various pollutants until it is drained back into waterways by stormwater drainage systems. Stormwater pollutants include:

Sediment from exposed soil
Debris
Waste from animals
Chemical and manure from lawns and gardens
Oil from roads and driveways

Why is stormwater engineering important?

Without effective stormwater management and drainage solutions, stormwater can be incredibly damaging to your property. Uncontrolled water that is unable to drain from a building safely can cause flooding and land erosion, putting you and your premises at risk of property damage and structural instability. The pollutants and debris carried by the stormwater may also be harmful to your health, and can cause further damage to your property by blocking drains and pipes.

However, stormwater can also be utilised as a valuable resource through careful implementation of a retention system. Well-managed stormwater can be used within the home where high water-quality is not necessary, which can reduce water bills and improve environmental outcomes.

By engaging a stormwater engineer, you can ensure that the rainwater entering your property is managed effectively. After assessing the existing drainage system of your land, stormwater engineers will diagnose any potential shortfalls and provide appropriate solutions.

Stormwater engineering solutions can include:

Stormwater drainage systems
On-site retention (OSR)
On-site detention (OSD)
Site inspection canaltaronja.cat & certification

By engaging a Stormwater Engineer, you can be confident that your property will be protected in the event of a downpour. Elite Australian Engineering’s team of stormwater engineers are experts at creating stormwater solutions for residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Our team of skilled experts will provide efficient and cost effective designs that are specific to your site, as well as any necessary documentation and certification. Contact us today to learn more about our stormwater engineering solutions. Contact us today for stormwater engineering solutions.

Company insights, Facade EngineeringJuly 14, 2022

How Facade Engineering can Improve Sustainability

Over the last decade, we have seen enormous growth in the environmental consciousness of the building industry. The combination of growing social concern and legislation has encouraged a more sustainable approach to the design and construction of buildings. That’s where Facade Engineering comes in!

A variety of additional measures can be taken by the Facade Engineer to ensure the building’s outer layer is made up of the most sustainable materials, without sacrificing on functionality and aesthetic design. The materials sourced should be recycled or recyclable, naturally sourced, and long-lasting. By ensuring the durability of the facade, and therefore building, a Facade Engineer is also reducing the long-term environmental effects of ongoing construction. Additionally, facade components that can generate energy such as solar or wind, should be incorporated into the building to ensure ongoing sustainability.

The sustainable benefits of a well-engineered facade

A well-engineered façade can help to reduce the building’s energy consumption long after construction has ended, and add to the lifespan of a building. Through clever design, a facade can improve natural lighting, heating and ventilation, reducing the need for additional energy. It is up to the façade engineer to provide the future occupants with a comfortable space in which to operate without having to use additional energy. Issues to be addressed include:

The amount of natural light that enters a building
Airflow
Heat retention
Noise pollution from the external environment

With careful consideration of materials and structure, Facade Engineers are able to utilise natural resources to improve the livable environment and bring about a lower environmental impact in the future. When looking to start a new project, it’s essential to engage a Facade Engineer to ensure that the new building is safe, aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient. This is not only beneficial to the environment but also lowers energy costs and reduces the need for costly maintenance for the occupants.

Elite Australian Engineers are experts in the design of environmentally efficient facades. Our team of facade engineers will assess the environment on which it will be built along with any aesthetic goals, to create a facade that will reduce the long-term carbon footprint of your building. Get in touch today

Company insights, Industry InsightsJuly 14, 2022July 27, 2022

Types of Remedial Engineering Solutions

Remedial Engineering Solutions involve the rectification of failed or damaged land and structures that pose a risk to people and property. Using their expertise in both the built environment and the impact of environmental factors, Remedial Engineers are engaged to investigate damage, diagnose underlying issues and provide solutions.

Building Diagnostics

When a structure is damaged, a remedial engineer may be engaged to carry out a thorough investigation into the ultimate cause and provide practical solutions for all building faults. Using their expertise and experience, a detailed diagnostic report will be filed outlining the building’s underlying structural issues to determine the best solution.

Diagnostic services may include:

Remedial building specifications and scope of works
Building condition reports
Water penetration reports
Cracking reports
Dilapidation reports

Project Management for Remedial Engineering Solutions

After a structure’s underlying faults have been diagnosed and the cause of damage has been diagnosed, work can begin to rebuild the structural integrity of the building. A project management service will ensure that the proposed remedial solution is completed to a high standard. Using the diagnostic report issued by a remedial engineer, a project manager will ensure the building’s faults are addressed to prevent further damage from occurring.

Project management services may include:

Regular site inspections
Status reports
Compliance assessments
Administration of contract conditions
Principal or Contractor dispute resolution
Work quality certification
Payment claim assessment
Management of defect process
Practical completion certification

Concrete Spalling

Spalling is the degradation of a concrete structure due to the corrosion of the structure’s steel reinforcement. Characterised by cracks in the concrete, rust stains, bubbling in the render and leaks, it is a common structural problem that can be repaired easily when detected early. However, if concrete spalling is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, it can lead to significant structural issues. Using their extensive knowledge, remedial engineers will determine the best corrective solution to preserve and repair any concrete structure.

Facade Assessment for Remedial Engineering Solutions

Remedial engineers use a combination of diagnostic investigation, observation and abseiling methods to ensure a detailed and accurate evaluation of the entirety of a structure’s facade. This condition assessment allows remedial experts to detect and diagnose any necessary structural improvements. Remedial engineering solutions may include:

Remedial cavity wall ties
Repointing
Brickwork reconstruction
Render repairs and re-skimming
Lintel replacement
Cavity flashing replacement
Re-skinning of external brickwork

Waterproofing

Failures in a structure’s waterproofing can have detrimental effects of a building’s structural integrity. Water leaks can cause concrete spalling and mould, weakening the building’s structure. Waterproofing issues can arise due to wear and tear over time, or the improper application of waterproofing product. Remedial engineers are experts at determining the source of water penetration and executing strategies and long term solutions.

Building Defect Reports and Expert Witness Reports

Using their extensive knowledge and experience, remedial engineers will detect any defects in your building and offer detailed reports in line with the Australian standards for litigation matters. If looking to pursue litigation, a remedial engineer will provide an Expert Witness Report outlining any non-compliance with the Australian Standards, Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the National Construction Code (NCC).

Elite Australian Engineers are experts in the diagnosis and reparation of structural damage. Our team of remedial engineers are available to identify any structural weakness within your building, and provide cost effective and timely solutions to prevent further damage. Get in touch today.

Company insights, Industry InsightsJuly 14, 2022July 14, 2022

When should a remedial engineer be consulted?

What is a remedial engineer?

A remedial engineer is a specialist engineer that focuses on rectifying structures or land that has failed or been damaged and now poses a risk to individuals and property. They have considerable expertise in diagnosing structural issues and designing repair plans for unstable structures.

While the remediation of structures is a relatively new field in the construction industry, the need for remedial engineers has grown significantly in recent years. Given the changing nature of building processes and materials, a remedial engineer is often required to assess the structural requirements as a general builder is not qualified to understand the impacts that structural changes may have on the overall structure of a building.

Unlike general builders, the expertise of remedial engineers extends beyond the built environment into external forces that may affect the structural stability of the building.

This includes:

Land stability
Soil drainage
Soil settlement and other movements
Land moisture

When should I consult a remedial engineer?

A remedial engineer should be consulted as soon as you identify any damage to your structure or the land on which it is built, including:

Cracks in your retaining walls
Moving concrete
Windows and/or doors that no longer sit square
Land slippage

Remedial engineers may also be consulted if an aging building is beginning to degrade and upgrades must be implemented to further the lifespan of the structure. Remedial engineers have the knowledge and experience to identify the structure’s weakness, whether it is from the land, external forces or a failed structure, and put corrective actions into place to prevent further damage.

Why consult a Remedial Engineer?

When a remedial engineer is consulted, they will determine the origin of distress within the structure before eliminating the cause of distress and any damaged material. They will then construct a plan to extend the life of a building through reconstruction and/or renewal of the structure. Through their expertise in the area, remedial engineers will select and apply appropriate materials to repair and protect the damaged structure in order to prevent any further deterioration.

In order for building repairs to be cost-effective and long-lasting, it is essential to employ a specially trained professional with knowledge and experience in building remediation to identify the root cause and provide efficient solutions.

Elite Australian Engineers are experts in the diagnosis and reparation of failing structures. Our team of remedial engineers are available to identify any structural weakness within your building and provide cost-effective and timely solutions to prevent further damage. Contact us today.