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Structural engineers in Aberdeen

Structural calculations, surveys and design for granite properties, developments and commercial buildings across Aberdeen, prepared for building warrant submission.

Granite construction

Aberdeen is built in granite, and that shapes almost every structural question in the city. Solid granite walls are thick, heavy and immensely strong in compression, but they behave differently from brick when you cut an opening in them. Load spreads differently, the material is unforgiving of poor bearing detail, and the sheer weight above an opening means beam and padstone design needs care rather than a standard detail.

Many properties combine a granite outer leaf with softer internal construction, so what is visible from outside says little about what is carrying load inside. Establishing the actual arrangement before design is the first task on most Aberdeen alterations.

Exposure and wind loading

Aberdeen sits on an exposed north-east coast, and wind loading here is materially higher than in sheltered inland locations. That matters for roof alterations, dormers, extensions with large openings, and anything adding surface area such as canopies or solar arrays.

Wind loading is assessed rather than assumed, using the site exposure and terrain category rather than a general figure. On an exposed site it frequently governs the design where a designer working from habit would expect vertical load to.

Building warrants

Scotland requires a building warrant to be granted before work starts, which is a different process from the English routes. It is a formal application with drawings and calculations submitted up front, and starting work without it causes real problems at completion.

We prepare warrant packages for Aberdeen City Council and answer the verifier's queries through to approval.

Aberdeen

Local considerations.

What tends to govern a structural job in this area.

Solid granite construction with demanding bearing and padstone design
High wind exposure on the north-east coast
Mixed granite and softer internal construction in many properties
Scottish building warrant required before work starts

Services

The full structural remit in Aberdeen.

Every service is available here. Choose one to read more, or tell us your project and location.

Selected work

Real structures, surveyed and engineered.

All work →

Sport and recreationCharlton Athletic FC, The ValleyTwo steel monopitch stand roofs rising to 27 metres were assessed for a proposed solar PV installation. Both were cleared to carry the arrays as they stand, and the fragile roofs were surveyed entirely by drone with nobody working at height.

Read →

Manufacturing and industrialWienerberger, Tamworth

EducationCarlisle College

Film and mediaDragon Studios, Pencoed

Questions

Common questions

Do you work on granite buildings?

Yes. Granite is strong in compression but unforgiving of poor bearing detail, and the weight carried above an opening means beams and padstones need designing rather than following a standard detail.

Do you submit building warrants in Aberdeen?

Yes, to Aberdeen City Council. A warrant must be granted before work starts, so the calculations and drawings go in up front.

Does wind loading really change the design?

On an exposed north-east coastal site it frequently governs, particularly for roof alterations, dormers and anything adding surface area. We assess it rather than assuming a general figure.

Can you attend site in Aberdeen?

Yes. Where the existing structure needs establishing, particularly in granite properties where the internal arrangement is not visible from outside, a site visit is usually worth the cost.

Elsewhere in the UK