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Structural engineers in Swansea

Structural calculations, surveys and design for homes, developments and commercial buildings across Swansea and the surrounding area.

Coastal exposure

Swansea Bay is an exposed coastal location, and wind loading on the seaward side of the city is significantly higher than inland. That governs roof alterations, dormers, large openings and anything adding surface area. Salt-laden air also accelerates corrosion, which matters for exposed steelwork, fixings and reinforcement cover in coastal properties.

Assessing exposure properly rather than applying a general figure is worth doing here, because the difference between a sheltered valley site and a seafront one is substantial within a short distance.

Industrial legacy and made ground

The Swansea Valley carries the legacy of heavy industry, and made ground, fill and historic contamination are common on redevelopment sites. Made ground is variable by definition, and its bearing capacity cannot be assumed from adjacent sites.

There is also historic mining across parts of the wider area. Where workings are recorded or suspected, that has to be established before a foundation strategy is settled rather than discovered during excavation.

Welsh Building Regulations

Building Regulations in Wales are administered separately from England, and some requirements have diverged. Approved Document A covers structure and remains the reference for structural adequacy.

We prepare calculation and drawing packages for submission to Swansea Council or an approved inspector, and deal with queries through to approval.

Swansea

Local considerations.

What tends to govern a structural job in this area.

High wind exposure and salt-laden air on the coastal side
Made ground and industrial fill through the Swansea Valley
Historic mining across parts of the wider area
Welsh Building Regulations administered separately from England

Services

The full structural remit in Swansea.

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 cover Swansea and the surrounding area?

Yes, across Swansea, Gower and the wider area, and nationwide.

Does coastal exposure change the design?

Yes. Wind loading on the seaward side is materially higher than inland, and salt-laden air accelerates corrosion, which affects exposed steelwork, fixings and cover to reinforcement.

What about made ground on former industrial sites?

Made ground is variable by definition and its capacity cannot be assumed from a neighbouring site. Where it is present, investigation comes before the foundation strategy is settled.

Do you work to Welsh Building Regulations?

Yes. Wales administers its regulations separately from England, and we prepare packages for submission accordingly.

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