CASE STUDIES
Structural Surveys & Inspections
Caswell Bay, Swansea
Structural Survey of residential property in Caswell Bay, Swansea due to auctioned by a local estate agent. The property was located on a sloping site and had been subject to building movement due to neighbouring unsupported excavation works. The extent of our services included a structural condition survey of the property to confirm the extent of damage and repairs, review the geological maps / physical ground strata and provide an engineering statement on the excavation works, planning breaches and new strengthening repair works needed.
Pembrokeshire, West Wales
Structural Survey of a residential property in West Wales for a buyer who had previously instructed an RICS Homebuyer report which highlighted many issues that the RICS Surveyor could not comment further on due to the lack of structural expertise.
Our survey addressed the condition of all structural elements in the property, principally the roof structure timber frameworks, chimney, load-bearing walls and floors, foundation performance and ground movement risk assessment, together with an examination of timber decay/rot and a check on the presence of rising and penetrating damp. We also reviewed the initial report by the RICS Surveyor and were able to confirm which defects were problematic, how they had developed and recommending repair options. The buyer was then able to make an informed decision on the house purchase based on the clear findings in our structural survey report.
Commercial Building
Structural Survey of a commercial building (previously occupied by Lloyds Bank) subsequently acquired by a develop to convert to residential units. The scope of our services included the structural inspection to confirm the presence of defects, including structural cracks to load-bearing walls, timber decay to roof framework, building movement and damp, together with providing structural advice on the feasibility of proposes structural alterations and extensions.
Inspection of a trusive inspection of a non-traditional steel-framed building property to ascertain the condition of the steelwork beam and column members frame to support retrospective calculations to ascertain structural capacity to satisfy the lender.
Our services also included the identification of structural defects the exposure of the high risk areas, e.g. base of columns, to confirm any corrosion and make recommendations for structural repairs. We also undertook site checks to ensure the repairs complied with modern standards and issued a professional consultants certificate at completion of the works.
Expert Witness Services
Commercial Building
Structural Surveys UK acted as the technical expert for a construction contractor who had been removed from site following accusations of poor quality workmanship from the property developer. Working in collaboration with the legal team, our engineers conducted a full review of the project deliverables (contract, design, drawings, specifications) and followed up with a site visit to ascertain the extent and quality of works completed against the design intent. Our technical appraisal of the work and their respective value were detailed on a Scott’s Schedule and our final report produced in accordance with the legal guidance set out in CPR35. This particular case progressed to mediation for which Structural Surveys UK acted as the technical expert to challenge statements made by the developer and facilitate a fair and reasonable claim on behalf of the contractor.
Acting for the developer, Structural Surveys UK were commissioned to assess the quality and conformance of build works completed by a construction contractor following their removal form site. The scope of our works included the site inspection of works completed to date, which were well below the quality standards expected and the production of a technical report to support a legal case against the contractor.
Insurance Claims
Fire-Damaged Residential Property
Structural Surveys UK conducted an inspection of a fire damaged residential property, supporting the insurance loss assessor as part of the claim process. The scope of our services included an urgent site visit/inspection to confirm the structural stability/integrity of the building following the fire and recommend temporary support works where necessary (to maintain health and safety and ensure no risk to life). Our detailed site survey/inspection identified all structural defects, categorising those by severity and those that needed repair or replacement/re-building.
Demolition & Rebuild Survey
Structural Surveys UK were instructed to carry out a demolition and reinstatement/re-build survey for a large commercial property in Swansea. The steel framed building had been damaged beyond repair and our remit was to replicate the original form of construction and determine a re-build cost for insurance purposes.
Subsidence Damaged Property
Structural Surveys UK were commissioned by a loss assessor to inspect a property that had been impacted by a landslide, together with ground subsidence, that occurred during a period of prolonged rain. A large volume of saturated soil/earth had entered the property at force and impacted a number of structural elements, wall panels and floors.
Building movements had also occurred. Our survey accurately diagnosed all structural defects and made recommendations for repair works, all to facilitate the insurance loss assessors claim process.
Infrastructure & Facilities Management, Swansea Marina
Structural Surveys UK provided site inspection/survey and consultancy services in relation to sea defence failures at Swansea Marina in South Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government and Vinci Facilities. Our engineers carried out the initial site walkdown to assess the degree of damage to the sea defences, conducted an initial technical review of the available design and construction deliverables and recommended a number of temporary strengthening solutions to negate further deterioration until a more permanent solution was introduced. Structural Surveys UK also produced the design/specification, conducted tender procurement and project managed the construction phase to ensure the design intent was met by the contractor.
Construction Site Surveillance,
Hinkley Point C Power Station
Our engineers have conducted construction surveillance on one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe, the new £26B Hinkley Point C Power Station. Acting as the Subject Matter Expert (civil/structural engineering discipline) on behalf of the developer EDF, our responsibilities included design briefings to constructor prior to build for every structure (to provide clarity on the design, operational and nuclear safety requirements), on-site checks/inspections to ensure compliance with the design/specification, management of NCRs and FCRs, structural defect diagnosis, progress reporting, approvals and sign off. The wide range of infrastructure included deep tunnels/service galleries (approx. 8 miles in length), deep excavations (15 storeys in height) to accommodate large pumping station structures, heavy civil foundations for the nuclear island, conventional and other service buildings, ancillary structures, office buildings and large sea wall defences along the severn estuary/site boundary.
Structural Design
Hinkley Point C Power Station
Our expertise includes being commissioned by EDF to act as Subject Matter Expert in the Design Authority to manage, review and sign off the design of all civil structures as part of the new £26B Hinkley Point C Power Station. Our scope included both static and seismic design of buildings and infrastructure and construction site surveillance to ensure the design intent was met and that nuclear safety was achieved.
Acted as the Principal Designer for the construction of a new commercial industrial estate in South Wales. The scope of our services included the preliminary design, to facilitate tender procurement, detailed design, project management and construction site surveillance of the build phase.
