Engineering problems in a residential build can delay construction or, at worst, result in a home with critical issues requiring extensive rectification work. As a residential architect, building designer, or builder, the engineer you bring to the project significantly impacts the result for your client. At HED Consulting, our industry experience means that we can help you steer clear of the top engineering issues that can delay, complicate, or add costs to a residential build. Preventing engineering problems in construction starts here.
Incomplete site preparation
Engineering begins with the site, not the building itself. Many have rushed to the design stage without thoroughly investigating the required permits, significant overlays, soil testing and drainage considerations. To avoid engineering problems, start with a complete picture of the site with geotechnical engineering.
Foundation failures
Engineering is essential in determining the integrity of foundations for construction. Partnering with structural engineers who get this right is in the best interests of our industry from a liability and ethical standpoint. Foundations should be specified for long term stability and support for their environment and errors that lead to failure have ramifications that affect both builders and homeowners.
Connection errors
HED Consulting Engineer Subash Adhikari shares his experience with the common RFI’s on recent projects:
“Most of the RFI’s coming from builders, councils, and building surveyors ask for detailing in connections. These issues are widespread across the Australian construction industry, especially in residential buildings. Relevant examples are where council seek detailing for vehicle barriers or the direction for connection detailing. During handover inspections, it’s common for builders to have been provided documentation that has not fully covered the detailing of connections. As a team, we cover this thoroughly so that builders are fully informed so that errors are minimised.”
Design errors
Building design that fulfils a client brief is one thing, but without engineering considerations, it can cause delays and cost pressures if errors occur. Likewise, once a build is costed out, and material choices are changed, engineering problems and errors can occur with many details intersecting. It is important for your engineer to be involved with any design changes and to be collaborating with your building designer to avoid costly mistakes or unintended results. Engineers who offer BIM (Building Information Modelling) can see potential clashes or errors, mainly because it is a live system that stays atop changes from your build partners.
Coordination errors
With several consultants on any build, errors can easily occur as each contributes their expertise to a part of the process. As mentioned above, to avoid engineering problems on residential builds, technology is the future for streamlining this process and keeping all collaborators connected and informed with a live 3D digital build before construction even begins.
With BIM each stage is integrated for the architect, designer, engineer, building surveyor and other consultants on the project.
Coordination of these consultants can be a source of delays however with BIM a task such as material selections is streamlined and simulated in a live real time environment. It allows for project managers to connect with suppliers in real time, receive clashes, conflicts or supply issues, adjust plans easily, and make the most informed decisions to keep the project on track.
Documentation errors
The documentation for the build should be comprehensive and accurate to process your permits painlessly and ensure the build stands the test of time. Engineering reports and design documentation must comply with current NCC guidelines, relevant Australian Standards and consider the likely RFIs to avoid delays. Whilst the building surveyor issues a CLC (certificate of likely compliance), it is your engineers who provide the F55 or F35 certification that supports the integrity of the build. If the engineering is not adequate for the design, it can significantly reduce the structural integrity of the build, leading to failure. Our engineering team want every build to stand the test of time and that’s where we ensure the engineering is precise and to all requirements.
Non-Compliance
We’re seeing the news all too often of residential builds that are non-compliant and, in some cases, uninhabitable. However, the process that leads to this has usually broken down well before construction. The working relationship between a builder, surveyor and engineering consultants needs to be positive, open and transparent for a result that meets quality and compliance. Be sure you’re working with engineering consultants who are experienced, up to date with industry expectations and will work with you at each step with inspections that hold the project to compliance standards.
Engineering is critical to the success of a residential build. With the right team, you can accurately estimate costs, forward plan for engineering challenges, have support for project management, minimise delays and create a solid, compliant new build. Contact our team at HED Consulting for an engineering support team on your next project.
Contact the HED Consulting team here to ensure you’re avoiding any engineering problems on your residential builds.
