Common Structural Issues for Industrial Builds

Feb 7, 2022 | Structural Engineering, Blog, Civil Engineering

Are you facing an upcoming industrial project and looking to minimize your risk during development? Whether you’re dealing with a Greenfield site or are developing on existing land, structural analysis and design is one of the most important aspects to guaranteeing your overall success. Structural engineering is the backbone of any development and enables you to lay the foundation for a solid building that’s sure to stand the test of time.

The Krahn Group of Companies, in partnership with Krahn & Associates and Krahn Engineering Ltd is pleased to offer comprehensive structural engineering services Canada-wide, including Edmonton, Abbotsford, Vancouver, and Toronto alongside a highly qualified team of consultants to provide supplementary services for mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering, as well as interior design, landscape architecture and more. With all the help you need in a single location, you can count on Krahn & Associates and Krahn Engineering Ltd. with Krahn Group of companies to have your structural analysis covered. Below, we’ll explore five common structural issues found in industrials settings. Learn more by reading on!

Interior and Exterior Wall Damage

One of the biggest challenges facing older developments is significant wall damage both inside and outside of the building. While you can expect building materials to degrade marginally over time, walls will degrade faster when subject to excess stress or if poorly designed from the outset. Having a structural engineer take a closer look at the key walls throughout your project will identify any significant problems and make it easy to avoid hazards before they have a chance to cause issues during construction.

If you’re developing fresh, it’s important to utilize the full breadth of knowledge from your structural team to avoid the issues described above and ensure that you have a build that’s able to withstand the demands of the future.

Column Damage

Columns are a key support system throughout your building, and once they begin to show signs of wear and tear, your risk of sudden failures and increased danger can rise exponentially. Industrial columns are designed to withstand a fair amount of wear and tear, including run-ins with forklifts and heavy loads, but over time such stressors can take their toll.

Have your structural engineer evaluate the stability of your columns, and when building new, be sure that your columns make the grade where seismic assessments are concerned, as well as all other details recommended by your structural engineer.

Inadequate Framing

Framing serves as the skeleton for your entire build, and while the property may be able to handle a certain amount of structural stress upfront, time, as always, is your greatest detractor. Whether or not your building shows signs of framing wear and tear, it’s vital that a structural engineer performs a thorough investigation to identify any weak spots and allow your build team to address them appropriately.

Your Structural Engineering Partners

At Krahn & Associates and Krahn Engineering Ltd., we know the value of transparency, knowledge and experience to achieve exceptional results. As structural engineering designated teams, we believe in providing unbeatable customer service and results you can count on. From new developments to rezoning and more, Krahn & Associates and Krahn Engineering Ltd. are here to meet your structural engineering needs. Learn more about the benefits of working with our team by contacting us today.