As facilities age, they experience general wear and tear as well as changes and evolutions that can affect the integrity of structural components. Structural inspections, analyses and evaluations are crucial to ensuring safety as well as preventing the need for more extensive rehabilitation of buildings and infrastructure. R.E. Warner's Structural Services include a dedicated Structural Inspection Team with decades of experience.
INSPECTIONS
REW's Structural Inspection Team has performed inspections for heavy industrial structures, equipment, and buildings at metal processing facilities, power plants, chemical process plants, as well as government and commercial buildings. During a structural inspection, inspectors systematically review structural components of buildings and infrastructure to determine whether or not components are performing their functions or are in need of repair. Coupled with REW's structural analysis capabilities, findings are used to determine methods of repair and/or replacement.
REW's Structural Inspectors have performed inspections at high elevations, confined spaces and hazardous environments. Typical structural inspections include:
Roofs- Crane runways
- Bridges
- Conveyors
- Plant-Wide Walkways
- Pipe Racks
- Buildings
- Tanks
- Stacks
- Lifelines
- Coke Batteries and Furnaces
- Ultrasonic Stone and Coal Silos
- Deep Mine Duct Work
- Caster Spray Chambers
- Light and Cell Towers
- Various Other Equipment and Structures
REW's Structural Inspection Team uses many criteria to develop priorities for facility inspections, including existing condition of infrastructure, plant operations associated with the inspection area, and safety factors in accessing the inspection area. If an area is flagged by the client as needing immediate attention, the REW team addresses it as soon as possible. Finally, safety controls as well as required PPE are reviewed for the areas needing inspection.
Observations and opinions are described in detail at the conclusion of the inspection via an official report. Specifically, the report contains findings, recommendations, repair guidelines, photos, and findings location drawing(s), as well as notes any critical repairs found. Having completed dozens of inspections, REW's Structural Inspection Team has a library of standard repair methods developed for routinely encountered issues that expedites this process.
EVALUATIONS & ANALYSIS
Evaluations and analysis come into play both as part of an inspection program but also as part of planning changes to facilities.
Certain questions routinely come up: “What can we support off this structure safely?” or “Can this be supported from the roof without bringing the building down on ourselves?” Fork trucks commonly run into building columns; roof trusses and members are used as lifting points. Things get damaged and need to be repaired to maintain the integrity of the structure. Processes, conveyors, cranes, etc. are added regularly to buildings and structures that may overload the building based on added load, snow loads, seismic and wind loads.
REW's Structural Inspectors routinely evaluate structures, buildings and structural systems for our clients to ascertain whether their buildings are safe, code compliant and capable of handling the anticipated load. The team visits the facility to determine the existing loads, the condition of the structure, and the client’s loading requirements. Following the the study, a report on findings is developed along with a recommend a course of action. If reinforcing or modifications are deemed necessary,
REW's Structural Engineers will design the reinforcing and repairs necessary. REW's Structural Engineers have vast experience in all types of structural evaluations including water towers, crane runways, trusses, and building framing.
Several years ago, REW performed a structural evaluation of over 700 trusses in a major automobile manufacturer’s facility. REW engineers determined the actual loading on each truss, compiled the member information on each truss, evaluated their condition, calculated the stresses, and
reported the results including whether any trusses needed further study or reinforcing. The truss geometry, members and loading were input into a STAAD program for each truss in question. The client can now contact REW and we can quickly advise concerning the impacts of additional or future loading conditions at the time they are being considered, long before a detailed design has been completed.
REW is also regularly called upon by our clients’ advisors regarding safe load ratings for existing structures such as mezzanines, equipment platforms, storage racks and various support structures.
OSHA now requires load ratings to be posted on these types of structures, and REW can assist in making this evaluation.
Due to the critical nature of structural integrity, it is prudent that a qualified engineer performs structural inspections, evaluations and analysis. With a dedicated Structural Inspection Team, Licensed Structural Engineers, as well as additional staff with decades of experience in structural investigations, REW is ready to assist.