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This report concerns designs for simple steel beams submitted to building control bodies under Part A of the Building Regulations. The reporter, a checking engineer for a building control body, was not able to accept the effective length and restraints assumed in a number of submitted designs. Most originated from individuals who used proprietary structural design computer packages without, i...

This is a technical note from a reporter about the methods their firm uses for punching shear design because there was concern about punching shear design spreadsheets possibly leading to potentially unsafe situations. .

Concerns in respect of the sufficiency of finite element modelling of masonry walls as part of a reinforced concrete framed building.

This report concerns the modelling of joints when using computer programs. In some cases, engineers are applying rotational releases to joints in models but subsequently designing the connections as rigid. This leaves a fundamental mismatch between analysis and design which may lead to unsafe structural connections argues a reporter.

A steel framed building was incorrectly modelled and designed resulting in excessive deflection of part of the frame even before the frame was loaded with the self-weight of the building.

The reporter is concerned that some structural engineers assume without adequate verification that their computer modelling is correct and accurate; that they do not understand the limitations or basis for their modelling; or that the model chosen may not be appropriate for that structure.

A number of anomalies were detected in the outputs from a proprietary structural steelwork design program.

An example of a small design and build contract where poor design and management led to an inadequate structure being built.

A steel beam design package makes simplified assumptions that may carry risks if not used by competent engineers.

A reporter discusses how a design/modelling problem caused an under-designed reinforced concrete (RC) slab to be constructed.