Engineering Consultancy Services USA | Licensed Professional Engineering Excellence

Big0 delivers comprehensive engineering consultancy services specifically designed for the USA construction, infrastructure, and industrial markets. With deep expertise in American building codes (International Building Code, NFPA, NEC, ASHRAE), state-by-state licensing requirements, Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, and rigorous engineering standards (ASCE, AISC, ACI, IEEE), we provide civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and multidisciplinary project support serving developers, contractors, manufacturers, and government agencies across all 50 states. Our USA-focused engineering services deliver code-compliant designs, stamped construction documents, permit support, construction administration, and expert testimony meeting the demanding requirements of American engineering practice.

Whether you're a San Francisco developer navigating California's stringent seismic requirements, a New York infrastructure project requiring NYC Building Code compliance, a Chicago commercial developer coordinating multidisciplinary MEP systems, or a nationwide industrial company needing multi-state engineering support, our engineering consultancy delivers licensed professional expertise ensuring project success, regulatory compliance, and public safety.

Why USA Companies Choose Big0 for Engineering Services

Professional Engineer (PE) Licensing Expertise

State-by-State Licensure Requirements Engineering practice in the USA requires Professional Engineer licensure in states where services are provided. PE licensure involves engineering degree from ABET-accredited program, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, 4+ years progressive engineering experience, Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam in specific discipline (civil, structural, mechanical, electrical), and state-specific ethics and regulations. We maintain PE licenses across multiple states enabling nationwide project support while ensuring compliance with each state's engineering practice laws.

PE Stamp Authority and Responsibility Professional Engineer stamps on construction documents represent legal certification that designs meet applicable codes and standards. PE stamp authority varies by state with some states requiring stamps for all engineering documents affecting public safety while others have thresholds based on project size or complexity. Our PE-licensed engineers understand stamp requirements, professional liability, standard of care, and ethical obligations ensuring compliant document preparation and appropriate engineering oversight.

NCEES and Interstate Practice The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) coordinates engineering licensure across states through standardized exams (FE and PE) and model laws. Interstate practice provisions including comity licensure, temporary practice permits, and multi-state agreements facilitate engineering work across state lines. We navigate interstate practice requirements for projects spanning multiple states or engineers supporting projects outside their primary licensure state.

Continuing Education Requirements Most states mandate continuing professional development (CPD) or professional development hours (PDH) for PE license renewal ranging from 15-30 hours biennially depending on state. Our engineers maintain current licenses through participation in technical seminars, university courses, professional society activities, and published research ensuring expertise remains current with evolving codes, standards, and best practices.

American Engineering Standards and Codes

International Building Code (IBC) and Amendments The International Building Code serves as base building code for most US jurisdictions with state and local amendments addressing regional conditions, preferences, and political considerations. Key state amendments include California's earthquake requirements (Title 24, CBC), New York City Building Code modifications, Florida's hurricane provisions (Florida Building Code), and Texas amendments. We navigate IBC requirements plus jurisdiction-specific amendments ensuring designs meet all applicable provisions.

Specialty Code Compliance Beyond IBC, projects must comply with specialty codes including National Electrical Code (NEC/NFPA 70) for electrical systems, International Plumbing Code (IPC) or Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) varying by region, International Mechanical Code (IMC) for HVAC, International Fire Code (IFC) and NFPA standards for fire protection, International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for energy efficiency, and accessibility codes (ICC A117.1, ADA Standards). We coordinate across these code families ensuring comprehensive compliance.

Engineering Design Standards Professional engineering practice follows comprehensive design standards including ASCE 7 (Minimum Design Loads for Buildings), AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) specifications for structural steel design, ACI (American Concrete Institute) codes for concrete design, AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) for bridge and highway design, ASHRAE standards for HVAC systems, IEEE standards for electrical power systems, and ASME codes for mechanical systems and pressure vessels.

Seismic Design Requirements Earthquake-prone regions impose additional design requirements based on ASCE 7 seismic provisions with state-specific enhancements. California's stringent seismic requirements (CBC Chapter 16, structural observation requirements, special inspection programs) exceed IBC minimums. Pacific Northwest states address Cascadia Subduction Zone risks. We provide seismic design expertise including site-specific seismic hazard analysis, structural system selection optimizing seismic performance and cost, nonlinear analysis for critical facilities, and seismic isolation or damping systems for high-performance requirements.

Multidisciplinary Engineering Integration

Civil Engineering Services Site civil engineering including grading and drainage design, stormwater management meeting state and local requirements, utility design (water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer), roadway and parking design, erosion control plans, and permit application support. Civil engineers coordinate with land surveyors, geotechnical engineers, environmental consultants, and regulatory agencies ensuring comprehensive site development.

Structural Engineering Expertise Building and infrastructure structural design including gravity and lateral load-resisting systems, foundation design coordinating with geotechnical recommendations, seismic design for earthquake resistance, wind design for hurricane and tornado resistance, concrete design (cast-in-place, post-tensioned, precast), structural steel design, timber design, masonry design, and existing building evaluation and retrofit. Structural engineers provide construction documents, calculations, specifications, and construction administration ensuring built conditions match design intent.

Mechanical Engineering Services HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection engineering including heating and cooling load calculations, HVAC system design (VAV, chilled water, direct expansion, geothermal), energy modeling for code compliance (ASHRAE 90.1, IECC), plumbing system design, fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems, smoke control systems, and commissioning support ensuring installed systems perform as designed.

Electrical Engineering Solutions Electrical power and lighting design including electrical service sizing and coordination with utility, electrical distribution system design, lighting design meeting energy codes and photometric requirements, emergency and standby power systems, low-voltage systems (fire alarm, security, data, audiovisual), renewable energy integration (solar photovoltaic, battery storage), and arc flash studies ensuring electrical safety.

Multidisciplinary Coordination Complex projects require coordination across disciplines. We provide integrated project delivery coordinating civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems; BIM (Building Information Modeling) coordination detecting clashes before construction; integrated cost estimating and value engineering; sustainable design integration (LEED, Green Globes, Living Building Challenge); and whole-building energy analysis optimizing system interactions.

Comprehensive Engineering Services Portfolio

Structural Engineering and Design

Commercial and Office Buildings Structural systems for commercial office buildings including concrete moment frames, steel braced frames, composite steel and concrete systems, post-tensioned slabs, and long-span floor systems. Office building design balances structural efficiency, architectural flexibility for tenant improvements, vibration control for occupant comfort, and cost optimization. Typical projects range from 3-story suburban offices to 50+ story urban high-rises requiring advanced analysis and specialized systems.

Industrial and Manufacturing Facilities Industrial structural design addressing heavy floor loads, crane support systems, vibration-sensitive equipment, large clear spans for operational flexibility, and process equipment support. Industrial facilities often require specialized expertise including crane runway design per AISC Design Guide 7, tilt-up concrete construction popular for warehouses and light manufacturing, pre-engineered metal buildings, and specialty foundations for heavy equipment.

Healthcare and Hospital Facilities Healthcare structural design meeting unique requirements including critical facility seismic performance (Immediate Occupancy performance level), infection control during construction, vibration control for imaging equipment, floor deflection limits for sensitive medical equipment, and future expansion provisions. Hospitals require Seismic Design Category (SDC) E or F even in moderate seismic regions, increased structural observation, and nonstructural component certification.

Educational Facilities K-12 schools and higher education structural design addressing large assembly spaces (gymnasiums, auditoriums), laboratories requiring vibration control and structural provisions for equipment, residence halls, athletic facilities, and specialized research buildings. Educational facilities balance durability for heavy use, safety for vulnerable populations, budget constraints for public funding, and long-term flexibility for evolving educational approaches.

Residential and Multifamily Residential structural engineering from single-family custom homes to large multifamily apartment and condominium buildings. Multifamily structural systems include wood-frame construction (Type V) up to 5 stories, Type III construction combining masonry/concrete podium with wood-frame above, and concrete or steel mid-rise and high-rise towers. Regional considerations including seismic design in California, hurricane resistance in Florida and Gulf Coast, and freeze-thaw durability in northern climates affect system selection.

Civil Engineering and Site Development

Site Grading and Drainage Design Civil grading design balancing earthwork (minimizing cut/fill quantities), drainage (directing stormwater away from buildings and to collection systems), accessibility (ADA-compliant slopes and ramps), constructability, and cost. Grading plans coordinate with architectural layouts, utility locations, parking and access drives, and landscaping creating integrated site designs.

Stormwater Management and Detention Stormwater design meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations including detention and retention basins sizing for peak flow reduction, water quality treatment through bioswales, rain gardens, and proprietary systems, low-impact development (LID) approaches including permeable paving and green infrastructure, and compliance with MS4 permits, state stormwater regulations, and local requirements. Many jurisdictions require no net increase in post-development runoff necessitating on-site detention.

Utility Design and Coordination Water distribution, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage design including utility service sizing based on fixture counts and flows, pipe sizing hydraulic analysis, utility routing coordinating with site constraints and other utilities, and utility company coordination for connection approvals. Utility design ensures adequate capacity while minimizing costs through efficient routing and sizing.

Roadway and Parking Design Access roadways and parking lots including geometric design meeting AASHTO standards, ADA-compliant accessible parking and routes, pavement design based on traffic loads and subgrade conditions, traffic control and signing, and lighting design for safety and security. Municipal projects require coordination with public works departments and adherence to jurisdiction design standards.

Erosion and Sediment Control Construction-phase erosion control meeting EPA NPDES Construction General Permit requirements including Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) preparation, best management practices (BMPs) selection (silt fencing, sediment basins, inlet protection, stabilization), inspection and maintenance protocols, and post-construction stormwater management. SWPPP preparation often requires Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) certification in states like California.

MEP Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)

HVAC System Design Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning engineering including Manual J load calculations for residential, ASHRAE-based load calculations for commercial, system selection (packaged rooftop units, split systems, chilled water, variable refrigerant flow, geothermal), ductwork design and sizing, hydronic piping design, controls systems, and building automation integration. HVAC design balances first cost, operating cost, maintainability, and occupant comfort.

Plumbing and Fire Protection Plumbing system design including domestic water sizing per UPC/IPC fixture unit methods, hot water generation and distribution, sanitary waste and vent systems, storm drainage, natural gas distribution, medical gas systems for healthcare, and grease interceptors for food service. Fire protection engineering includes sprinkler system design per NFPA 13, fire pump sizing, underground fire service, fire alarm and detection systems per NFPA 72, and smoke control systems.

Electrical Power Distribution Electrical distribution design including service size calculation based on NEC demand factors, electrical room layouts and equipment selection, panel schedules and circuit design, voltage drop calculations, short circuit and coordination studies, arc flash analysis and labeling per NFPA 70E, and emergency and legally required standby power systems. Electrical engineers coordinate with utility for service connection, transformers, and metering.

Lighting Design Interior and exterior lighting design including illumination calculations per IES standards, lighting control systems for energy code compliance (vacancy sensors, daylight harvesting, multi-level switching), emergency egress lighting, exterior lighting for parking and building facades, and photometric analysis demonstrating code compliance and minimizing light trespass. Lighting design balances energy efficiency (LED luminaires, controls), code compliance, visual comfort, and architectural aesthetics.

Low-Voltage Systems Integration Coordinated design of low-voltage systems including fire alarm and mass notification, security systems (access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection), structured cabling (data, voice, audiovisual), audiovisual systems for conference rooms and auditoriums, nurse call systems for healthcare, and building automation systems (BAS). Low-voltage coordination ensures pathways, power, and equipment spaces accommodate all systems.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability Sustainable building systems including solar photovoltaic design (roof-mounted, ground-mounted, carport solar), energy storage systems (batteries), electric vehicle charging infrastructure, geothermal heat pump systems, rainwater harvesting, graywater reuse systems, and whole-building energy modeling for LEED, California Title 24, and other green building programs. Sustainable design expertise helps clients achieve environmental goals while managing costs.

Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering

Geotechnical Investigation and Analysis Subsurface investigation through soil borings and laboratory testing characterizing soil properties, groundwater conditions, and geologic hazards. Geotechnical engineers provide foundation recommendations, bearing capacity analysis, settlement predictions, lateral earth pressure for retaining walls, slope stability analysis, pavement design, seismic site classification per ASCE 7, and liquefaction evaluation in seismic regions.

Foundation Design Coordination Foundation systems coordinating geotechnical recommendations with structural requirements including shallow foundations (spread footings, mat foundations), deep foundations (driven piles, drilled piers, micropiles), ground improvement (compaction, soil stabilization, stone columns), and foundation waterproofing. Foundation design balances safety, constructability, cost, and schedule impacts from foundation construction.

Retaining Walls and Earth Retention Retaining structure design including cast-in-place concrete cantilever walls, segmental retaining walls (SRW), mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, soldier pile and lagging walls, and permanent soil nail or tieback walls. Retaining wall selection depends on height, surcharge loads, right-of-way constraints, aesthetics, and cost with varied approaches optimal for different conditions.

Specialty Geotechnical Services Advanced geotechnical engineering including deep excavation support design, dewatering systems for construction below water table, soil liquefaction mitigation, expansive soil treatment, contaminated soil management, slope stabilization, and instrumentation and monitoring for complex projects. Specialty services address challenging site conditions common in urban redevelopment and constrained sites.

Forensic Engineering and Expert Services

Building and Structure Failure Investigation Forensic investigation of structural failures, distress, or deficiencies including site investigation and documentation, materials testing and analysis, structural analysis evaluating capacity and demand, failure mechanism determination, root cause analysis, and expert reporting. Forensic engineers serve construction defect litigation, insurance claims, building failures, and pre-purchase due diligence.

Construction Defect Analysis Evaluation of alleged construction defects including water intrusion, foundation movement, structural deficiencies, building envelope failures, and MEP system deficiencies. Construction defect work requires understanding construction methods, industry standards, building codes applicable at time of construction, and professional standard of care providing objective assessment of conditions, causation, and appropriate remediation.

Expert Witness Testimony Expert witness services for construction litigation including written reports, deposition testimony, trial testimony, and mediation/arbitration support. Engineering expert witnesses must communicate complex technical concepts clearly to attorneys, judges, and juries, withstand cross-examination, and maintain objectivity while supporting client positions. We provide expert witness services in construction defects, professional liability, delay claims, and construction accidents.

Existing Building Evaluation Assessment of existing buildings for renovation, change of use, seismic upgrade, or due diligence including structural condition assessment, code compliance evaluation, load capacity analysis for added loads or altered use, remaining useful life estimation, and retrofit design. Existing building work requires understanding original design intent (often with limited documentation), historical code requirements, and balancing code compliance with practical renovation constraints.

USA Regional Engineering Considerations

California Engineering Practice

Seismic Design Requirements California enforces stringent seismic design through California Building Code (CBC) based on IBC with California amendments. Seismic requirements include site-specific ground motion analysis for important structures, peer review of structural design for certain occupancies, structural observation during construction, special inspection programs for quality assurance, and nonstructural component certification. California's rigorous seismic provisions reflect lessons from past earthquakes (1906 San Francisco, 1971 San Fernando, 1989 Loma Prieta, 1994 Northridge) prioritizing life safety and structural resilience.

Title 24 Energy Efficiency California's Title 24 energy standards exceed IECC requirements with stringent envelope performance, lighting power densities, HVAC efficiency, mandatory commissioning, and time-dependent valuation (TDV) methodology favoring technologies reducing peak demand. Title 24 compliance requires computer energy modeling, compliance documentation, and often third-party verification. California's energy leadership drives innovation adopted nationally in subsequent IECC versions.

Civil Engineering and Environmental California environmental regulations significantly impact development including California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requiring environmental review, strict stormwater requirements through MS4 permits and post-construction requirements, endangered species protections, wetlands regulations, and air quality requirements. Environmental compliance often represents project critical path requiring early engagement.

Professional Licensing California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists regulates engineering practice with specific requirements including California Civil and Professional Engineering exams (California-specific beyond national PE exam), mandatory continuing education (Ethics and Professionalism requirement), and title act provisions regulating who may use "engineer" title.

New York and NYC Engineering

NYC Building Code Unique Requirements New York City Building Code (NYC BC) substantially deviates from IBC with unique provisions reflecting urban density, existing building stock, and political priorities. NYC-specific requirements include higher wind loads than national standards, unique foundation design requirements (rock vs. soil bearing), stringent fire protection and egress, elevator requirements exceeding IBC, and prescriptive construction types for high-rises. NYC work requires familiarity with NYC BC plus Department of Buildings (DOB) interpretation and enforcement practices.

Professional Certification and Filings NYC requires Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) of record for new construction and alterations with electronic filing through DOB NOW system. Professional certification represents legal attestation of code compliance with significant professional liability. Special inspections require Special Inspector certification, and concrete and steel fabrication requires submittal of fabricator qualifications.

Design Professional Insurance NYC Local Law 171 requires registered design professionals maintain professional liability insurance ($250,000 minimum for individual practitioners, higher for firms) as condition of registration. Insurance requirements increase costs but provide protection for building owners and public against design errors.

Texas Engineering Practice

Structural Design Considerations Texas structural engineering addresses diverse regional hazards including hurricane wind loads for Gulf Coast (150+ mph basic wind speeds), tornado considerations for North Texas, expansive clay soils requiring specialized foundations (post-tension slabs, drilled piers), and occasional seismic considerations in West Texas. Texas's size creates varied regional conditions requiring location-specific expertise.

Electrical Licensing and Regulations Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regulates electrical engineering practice with PE licensure required for electrical engineering affecting public safety. Electrical engineers coordinate with licensed electricians for installation and inspection. Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) sometimes exceed federal ADA requirements in state-funded projects.

No State Building Code Texas lacks statewide building code adoption instead delegating to local jurisdictions. Major cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) adopt IBC with local amendments while smaller jurisdictions may lack formal codes. This patchwork requires understanding specific jurisdiction requirements and often negotiating interpretations with local building officials.

Florida Engineering and Hurricane Resistance

High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) South Florida (Miami-Dade and Broward counties) designate High Velocity Hurricane Zones requiring enhanced wind resistance, impact-resistant glazing, enhanced roof attachment, and product approval process through Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) system. HVHZ requirements reflect lessons from Hurricane Andrew (1992) which caused $25 billion damage partly from building failures.

Florida Building Code Florida Building Code (FBC) based on IBC with Florida amendments addresses hurricane resistance, flooding, and energy efficiency in hot-humid climate. Wind design uses ASCE 7 with Florida-specific wind maps (up to 195 mph ultimate wind speeds) and additional provisions. Structural engineers must understand FBC product approval system and enhanced inspection requirements.

Flood Design Requirements Florida's extensive coastline and low elevation make flooding major concern. Design requirements include National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) compliance, freeboard requirements exceeding minimum NFIP (often 1-2 feet above base flood elevation), flood-resistant construction, and increasingly restrictive coastal construction control lines limiting development. Sea level rise considerations increasingly inform coastal development decisions.

Midwest and Great Lakes Engineering

Snow Loads and Freeze-Thaw Northern states' structural design addresses heavy snow loads (40-70 psf ground snow loads in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan), ice dams and snow retention considerations for roofs, freeze-thaw durability for concrete, and cold weather construction requirements. Material selection prioritizes durability in harsh climates.

Tornado Design Tornado Alley states (Oklahoma, Kansas, parts of Texas, Nebraska, Iowa) increasingly adopt tornado-resistant design especially for critical facilities. ICC-500 (Standard for Storm Shelters) provides design criteria for safe rooms and community shelters. While tornadoes' small scale and randomness make comprehensive tornado resistance impractical, life-safety shelters and critical facility enhancements save lives.

Great Lakes Wind and Wave Action Great Lakes waterfront development addresses unique considerations including wave action and ice damage to shoreline structures, wind loads from lake effect winds, shoreline erosion, and fluctuating water levels affecting foundation design and waterfront access.

Engineering Project Delivery and Pricing

Design Services Scope and Fees

Schematic Design (15% of Design Fee) Preliminary design developing overall project approach including design basis report, preliminary drawings (site plan, floor plans, elevations, systems approach), conceptual structural system, preliminary MEP systems, outline specifications, and preliminary cost estimate. Schematic design establishes project scope and approach for client approval.

Design Development (20% of Design Fee) Refined design developing systems in detail including coordinated architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings, system selections and sizing, coordination with code officials and utility companies, updated specifications, and refined cost estimate. Design development concludes with substantially complete design ready for final detailing.

Construction Documents (40% of Design Fee) Complete construction documents ready for permitting and bidding including final drawings and specifications, code compliance documentation, engineering calculations supporting designs, product specifications, and final cost estimate. Construction documents provide complete information for contractor pricing and construction.

Permitting and Bidding Support (10% of Design Fee) Assistance obtaining building permits and supporting contractor bidding including permit application submittal, responding to plan review comments, addenda during bidding responding to contractor questions, and bid evaluation assistance. Permitting duration and complexity vary dramatically by jurisdiction.

Construction Administration (15% of Design Fee) Engineering support during construction including submittal review, RFI responses, site observation, shop drawing review, clarifications and supplemental drawings, substantial completion and final inspections, and project closeout. Construction administration ensures built conditions match design intent and addresses field conditions arising during construction.

Engineering Fee Structures

Percentage of Construction Cost Traditional fee basis charging percentage of project construction cost typically ranging from: - Simple Projects: 3-5% (warehouses, simple offices, tenant improvements) - Average Complexity: 5-8% (commercial buildings, schools, standard industrial) - Complex Projects: 8-12% (hospitals, laboratories, high-rises, unusual structures) - Highly Complex: 12-20% (specialty structures, complex renovations, landmark buildings)

Percentage fees align engineer and owner interests (both want cost-effective design) but require construction cost estimate for fee calculation.

Hourly Billing Hourly fees based on actual time charged at blended rates or individual rates: - Principal Engineer: $200-$350/hour - Senior Engineer: $150-$250/hour - Project Engineer: $100-$175/hour - Designer/Drafter: $75-$125/hour - Administrative: $50-$100/hour

Hourly billing suits projects with uncertain scope, phased design, or ongoing services but provides less fee certainty.

Lump Sum Fixed Fee Fixed fee for defined scope providing fee certainty for both parties. Lump sum fees require clear scope definition and assume normal design conditions. Scope changes trigger additional service fees. Typical for projects with well-defined programs and limited unknowns.

Square Footage Basis Per-square-foot fees for comparable building types: - Warehouse/Industrial: $0.50-$1.50/sf - Office/Retail: $1.00-$3.00/sf - Multifamily Residential: $1.50-$4.00/sf - Institutional/Healthcare: $3.00-$8.00/sf - High-Rise: $5.00-$15.00/sf

Square footage fees provide quick estimates but may not account for project complexity variations.

Specialty Service Pricing

Structural Engineering Only Structural engineering fees as percentage of structural construction cost (20-30% of total building cost): - Simple Structures: 8-12% of structural cost - Average Complexity: 12-18% of structural cost - Complex Structures: 18-30% of structural cost

MEP Engineering Only MEP fees as percentage of MEP construction cost (30-45% of total building cost): - Simple Systems: 6-10% of MEP cost - Standard Systems: 10-15% of MEP cost - Complex Systems: 15-25% of MEP cost

Civil Engineering Site civil fees based on project complexity: - Small Sites: $15,000-$40,000 lump sum - Medium Sites: $40,000-$100,000 lump sum - Large Sites: $100,000-$500,000+ lump sum - Hourly Basis: $125-$225/hour for civil engineers

Forensic Engineering Investigation and expert witness services: - Site Investigation: $150-$300/hour - Analysis and Reporting: $175-$350/hour - Deposition Testimony: $250-$500/hour - Trial Testimony: $300-$600/hour plus preparation time

Success Stories from USA Engineering Projects

High-Rise Office Tower - Downtown San Francisco

Structural engineering for 40-story office tower in high seismic zone requiring innovative structural system balancing seismic performance, architectural flexibility, and construction efficiency.

Engineering Solution: Buckling-restrained braced frame (BRBF) system providing excellent seismic performance, architectural flexibility, and constructability. Performance-based seismic design targeting Immediate Occupancy for design earthquake.

Results: Permit approval in 14 months navigating San Francisco Planning and Building departments, construction completed on schedule, building achieved LEED Platinum certification, structural system saved $4.2M vs. alternative systems, and building remained operational after 2014 Napa earthquake with zero damage.

Manufacturing Facility Expansion - Chicago Area

Multidisciplinary engineering for 450,000 sf manufacturing facility expansion including heavy floor loads for equipment, overhead cranes, clean room environments, and complex MEP systems.

Engineering Approach: Tilt-up concrete construction for cost efficiency, post-tensioned slab on grade for heavy loads and crack control, crane runway design per AISC DG-7, sophisticated HVAC maintaining clean room conditions, and electrical distribution serving high-capacity production equipment.

Results: $850,000 engineering fees (6.8% of $12.5M construction cost), project completed 3% under budget through value engineering, production startup on schedule, and facility expansion enabled 35% production capacity increase.

Hospital Addition - East Coast

Structural and MEP engineering for 120,000 sf hospital addition requiring seismic performance exceeding code minimums, infection control, medical equipment support, and emergency power systems.

Engineering Features: Structural system designed for Immediate Occupancy seismic performance (SDC D), vibration control for imaging equipment, medical gas systems, emergency generator and UPS systems, sophisticated HVAC for infection control, and coordination with existing hospital systems.

Results: State health department approval achieved, OSHPD equivalent review process completed, construction delivered without change orders from engineering issues, and facility successfully commissioned and operational meeting all performance requirements.

Retail Development - Texas

Civil and site engineering for 250,000 sf retail center including big-box anchor tenants, pad sites, extensive parking, and complex stormwater management.

Civil Engineering Services: Grading design balancing 85,000 cy earthwork, stormwater detention pond sized for 100-year storm, traffic impact analysis and intersection improvements, utility coordination with city water, sewer, storm, and dry utilities, and landscape coordination.

Results: Municipal approval obtained in 9 months, civil construction costs 8% under budget through efficient grading design, stormwater system survived 100-year storm event first year after completion with zero flooding, and site layout optimized parking yield generating additional lease revenue.