Insights

What We’re Learning.

Thoughts, lessons and observations drawn from investigations, design work, site inspections, heritage structures, adaptive reuse projects and engineering practice.

The most valuable lessons often come from buildings that behave differently than expected.

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01Featured Insight

Shear Cap vs Drop Panel vs Column Capital

Punching shear is a critical design consideration in reinforced concrete flat slabs, particularly around columns where concentrated loads can cause a sudden and brittle failure. This article compares three common methods used to improve punching shear capacity: shear caps, drop panels, and column capitals. It explains how each solution works, their advantages and limitations, and the situations where each is most appropriate. The article also examines the impact of each option on slab stiffness, reinforcement requirements, concrete volume, ceiling heights, and overall constructability, helping

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Suggested

How Your House on Stumps May Behave Due to Flooding and Floodwater

In October 2022, many parts of country Victoria were affected by severe flooding. Many homeowners are still picking up the pieces left behind from this flooding event to this day. In the aftermath of the cleanup, it has become clear that houses supported by slab foundations have performed superior to those supported by stumps, but why is this the case? This article takes a deep dive into why (no pun intended)…

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How can you tell if a Crack is Structural?

When your family home starts to show signs of cracking, it can cause fear and concern. Your home should be a place where you and your family feel safe and secure. So when cracking does appear, it can be hard to know what you should do. So how can you tell if a crack is structural? Also, how can you tell if a crack is serious and requires immediate attention? This article provides some insights into different types of cracking you may find in different parts of your home.

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What is the best Foundation for a House?

Planning the design of your new home can be daunting. There are so many decisions to make ranging from location, layout, fixtures, fittings, colours and more! The first key decision to ensure the success of any new house construction is the foundation choice. So, what is the best foundation for a house? This article explores the common types of house foundations and compares each one to help you make an informed decision for your own house.

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