Structural · 6 min read
Special frames and unusual structures: when standard design does not fit
Some structures fall outside the standard tables: a 12 m cantilever, a house on a cliff, an architectural steel stair with no visible support, a transfer structure over a basement. These need real analysis rather than a span table, and that is the work we enjoy most.
Structures we model and analyse
Where a simple check will not do, we build a finite element model and study the behaviour of the whole system, including the soil where it matters.
- Long span and transfer structures over open plan spaces and basements
- Cantilevered floors, pods, balconies and carports
- Steep site structures, pole homes and pier and beam houses on cliffs
- Architectural steel — stairs, canopies, feature trusses, glass supports
- Towers, masts, signage frames and plant support platforms
- Structures on piles interacting with retaining walls and basements
Why modelling matters
In an irregular structure, load does not follow the path you assume. Stiffness distribution, torsion, second order effects and soil–structure interaction all change the result, and hand methods can be badly wrong in both directions.
We use finite element analysis to see deflection, stress and settlement across the whole structure, which usually saves steel and always reduces surprises on site.
Buildability and cost control
An elegant model that cannot be built is a failure. We detail connections a fabricator can actually make, keep member sizes to available sections, and stage the design so temporary conditions during construction are covered.
Cost
Special structures are quoted after we see the concept, and the quote is free. Send sketches, architectural drawings or even photographs of the idea, plus the site address and any geotechnical information.
Frequently asked questions
- What counts as a special structure?
- Anything outside standard residential span tables: long spans, large cantilevers, transfer structures, towers, steep site structures or architectural steel with unusual support conditions.
- How much does it cost?
- It is quoted per project because scope varies. The quote is free and based on the concept you send us.
- Do you provide analysis output for approval?
- Yes — calculations, model output and RPEQ certified drawings suitable for a private certifier or council.
Send your concept for a free special structure quote.
Request a quote