Structural · 7 min read
Warehouse, shed and industrial structural design in Queensland
Sheds and warehouses are dominated by wind, not gravity. In Queensland that means AS 1170.2 wind actions, cyclonic considerations in northern regions, and connection detailing that decides whether the building stays put. Here is how we design them and what we need to quote.
What we design
From a farm shed to a tilt panel warehouse, the scope covers the whole load path from sheeting to soil.
- Cold formed and hot rolled portal frames, rafters, columns and knee braces
- Purlins, girts, bracing and sheeting fixings
- Slab on ground design for forklift, racking and truck loads
- Pad, strip and pier footings, including uplift resistance
- Mezzanines, offices, crane runways and platform framing
- Tilt panel and precast connections, awnings and canopies
Wind is the governing load
Uplift on a light roof commonly exceeds its weight several times over, so footings are often sized to hold the building down rather than to hold it up. Terrain category, shielding, internal pressure and openings all change the numbers.
Open sided sheds, awnings and buildings with large doors are the most sensitive, and they are where under-designed kits most often fail.
Slabs for real industrial loads
A slab designed for a car will crack under a loaded forklift or a racking leg. We design thickness, reinforcement, joints and subgrade preparation for the actual point loads, then detail joint locations so cracking happens where you expect it.
Kit sheds and certification
Kit sheds usually come with generic engineering that does not cover your site's wind classification, soil or slab loads. We review the kit, design the footings and slab, and certify the package for approval — or redesign the frame where the kit does not stack up.
Cost
Commercial and industrial structures are quoted individually because scope varies so widely, and the quote is free. Send the layout, span, height, door openings, intended use and the site address.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you certify kit sheds in Queensland?
- Yes. We review the supplier's engineering against your site wind classification and soil, design the footings and slab, and provide RPEQ certification for approval.
- How much does warehouse structural design cost?
- It is quoted per project because spans, heights, loads and site conditions vary. The quote itself is free and usually comes back within a day or two of receiving the layout.
- Can you design a mezzanine in an existing warehouse?
- Yes, including checking the existing slab and footings for the new column loads.
Send your shed or warehouse layout for a free engineering quote.
Request a quote