Why is Providing Structural Engineering Solutions for the Healthcare Industry Challenging?1/30/2020 Providing structural engineering solutions for the healthcare industry is demanding due to the requirement of adaptable, open design spaces, the need to accommodate changing medical technology, expansions, renovations and the like. Ensuring that the structural design rises up to these challenges, meets the long-term needs of the facility, is cost-effective and minimizes construction time, is the task of a qualified and experienced structural engineer. The key element that a structural engineer keeps in mind while designing for the healthcare industry is flexibility. Why?A healthcare facility consists of multiple functional units like outpatient department, surgery rooms, intensive care units, doctors’ offices, patient rooms, cafeterias, electrical rooms and so on. The varying demands of modern clinical care and its dynamic nature can necessitate that changes be made to these areas, time and again. Since the design loads for these areas vary, if the structural design of the facility is not flexible, it will restrict the usage of the facility in the long run. How?Flexibility in planning - From the very initial planning stage, the structural design of a healthcare facility needs to be flexible to provide the optimum structure for effective workspaces for clinicians and the best environment for patients. The structural engineers can do some research and find out the baseline load assumptions that allow parts of the structure to support more than one function, with minimal impact to the overall structure and cost while maximizing the owner’s ability to rise up to the ever-changing needs of patients.
Avoiding elements that restrict flexibility - Usage of certain structural components can limit future flexibility. Structural engineering solutions for the healthcare industry should avoid them. For instance, concrete shear walls and steel braces can restrict flexibility in the future. Flexibility in laying plumbing and electrical lines - This major challenge can be overcome by creating a series of standard openings through the floor beams to allow pipes and ductwork to pass through. This will provide flexibility with minimal impacts to cost. O’Donnell and Naccarato, a creative structural engineering firm, has long been providing cost-effective, innovative, futuristic and sustainable structural engineering solutions for the healthcare industry. Their healthcare projects keep flexibility as a focus. About O’Donnell & Naccarato O’Donnell & Naccarato, a consulting structural engineering firm with facade restoration and full-service parking garage divisions, has been recognized for its expertise in designing and managing structural engineering projects of all sizes, types and levels of complexity. Visit their website at https://o-n.com or contact them at 800-607-7284 to learn more about their structural engineers in Philadelphia and their services.
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Structural engineers help build structures that are strong, functional, safe and cost-effective, combining creativity with engineering. If you are building or renovating a house, it makes sense to hire an engineer specializing in residential structural designs. However, choosing one might be a challenge. Read on to get some tips for how to make the process easy and find the one best suited to your needs.
Additionally, every structural engineer or firm specializing in residential structural designs is legally bound to be familiar with the building codes published by every jurisdiction to ensure at least the minimum level of safety for constructed buildings. O’Donnell and Naccarato is a creative consulting structural engineering firm operating nationally to support the entire building lifecycle. Striving to provide the most in-depth analysis to support each building’s unique architectural expression and purpose, they have completed many residential structural design projects. About O’Donnell & Naccarato O’Donnell & Naccarato, a consulting structural engineering firm with facade restoration and full-service parking garage divisions, has been recognized for its expertise in designing and managing structural engineering projects of all sizes, types and levels of complexity. Visit their website at https://o-n.com or contact them at 800-607-7284 to learn more about their structural engineers in Philadelphia and their services. |
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