What I Can Do for You

I strongly believe that Structural Value Engineering is a rigorous and systematic engineering process where I seek to achieve the best “value for money” by analyzing the structural design from the following key parameters, but not limited to:

- Material Efficiency
- Functional Efficiency
- Design Resiliency
- Construction Method Optimization
- Construction Sequence
- Construction Program Optimization
- Cost Reduction
- Environmental Impact Reduction
- Growth Through Social Impact

There are several engineering contractual mechanisms that allow a successful Structural Value Engineering process to be undertaken. Each one of them requires a different level of in-depth review that would impact positively the original design. I offer Structural Value Engineering Studies under the following contractual forms:

- Internal Design Reviews
- Independent Design Reviews
- Owner´s Engineer Design Reviews
- Peer Reviews

Structural Technical Due Diligence is a rigorous and systematic engineering process that seeks to analyze the “Asset Net Value” and to identify hidden opportunities and risks. Both allowing “value for money” during the Maintenance and Operational period, which also includes predefined milestones such as bank loan renegotiation and private transaction decisions.

My technical expertise allows to properly assess the “Asset Net value” of an infrastructure given its time dependency. The infrastructure´s condition has a direct correlation to the definition of deterioration/damage and to the structural behaviour and functional performance.

The numerous projects I have worked on has allowed me to successfully complete transaction operations, either between infrastructure concessionaires or concessionaires and banks.

Bridge Structural Inspections are critical in the monitoring of the bridge structural and functional performance for early detection of signs of distress.

Regular inspections of key structural elements are vital, and an inspection program shall be in accordance with the Inspection and Maintenance Manual of the Bridge and shall allow for safe accessibility and clear visibility.

Singular Structures implement automated tools and protocols for in-situ inspections and back-office analysis, that leads to an effective and efficient use of time.

The practice of Forensic Structural Engineering involves engineering investigations of structural failures, determination of the causes, as well as rendering opinions including responsible party for the failure and, should it be required, giving testimony in judicial proceedings.

It is a practice of bridge engineering that requires proven experience in planning, structural design, construction methods, quality assurance protocols and contractual & legal arrangement knowledge, the whole overarched by passion and some engineering intuition!

Following any natural hazard (earthquakes, floods, heat waves, wildfires, landslides, hurricanes, …), national infrastructure tend to suffer significant damage.

These events tend to increase in frequency and intensity and resulting impact requires a swift assessment along with a reconstruction strategy/planning, including a resiliency strategy in the form of Build Back Better (BBB) at regional and national level.

A prioritization strategy is to be implemented on a very short period of time in order to maintain the economical growth/prospect of the country.

This work is essentially performed “on-the-ground”, following an Infrastructure PDNA or RINA (Rapid Impact and Need Assessment) protocol, which leads to a Recovery Plan and a Rebuilt Cost Estimate. Automated procedures shall be implemented with proper training of bridge inspectors for uniform and consistent damage assessment, both for cost estimate and rehabilitation works.

I developed specific procedures, aligned with the PDNA Protocols, that could be implemented in future Natural Disaster Assessments that can be further adjusted to ad-hoc local conditions and needs.

This is probably the most hands-on stage of any structural design process, whereby the conceptual and detail design gets produced, assembled, delivered and erected. Technical and quality assurance during the pre-fabrication process is of the essence under the strict compliance of the Specification and Special Provisions Documents, along with the steel yard production target deadlines.

On the basis of my experience in structural steel design, I can support you on the following production/review of technical documentation, but not limited to:

• Review of Shop Drawings;
• Development of Method Statement (MS);
• Development of Quality Control Plans and Inspection and Test Plans (ITP);
• Special Requirements, steel plates and welding requirements, for Primary Tension Members (PTM) and Fracture Critical Members (FCM);
• Fabrication Quality Assurance Supervision;
• Production Monitoring against Target Dates/Program;
• Technical Support to Steel Yard International Certification Processes;

Structural Detail Design does not cover specifically temporary construction structural elements and ad-hoc construction unforeseen situations. Significant efforts are put in place by construction engineers to overcome any uncertainty that could significantly affect the construction program, and therefore construction cost.

Construction engineering covers a wide range of civil engineering to maintain construction´s schedule and safely, including structures, workers´ on-site health and safety, and environmental conditions.

Latest digital construction monitoring is based on "twin models" (bridge renders and finite element modeling), validate through aerial images.

Structural Design is a rigorous and systematic engineering process by which a structure is defined under criteria of safety, efficiency, resiliency, buildability and economical viability.

The combination of these criteria and their compliance require a trained engineer and a continuous open dialogue with the structure´s owner. The design goes under several design stages, from Concept to Detail Design, all requiring the development of the following key documents, but not limited to:

- Design Drawings
- Specification and Special Provisions´ Documents
- Bill of Quantities
- Cost Estimate
- Health and Safety Plan
- Environmental Impact Assessment

I also provide structural consultancy to Bridge Architects in bridge typology (simply supported vs. continuous beam structural bridges, arch bridges, and/or cable supported bridges) and bridge construction material, including bridge general arrangements (main bridge elements’ geometrical definition).

Creativity is at its highest on "open ideas" competition format contest, which is the most popular contest format for small and pedestrian bridges.