Independent design reviews and peer reviews
Structural Value Engineering Design
Structural value engineering is a rigorous and systematic engineering process that seeks the best value for money by analysing the structural design against parameters including material efficiency, functional efficiency, design resiliency, construction method optimisation, construction sequence and programme optimisation, cost reduction, environmental impact reduction and growth through social impact.
Several contractual mechanisms allow a successful value engineering process, each with a different depth of review. I offer value engineering studies as internal design reviews, independent design reviews, owner’s engineer design reviews and peer reviews.
Reference projects
Asset value, risks and opportunities
Structural Technical Due Diligence
Structural technical due diligence is a rigorous and systematic engineering process that analyses the net value of an asset and identifies hidden opportunities and risks. Both support value for money during the maintenance and operating period, including milestones such as bank loan renegotiation and private transaction decisions.
The condition of an infrastructure asset correlates directly with the definition of deterioration and damage, and with structural behaviour and functional performance. The projects I have worked on have allowed me to complete transactions between infrastructure concessionaires, and between concessionaires and banks.
Reference projects
Early detection of distress
Bridge Structural Inspections
Bridge structural inspections are critical for monitoring structural and functional performance and for detecting signs of distress early. Regular inspection of key structural elements is vital. An inspection programme follows the bridge’s inspection and maintenance manual and allows safe access and clear visibility.
Singular Structures uses automated tools and protocols for in-situ inspections and back-office analysis, for an effective and efficient use of time.
Reference projects
Failure investigation and expert opinion
Bridge Forensic Structural Engineering
Forensic structural engineering involves investigating structural failures, determining their causes, giving an opinion on the party responsible and, when required, testifying 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 and legal arrangements, held together by passion and some engineering intuition.
Reference projects
Rapid assessment after natural hazards
Post-Disaster and Infrastructure Needs Assessment (PDNA)
After a natural hazard (earthquake, flood, heat wave, wildfire, landslide, hurricane), national infrastructure tends to suffer significant damage. These events are growing in frequency and intensity, and their impact calls for a swift assessment and a reconstruction strategy that includes resilience in the form of Build Back Better (BBB) at regional and national level.
A prioritisation strategy must be put in place in a very short time to protect the country’s economic prospects. The work is done on the ground as an infrastructure PDNA or Rapid Impact and Needs Assessment (RINA), with a rebuilding cost estimate and a recovery plan. Automated procedures and trained bridge inspectors give a uniform, consistent and properly recorded damage assessment for costing rehabilitation works.
Reference projects
Quality assurance from steel yard to erection
Construction and Fabrication Supervision
This is the most hands-on stage of any structural design process, in which the conceptual and detailed design is produced, assembled, delivered and erected. Technical and quality assurance during prefabrication is essential, under strict compliance with the specification and special provisions, and the steel yard’s production deadlines.
- Review of shop drawings
- Method statements for assembly, quality control plans, and inspection and test plans (ITP)
- Special requirements for plates and welding of primary tension members (PTM) and fracture critical members (FCM)
- Fabrication quality assurance supervision
- Production monitoring against target dates and programme
- Technical support to steel yard international certification processes
Reference projects
Temporary works and unforeseen conditions
Construction Engineering and Digital Monitoring
Detailed structural design does not specifically cover temporary construction elements or unforeseen situations on site. Construction engineers put significant effort into overcoming uncertainty that could affect the construction programme and cost. Construction engineering covers the range of engineering needed to keep construction safe, including structures, workers’ health and safety, and environmental conditions. I focus on construction engineering design reviews.
Digital monitoring uses bridge models (digital twins) and aerial imaging.
Reference projects
From concept to detailed design
Bridge Structural Design
Structural design is a rigorous and systematic engineering process that defines a structure under criteria of safety, efficiency, resiliency, buildability and economic viability. Meeting these criteria takes a trained engineer and a continuous, open dialogue with the owner. Design goes through stages from concept to detailed design and produces documents such as design drawings, specifications and special provisions, bills of quantities, cost estimates, health and safety plans and environmental impact assessments.
At this stage of the practice I focus on design and specifications.
Reference projects
Structural consultancy to bridge architects
Bridge Design Competitions
As engineers, we provide structural consultancy to bridge architects on bridge typology (simply supported or continuous beam bridges, arch bridges, cable-supported bridges), construction material and the general arrangement, which defines the geometry of the main bridge elements. Creativity is at its highest in the open ideas competition format, the most popular format for small and pedestrian bridges.
Reference projects
External specialist
Maritime Structures
Port and terminal structures such as bulk terminals and container terminals, covered with an external maritime specialist who contributes to the practice’s broader capabilities.
Reference projects
External specialist
Computational Fluid Dynamics
We provide high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to solve complex fluid flow and thermal challenges. For the hydraulic power industry, we specialize in optimizing hydro-turbine performance, predicting and mitigating cavitation, analyzing penstock transients, and validating spillway efficiency to maximize energy output and ensure structural safety. This core expertise translates directly to the Oil & Gas sector. We provide critical insights for multiphase flow assurance, optimize separator and valve designs, analyze erosion-corrosion phenomena, and model thermal performance. Our validated models also cover flare system analysis, thermal radiation for safety, and detailed simulation of downhole equipment. By virtually testing scenarios, we deliver actionable data to reduce costly physical prototyping, enhance design, minimize environmental impact, and boost operational efficiency and asset integrity.
Reference project
Expertise-led and AI-instrumented: independent structural checking and forensic investigation, drawing on over 35 years of international bridge engineering expertise in design, assessment and forensic work.
Our own tools let one senior engineer verify the whole structure rather than a sample. The tools do the reach; the engineer does the reasoning, performs the checks and signs off.
singularstructures.ai ↗
