News

Flooding poses a significant threat to properties, causing damage to structures and negatively impacting the lives of those affected. As structural engineers, our responsibility is to devise innovative solutions to mitigate the risks associated with flooding. One such solution involves the strategic use of retaining walls. In this article, we will explore how retaining walls play a crucial role in preventing flooding and safeguarding properties.

Are you considering solar panels? Are you unsure if your roof is strong enough to support the extra weight? Are you a solar panel installer? The team at Richard Herrmann Associates are here to help.

Paula Burgess, Office Manager at RHA since March 2023, writes about what she has learnt about the role of Structural Engineers and gives her thoughts on how we can help our clients.

"As the newest member of the team at Richard Herrmann Associates, and never having worked with structural engineers in the past, it has been important for me to get to grips early on with what the business does (and doesn’t) do.   I have found that there is often confusion about the role of a structural engineer, so I hope this short article helps to clarify what we do and, crucially, when we can help".

As structural engineers we are obviously very focussed on what can, and might, result in building collapse. The consequences of even a partial building collapse can be catastrophic and result in serious injury and even death of occupants, operatives or members of the public. The Health and Safety Executive has recently published an article summarising the outcome of court procedings related to a tragic case that occurred near Manchester in 2021. It makes for sober reading and highlights the importance of having experienced structural engineers involved in projects, even on a domestic scale.
 

We are thrilled to be working with RG Carter again, and for the first time together working on local RAF USAF bases at Molesworth and Alconbury. The sensitive nature of these military installations means that we can't provide specific details on the works being undertaken, but we will be appriasing the condition and capacity of some very varied and interesting structures. 

A structural engineer plays a crucial role in making a commercial project succesful by bringing specialist knowledge and expertise in designing, analysing, and ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure. 

This expertise and experience brings benefits with regards to;

• Structural Safety,
• Cost Optimisation,
• Design Innovation,
• Construction Efficiency,
• Sustainable Design,
• Adaptability and Resilience,
• Building Regulations Compliance,
• Alteration and Retrofitting,
• Collaboration and Coordination,
• Risk Mitigation.

Working alongside Mountfield Building Group, RHA have been appointed to carry out feasibility and subsequent foundation design for key infrastructure associated with planned backup generator replacement and upgrades within a central London telecoms exchange.

RHA have been working with Marshalls Mono, a leading concrete products manufacturing company, to provide civil engineering hardstanding design for their industrial manufacturing site at St. Ives, Cambridgeshire. Our experienced engineers have worked closely with the client to design and implement a robust and durable hardstanding solution that will meet their needs for heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.

The scheme involved commissioning and utilising a 3D point topographic survey to create a Revit 3D model of the proposed required levels. The intention for the scheme was to create safe, level offloading areas alongside newly installed output conveyors at their production plant installation, as well as appropriate 'falls' for approach ramps. The new levels needed to integrate with the existing levels and this was especially critical as it was located immediately adjacent the internal HGV distribution roadways within the site, with numerous vehicles carrying bulk materials and products.

 

Richard Herrmann Associates Ltd is proud to announce the appointment of Paula Burgess as our new Office Manager.


 

Have you ever wondered whether you should involve a Structural Engineer when planning a new building, an extension or supporting slab? It is quite common to assume that the underlying ground is strong enough to support the proposed building or loads, however there is much more to consider than you might think, particularly when the soil is 'cohesive' (like clay).

 

We are delighted to be working with Wyboston Lakes Resort, near St. Neots, Cambridgeshire to 

In recent years, the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels has become increasingly popular for powering homes and businesses. However, before installing PV panels, it is crucial to ensure that the roof is capable of supporting the weight and additional stresses that come with these systems. Richard Herrmann Associates Ltd have been appointed to assess the capability of numerous roofs across the Wyboston Lakes site to support a proposed photovoltaic panels.

RHA continue to design specialist footbridges for clients throughout East Anglia, primarily to be installed within the beautiful English countryside.