SERVICES
With the expertise and capacity to provide innovative engineering solutions to clients in a wide range of sectors.
Our suite of design services can be implemented during the crucial early stages of our clients' projects. This is vital in ensuring our clients can complete their projects on time and within budget.
We are capable of handling jobs at all levels while also providing a more personal touch. Senior staff retain an involvement and provide support throughout the entire lifecycle of each project.

Structural Engineering
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Structural Engineering
Our Structural Engineering teams comprise Engineers and Technicians of all levels who can produce practical, ‘buildable’ and economical designs for any project regardless of size, intricacy or complexity. Project constraints are identified early in the brief and whether aesthetics, elegance, cost or practicality are the primary constraints; our designs will comply with the brief and achieve the aspirations of the Client and other members of the design team.
We recognise that to achieve an optimised design, several iterations may be required. The requirements of geometry, materials, budget, flexibility, logistics and sustainability will be all be incorporated. Whether working in a BIM environment or not, we will use 3D modelling techniques produce design options that can easily be visualised by all.
Our Structural Engineering services include:
- Structural Calculations and Design
- Foundation and substructure design
- Superstructure design in all materials
- Feasibility studies and appraisal of structural solutions
- Investigation and reporting of building defects
- Structural surveys and assessment calculations
- Value engineering
- Shadow checks and designs

Listed Buildings and Buildings of Historical Interest
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Listed Buildings and Buildings of Historical Interest
Working with historic buildings and environments requires a sensitive approach to provide advice that enables the successful protection and regeneration of historic buildings and environments.
The principles of conservation best-practice is essential for the successful repair, alteration and adaptation of historic buildings and infrastructure. Our team provide services that enable the successful protection and regeneration of historic environments.
The services we offer include:
- Listed buildings
- Inspections and condition surveys in support of Planning Applications and Listed Building Consent.
- Conservation
- Refurbishment
- Investigation and structural assessment.
- Long term monitoring and regular inspections.
- Masonry arch / ironwork bridge inspections and remedial work
- Sympathetic Repair
- Preservation
- Maintenance

Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Design
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Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Design
Well-designed Civil and Infrastructure Engineering improves the quality of life within communities whether residential or business. The hugely important role that Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) play can improve landscapes while providing ecological benefits by closer matching drainage designs with the natural water cycle.
We recognise that a carefully considered and coordinated civil engineering design can provide enhanced sustainability and financial benefits and we will iterate designs to achieve optimum quantities for earthworks.
Our clients benefit from engaging us at an early stage, commissioning us to provide site appraisals and feasibility studies, also allowing us to influence site layouts in order to minimise costly site export and also develop a layout considerate to the site’s perimeter constraints.
Our team of civil engineering designers and technicians combine our expertise with the use of 3D modelling techniques and design software to tailor the best solution for each project.
Our Civil and Infrastructure Engineering services include:
- Estate infrastructure design (residential and commercial)
- Plot infrastructure design
- Drainage modelling and attenuation design
- Earthworks modelling
- Cut and fill assessments
- Sustainable Urban Drainage System design
- Section 278 and 38 highway works
- Section 104 drainage works

Temporary Works
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Temporary Works
T he importance of Temporary Works design and checking is becoming of significant importance for Contractors and the early recognition of the requirements is paramount and can lead to significant unforeseen costs if not identified at the appropriate stage.
Portland Consulting Engineers has a history of temporary works design experience. Our engineers are able to provide advice, design or checking services for a range of temporary works.
Services include:
- Piling Mats
- Crane Foundations
- Retaining Structures
- Slope Stability
- Embedded retaining walls
- Falsework
- Formwork (proprietary and bespoke)
- Propping
- Temporary Platforms/Decks/Roofs
- Façade Retention
- Highways Agency CG 300 Design
- Network Rail Form C and fulfilment of CRE duties
- Stability Assessments
- Lifting Beams/Frames
- Jacking
- Scaffold Design
- Needling/Masonry Restraint
- Fencing/Hoarding/Signs
- Category 3 Checks

Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs)
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Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs)
Flood risk assessment is now an integral and unavoidable part of any planning application and we can provide FRAs to accompany applications by referencing the National Planning Policy Framework and Local Planning Authorities’ Core Strategies.
Flooding from rivers and coastal waters can damage property, in addition surface water flooding from overland flows can also intensify flood risk. Location, design, site use and the consequences of future climate change are factors that must be considered.
We provide Flood Risk Assessments and advice on the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) for the development of both Brownfield and Greenfield sites. Hydraulic modelling is used to analyse the conveyance of stormwater on site, its treatment and to control runoff rates and limit these to realistic levels.
We offer expertise at planning stage for:
- Flood Risk Assessments (Outline and full planning)
- Surface and foul water drainage strategies including SUDS
- Sequential and Exception tests
- Calculations for pre and post development surface water runoff for varying storm events
- Surface water flooding assessments and exceedance events
- Overland flow modelling
- Flood Management and Evacuation Plans

Refurbishment and Reinvigoration Engineering
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Refurbishment and Reinvigoration Engineering
Reinvigoration of existing building stock whether a simple re-roof or a more complicated ‘cut and carve’ is a field Portland have significant experience in and our Structural and Civil Engineering teams can produce practical and economical designs for any project regardless of size, intricacy or complexity.
We will be engaged early in the process and will undertake structural surveys, condition assessments and load capacity assessments in order to inform the feasibility of a refurbishment. We will use advanced engineering modelling techniques and refine calculations in order to ensure the full load carrying capacity of a structure is understood and maximised. Where strengthening is unavoidable to achieve the aspirations of the client we can design this using the same philosophy as our core engineering disciplines; practicality, buildability and economy. 3D modelling techniques can be used to produce design options that can easily be visualised by all.
Our Refurbishment Engineering services include:
- Structural Investigations and surveys
- Feasibility studies and appraisal of structural solutions
- Structural Calculations and Design
- Foundation and substructure assessments
- Investigation and reporting of building defects
- Structural Condition Surveys
- Assessment calculations
- Qualitative Assessments