Hands on approaches to providing innovative solutions to satisfy our clients' every need

Services

Clients seek to work with companies that have the capability of providing a service that is committed to innovative, engineered and commercially biased solutions. This is the type of service that Portland Consulting Engineers is determined to deliver and therefore, the projects we undertake will have ‘hands on involvement’ from senior staff on a personal basis as well as the correct type and level of resource to meet the programme. We provide valuable design input on projects at an early stage in order to provide the Client, whether End User, Developer or Contractor an economical solution which also satisfies the project brief.

The company provides expertise in the main engineering disciplines of Civil and Structural Engineering. Therefore all projects requiring such expertise can be undertaken.

Structural Engineering

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

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

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

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)

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

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

Sustainability

We have embraced the move by the construction industry to provide more sustainable solutions by becoming actively involved in various forms of modern methods of construction. We provide advice on the merits of various construction techniques such as precast concrete, timber frame, light gauge steel, ICF and modular construction at an early stage in the design process, which is often critical to the financial success of the scheme. We then provide bespoke designs or alternatively are happy to work with fellow Engineers who may be providing designs on behalf of specialist suppliers.