Structural Engineering

Structural engineering is the discipline of designing structures to safely carry applied loads — gravity, wind, earthquake, equipment, thermal effects and impact — without unacceptable deformation or failure. It covers the complete load path from equipment or cladding down through beams, columns, bracing and foundations into the ground.

For mining and heavy industry, structural work is rarely a simple building frame. Projects include conveyor galleries spanning between supports, bins and silos with dynamic loads, pipe racks carrying large bore piping, stack and chimney structures, transfer towers, crane and monorail supports, and modular plant skids. Each requires correct load definition, analysis and detailing for fabrication and site erection.

Nunese provides chartered structural engineering (CPEng, NER, RPEQ) with hands-on experience on operating mine sites, ports and processing plants. We combine 3D analysis with practical detailing so designs are certifiable, constructable and maintainable in the field.

Our core structural portfolio aligns with the assets our clients operate every day:

Structural engineering is required whenever new structures are built, existing assets are modified, or compliance and safety demand independent assessment. Typical triggers include:

We use modern structural analysis tools to visualise behaviour before build. SPACE GASS provides 3D frame and finite element analysis for complex geometry, bracing systems and non-standard load cases. Analysis outputs — bending moments, axial forces, deflections and reactions — drive member selection and connection design.

Stress contour plots and deflected shape reviews (as shown in advanced analysis software) help identify overstressed members, drift issues and unexpected load paths early. Supplementary hand calculations and specialist workflows (including RAM for building-type structures where appropriate) verify critical elements and connection regions.

Design is executed to applicable Australian Standards including AS/NZS 4100 (steel), AS 3600 (concrete), AS 1170 (loads), AS 1418 (cranes where relevant) and AS 1657 (fixed platforms). Client specifications and international project standards are incorporated where projects demand.

Steel design includes primary and secondary framing, bracing, crane and monorail supports, and connection design — bolted and welded details suitable for workshop fabrication and site bolting. Concrete design covers foundations, pits, equipment plinths, slabs-on-ground and structural walls integrated with geotechnical recommendations.

On operating assets, we deliver structural integrity assessments: condition surveys, load capacity reviews, risk ranking and practical repair methodologies for corrosion, connection distress and member damage. Remedial scopes are staged for shutdown windows and aligned with maintenance access on live sites.

Structural engineering does not sit in isolation. Foundation levels and types follow geotechnical investigation; platform levels follow civil grading; certification requires coordinated drawing sets and design certificates. Nunese delivers civil and structural scope in one team, reducing interface gaps that cause RFIs and site delays.

From concept through construction, we align structural outputs with your EPCM, owner or site team — transmittals, model coordination, hold-point inspections and final as-built records so the structure built matches the structure certified.