Structural
Insights
All Insights
120 articles · page 4 of 10Industrial Floor Slab Design: Loading and Joints
Industrial concrete floor design: load classes, joint layout, surface flatness (FF/FL), reinforcement options for South African warehouses.
Foundation Choice on Sloping Sites
How to choose foundations on South African sloping sites: stepped footings, retaining walls, gabion, piled solutions. Cost and design from MCFAR.
Cellar Tanking vs Type C Drainage: Which?
Basement waterproofing options compared: cementitious tanking, membrane systems, cavity drainage (Type C). SANS 10400-J compliance from MCFAR.
Removing Load-Bearing Walls: Cost and Process
How much does removing a load-bearing wall cost in 2026? Steel sizing, Local Authority Building Control, and the typical South African project timelin
Chimney Breast Removal: A Structural Guide
Removing a chimney breast: cost, support options, party wall implications. South African 2026 guide from MCFAR's chartered structural engineers.
Cavity Wall Tie Failure: Inspection and Repair
Wall tie failure causes bulging walls and structural risk. How to diagnose, when to retrofit, and what 2026 repairs cost in South Africa.
Bowing Walls: Causes and Restraint Solutions
Why walls bow outwards, how to assess severity, and the restraint options — lateral restraint straps, tie bars, helical bars.
Lintel Failure: Identification and Replacement
How to identify a failed lintel, when replacement is needed, and what South African lintel replacement costs in 2026. From MCFAR structural engineers.
Joist Strengthening Methods and Costs
How to strengthen sagging or undersized floor joists: sister joists, steel flitches, FRP. South African 2026 cost guide from MCFAR.
Concrete Floor Repair: From Hairline to Heave
How to repair cracked, uneven, or heaved concrete floors: causes, remedies, South African 2026 costs from MCFAR's chartered engineers.
Roof Truss Modification Guide
Modifying or replacing trussed rafters for loft conversions or extensions. Structural rules, costs, and alternatives from MCFAR.
Flat Roof Structural Specification Guide
Flat roof structural design for South African extensions and outbuildings: joist sizing, falls, warm vs cold roof. From MCFAR's engineers.
All Insights
20 articlesStructural Engineering Cost UK: 2026 Price Guide
How much does a structural engineer cost in the UK? 2026 price guide covering reports, calculations, site visits, and full design fees. Get a quote fr
Signs Your Building Needs Structural Repair
Cracked walls, sticking doors, sagging floors — the 10 warning signs your home or commercial building needs a structural engineer. UK guide from MCFAR
Underpinning Foundations: Cost & Process Guide
What is underpinning, when is it required, and how much does it cost in the UK? Methods, timelines, and contractor selection from MCFAR GROUP engineer
Steel vs Concrete Frame Construction: A Comparison
Steel frame or concrete frame? Compare cost, speed, span, fire performance, and sustainability for commercial and industrial builds. UK guide from MCF
Listed Building Renovations: A Complete UK Guide
Planning a listed building renovation in the UK? Heritage consent, structural rules, materials, and approval timelines explained by MCFAR's engineerin
Party Wall Agreement: A UK Guide
Party Wall Act explained: when you need an agreement, the surveyor process, costs, and timelines for UK extensions, basements, and excavations.
Loft Conversion Structural Requirements (UK)
Loft conversion structural design: steel beams, floor strengthening, dormer construction, and Building Control compliance. UK 2026 guide from MCFAR en
Commercial Plumbing Systems Specification Guide
Specifying commercial plumbing: pipe materials, hot water systems, drainage, water booster sets, and BS 8558 compliance. UK guide from MCFAR.
How to Choose a Structural Engineer: 7 Key Questions
Hiring a structural engineer in the UK? Seven questions that separate good engineers from cheap ones. Vetting checklist from MCFAR's chartered team.
Subsidence vs Settlement: How to Tell the Difference
Is it subsidence, settlement, or heave? Diagnostic guide for UK homeowners from chartered structural engineers at MCFAR GROUP.
Industrial Warehouse Construction Cost (UK 2026)
UK warehouse build costs 2026: shell-and-core rates by size, cladding type, and eaves height. Industrial development guide from MCFAR GROUP.
Retrofitting and Reinforcing Existing Steel Structures
How to assess and strengthen existing steel frames for new loads or change of use. Plating, jacketing, FRP, and CFRP methods explained by MCFAR engine
BREEAM and LEED: Sustainable Construction Guide
BREEAM vs LEED in the UK: ratings, credits, costs, and the certification process for new builds and retrofits. Practical guide from MCFAR GROUP.
Basement Excavation in London: Permits, Risks, Costs
Building a basement in London? Planning, party walls, structural design, risks, and 2026 cost benchmarks from MCFAR's chartered engineers.
Hotel & Hospitality Construction Phasing
Refurbishing hotels while they trade: phasing strategies, structural sequencing, noise control, and guest impact mitigation. UK guide from MCFAR.
Mezzanine Floor Installation: A Complete Guide
Mezzanine floor design, loading, fire compliance, and installation cost. Industrial, retail, and office mezzanines explained by MCFAR GROUP.
RC Frame vs Masonry for Multi-Storey Builds
Reinforced concrete frame vs load-bearing masonry: cost, speed, height, acoustic and seismic comparison for UK multi-storey buildings.
Building Survey vs Structural Survey: What Buyers Need to Know
Difference between RICS Level 1/2/3 surveys and a structural engineer's report. Which to choose when buying a UK property. Guide from MCFAR.
Industrial Pipe Insulation: Energy & Compliance
Industrial pipe insulation in the UK: thickness standards, materials, ROI calculations, and compliance with BS 5422 and TM44 from MCFAR.
Modular Construction in 2026: Speed, Quality, Cost
What modular and MMC construction means in 2026 — categories, costs, quality controls, and where it works (and doesn't) in UK delivery.
The Blueprint
Digest.
Quarterly technical insights, project spotlights, and engineering breakthroughs delivered directly to your inbox.