Blog
FEMA Permitting Study for Bridge Replacement
No Impact Study A hydrology and hydrological study is required if an “obstruction” (a bridge for example) is planned to be constructed within the floodway of a FEMA detailed study area. Any obstruction, including fill material, retaining walls, buildings, pavilions to...
Why Invest in Structural Engineering When Building a Home
“We bought a piece of land, and we’d like to build a house.” The prospect of building your dream home is exciting as well as daunting. If you don’t have experience in construction, it can be difficult to know what is important. Contractors are not always obligated to...
The Cost of Structural Engineering
If you’re purchasing or remodeling a home or commercial building, one thing you don’t want to overlook is the structural integrity of the building. It may have a layout designed in heaven. It might have the best flooring in the neighborhood. But if your foundation...
How Are Bridges Engineered?
Bridges are very complex structures that must take into account many stressors throughout their service lives. From varying load sizes to weather conditions such as floods and earthquakes, bridges must be engineered to withstand many loads and forces, structural...
What Kind of Engineer Builds Bridges?
”Building bridges” has become a popular metaphor for bringing people together. Socially speaking, it’s a worthwhile endeavor that usually yields fruitful results. But in order for bridge building to be successful, it requires thoughtful planning and consideration of a...
Structural Engineer vs. Architect
This sounds like some kind of pickup basketball tournament. If I were picking odds on who would win, I’d go with the engineers — they are more likely to take high-percentage shots and play solid defense. Most people’s questions about architects and engineers,...
Concrete Bridge Inspections
You hear a lot of talk these days about the growing need for improving our infrastructure in the United States. From utilities and communication networks to transportation systems, many of our existing structures used by the public are old, in disrepair, or overdue...
How Much Is a Structural Engineer’s Inspection?
Here in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Areté Engineers’ structural assessments of homes start at about $850, and go up to about $2000, depending on the size, complexity, age, and distance of the property from Blowing Rock. Areté Engineering performs only complete...
What Do Structural Engineers Do?
When you walk across a bridge, do you worry about it falling down? Whenever you ride an elevator in a skyscraper, do you hold your breath as you watch the floor numbers light up, hoping you make it all the way to the top? After you leave your car in a parking...
Do You Need a Commercial Structural Engineer?
Commercial construction projects are all around us. From roads, bridges, and tunnels to parking structures, hospitals, and shopping centers, commercial construction is an industry that affects everyone on a daily basis. If there’s one thing a commercial...
Foundation Inspection by a Structural Engineer
Why would you want to bother hiring a structural engineer to look at a property before you buy it? Isn’t that what the home inspector’s report is for? We looked at the foundation of a $600,000 second home here in Blowing Rock and found that approximately one...
Architect vs. Engineer vs. Contractor
This sounds like some kind of pickup basketball tournament, but it’s probably not going to be as popular as March madness! The question people ask about architect vs. engineer vs. contractor is whether you need one or the other, or two, or all three. In terms of...
How Much Does a Structural Engineer Cost?
This reminds me of a story G. K. Chesterton told of two men having a conversation. The first man said, “It’s raining.” The second replied, “What’s raining?” There ensued a violent conversation ending in a wonderful friendship. So the question is, “How much does...
What Is a Building Engineer? Do I Need One?
In Great Britain, a building engineer fulfills the roles we give to architectural engineers here in the U.S. The Chartered Association of Building Engineers, or CABE, is a British organization to unify the profession there. They have their own website: Chartered...
Structural Engineer Building Inspection
Building inspectors generally will look at most properties that are being bought or sold to give the buyer peace of mind and the seller some freedom from liability if there are problems discovered with the home soon after the sale. But building inspector’s reports...
Repair and Rehabilitation of Bridges
Bridges should last at least 100 years if they are well designed and maintained. The materials used to construct modern bridges far exceed the quality of materials from even 40 years ago. Many of the newer bridges have precast components which are created in a...
Types of Cracks in Concrete Structures
Non-structural cracks are generally caused by stresses that are induced internally. A simple example would be a weld that cracks without any applied stresses from loads because of “leftover” or residual stresses due to uneven heating of the weld and the members it...
When Do You Need a Structural Engineer?
In short, structural engineers are needed whenever there is a problem to be solved, or a problem to be unraveled, with respect to a structure. Of course, municipalities and large institutions hire both architects and structural engineers when they are building...
Significant Value of a Structural Engineer Home Inspection
Home inspectors generally will look at most properties that are being bought or sold to give the buyer peace of mind and the seller some freedom from liability if there are problems discovered with the home soon after the sale. But home inspector’s reports read like...
What to Know About Structure and Infrastructure Engineering
Structure and Infrastructure Engineering could be better expressed in English as “Structural and Infrastructural Engineering.” The former is a title of a journal which seems to have been published overseas, but translated (roughly!) into English. “Structural...
Value Engineering in Structural Engineering Building Design
Value is the ratio of function to cost. (V = F/C) Of course, this is not a strictly numerical ratio, because cost can be defined in currency, but function is not objectively defined in dollars and cents. It can be easily seen that value is increased by...
The Importance of Structural Engineering in Building Design
The multibillionaire inventor of the "Airblade" hand dryer, and a revolutionary vacuum cleaner and hair dryer, James Dyson, commenting on the theme of the importance of structural engineering in building design, said that his first inspiration about engineering and...
Learn About Structural Analysis Engineer’s Responsibilities
A structural analysis engineer is the person you will need to design a structure which must maintain loads exerted by its own weight, natural forces such as winds and earthquakes, and the loads or weights and movements of its occupants, such as people and their...
Building Surveyor vs. Structural Engineer
The purpose of this article is to educate you on the difference between a building surveyor and a structural engineer. Let’s begin with the history of surveying. In the United States, a building surveyor is a person who does land surveying, or cartography. They...
When to Contact a Structural Engineer for Cracks in Walls
Cracks in walls are a common occurrence in residential homes. We understand they can be worrisome for you, especially after making such a significant investment. If you've heard stories concerning the pricey costs involved with foundation repairs, you're not alone,...
Learn About Hiring a Structural Engineer for Retaining Walls
Retaining walls vary widely with regard to size, function, and materials, and it can be challenging to understand the ideas or reasoning behind these structures' height, scale, and layout. A retaining wall may be simple in terms of structure and design; for example, a...
What Factors Do Engineers Consider When Designing a Bridge?
Engineers must consider many factors when designing a bridge. The purpose of this article is to educate you on the eight areas that are required when developing a bridge. Continue reading to learn more about what the Areté Engineers team considers when designing a...
Effects of Cracks in Concrete Structures
It is not uncommon to observe cracks in concrete structures, but all breaks aren’t the same. Several factors contribute to cracking. Some may not be a structural concern, but some may require direct attention. It’s essential to address these concerns because the...
What Kind of Engineer Designs Bridges?
I had this exact question when I was a young man in the US Army. Fortunately, my father worked as a construction inspector for highway construction projects, and he was able to direct me to someone who helped in my journey. I found out which schools had engineering...
Martin Russ at SPRAT Training
Martin Russ, one of our bridge inspection team members, attended a Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) rope access training last week. Martin's skills as a rock climber along with this certification will allow our teams to inspect bridges not...
Areté Engineers awarded contract for NCDOT Structures Management Support
Areté Engineers has been selected to provide services for the department under the Structures Management Unit’s Limited Services Contract for "2015 STRUCTURES MANAGEMENT SUPPORT -- LIMITED SERVICES CONTRACT" by NCDOT Professional Services Management Unit.
NCDOT Small Professional Services Firm (SPSF)
Aréte receives approval as Small Professional Services Firm (SPSF) with NCDOT.
Areté Engineers approved as NC DOT Private Consulting Firm
Aréte Engineers has been approved as a Private Consulting Firm by the NCDOT for the following disciplines:
Joint Elimination presentation
Read Shawn’s Presentation at the National Bridge Preservation Partnership Conference in Orlando, FL