Simple to Complicated Design
Options and Applications
The team at SPECS offers a comprehensive range of structural design and consulting services. We specialize in uncovering the best design for the project by identifying the project drivers and evaluating solutions that extend the best value and fit. At the preliminary environmental review phase we add value by analyzing options and identifying driving factors that could add cost or make a project less constructible down the line. A smaller, lower-cost structure may require greater environmental mitigation, the cost of which is critical to the overall project budget.
From a very simple pedestrian tunnel to a complicated bridge crossing a hydraulic wash, or seismic fault, or roadway, we use our knowledge of the code requirements, the site information, and the reviewing agency to design structures as efficiently as possible.
Our design services include the options listed below:
- Feasibility Studies/Options Analysis
- Bridge Type Selection Report
- Engineer’s Cost Estimates and Construction Timing
- Structural Design and Calculations
- Buried Culvert Design, including non-standard 3- and 4-sided box culverts
- Bridge Abutment and Pier Design
- CIP or Precast Concrete Girder or Slab Bridge Design
- Retaining Wall Design
- Junction Box Design
- Independent plan check
- Contractor RFIs and Submittal Review
Design Applications :
- Grade Separations and/or Tunnels (Bike/Golf Tunnels, Equestrian Crossings)
- Channel Enclosures and/or Stream Crossings
- Roadway Under/Overpasses
- Airport Taxiway Overpasses
- Railway Under/Overpasses
- Underground Storage
- Utility Encasement
- Animal Habitat Corridor Crossings
A Streamlined Process
Planning
SPECS will work to provide order of magnitude budgets, rough structure impacts, and discuss constructability concepts to help guide the project approach to environmental permitting using realistic structure options to further explore during the feasibility stage.
NextFeasibility
SPECS looks at the project with both a big-picture perspective and with a focus on detail. After considering all of the design conditions, an Options Analysis, Feasibility Report, or Type Selection Report can be provided with a recommendation of what type of structure is best suited for the site based on drivers such as price, construction timing, maintenance, site constraints, aesthetics and more.
NextDesign
SPECS provides structure plans and calculations for buried crossings and bridge structures and foundations. In most cases SPECS’ designs include retaining walls, which can include precast concrete, cast-in-place concrete, MSE, etc.
NextApprovals
SPECS can perform plan submittal services or will coordinate with the project team to provide the structure plans and calculations to be incorporated into the civil improvement plans. SPECS is available to meet with the approving agencies to collaborate on the design to maximize the efficiency of the plan check process.
NextFabrication
A very high level of quality control and testing are observed during the fabrication of the different structure types. Industry-standard QA/QC documentation and test results are available meeting NPCA, AISI, Caltrans and/or local agency protocols as applicable.
NextConstruction
The same people who start on a project during the planning stage remain involved all the way through to construction, maintaining attention to the details. Our project managers hold preconstruction meetings, and we keep in close contact with the contractor during the installation to schedule the trucking, discuss staging, and to ensure a plan is in place for a smooth installation. Construction challenges are bound to arise, and SPECS’ on-site support ensures challenges are handled quickly and efficiently to keep the job moving.
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