(as with any free advice, it is offered as a guide only so if you need to act on any advice please contact us and we will tailor the information to precisely suit your needs)

Topics 

BCA

Is there an financial argument for exceeding current BCA sound insulation requirements?

Concrete

What is it that causes cracks to occur in concrete prior to concrete setting?

What causes surface blistering of concrete and the associated surface efflorescence in coloured concrete?

What are the potential consequences of a slab being poured in the rain?

Do you have any tips for architects contemplating a class A1 finish?

When should I carry out concrete saw cutting of control joints in slabs on ground and what are the risks?

Which prestressing contractors are regularly working in Canberra?

Why do driveway slabs crack, and who is responsible?

What affect does fire have on a concrete framed building?

How can I tell where the reinforcement or stressing cables are in a suspended slab?

What is the best software for designing prestressed concrete buildings?

Construction

When should I generally be able to strip the props/formwork from under a concrete floor and what influences the timing?

When is it an advantage to go design and construct on prestressed construction?

When is it an advantage to use fabric mesh in suspended concrete slabs?

FC Sheeting

What should I know about using FC sheeting in Canberra?

Fire Performance

What are the options for a more fire resistant garage?

What affect does fire have on a concrete framed building?

How do I clean and treat a fire affected slab on ground?

What can I do to make my next house more fire resistant?

Flooring

How do I ensure that the flooring I select to span over joists will carry the point loads required by the code?

How far apart can I space my joists if I am using tongue and groove flooring?

How far apart should I space my joists if I am using particleboard flooring?

How do I know if my floor can carry a heavy load such as a compactus unit or safe?

Glass

Do you have any advice on using full height glass office partitions?

Masonry

What are the common causes of cracking in brickwork (or other masonry) in Canberra and who is responsible?

How do I design masonry joints?

How can I tell if a rendered masonry wall has been cracked in the past?

Preliminary Design

What is the most efficient column layout for a multi-level office building?

What is the most economic structural framing system for three storey walk-ups?

Should I be considering the use of Ritek for my next project?

What are the Pros and Cons associated with using Ultrafloor on a multistorey residential project?

What are the pros and cons associated with post tensioning a concrete floor?

What changes need to be made to a typical Canberra specification when working on the coast?

Steel

Can I have some advice and preliminary sizing for using cold formed steel bearers and joists under decking timber?

Can I paint over freshly galvanized steel?

Can you accurately predict the design life of a galvanised or unpainted steel anywhere in Australia?

When does it make good sense to use steel house framing in residential construction?

How did the Acton Peninsula Alliance manage to build the 26m high loop canopy (at the National Museum) so quickly and without any scaffolding?

What do you know about the design of cylindrical steel silos?

What was so innovative about Impulse's "Big Space" Hanger at Canberra Airport?

Who are the steelwork shop detailers we know currently working in the and around Canberra ACT?

Tension Structures

What problems have you encountered involving shade cloth structures and is there much research being done on their behaviour?

Timber

What is the benefit of specifying MGP10 or 12 pine rather than F5 or F8 radiata?

If I want large span timber trusses to give that old world charm but also need an environmentally sustainable solution, what are my options?

How can I get rid of the timber beams in my flat roofed house?

How can I tell if I can remove an internal wall in my house?

What is the difference between a Hybeam and a Hyne I Beam?

Approvals

Which government department in Canberra approves plans and keeps copies of existing drawings?