Our structural engineers are trained to understand, predict, and calculate the stability, strength and rigidity of built structures for buildings and non-building structures, to develop designs and to supervise construction of projects on site. Using our expertise, we assist clients in determining the best approach for maintaining the safety of travelers and workers, alike, and minimizing interference to the daily connections our lives depend upon.

Structural engineering theory is based upon applied physical laws and empirical knowledge of the structural performance of different materials and geometries. Structural engineering design utilizes a number of structural elements to build complex structural systems. PCDG’s structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals. PCDG’s structural engineers develop engineering design and structural analysis.

The role of a structural engineer today involves a significant understanding of both static and dynamic loading, and the structures that are available to resist them. The complexity of modern structures often requires a great deal of creativity from the engineer in order to ensure the structures support and resist the loads they are subjected to.

PCDG’s Structural Division is primarily driven by the creative manipulation of materials and forms and the underlying mathematical and scientific ideas to achieve an end which fulfills its functional requirements and is structurally safe when subjected to all the loads it could reasonably be expected to experience.

PCDG’s Structural Division includes all of the following structural engineering:

Bridges
Dams
Earthworks
Foundations
Offshore Structures
Pipelines
Power stations
Railways
Retaining Structures and Walls
Roads
Tunnels
Waterways
Reservoir
Water and wastewater infrastructure

At PCDG the structural engineer is the lead designer on structures, and often the sole designer. In the design of structures such as these, structural safety is of paramount importance. Civil engineering structures are often subjected to very extreme forces, such as large variations in temperature, dynamic loads such as waves or traffic, or high pressures from water or compressed gases. They are also often constructed in corrosive environments, such as at sea, in industrial facilities or below ground.

Structural / Bridge Design Projects

INTERSTATE I-49: The design of 3-5 mile rural segments as well as portion of urban segments in Alexandria and Shreveport, LA. Also provided were the right-of-way surveys, easement plats for four rural sections plus Shreveport urban segments between LA 526 to I-20 for other consultants assigned for design of those segments. Total design included three sections (approximately 17 miles) of Interstate Highway I-49 between Opelousas and Shreveport, LA.

US 84 BRIDGE: Project included Location Study, Environmental Impact Statement, conducted public involvement program design and prepared complete construction documents for new bridge structure (main span and approaches). Bridge design met all requirements to obtain permits for structure over Red River navigation channel.

CROSS BAYOU BRIDGE AT CLYDE FANT PARKWAY:

CLYDE FANT PARKWAY NORTH BRIDGE SOUTHBOUND ROADWAY OVER NORTH BOUND ROADWAY:

CLYDE FANT PARKWAY BRIDGES AT PRESTON:

WESTPARK TOLLWAY SECTION 2: Designed for the Harris County Toll Road Authority . It serves as an urban expressway. The project, 3,000 feet in length, consist of a four lane reinforced concrete pavement with concrete shoulders and a median barrier. The design also included a 303 foot three span bridge over Eldridge Parkway. The bridge consisted of a 117.00 foot center span and two 93.00 foot end spans all with Type IV AASHTO prestressed concrete girders. Included with the bridge was an exit ramp of 1,560 feet in length connecting with Westhollow Parkway. Also involved was a 1,440 foot realignment of Westhollow Parkway. Design included all storm drainage and outfalls.

KUYKENDAHL INTERCHANGE: The transitway interchange was constructed in the median of Interstate Highway 45 (IH-45) North to provide direct access to the Kuykendahl Park and Ride through an access ramp that connects the two facilities. The transitway interchange and access ramp is a part of the North Transitway segment from Beltway 8 to FM 1960. The Kuykendahl transitway interchange is approximately 8,000 feet and the access ramp is about 940 feet. Bridge construction has precast-prestressed concrete box girders, structural T’s of “weathering steel”, bridge deck is cast-in-place concrete with concrete barrier rail. Pier foundations are supported on drilled shaft concrete piers. Access ramp is portland cement concrete. Retaining walls are “reinforced earth” with precast concrete panels, steel reinforcing strips, mesh and steel connector rods.

I-20/SPRING STREET/MARKET STREET INTERCHANGE : This project restored two deleted traffic movements and eliminated the left lane exit movement with the addition of 2.4 miles of bridges and 0.4 miles of approach roadways. The specific movements involved were I-20 eastbound to La. 1 northbound, I-20 eastbound to Market Street south; Spring Street northbound to I-20 westbound.

This project required a comprehensive planning and design effort to develop acceptable construction phasing to minimize both local and through traffic congestion and to maximize safety during the expected three-year construction period.

All field surveys for design and right-of-way acquisition; all geometric design, all approach roadway design and design of the 3,561-foot bridge for the Spring Street northbound to I-20 westbound ramp; all bridge widening designs and plans for the rehabilitation of two bridges.