STS Structural

Newman Road Industrial Estate Warehouse Racking

Alan C — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 04:02:34 +0000

Newman Road Industrial Estate engaged STS Structural to provide an array of engineering services focusing on the structural assessment of two cold-formed steel storage systems. These systems facilitated the racking building approval process for a warehouse fit-out on site.

Our team conducted an in-depth review of the imported cantilever and selective pallet racking systems, benchmarking their design performance and load capacities against the European Racking Federation Code of Practice (FEM 10.2.09) and Australian Standard AS 4084. Based on this analysis, we offered expert guidance on improving the load-bearing performance of the systems, ensuring they met the required operational and logistical standards without compromising storage efficiency.

Additionally, STS Structural provided ongoing support throughout the installation process, delivering safe assembly supervision and compliance inspections to ensure all systems adhered to regulatory standards.

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Multi-Story Queensland Residential Home

Alan C — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 03:57:26 +0000

STS Structural undertook the certification of a multi-story residential structure in Caresdine Queensland without existing structural drawings or frame details. Our engineering team conducted multiple site inspections to gather measurements and update the structural information. The framework, which used cold-formed and light-gauge structural steel, was analysed and modified. This was done to ensure compliance with AS1170, AS4600, AS4100, and the NASH Standard, guaranteeing full compliance.

We successfully delivered comprehensive documentation for necessary rectifications, updating the framework to meet safety standards and certifying the building as safe and secure.

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Brisbane International Airport New Energy Program

Alan C — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 03:49:26 +0000

Brisbane Airport Corporation, a valued long-term client, engaged STS Structural to play a pivotal role in implementing their renewable energy program at the international terminal. The project included the installation of approximately 5,000 PV modules across the Northern Concourse, Southern Concourse and Multi-level Carpark areas to support and deliver 2.3 MW of renewable energy.

Our structural engineering expertise supported various aspects of the project’s execution. Key services included validating the capacity of roof structures to support a solar installation; providing guidance on temporary work staging during installation; and conducting inspections throughout the installation phases. Additionally, we offered structural advice for cable reticulation, ensuring safe and efficient integration with the base-building elements for optimal system performance across the site.

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Solar Installation, Green Square

Alan C — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 04:18:48 +0000

STS Structural worked with AGL to assist with the installation of a 66 kW photovoltaic solar system for this office building asset held within the Growthpoint Properties portfolio and located in the Fortitude Valley Gateway Precinct (~ 2km from the Brisbane CBD).

With the building having been completed in 2013, a retrospective assessment of the existing roof framing system was successfully undertaken by STS Structural to ensure that structural performance was maintained with the addition of the new solar system some 50m above ground level.

The structural work extended to the PV module mounting system specification – mounting rails, mounting rail clamps and clamp fixings to suit the installation of the PV modules where no new penetrative fixings (through the existing roof sheeting) was a key part of the criteria. This involved a nuanced consideration of PV module location and orientation to not overload the existing concealed fixing roof sheeting system.

The structural work also extended to the preparation of a Temporary Loading Plan to assist with the rapid deployment of bundled PV modules and mounting equipment when crane lifted from street level.

Solar Installer: Sustainable Business Energy Solutions (AGL)
Location: Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

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Solar Installation, Mountview Supermaket

Alan C — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 06:25:35 +0000

The construction of a new supermarket in Redbank Plains called for the installation of a 300kWp solar installation onto the roof. STS Structural worked closely with AGL to provide the structural assessment of the roof system in order to confirm the suitability to support the weight of the panels, and the extra uplift loads induced by the wind acting on the panels.
The design also included the support structure and canopy on the roof of the building to house the inverter station and associated electrical equipment.
A construction loading assessment was also carried out to provide the contractor a clear plan of which areas of the roof could be loaded with pallets of solar panels and pallets or rails so that the roof would not be over stressed.
STS Structural has provided such structural adequacy assessments for solar installations for both new and old buildings. We have assessed sites all over the east coast of Australia either remotely, using local contractors or installers to gather the necessary structural details, or in person for on-site structural advice on the proposed installation areas.
The main challenges faced on these projects is breaking the misconception that each installation is the same as the last. The extra mass of the solar panels, although it replaces the allowed ‘foot traffic’ loads, often combines with the wind load cases to produce a critical load case that would not have been considered by the roofing designers. Recent changes to AS/NZS1170.2 (Wind Code) also provides clarity of ‘under panel’ pressures to consider, which in some cases results in new wind pressures exceeding the design pressure on a roof without panels. Therefore it’s best to employ an experienced engineer to carry out the assessment and provide an engineering certificate on each project.

Solar Installer: AGL Australia, Sustainable Business Energy Solutions
Location: Redbank Plains, Queensland

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Komatsu Distribution Warehouse Racking

Alan C — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 01:50:44 +0000

As part of the construction of Komatsu’s largest distribution centre in Australia, the 17,500sqm warehouse was fitted with fully automated racking and picking system. The racking systems were installed by BHD Storage Solutions with STS Structural providing the design (including seismic analysis), certification, and site compliance assessments. The types of racking provided on this project were:

Pallet racking up to 10m high, up to a rated bay capacity of 52t, using twin, and quad beams as necessary.
Cantilever racking to 9.5m high
Automated mobile racking to 7m high, comprising of pallet racks set on tracks that were cast into the slab, to act as an automated compactus style high density storage solution.
The main challenge overcome on this project was the earthquake actions, given the tall, slender, and heavily loaded nature of the racks. This combination pushed the racking well outside the standard scope of application. Unique and innovative design solutions were adopted, implementing custom stiffening and high capacity tie downs where necessary.

Location: Wacol, Qld
Racking Supplier: BHD Storage Solutions

More project details

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Taco Bell Morayfield

Alan C — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 06:37:20 +0000

STS Structural has successfully delivered multiple Taco Bell fast food restaurants around the Brisbane area for various builders.

STS Structural worked with the construction team to help deliver an efficient Truecore® steel framed building, incorporating the experience of previous designs. Each fast food restaurant is custom designed for the site so are each unique, bringing their own challenges to be overcome. The challenges on this project included matching the frames to all round concrete hobs and custom innovative tie downs in areas of high uplift loads.

Builder: FKG Group
Steel Frame Supplier: Ultimate Steel Framing

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Taco Bell East Ipswich

Alan C — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 06:30:30 +0000

STS Structural has successfully delivered multiple Taco Bell fast food restaurants around the Brisbane area for various builders.

STS Structural worked closely with the design and fabrication team to provide the engineering design, certification, and on site structural compliance inspections for the Taco Bell at East Ipswich. The structure was made of Truecore® light gauge steel frames. Design innovations eradicated the use of any heavy hot rolled steel sections, which reduced craning requirements, and allowing the structure to be erected quickly. The challenges on this project included very shallow roof trusses with a large number of service penetrations, large open plan dining area with considerable glazing and high walls, and the ‘bell tower’ which was positioned on the roof of the dining area and required concealed support as it did not extend to the ground.

Builder: Higgins Constructions
Steel Frame Supplier: Ultimate Steel Framing

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Yarrabilba Fire and Rescue Station

Alan C — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:41:04 +0000

STS Structural were engaged by the frame supplier to design and certify the Truecore® cold formed steel framing for the new Yarrabilba Fire and Rescue Station. The design integrated a cold-formed steel portal frame structure into a traditional steel framed building, with each construction style supporting the strengths of the other. This allowed delivery lead times to be reduced as each supplier could fabricate in parallel. By using STS Structural, our understanding of portal frame design allowed the builder to consolidate his engineering certification and modify the shed design so that lateral bracing could be removed and replaced by the stiffness of the adjoining buildings. The result was an integrated hybrid between a traditional warehouse or shed type construction and residential / office space style wall frame and truss style construction.

Builder: FKG Group
Steel Frame Supplier: Ultimate Steel Framing / ShedSpan

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