Sixense can undertake load-bearing capacity assessments using structural expertise to:

  • We can assess the performance of your structures or buildings in their current state of conservation (building, civil engineering, engineering structures)
  • We can design the actions to be taken in order to restore a structure to its initial level of service, or increase their resistance capacity (concrete, metal, masonry and wood)
  • We can assess the feasibility of, and design your modification or rehabilitation projects (bridge widening, replacement of bearings, modification of the operating methods, building raising, etc.)

Surveying existing structures:
on-site testing, mechanical tests and instrumentation

  • Non-destructive testing of structures (cover meter, radar, 3D tomography, etc.). Discover our dedicated content on testing tools – structures and materials.
  • Measurement of residual tension of prestressed cables using the “cross-bow” tensile measurement method.
  • Surveying of the geometry of structures using in-situ measurement campaigns, infrared readings, photogrammetry and 3D scanning. Learn more about digital inspection.
  • Verification of reinforcements (passive reinforcements, pre-stressing reinforcement) by delicate concrete chipping
  • Sampling and compression tests on concrete cores or masonry blocks to assess their residual strength. Learn more about our analysis and testing laboratory.
  • Visual classification, sampling and mechanical characterisation of wooden structures (solid wood, glued laminated timber)
  • Sampling and tensile tests on steel and puddled iron samples. Learn more about analysis and testing laboratory.
  • Instrumentation, establishment of alert/alarm thresholds, supervision and monitoring. Learn more about our Monitoring solutions.

Assessing the existing structure: studies, modelling and recalculation

Structural recalculation is the core activity of our structural engineering office. Our experience in this field has enabled us to develop a solid verification methodology. This effectively combines flexibility and thoroughness.

  • Its flexibility allows us to process input data which is often incomplete and needs to meet multiple needs: operational changes, analysis of defects, changes in the structure or its environment, taking a degraded state into account, etc.
  • Its thoroughness guarantees the reliability of our conclusions, which is vital in terms of structural safety and property management.
    The main stages in our methodology:

    • Documentary study (structural file, historic regulations, etc.)
    • Determination of the relevant regulatory standards
    • Pseudo-regulatory approach (adaptation of safety coefficients, regulatory criteria, etc.)
    • Taking into account the state of conservation of the structure (residual resistance of materials, cracking, corrosion, degradation of ductility capacities, etc.)
    • 3D finite element modelling (Nemetschek SCIA Engineer® software, Graitec Advance Design®, Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis® and CESAR LCPC®)
    •  Use of any instrumentation data and modelling calibration
    •  Verification of structural safety, serviceability, fire resistance time
    •  Identify the origin of the defects, assess their severity
    •  Assess the residual lifespan

Carrying out work on an existing structure - making safe, repairing or reinforcing

The immediate result of our studies: what actions to take?

Our engineering office has developed cutting-edge expertise in repair and reinforcement solutions, from the simplest to the most innovative. Our active technology watch ensures that we can always offer the technologies most suited to our customers’ requirements: optimised cost and implementation time, minimal impact on operations, etc.

The techniques we practice daily in our studies include:

  • Additional pre-stressing
  • Bonded composite material
  • Shotcrete
  • Ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPC)
  • Underpinning using micro-piles
  • Jacking
  • Structural injection
  • Repair of wooden structures using composite rods
  • Repair of metal structures by welding, bolting, riveting, etc.
  • Emergency shoring or reinforcement
  • and many, many more….

Modifying existing structures: supporting your projects

Your structures need to adapt to your changing needs.

We offer our structural expertise at all stages of your projects to adapt existing structures: from feasibility studies to execution studies.

Some examples:

  • Building raising project
  • Changes to the operation of a building
  • Replacement of the roof cover
  • Fitting with photovoltaic panels
  • Green-planting of a flat roof
  • Repair of a masonry arch bridge with a shotcrete counter-arch
  • Repair of a hydraulic metallic conduct with shotcrete
  • Widening of a bridge
  • Reinforcement of an engineering structure by additional pre-stressing or bonded composite material
  • Jacking and replacement of bridge bearings
  • Bridge verification for exceptional loads