What are the key differences between structural and engineering design in plant construction and traditional building construction?

In plant engineering, structural systems must not only support static loads but also account for process-related effects such as pressure, temperature, vibrations, and dynamic machine loads. In addition, explosion protection, fire scenarios, and media routing play a central role. This is where our engineers contribute their specialized expertise, as close coordination with process engineering, piping, and control system design is absolutely essential.

How are loads coordinated between architectural and structural engineering, piping, and process engineering?

Loads are coordinated across disciplines within the overall model. Process data, piping routes, and plant layout provide the basis for structural calculations, while architectural and structural engineering transfer the resulting loads to foundations and structures. This close coordination ensures that all trades work from a consistent technical basis.

What role does BIM play in construction and structural engineering in plant engineering?

BIM serves as a central database for the coordinated planning of all disciplines. It enables the joint modeling of buildings, steel structures, and piping systems, supports clash detection, and facilitates the calculation of quantities, documentation, and construction sequences. This makes the planning process more transparent, consistent, and efficient.

How do structural and building design teams handle existing structures and renovations while operations continue?

When modernizing existing facilities, ensuring that old and new systems integrate seamlessly is our top priority. At Etteplan, we map existing industrial facilities using state-of-the-art 3D laser scanning to obtain highly accurate data. Based on this data, we conduct structural assessments and structural engineering in a way that makes optimal use of existing structures and safely accommodates new loads. We precisely coordinate all construction site logistics and installation phases with ongoing operations to minimize downtime and risks for the company.

Civil Engineering and Building Technology

In plant engineering, structural and load-bearing design is a key factor for success. Our experienced engineers and architects design buildings, load-bearing structures, and infrastructure in such a way that process-related loads, dynamic forces, and safety-related requirements are integrated from the very beginning.

Contact Our Expert Arttu Kalliovalkama

Core Competencies

Foundations and Machine Foundations

Foundations for Equipment, Machinery, and Plants
Consideration of Dynamic Loads (Pumps, Compressors)
Vibrations, Settlements, and Operating Conditions

Steel Structures and Pipe Bridges

Support Structures for Pipelines
Platforms, Work Platforms, and Access Points
Loads Related to Wind, Snow, and Fire Protection

Buildings

Production Buildings
Control Rooms
Hazardous Materials Storage Facilities
Tank Farms
Explosion and Pressure Surge Analyses

Civil Engineering and Infrastructure

Channels, utility lines
Collection chambers (WHG)
Plant logistics, access roads

What Sets Our Building and Structural Engineering Design Apart

Planned with the process in mind
Structures are consistently designed to meet the requirements of the process plant.
Integrated across disciplines
Close coordination with process engineering, piping, control systems, and automation.
Load-case and safety-oriented
Consideration of exceptional loads and industrial safety requirements.
Designed to be future-proof
Expandability, modifications, and the product lifecycle are taken into account.

Structural and Building Design as the Foundation of the Facility

Structural and civil engineering design forms the physical foundation of every industrial facility. It ensures that processes can be operated safely, stably, and sustainably. Through early coordination with all related disciplines, we create robust infrastructures on which plant operations can be reliably built for decades to come.

Structural Analysis and Loads in Plant Engineering

In plant engineering, structural and design requirements are significantly more complex than in traditional building construction. In addition to self-weight and live loads, we take into account fluid contents, pressure and internal pressure loads, as well as temperature-induced linear changes in piping. Furthermore, we account for wind, snow, and seismic loads, as well as exceptional loads such as explosion pressure waves, thermal shocks, or dynamic machinery loads acting on the supporting structure. To safely manage these load cases, we closely coordinate structural and civil engineering with piping and process engineering. Precise calculations and sound structural analysis ensure that support structures in plant engineering are not only designed in accordance with standards but are also permanently stable, operationally safe, and future-proof.

BIM in Plant Engineering

BIM as a Data Hub

3D process model, steel structure, piping, and EMSR in a single model
Collision detection
Digital twin for operations

Model-Based Planning

Automatic Derivation of Pipe Classes
Bill of Materials and Pipe Isometrics

Systems

Autodesk Revit
Autodesk Plant 3D
Aveva
BIM + PDM/PLM Combined
Hexagon
Bentley

Architecture in Plant Engineering

We design control rooms and office spaces, plan buildings, facades, and fire protection concepts, as well as building services systems. As experienced planners, we handle the design of building services systems for your industrial construction project. Our services always prioritize functionality, safety, ergonomics, and strict compliance with standards in accordance with HOAI guidelines.

Regulatory Affairs and Permit Preparation in Plant Engineering

In plant engineering, regulatory and permitting management plays a central role, as industrial plants are subject to comprehensive regulations due to potential hazards, environmental impact, and safety requirements. It encompasses all activities necessary to secure legal, technical, and environmental permits for the project - from the planning phase through implementation to subsequent operation. Structured permitting management provides planning certainty for every industrial construction project and is an essential prerequisite for on-time and legally compliant plant construction.

Why work with Etteplan?

Your Benefits at a Glance

Everything from a single source – from concept to commissioning
Industry experience that reduces risks – chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plant engineering
Shorter project timelines – fewer interfaces
Planning that works – tailored for installation, operation, and the future
Digital efficiency – structured data, audit-proof documentation

FAQ - Building and Structural Design

Additional Services for Comprehensive Engineering

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Arttu Kalliovalkama

Vice President, Service Solutions