What Do Structural Engineers Do in Alhambra: Complete Guide 2025

**Gravity Loads:**

• Dead loads (permanent weight of building materials)
• Live loads (occupants, furniture, equipment)
• Snow loads (minimal in Alhambra but required by code)
• Roof live loads

**Lateral Loads:**

• Seismic forces (critical in Alhambra's Seismic Zone 4)
• Wind forces
• Soil pressure on foundations and retaining walls

**Special Loads:**

• Equipment loads (HVAC, solar panels, etc.)
• Impact loads
• Vibration loads
• Thermal forces

**Foundation Systems:**

• Shallow foundations (spread footings, continuous footings)
• Deep foundations (piles, caissons)
• Mat foundations
• Post-tensioned slabs
• Retaining walls

**Framing Systems:**

• Wood frame (most Alhambra residential)
• Steel frame (commercial, industrial)
• Concrete frame (multi-story, parking structures)
• Masonry (reinforced CMU)
• Hybrid systems

**Seismic Force-Resisting Systems:**

• Shear walls
• Moment-resisting frames
• Braced frames
• Dual systems

**Foundation Plans:**

• Footing locations and sizes
• Reinforcement details
• Soil bearing pressures
• Special foundation requirements

**Framing Plans:**

• Floor framing layouts
• Roof framing layouts
• Beam and column schedules
• Member sizes and spacing

**Details & Sections:**

• Connection details
• Reinforcement details
• Section views
• Construction notes

**Structural Calculations**

• Code compliance
• Load analysis
• Member sizing rationale
• Connection design
• Seismic analysis

**Building Code Expertise**

• California Building Code (CBC)
• California Residential Code (CRC)
• Alhambra Municipal Code amendments
• ASCE 7 (loads and forces)
• ACI 318 (concrete design)
• AISC (steel design)
• NDS (wood design)

**Permit Submittal Support**

• Stamped structural plans
• Structural calculations (when required)
• Special inspection requirements
• Soils report coordination
• Energy compliance coordination

**Plan Check Response**

• Technical clarifications
• Additional calculations
• Plan revisions
• Code justifications

**Shop Drawing Review**

• Structural steel shop drawings
• Engineered wood products
• Pre-cast concrete
• Specialty connections
• Manufactured components

**Site Observations**

• Verify construction matches design
• Identify potential issues
• Answer contractor questions
• Document critical phases

**RFI Responses**

• Clarifying design intent
• Approving substitutions
• Addressing field conditions
• Providing additional details

**Special Inspections**

• Concrete strength testing
• Soil compaction verification
• Structural steel welding inspection
• Bolt torque verification

**New Home Construction**

• Foundation design for Alhambra soil conditions
• Floor and roof framing design
• Seismic force-resisting system design
• Connection details
• Retaining walls (if needed)

**Home Additions**

• Existing structure assessment
• New foundation design
• Connection to existing structure
• Load path analysis
• Seismic upgrade requirements

**Second Story Additions**

• Existing foundation capacity verification
• First-floor reinforcement design
• New second-floor framing
• Seismic system enhancement
• Stairway structural support

**Load-Bearing Wall Removal**

• Determining which walls are load-bearing
• Designing replacement beams
• Calculating support requirements
• Detailing connections
• Ensuring adequate foundation support

**ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)**

• Complete structural design for new units
• Foundation systems
• Framing design
• Seismic compliance
• Connection to utilities

**Foundation Repairs**

• Investigating foundation problems
• Determining root causes
• Designing repair solutions
• Specifying underpinning or reinforcement
• Providing monitoring recommendations

**Seismic Retrofitting**

• Assessing seismic vulnerability
• Designing cripple wall bracing
• Foundation anchor bolt design
• Shear wall reinforcement
• Soft-story retrofits

**New Commercial Buildings**

• Complete structural system design
• Foundation engineering
• Framing design (steel, concrete, or wood)
• Seismic design
• Parking structure design

**Tenant Improvements**

• Evaluating existing structure
• Designing modifications
• New partition walls
• Equipment support
• Accessibility compliance

**Building Additions**

• Existing structure assessment
• New foundation design
• Connection design
• Seismic upgrade requirements
• Code compliance analysis

**Structural Modifications**

• Beam and column modifications
• Floor opening design
• Roof penetrations
• Equipment platform design
• Mezzanine structures

**Retaining Walls**

• Soil pressure analysis
• Wall design and reinforcement
• Drainage system design
• Foundation design
• Seismic considerations

**Canopies & Awnings**

• Wind and seismic loads
• Support structure design
• Anchorage to building
• Drainage considerations

**Balconies & Decks**

• Load capacity design
• Connection to building
• Railing design
• Waterproofing coordination

**Equipment Supports**

• HVAC equipment platforms
• Solar panel support structures
• Rooftop equipment
• Vibration isolation
• Seismic bracing

**Residential:**

• New home construction
• Additions over 400 sq ft (varies)
• Second-story additions
• Load-bearing wall removal
• Foundation modifications
• Seismic retrofitting

**Commercial:**

• All new construction
• Most tenant improvements
• Building additions
• Structural modifications

**Problem Diagnosis:**

• Foundation cracks or settlement
• Sagging floors or ceilings
• Cracked walls or ceilings
• Door and window alignment issues
• Visible structural distress

**Pre-Purchase Inspections:**

• Older homes (pre-1980)
• Homes with visible issues
• Hillside properties
• Homes with additions
• Investment properties

**Renovation Planning:**

• Opening up floor plans
• Adding heavy materials
• Changing roof lines
• Adding second stories
• Historic building modifications

**Understanding Your Project:**

• Project goals and scope
• Budget and timeline
• Specific concerns
• Existing conditions

**Site Investigation:**

• Existing structural conditions
• Foundation type and condition
• Framing system and materials
• Soil conditions
• Access and constraints

**Alhambra-Specific Considerations:**

• Seismic zone requirements
• Soil conditions (varied throughout city)
• Historic building considerations
• Neighborhood characteristics

**Load Calculations:**

• Gravity loads (dead and live)
• Seismic loads (Seismic Zone 4)
• Wind loads
• Soil bearing capacity

**Structural Modeling:**

• Computer analysis of forces
• Load path verification
• Deflection calculations
• Seismic response analysis

**Code Compliance Check:**

• California Building Code
• Alhambra amendments
• Accessibility requirements
• Energy code coordination

**System Selection:**

• Foundation type
• Framing system
• Seismic force-resisting system
• Connection methods

**Member Sizing:**

• Beam and column sizes
• Footing dimensions
• Wall thickness
• Reinforcement requirements

**Detail Development:**

• Connection details
• Reinforcement details
• Special conditions
• Construction notes

**Detailed Plans:**

• Foundation plans
• Framing plans
• Details and sections
• Schedules and notes

**Calculations:**

• Supporting calculations
• Code compliance documentation
• Design assumptions
• Material specifications

**Stamping & Signing:**

• PE seal and signature
• Date of signing
• License number

**Submittal Preparation:**

• Complete plan sets
• Calculations package
• Soils report coordination
• Special inspection requirements

**Plan Check Response:**

• Addressing reviewer comments
• Providing clarifications
• Revising plans as needed
• Coordinating with other disciplines

**Contractor Support:**

• Answering questions
• Reviewing submittals
• Approving modifications
• Site observations

**Special Inspections:**

• Coordinating required testing
• Reviewing test reports
• Addressing deficiencies

**Small Projects:**

• Room addition (200-500 sq ft): $2,500-$5,000
• Load-bearing wall removal: $1,500-$3,500
• Foundation inspection: $800-$1,500

**Medium Projects:**

• Large addition (500-1,000 sq ft): $5,000-$9,000
• Second-story addition: $9,000-$16,000
• Whole-house remodel: $7,000-$14,000

**Large Projects:**

• New custom home: $12,000-$35,000
• Major renovation: $15,000-$30,000
• Complex hillside home: $25,000-$60,000+

**Small Commercial:**

• Tenant improvement: $8,000-$20,000
• Small new building: $15,000-$40,000

**Medium Commercial:**

• Retail center: $40,000-$100,000
• Office building: $50,000-$150,000

**Large Commercial:**

• Multi-story building: $150,000-$400,000+
• Complex structures: $300,000-$800,000+

**California PE License:**

• Active license (verify at bpelsg.ca.gov)
• Civil or Structural discipline
• No disciplinary actions

**Professional Insurance:**

• Professional liability coverage
• Minimum $1 million (preferably $2+ million)
• Current policy

**Relevant Experience:**

• Similar project portfolio
• Local Alhambra experience
• Successful permit approvals
• Client references

**Regulatory Familiarity:**

• Alhambra Building & Safety procedures
• Local plan check processes
• Common reviewer comments
• Permit timelines

**Regional Conditions:**

• San Gabriel Valley seismic requirements
• Local soil conditions
• Climate considerations
• Construction practices

We provide complete structural engineering services:

• Residential projects
• Commercial buildings
• Foundation engineering
• Seismic retrofitting
• Structural inspections

Serving Alhambra and surrounding areas:

• Alhambra
• San Gabriel
• Monterey Park
• Rosemead
• Temple City
• San Marino
• South Pasadena
• And all surrounding cities

Our Alhambra projects have achieved:

• 98% first-time permit approval
• Average 3-5 week permit processing
• Zero structural failures
• High client satisfaction
• Strong referral base

**Serving All of San Gabriel Valley:**

• Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park
• Rosemead, Temple City, San Marino
• South Pasadena, Pasadena
• And all surrounding areas