Structural Design

At IOV Structura, the design process is not just about regulatory compliance; it is about finding the perfect balance between structural safety, architectural vision, and the economic efficiency of the investment. We approach every project through BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology, ensuring error-free interdisciplinary coordination from the very concept phase.

Our Workflow: From Model to Reality

Designing a modern structure involves an integrated workflow, built upon four essential pillars:

Advanced Analysis and Simulations: We utilize finite element analysis (FEA) software to simulate building behavior under seismic actions, wind loads, and complex stress patterns.
Structural Optimization: We don’t settle for the first solution. We pursue the variant that optimizes material consumption without compromising stability, thereby reducing both the carbon footprint and execution costs.
Digitalization through BIM: We build the virtual structure before the first shovel of earth is moved. This digital twin allows us to detect interferences between structural elements and MEP systems, eliminating costly surprises on-site.
Clear Execution Details: Our technical drawings are the exact translation of mathematical calculations into simple, precise assembly instructions, providing the contractor with the necessary support for rapid implementation.

Cast-in-place Concrete Structures

Precast Concrete Structures

Rigid Reinforcement Systems

Steel Structures and Metalwork

Hybrid Solutions and Mixed Configurations

1. Cast-in-place Concrete Structures

Designing monolithic (cast-in-place) structures is the gold standard for flexibility in structural engineering. This system allows for seamless continuity between elements, forming a unified structural “organism.”

Design Advantages

Total Architectural Freedom: It enables the design of irregular shapes, large cantilevers, and atypical floor openings that precast systems cannot easily accommodate.
Continuity and Redundancy: Correctly designed rigid joints ensure optimal stress distribution under seismic actions, providing the structure with the capacity to redistribute loads in the event of damage.
Adaptability to Challenging Soils: We design the raft foundation as a rigid slab that uniformizes soil pressure, making it the ideal solution for terrains with non-uniform settlement.

Disadvantages and Limitations

Dependency on Site Execution: Project quality depends on the precision of on-site reinforcement and formwork placement.
High Self-Weight: Requires larger column and beam sections, which increases the calculated seismic force (higher mass attracts higher seismic forces).

Deflection and Crack Control

During the design phase, we use advanced computational models to predict long-term concrete behavior, specifically creep and shrinkage phenomena.

Deflection Calculation: We can optimize reinforcement to allow for large spans without the floor showing visible deformations or affecting user comfort.
Crack Limitation: Through the strategic layout of distribution reinforcement, we control crack widths, ensuring concrete durability and protecting reinforcement against corrosion for over 50 years.

Material Efficiency through Topological Optimization

While monolithic concrete is often perceived as “heavy,” we can reduce the carbon footprint through intelligent design:

Waffle Slabs or Voided Systems: For very large spans, we design systems that eliminate concrete from neutral zones (where it does not work at maximum capacity), reducing self-weight by up to 20-30%.
High-Strength Reinforcement: Using BST500S steel allows us to reduce reinforcement density in joints, facilitating correct pouring and reducing labor costs.

BIM Integration with Other Disciplines

Modern monolithic design is no longer just 2D. Using BIM, we integrate MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) routes directly into structural elements:

Predefined Openings: We design and provide supplementary reinforcement for ventilation or drainage passages through beams and slabs, eliminating the need for subsequent core drilling that could severely compromise structural integrity.
3D Reinforcement Visualization: We generate 3D models of reinforcement cages for congested areas (beam-column joints), providing the contractor with a clear “map” for execution and reducing the risk of human error.

When Do We Recommend the Monolithic Solution?

As a design firm, we specifically recommend this system for:

Residential and Office Buildings: Where partitioning may change over time, and flat slabs (without visible beams) offer maximum interior flexibility.
Constructions with Curved or Organic Geometries: Where customized formwork is the only viable solution.
High Seismic Risk Zones: Due to the high degree of ductility that can be imparted to the structure through rigorous reinforcement detailing.

2. Precast Concrete Structures

Designing for precast elements transforms the construction site into a high-precision assembly process. Here, the engineer’s role is to optimize every component for transport and rapid installation.

Design Advantages

Rigorous Section Control: We can design elements with complex geometries and millimeter tolerances that are impossible to achieve with traditional formwork.
Efficient Prestressing: We design prestressed beams and slabs that allow for large clear spans (over 15-20m) with reduced thicknesses, ideal for industrial warehouses and parking structures.
Design Time Efficiency: Utilizing standardized modules accelerates the detailing phase and the generation of material take-offs.

Disadvantages and Limitations

Joint Rigidity: Joint design is critical and complex; connections must ensure the transfer of shear forces and moments under seismic conditions.
Transport Constraints: Element dimensions are limited by road clearance (loading gauge) and crane capacities.

The “Design for Assembly” (DfA) Concept

In precast design, we apply DfA principles. Every beam, column, or panel is engineered with integrated fastening systems (sleeves, mechanical connectors, embedded steel plates).

Error Reduction: We design connection details to be intuitive, minimizing the risk of incorrect positioning on-site.
Assembly Tolerances: We rigorously calculate the necessary technological clearances so that rigid elements can be assembled without forcing, compensating for minor deviations that may occur during the execution of monolithic foundations.

Optimization through Prestressing

Unlike monolithic concrete, precasting allows us to utilize prestressing steel.

Camber Control: We design elements that, under their own weight, remain perfectly flat or with a controlled curvature, allowing for industrial floors with extreme flatness.
Section Efficiency: We can use high-strength concrete (e.g., C40/50 or C50/60), resulting in much slenderer elements that reduce total material volume and, consequently, transport costs.

Designing for Seismic Safety

Connections are the “Achilles’ heel” of precast systems. Our approach involves:

Dissipative Joints: We design connections capable of absorbing seismic energy through controlled deformations of the linking elements (ductile metal connectors), protecting the primary concrete components.
Composite Action (Topping): We often design hybrid systems where precast elements are linked by a reinforced concrete topping slab, creating a “rigid diaphragm” that ensures the stability of the entire building under horizontal forces.

Sustainability and Circular Economy

Precasting is, by definition, a “green” construction method. From a design perspective:

Waste Minimization: Material take-offs are exact; there is no reinforcement or concrete waste in the factory, as everything is cut and poured according to the 3D model.
Deconstructability: We design structures that, at the end of their life cycle, can be disassembled so that elements can be reused in other projects—a direction increasingly demanded by modern European regulations.

Digital Coordination (BIM Level 3)

For precast structures, BIM modeling is not optional—it is vital:

Traceability: Each element receives a unique code in the digital model, containing the manufacturing date, exact weight for crane lifting, and assembly order.
Assembly Sequence Simulation: We can virtually simulate the order in which parts arrive on-site to avoid logistical bottlenecks (e.g., a beam that cannot be mounted because a column was placed incorrectly).

IOV Structura’s Recommendation

The precast system is our solution of choice for:

Logistics and Industrial Warehouses: Where completion time is critical (every day saved on-site means profit for the client).
Multi-Storey Car Parks: Due to the ability to cover large spans without intermediate columns, optimizing the number of parking spaces.
Repetitive Administrative Buildings: Where standardized elements drastically reduce the design and execution cost per unit.

3. Composite Systems (Rigid Reinforcement)

This solution represents the “fusion” of concrete and steel, where structural steel profiles (rolled or welded) are embedded within reinforced concrete elements.

Design Advantages

Ultra-Slender Sections: We can reduce column dimensions in high-rise buildings, maximizing usable floor space without sacrificing load-bearing capacity.
Enhanced Fire and Corrosion Resistance: The steel profile is protected by the concrete cover, eliminating the additional costs associated with intumescent paints.
Exceptional Ductility: Ideal for high-seismicity zones, offering high energy absorption capacity through the controlled plastification of the internal steel profile.

Steel-Concrete Interaction

In the design of composite elements, concrete and steel do not merely work in parallel; they influence each other:

Increased Load Capacity: The concrete surrounding the metal profile prevents local buckling of the steel flanges and web.
Confinement: In turn, the rigid profile and confinement stirrups “squeeze” the concrete core, increasing its compressive strength well beyond the nominal values of the concrete class used.

Self-Supporting Structures and Fast-Track Construction

In certain design methodologies, rigid profiles are calculated to independently carry the technological loads during the execution phase.

Self-Support: The steel profile can support the weight of fresh concrete and formwork, allowing for accelerated work rates without waiting for lower levels to fully cure (top-down or fast-track methods).
Shear Connectors (Studs): We design the layout of welded studs on the metal profile to ensure perfect bonding between the two materials, transforming them into a single, homogeneous element.

Excellence in Seismic and Dynamic Engineering

Composite systems with rigid reinforcement are the backbone of high-rise buildings in seismic regions (such as Bucharest or Vrancea).

Local Ductility: In the event of a major earthquake, the steel profile inside the column can enter the plastic range without the element suffering a brittle collapse, providing occupants with precious evacuation time.
Degradation Control: The outer reinforced concrete shell protects the central profile, preventing a loss of global stability even after major cracks appear in the concrete.

Efficiency in Architectural Design

In the design of office buildings or residential towers, every square centimeter counts.

Large Spans with Composite Beams: By connecting steel beams to the concrete slab, we reduce the beam height, allowing for a more efficient building height (more floors within the same maximum height limit).

Why Choose Composite Design at IOV Structura?

This system requires a high level of expertise, as structural calculations must account for complex interface phenomena between steel and concrete. We recommend this solution for:

Towers and High-Rise Buildings: Where base loads are colossal.
Structural Retrofitting: Inserting rigid profiles into existing columns to increase load capacity without significantly increasing their footprint.
Infrastructure and Bridges: Where weather durability and impact resistance are priorities.

4. Steel Structures and Metalwork

Steel is the material of absolute precision. Structural steel design is based on an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, offering a high-performance alternative to traditional materials.

Design Advantages

Implementation Speed: We design fully demountable structures, cut and drilled on CNC machines directly from our CAD/BIM files.
Sustainability: Steel is 100% recyclable. We design lightweight structures that require significantly smaller foundations compared to concrete.
Post-Construction Flexibility: A steel structure allows for subsequent retrofitting or modifications (e.g., cutting a beam for a new stair opening) much more easily.

Disadvantages

Requires careful design of fire protection and anti-corrosion detailing.

Maximum Efficiency and Extreme Spans

Structural steel offers the highest strength per unit of mass among all common construction materials.

Efficient Foundations: The low self-weight of the steel superstructure (up to 60% lighter than concrete) translates directly into massive savings in foundations and earthworks.
Extreme Clear Spans: We design truss systems or wide-flange rolled profiles that can cover spaces exceeding 30-40 meters without intermediate columns, providing total freedom for technological or commercial layouts.

Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)

At IOV Structura, steel design is integrated with manufacturing technology.

Millimeter Detailing (LOD 400): Our BIM models contain every bolt, washer, and weld bead. We export NC/DSTV files directly for plasma cutting machines and welding robots, eliminating human interpretation errors.
Pre-Calculated Joints: We design rigid or pinned connections optimized for rapid “at-height” assembly, minimizing crane rental time and the volume of on-site welding.

Fire Protection Engineering

While steel is non-combustible, it loses its load-bearing capacity at high temperatures. Our approach involves:

Fire Calculation according to Eurocodes: We don’t just apply standard solutions; we calculate the fire resistance time and propose the optimal solution (intumescent paints, fire-rated gypsum board, or concrete encasement) to ensure life safety with minimum protection costs.
Thermo-Structural Analysis: We simulate how heat propagates through steel sections to identify critical points.

Corrosion Protection and Life Cycle

We design execution details to prevent the accumulation of water and corrosive agents.

Treatment Specifications: Depending on the corrosivity category of the location (C1 – C5), we choose between hot-dip galvanizing, multi-layer painting, or the use of weathering steel (Corten).
Facilitated Maintenance: Our joint details allow for periodic visual inspection and easy access for potential maintenance work.

Retrofitting and Vertical Extensions

Due to its low weight, steel is the ideal solution for interventions on existing buildings.

Structural Retrofit: We can strengthen old concrete or masonry structures using steel “jacketing” or by introducing bracing frames without overloading the existing foundations.
“High-Tech” Architecture: We design exposed steel structures where the rigor of the technical detail becomes the primary decorative element.

Why Choose Steel Design at IOV Structura?

Steel allows for a “LEGO-style” approach to construction, where everything is predictable and controlled. We recommend this system for:

Industrial Sheds and Logistics Centers: Where speed of commissioning is essential.
Commercial Buildings and Showrooms: Where large glazed areas and wide spans are required.
Consolidations and Extensions: Where the existing structure cannot support significant additional loads.

5. Hybrid Solutions and Mixed Configurations

In a hybrid structure, we typically combine a reinforced concrete core (which absorbs horizontal seismic and wind forces) with a perimeter system of steel frames (which carries gravity loads).

Concrete Core: Designed as a “backbone,” it provides the necessary stability against overturning and limits the building’s lateral drift.
Steel Frames: These allow for vast interior spaces without thick intermediate columns, facilitating flexible partitioning and expansive glazed facades.

Interaction through Connectors and Composite Slabs

The secret to a successful hybrid solution lies in how different materials “communicate” with each other.

“Deck” Type Floors: We utilize corrugated steel decking that serves both as permanent formwork and bottom reinforcement, over which concrete is poured. The result is a very lightweight yet extremely rigid floor system that anchors the steel elements to the concrete ones.
Stress Transfer: We design complex connection details between steel beams and concrete walls using end plates and high-strength chemical or mechanical anchors.

Performance and Design Efficiency

Every material has a different vibration frequency. By mixing them, we can “tune” the building to avoid resonance with ground vibrations during an earthquake.

Damping: Concrete provides superior mass and damping, while steel provides the ability to deform without failing (ductility). This combination significantly reduces the accelerations felt by the building’s occupants.
Weight Reduction at Height: By using steel for the upper floors of a building with a concrete base, we reduce the total seismic force, allowing for more economical foundations.

Sustainability through Volume Optimization

Hybrid design is, in essence, a form of resource economy:

Reduced Concrete Consumption: We use concrete only where its mass and rigidity are indispensable (foundations, cores, retaining walls).
Lower Carbon Footprint: By replacing massive concrete elements with slender steel sections, we reduce the total volume of cement used and facilitate the future recycling of metal components.

Parallel Workflow

We design solutions that allow the contractor to work simultaneously on multiple fronts:

The Concrete Phase: Can advance using slip-forming for the core.
The Steel Phase: Elements are fabricated in the workshop and arrive on-site ready for assembly as soon as the concrete has reached its minimum strength.
The Result: A reduction in total execution time by up to 25-30% compared to a fully monolithic structure.

Why Choose IOV Structura Consultancy for Hybrid Solutions?

This type of design requires much tighter interdisciplinary coordination and rigorous interface calculations. We recommend mixed configurations for:

Complex Architectural Designs: Where cantilevers or spans cannot be resolved with concrete alone.
Commercial and Office Centers: Where visibility and open space are priorities.
Fast-Track Projects: Where the speed of steel assembly must be combined with the robustness of concrete.