Columns & Beams
Vertical and horizontal members carrying loads through the structure.
Columns are vertical members that carry compression loads downwards; beams are horizontal members that carry loads from floors and roofs across spans. Together they form the primary load path of framed buildings. They're built from reinforced concrete, structural steel or timber depending on span, load and architecture.
Common Damage
1. Beam Defects
- Flexural cracks on the underside (bending)
- Excessive deflection or visible sagging
- Cracks at supports from shear
2. Column Defects
- Vertical cracks from compression overstress
- Buckling — sudden lateral failure
- Tilting or out-of-plumb columns
3. Reinforcement Corrosion (Concrete)
- Steel rebar rusts and expands
- Concrete cover cracks and spalls off
- Rust stains running down the member
4. Fire & Impact Damage
- Fire weakens both steel and concrete
- Vehicle or plant impact damage
- Loss of section reduces load capacity
Repairs
minor Repairs
- Epoxy injection to seal hairline cracks
- Surface patching with proprietary repair mortars
- Apply protective coatings to halt corrosion
moderate Repairs
- Steel plate bonding to strengthen weak sections
- FRP (fibre-reinforced polymer) wrapping
- Local concrete replacement around corroded rebar
major Repairs
- Concrete jacketing — new reinforced concrete around member
- External post-tensioning to reduce beam stresses
- Cathodic protection to halt rebar corrosion
- Cut out and replace severely damaged sections
New Installation
When Replacement Is Needed
- New framed buildings (steel, concrete or timber)
- Forming openings in load-bearing walls
- Supporting new floors above existing structure
- Long-span elements like garage doors or bifolds
Installation Steps
Design
- Structural engineer sizes members for loads
- Specify connections, padstones and bearings
- Coordinate with foundations and other elements
Formwork & Reinforcement (Concrete)
- Erect formwork to size and line
- Fix reinforcement cages with correct cover
- Tie connections to columns and slabs
Concrete Pour or Steel Erection
- Pour concrete, vibrate and cure properly
- For steel: lift, position, bolt or weld
- For timber: hoist, fix straps and bear on padstones
Inspection & Protection
- Inspect alignment, connections and bearings
- Apply fire protection where required
- Sign off before loading further trades
Lifespan
- Reinforced Concrete Members
- 60–100+ years
- Steel Beams (protected)
- 60–100+ years
- Timber Beams (dry, internal)
- 100+ years
- FRP Strengthening
- 30–50 years
Warning Signs
- Cracks growing wider or longer over time
- Visible sagging in beams or floors above
- Exposed reinforcement bars
- Tilting columns or out-of-plumb members
- Rust stains running down concrete columns
Other Construction Services
Floor Structures
Solid, suspended and composite floors built to take the load.
Site Surveys
Mapping land, boundaries, and risks before any build begins.
Soil Testing
Ground investigation to confirm the land can carry the build.
Damage Assessment
Identifying ground and structural problems before they spread.
Repairs
Fixing existing ground and structural problems safely.
New Construction
Building safely on the back of solid survey and soil data.
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