Structural Engineering

The structural engineering staff at Level 5 Engineering applies their knowledge to the development phase of a client’s project. Devoting time to developing sound, innovative and economical structural systems is the foundation of a successful project. Appropriate structural systems are thoroughly evaluated to assure the proper solution to the design project.

Currently, our professional staff is registered in several states throughout the country, and can become registered within 1- 2 months in most states. Our projects have ranged from Connecticut to Idaho, and from Indiana to Florida, truly giving Level 5 Engineering a national presence.




Bayside Orthopedic Center - Fairhope, Alabama

Level 5 served as the Engineer of Record for a new 34,700 square foot medical office facility on the gulf coast of Alabama. The two-story structure contains a promenade roof and elevated floor slabs on open web steel joists and girders, interior steel columns, exterior insulating concrete formed (ICF) reinforced concrete walls, and conventional footings. The use of ICF walls was a stronger system than a typical masonry system, which yielded a lower insurance rate for the building owner. Specific design aspects provided by Level 5 Engineering included:

  • 140 mph hurricane force wind loads
  • A combination of concrete shearwalls, plywood shearwalls, and strapped metal stud walls for lateral resistance.
  • Overall use of plywood sheathed wood roof trusses for cost savings, and metal deck on steel joists at a depressed mechanical area for strength and stability at the upper roof.

Harvest Life Church - Woodbridge, Virginia

Level 5 is currently in the design phase of a new 180,000 square foot Worship Center Complex in Woodbridge, Virginia, for the Harvest Life Changers Church International. The building is divided into four different functional areas and includes a partially underground parking garage. Main functions include a 3,300 seat sanctuary, an atrium with food court and upper level private pastor residence, a multipurpose gymnasium, classrooms and administrative offices. The site includes approximately 50 feet of elevation change, which requires several cast-in-place retaining walls to support the building and garage walls. The most notable aspect of the structural design is the 210 foot clear span of the octagonal main sanctuary roof. Specific design aspects under consideration are as follows:

  • Combination cast-in-place and precast below grade parking garage
  • Detailed long-span truss design including connection design/detailing
  • Combinations of braced and moment frame construction due to non-orthogonal geometry
  • Suspended running track around the gymnasium

The Landings Building II & Parking Garage - Blue Ash, Ohio

As part of this Design-Build project, Duke Construction needed structural design services for a new 180,000 square foot, 5 story office building in Blue Ash, Ohio. As a partner to the steel fabricator, SteelQuest, Level 5 was the Structural Engineer of Record for the office building, parking garage, and connector bridge to an existing office building. Level 5 developed a cost-effective framing system utilizing open web steel joists, and joist girders on steel support columns for the main building structure. The connector bridge presented a unique challenge to our designers by framing into the fifth story of the building. Specific design aspects provided by Level 5 Engineering included:

  • Foundation design and lateral analysis for precast concrete parking garage
  • Design of deep foundation system (concrete caissons and grade beams)
  • Detailing and fit-up considerations for the elevated walkway connecting to existing construction
  • Free standing canopies linking new construction to existing buildings and parking facilities

Western Ridge Medical Office Building - Hamilton County, Ohio

As part of this Design-Build project, Level 5 served as the Structural Engineer of Record for a new 46,000 square foot, 2 story combined ambulatory healthcare / business facility in Hamilton County, Ohio. Level 5 developed a cost-effective framing system utilizing open web steel joists and joist girders on steel support columns for the main building structure. Exterior walls were load bearing concrete tilt wall panels, which were designed by Level 5 to transmit both gravity and lateral loads. Soil conditions required the first floor slab on grade to be structurally supported on a deep foundation system. An existing storm pipe located under the building also required significant coordination efforts with the civil and geotechnical engineering team members. Specific design aspects provided by Level 5 Engineering included:

  • Design of the deep foundation system (concrete caissons and grade beams) and structural slab
  • Design and detailing of the concrete tilt up wall system
  • Coordination and accommodations for a fully functional emergency department
  • Verification of building component compliance will UL fire ratings