ᐅ Structural calculations: before or after the building permit application?

Hello

We are currently in the process of planning our house. We have completed everything with the architect, which means the drawings are finished. The surveyor’s site plan has also been received by my architect. Now, the documents need to be submitted to the local building authority in Meinerzhagen (Märkischer Kreis, Sauerland). Since I am a complete beginner in this field, I apologize in advance.

I have a question regarding the structural engineer’s work. When does the structural engineer need to do their part? Before or after the building permit/planning permission is granted? Because I still need to organize quite a few things, such as excavation, checking prices for bricks, reinforcement steel mats, and so on.

Johann1986 schrieb:

When does the structural engineer need to do their work??? Before or after the building permit / planning permission???

It makes sense to do this after receiving the permit / permission without conditions; the building authority might require changes otherwise. During the approval process, you should commission the soil survey, which the structural engineer needs for their calculations.

Regards, Bauexperte

Hello,

The structural engineer will only start calculations once the house design is finalized and, if possible, approved. Otherwise, the building authority might say, "No, that corner needs to be removed, made larger or smaller," and then the engineer has to start over.

Oops, the building expert was faster there.

Best regards,

Andreas

Johann1986 schrieb:
Because I still have to plan quite a few things. For example, organizing the excavation, checking prices for bricks, reinforcing steel mats, and so on.......

Are you building yourself?

Yes, we are building ourselves!!!

Hello again,

Regarding the advice here:

Bauexperte schrieb:
During the approval phase, you should commission the soil survey, as the structural engineer needs it for their calculations.

I would no longer fully agree with that.

A soil survey is definitely necessary!

But it only provides significant information once the excavation pit has been dug. These driven probe soundings are little more than guesswork and have about the same reliability as a weather forecast for the week after next. It might be correct, but often it is completely off.

In our case, the probe could only be driven 80 cm (31 inches) into the ground. My note that the site had been heavily compacted by a loader (the neighbors have been temporarily storing their excavation material there for the past four years) was gracefully ignored.

“It’s expected to be sandstone and rock, with soil classes 6-7.”

Nonsense — like all neighboring plots, it’s dense, sandy soil with no trace of rock.

And they charged a few hundred euros for that...

Best regards,

Andreas