UQ Gatton Campus, Multi-Facility Structural Engineering

The University of Queensland's Gatton campus, the university's regional agricultural and environmental sciences hub, required structural engineering across three separate facility scopes under a coordinated programme. The Plant Building required structural modifications to support updated mechanical equipment and operational layout changes, including new steel framing, connection design, and load path verification. A second campus building required full soffit replacement, the existing soffit system had reached the end of its service life and required engineering design for a new system including framing, panel selection, and fixing details. The Plant Industries building required structural engineering design to support a mechanical plant room replacement, with full design reporting and construction-ready documentation. All scopes required compliance with UQ's institutional asset management framework and coordination during active campus operations.

TRSC delivered structural engineering across all three scopes under a single coordinated engagement. For the Plant Building, the existing structure was assessed for capacity to support the modified equipment loads. SpaceGASS finite element modelling was used to verify load paths and connection adequacy, with new steel framing designed where additional support was required. For the Soffit Replacement, the existing primary structure was surveyed to determine fixing locations and load capacities. Wind loading assessments were completed using CheckWind software to confirm compliance with AS/NZS 1170.2 for the Lockyer Valley wind region. For the Plant Room, a design report was produced covering structural assessment, load analysis for replacement equipment, and modifications where additional capacity was required. Construction-ready engineering documentation was provided for all scopes, with site inspections verifying installation compliance.

Complete engineering packages were delivered for all three facilities, covering structural assessment, design calculations, construction drawings, specifications, and RPEQ Form 15 design certification. Packages included steel framing design, connection schedules, equipment platform details, soffit framing layout, panel fixing details, and plant room design reporting. Site inspection reports with photographic documentation and design compliance verification were provided during construction.

All UQ Gatton projects were completed within programme and budget. The concurrent delivery across multiple scopes demonstrated TRSC's capacity to manage institutional engineering projects efficiently under a single client relationship. The successful delivery at Gatton directly contributed to TRSC being engaged for the subsequent multi-campus UQ Combustible Cladding Replacement programme across four UQ buildings, establishing an ongoing structural engineering relationship with one of Australia's leading universities.