Structural Engineering

Our firm has designed buildings of all sizes and complexity with timber, steel, reinforced concrete, precast concrete, post tensioned concrete, and masonry as well as special structures like cable tensioned fabric and structural aluminum. New buildings, additions and renovations are the majority of our work, but we also have experience and the capability to engineer bridges and hydraulic projects. And while we thrive on designing complex structures and are often called upon when the aesthetics of the structure are critical, we also often design small structures, residences, and provide structural inspections and investigations for all types of buildings and clients.

Sustainable Design

We are commited to doing our part to help create a more sustainable world. We are currently working with new technologies and research in efforts to reduce material use in building construction and increase the amount of recycled materials in their construction. Most notably is our experience in using the advancements in material science which allow us to use high recycled content concrete mix designs in our designs which have material property, environmental and cost advantages in certain applications.

Research and Development

We design new buildings every day; sometimes we design new ways to build them too. Innovation is not a new thing at RDA, in the 1970’s RDA was recognized for designing two modular precast building system for Tougaloo College in Mississippi and the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. RDA also helped pioneer the way for fabric structures by developing and designing some of the first fabric structures, including Chene Park in Detroit, Michigan and a fabric roof for a Detroit based HMO. Today we are working to revitalize the forgotten system of hybrid masonry and steel construction as well as find better concrete mixes that can be more aesthetically pleasing and structurally efficient.

Structural Investigation of Existing Buildings and Expert Witness Testimony

We have 50 years of experience designing and investigating buildings of all types. Because of this level of knowledge we are often called upon by our clients to determine the feasibility of renovating or restoring existing buildings, or testifying as expert witnesses. We have also been called upon to assist Contractors, when given an exceptional construction challenge, to help create innovative and practical construction procedures.