Structural Engineering
Load path to as-built, structural engineering for residential and commercial projects in Dubai. ACI 318, ASCE 7, DM compliant.
What We Offer
Every building starts with structure. Before finishes, MEP routing, or façade detailing, the structural system determines what the building can do — how high it can go, how far it can span, and how efficiently it uses materials.
At MERKA, structural engineering drives early design decisions and stays involved through construction. Our engineers join the project at concept stage, so column grids, slab systems, and lateral designs are coordinated with architecture and MEP before they become fixed — reducing revision cycles and cost overruns.
We provide structural engineering services for projects ranging from G+2 residential villas in Dubai Hills Estate to G+20 commercial towers in Business Bay — each with its own soil conditions, authority requirements, and construction constraints.
What We Do — Scope of Structural Services
Structural Analysis & Design
We carry out gravity and lateral load analysis for concrete, steel, and composite structures using ETABS, SAFE, and SAP2000. Every design accounts for seismic zone factors as specified in the UAE's adopted codes (ACI 318, ASCE 7), local soil investigation reports, and Dubai Municipality or Abu Dhabi DMT structural submission requirements.
Our deliverables include framing plans, foundation designs, connection details, and structural calculation reports — formatted for authority submission, not just internal review.
Foundation Engineering
Foundation design in the UAE varies significantly by location. A villa in Arabian Ranches may sit on shallow footings in compacted sand, while a tower in Dubai Marina requires deep bored piles through weak coastal soils. We design raft foundations, isolated footings, pile caps, and piled raft systems based on actual geotechnical investigation data — not assumptions.
We coordinate directly with soil investigation firms and piling contractors to ensure foundation recommendations are practical and buildable.
Concrete & Steel Detailing
We produce reinforcement detailing for cast-in-place concrete structures and connection detailing for structural steel. Our drawings follow standard detailing practices (ACI 315, BS 8666) and include bar bending schedules, lap lengths, cover requirements, and pour sequence notes that contractors can actually work from on site.
For steel structures — including mezzanines, warehouses, and portal frames — we provide member sizing, connection design, and erection sequence drawings.
Shoring & Temporary Works Design
Shoring design is often overlooked until it becomes a site problem. We provide shoring layout, post spacing, and re-shoring schedules for multi-storey concrete pours. For projects with deep excavation, we design temporary lateral support systems including soldier pile walls, sheet piling, and secant pile walls, with surcharge loading and water table considerations specific to the project site.
Structural Peer Review
For projects that require independent structural review — either by authority requirement or developer policy — we act as peer reviewers. This includes checking structural models, verifying load paths, reviewing reinforcement adequacy, and confirming code compliance. We provide structured review reports with clear accept/comment/reject outcomes per item.
Project Types We Handle
Residential
Villas (G+1 to G+4), townhouses, and apartment buildings across communities including Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Furjan, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Tilal Al Ghaf, Yas Island, and Saadiyat Island. Typical scope: structural design from concept through construction drawings, with authority submission packages.
Commercial & Office
Office towers, retail podiums, and mixed-use buildings in Business Bay, DIFC, Downtown Dubai, JLT, Barsha Heights, and Abu Dhabi's Reem Island. We handle lateral system design for taller structures, transfer slab engineering, and post-tensioned slab design for long-span floor plates.
Hospitality & Fit-Out
Structural assessments and modification designs for hotel renovations, restaurant fit-outs, and retail spaces — including load verification for new openings, mezzanine additions, and rooftop installations.
Industrial & Warehousing
Pre-engineered metal buildings, warehouse foundations, and industrial structures in JAFZA, DIP, DWC, and KIZAD. We coordinate with PEB suppliers to ensure foundation and anchor bolt designs align with the superstructure package.
Our Process
1. Concept & Feasibility
We review the architectural concept, site geotechnical data, and authority regulations to establish the structural system — whether it's a flat slab, beam-slab, shear wall core, or steel frame. At this stage, we flag potential issues like transfer conditions, long spans, or foundation constraints before they become expensive problems later.
2. Preliminary Design
We produce preliminary structural layouts, estimate member sizes, and identify any coordination issues with MEP or architectural elements. This package is often used for initial cost estimation by quantity surveyors and contractors.
3. Detailed Design & Calculation
Full structural analysis models, detailed calculations, and code compliance checks. We produce structural calculation reports formatted per Dubai Municipality or Abu Dhabi DMT requirements, ready for submission.
4. Construction Drawing Production
General arrangement plans, reinforcement details, sections, connection details, and schedules. Drawings are coordinated with the architectural and MEP sets before authority submission.
5. Authority Submission Support
We prepare and submit structural packages to the relevant authority — Dubai Municipality, Trakhees, DDA, or Abu Dhabi DMT — and handle review comments and resubmissions until approval is obtained.
6. Construction Stage Support
During construction, we provide site clarifications, review shop drawings and material submittals, address RFIs, and conduct periodic structural inspections. If site conditions differ from design assumptions, we issue revised instructions promptly.
Software & Standards
Analysis & Design Software: ETABS, SAFE, SAP2000, STAAD.Pro, Tekla Structural Designer, AutoCAD, Revit Structure
Codes & Standards We Design To:
● ACI 318 — Structural Concrete
● ASCE 7 — Minimum Design Loads
● ACI 315 / BS 8666 — Reinforcement Detailing
● AISC 360 — Structural Steel
● BS EN 1992 / 1993 — Eurocode (where specified)
● Dubai Municipality Structural Codes & Guidelines
● Abu Dhabi International Building Code (ADIBC)
● UAE Fire & Life Safety Code
Why Work With MERKA for Structural Engineering
We coordinate early. Structural decisions made at concept stage — column grids, slab systems, lateral systems — affect every other discipline. We get involved before problems get embedded into the design.
We know the local process. Every authority in the UAE has different submission formats, reviewer expectations, and common comment patterns. We prepare packages that anticipate these, reducing revision cycles.
We design for constructability. We consider pour sequences, rebar congestion, crane access, and material availability in the UAE market when making design decisions.
We stay involved through construction. We remain available for site support, RFIs, and design modifications as construction realities require.
Frequently Asked Questions
What structural codes apply in Dubai?
Dubai Municipality generally follows ACI 318 for concrete design and ASCE 7 for load combinations and seismic requirements. Some projects, particularly in free zones or for international developers, may require Eurocode-based design. We confirm the applicable code basis with the relevant authority at project start.
Do I need a soil investigation before structural design?
Yes. Structural foundation design requires geotechnical data — bearing capacity, soil profile, groundwater level, and settlement characteristics. We can recommend soil investigation firms and review their reports to extract the parameters needed for design.
How long does structural design take?
For a standard G+2 villa, preliminary design typically takes 2–3 weeks and detailed design with construction drawings takes an additional 4–6 weeks. For commercial or multi-storey projects, timelines vary based on complexity and are confirmed at project kickoff.
Can you do structural assessment for an existing building?
Yes. We provide structural condition assessments, load verification for proposed modifications, and retrofit design for existing buildings — including slab openings, column removal, additional floors, and seismic upgrade evaluations.
Do you handle authority submissions?
Yes. We prepare and submit structural packages to Dubai Municipality, Trakhees, Dubai Development Authority (DDA), Abu Dhabi DMT, and other UAE authorities. We manage reviewer comments and resubmissions through to final approval.
Need Structural Engineering for Your Project?
Whether you are starting a new build or modifying an existing structure, our engineers are ready to discuss your project requirements.
Key Features
Benefits
Our Process
Concept & Feasibility
We review the architectural concept, geotechnical data, and authority regulations to select the structural system — flat slab, beam-slab, shear wall core, or steel frame — and flag constraints early.
Preliminary Design
Preliminary structural layouts, member sizing, and coordination checks with architecture and MEP. This package supports early cost estimation by QS teams and contractors.
Detailed Design & Calculation
Full analysis models, detailed calculations, and code compliance verification. Structural calculation reports are formatted per Dubai Municipality or Abu Dhabi DMT requirements.
Construction Drawings
General arrangement plans, reinforcement details, sections, connection details, and schedules — coordinated with architectural and MEP sets before submission.
Authority Submission
Structural packages submitted to the relevant authority. We manage reviewer comments and resubmissions until approval is obtained.
Construction Support
Site clarifications, shop drawing reviews, RFI responses, and periodic structural inspections. Revised instructions issued promptly when site conditions differ from design assumptions.
Ready to Start?
Let's discuss how our architectural services can bring your vision to life while ensuring full compliance with Dubai's regulations.
Start Your ProjectPrefer to Talk?
Our team is available to discuss your requirements and provide expert guidance.