Technical Services

Experience the value of a dedicated design service

Studco Australia delivers engineering leadership and innovative design solutions for cold formed steel (CFS) and light gauge steel (LGS) structures and building elements. Our unique advantage is derived from the merging of three essential elements of modern engineering: a collaborative professional culture, a passion to solve our clients’ challenges and a mission to change construction through innovation.

“Engineering problems are under-defined: there are many solutions, good, bad and indifferent. The art is to arrive at a good solution. This is a creative activity involving imagination, intuition and deliberate choice.”

OVE ARUP Structural Engineer, Sydney Opera House

Boldly challenge the status quo

Asking tough questions and actively listening to our customer’s needs helps Studco find a better way to build and achieve optimal engineering outcomes. These designs are not always the most common methodologies or accepted practises. These designs sometimes cut across conventional thinking and industry norms. That’s because we take our mission seriously: to change construction through innovation. At Studco, our customers and our engineers are an integral part of our drive for meaningful innovation and impactful change. When we all come together with and open mind and a common purpose, grand designs can be achieved.

Building elements designed with expertise

Lightweight steel framing is a specialised engineering field that requires experience, expertise and a practical mindset. Our experienced engineers offer industry-leading, value-engineered solutions for various essential elements within the building envelope including…

Walls – internal & external, load bearing & non-load bearing
Ceilings – internal & external, load bearing & non-load bearing
Seismic walls & ceilings
Acoustic walls & ceilings
Fire-rated walls & ceilings
Bulkheads & complex features
Top hats & façade cladding
Anti-creaking treatment for tall buildings
Modular construction & prefabrication

Our Technical Team are experienced & qualified to at least Bachelor Degree level.

Proactive design engineering specifications

For architects, engineers and other specifiers, Studco’s early stage design service allows you to iron out many of the construction problems prior to the project going out to tender, or at least before the installers begin on site. This ensures you a smooth and efficient project, with minimal site delays caused by engineering queries and building conflicts during the construction phase. Unforeseen unbudgeted site costs can also be greatly reduced using this proactive approach. We can help you develop a solution-engineered specification for your project and specify the right wall and ceiling systems that meet your project specific needs. Knowing that your project has been designed by a local manufacturer in accordance with the relevant standards and codes gives you peace of mind.

Prompt, Reactive Design Solutions for Construction Sites

Despite everyone’s best intentions, we are aware just how dynamic life is on the construction site and we understand that things can change rapidly once construction begins. Studco’s professional engineers are ready to step in at short notice to collaborate with the contractors and builders on site – as well as other key stakeholders – to find a workable, cost-effective solution with minimal downtime and interruption to the construction schedule. A hallmark of Studco’s collaborative engineering culture is spending the time with the site personnel to explore possible options; we insist that our engineers think win-win and ‘walk a mile in the customer’s shoes’ to ensure our engineering outcomes are practical, fit-for-purpose and compliant.

A Complex Process made Simple

Studco’s engineering team has pioneered many industry firsts in simplifying the design process. Sharing our knowledge and providing the right amount information is key to helping our customers succeed. A summary of our service offering is as follows:

Easy-to-read engineering documentation
Simplified site instructions with CAD detailing
Telephone advice for time-sensitive queries
Comprehensive project specifications
In-house BIM modelling capability
On-site installation reviews

Standards, Codes and Compliance

The question of compliance with standards and codes can be a complex one. This is not a journey you need to take alone; Studco’s engineers are well versed in navigating this area and are there to support builders, contractors, architects and consulting engineers. An in-depth understanding of the applicable standards and codes is essential in the fast-paced environment of an active building site where questions and conflicts arise on matters as diverse as interaction between building elements, excessive vertical deflection, internal static pressures, building movement, and point loads applied to fire-rated walls, to name a few. Studco sits on the AWCI National Technical Committee and provides input and feedback into contemporary industry issues and the review of relevant standards. Commonly referenced standards and codes that govern cold-formed steel design are:

AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 Structural design actions – General principles
AS/NZS 1170.1:2002 Structural design actions – Part 1: Permanent, imposed & other actions
AS/NZS 1170.2:2011 Structural design actions – Part 2: Wind actions
AS 1170.4:2007 Structural design actions – Part 4: Earthquake actions in Australia
AS/NZS 2785:2020Suspended ceilings – Design & installation
NZS 1170.5:2004 structural design actions – Part 5: Earthquake actions in New Zealand
AS/NZS 4600:2018 – Cold-formed steel structures
Australian National Construction Code (NCC)
New Zealand Building Codes (NZBC)

In pursuit of engineering excellence, Studco engages leading universities and independent research facilities.

Seismic Design and Earthquake Resilience

Recent events have given rise to closer scrutiny of seismic compliance on construction projects. For many installers of non-structural building elements, compliance can be a complex and onerous task. But it doesn’t have to be. Studco’s engineers and our certifying partners have the technical expertise and practical know-how to provide straight-forward seismic solutions for walls and ceilings of all shapes and sizes. Our seismic solutions have been developed through scientific research into past earthquakes, advances in computer simulations and analysis, component level testing, knowledge sharing with our US-based partner team and collaboration with experienced seismic engineering consultants. When you use Studco’s advanced seismic solutions, you can build with confidence.

Work with Studco’s dedicated team of engineers.

A Reputation of Engineering Success

Whether it be a grand stadium to seat thousands, or a 100-storey high-rise tower, or a blast-proof military base of national importance, our unique advantage in providing optimised designs for some of Australia’s most challenging projects starts with our creative engineering team. For more than 30 years, Studco has been successfully bringing together the many and various elements of the construction industry to create enduring buildings of excellence, and we look forward to working alongside you on your next project.