When it comes to Australian Standards like AS 4100 for Structural Steel Engineering Projects, our work is anything but standard.

AS 4100 Steel Structures

Book your free consultation to discover how we can benefit your business by delivering practical solutions for your next structural steel project.

Incorporating Australian Standards like AS 4100 into our engineering projects not only ensures compliance with regulatory requirements but also enhances the overall quality, safety, and reliability of the final product that Practical Engineering is known for. Additionally, staying updated with the latest revisions and amendments to these standards is essential to keep pace with advancements in technology and best practices. Practical Engineering is regularly engaged to both design to these standards and to review compliance to standards on existing or modified equipment.

Let’s talk about the AS4100 Standard and how we apply it to our work with steel structures. At Practical, we start by thinking of the AS 4100 as guidance and minimum safety standards for structural engineers. How we should analyse the steel structures and how steel beams and connections should be designed to ensure their safety and reliability. Three methods of analysis are permitted by AS 4100 for the design of steel structures:

Analysis Types

Did you know that AS 4100 also covers earthquake detailing minimum requirements and assessment of steelwork for fire resistance?

Even in locations across Australia, Practical is regularly engaged to ensure adherence to AS 4100 even if an earthquake hasn’t happened in that location for hundreds of years. In practice, steel structures deflect under load, including those generated by the movement of the ground. Loaded columns and other members that experience side sway deflection can subsequently experience additional loading due to the eccentricities of vertical loads induced by the deflection.

1. Linear Static

This is the most basic form of analysis but is in fact regularly the first checked in the early stages of engineering assessment where it can allow for rapid feedback before more in-depth analysis is required, providing economies on time for clients. The analysis is considered static in time and the displacement response of the object is linear with respect to the load applied. The linear static model does not consider how stiffness and loads change due to eccentricity of displaced structures. AS 4100 provides methods for approximating these non-linear effects by amplifying loads in the linear static analysis to account to eccentricity.

2. Non-linear Static

This method more accurately captures real changes in the load-response behaviour by iteratively solving and updating the problem until convergence, and additionally by breaking application of loads into multiple steps. Considers the ultimate load that can be applied before failure occurs to the structure. The non-linear behaviour considered includes:

• Geometric non-linearity, which accounts for changes in the structure’s stiffness that result from displacement and the moment effects of load displacement

• Contact non-linearity, which occurs where local stiffness changes rapidly in response to contact or partial contact between surfaces

• Optionally can consider material yielding behaviour

3. Plastic Analysis

This method is commonly applied in conjunction with linear static methods for further analysis of changes in load and time. The primary benefit is the ability to redistribute bending moment along a beam until a complete hinge mechanism has formed. This method is computationally more difficult and less often utilised as the methods above cover the majority of projects assessed. AS 4100 places certain restrictions on member slenderness to ensure that beams can achieve their full section capacity against the economics of reducing member size.

Earthquakes

Did you know that AS4100 also covers earthquake detailing minimum requirements and assessment of steelwork for fire resistance?

Even in locations across Australia, Practical is regularly engaged to ensure adherence to AS 4100 even if an earthquake hasn’t happened in that location for hundreds of years. In practice, steel structures deflect under load, including those generated by the movement of the ground. Loaded columns and other members that experience side sway deflection can subsequently experience additional loading due to the eccentricities of vertical loads induced by the deflection.

AS 4100 Steel Structures

The video is a structural assessment we did of a pipe bridge considering seismic loading on the structure’s dead-load and live load. Practical use the results to identify critically loaded structural members and sway/deflection during a seismic event and ensure the underlying foundations have the capacity to support the structure.

The video shows both the Linear and Non-Linear methods of analysis consider majority of steelwork to remain in the material’s linear portion of its stress strain curve. The third method, Plastic Analysis, differs from this approach and permits under certain conditions the stresses within members to approach and exceed the yield stress limit.

Do you have an upcoming structural steel project? Let’s talk.

Creative Thinking. Practical Solutions.

Creative Thinking. Practical Solutions.

Practical Engineering Australia is a mechanical, structural, and process engineering firm specialising in design, inspection, certification, project management and construction. We proudly serve clients Australia wide from our head office in Brisbane and additional locations in Cairns and Melbourne. Practical Engineering prides itself on employing both highly qualified experienced engineers and developing young engineers. This has created a practical team which has the ability to apply the fundamental principles of engineering to best meet the client needs. This diversity in capability has given us the flexibility to continue to grow and adapt to the economic changes experienced by many industries. Looking towards the future, Practical is set to continue doing what it does best – creative thinking and delivering Practical Solutions.

We get results.

0
Years of experience
0+
Projects Created
0+
Products designed
0+
Clients served

We encourage you to check out some of our past projects below or download or capability statement if you wish to learn more about Practical Engineering and the work we have done. shown below or if you would like to ask any questions or discuss anything further with us, click the button below to contact us. We’d love to hear from you.

Project Management and Construction

Engineering: Mechanical and Structural

Engineering: Electrical, Process and Pressure Vessels

Testing, Certification and Inspection

Project Management and Construction

Engineering: Mechanical and Structural

Engineering: Electrical, Process and Pressure Vessels

Testing, Certification and Inspection

Project Management and Construction

Engineering: Mechanical and Structural

Engineering: Electrical, Process and Pressure Vessels

Testing, Certification and Inspection

AS 4100 : Steel Structures - https://www.practicalengineering.com.au/as-4100/
Practical Engineering Capabilities Statement

We invite you to download our Capability Statement by clicking the button above and then saving it to your preferred location. We’d love to discuss your next project with you so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Creative Thinking.
Practical Solutions.


Practical Engineering is a multi-disciplinary design and construction company. We leverage our expertise across engineering disciplines, certification, project management, and construction to deliver projects from concept to delivery. We are your one stop shop for your project needs.

Regardless of your projects’ scale, we serve as your partner working with you through each part of your project life cycle to delivery. Established in 1997, we possess a proven track record of serving clients across Australia in various industries and bring that accumulated industry knowledge to your project today.

FIRST NAME

LAST NAME

EMAIL ADDRESS

PHONE

MESSAGE

FAQ : Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to Practical Engineering’s FAQ page – your go-to resource for answers to common questions about our services, processes and solutions. We aim to provide clear, detailed responses to help you better understand how we can support your projects. From design and consultation to production, management and compliance, our team is here to ensure your questions are answered. For more information or to to discuss your next project do’t hesitate to get in touch via our contact page or simply give us a call to discuss your specific requirements and book a free consultation.

Practical Engineering is a multidisciplinary design and construction company offering a comprehensive range of services. Our expertise includes structural and mechanical engineering, fabrication, and design consultancy. We provide end-to-end project management, from initial scoping to handover, ensuring seamless delivery. Our capabilities include:

• Project & Construction Management

• On-site Construction Works and Commissioning

• Mechanical and Structural Engineering

• Pressure Vessel Design and Certification

• Electrical Process

• Testing (RPEQ & RPEV), Certification, and Inspection

• Light Heavy Vehicle Approval

With over 28 years of experience, we bring technical excellence and industry insight to every project.

We adhere to key Australian Standards to ensure high quality and safety in our projects, including:

AS 4100: Steel Structures

AS 1657: Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways, and Ladders

AS 3990: Mechanical Equipment

AS 1210: Pressure Vessels

AS 4343: Hazard Levels

AS 4041: Pressure Piping

AS 1170: Structural Design Actions

AS 4991: Lifting Devices

AS 1418: Cranes, Hoists, and Winches

We manage diverse projects across multiple sectors including utilities, oil & gas, mining, and industrial facilities. Our recent work includes: Structural Steelwork for large-scale mining operations, Pressure Vessel Design and Fabrication, Lifting Devices and Crane Installation and more. Our multidisciplinary teams handle every phase of the project lifecycle—from design to fabrication and site delivery—ensuring high standards of safety, compliance, and quality.

Our project management lifecycle covers every phase from inception to handover. We integrate design and construction stages for seamless execution. With qualified project managers and health and safety officers on-site, we ensure on-time delivery and compliance with safety standards. We offer clients full visibility into quality control at every stage, giving you confidence in the management and delivery of your project.

Yes, we specialise in custom mechanical and structural engineering solutions, tailored to meet the specific needs of each project. Whether you require bespoke structural components or tailored mechanical systems, we collaborate with clients throughout the design process to ensure the final outcome aligns with your requirements.

Sustainability is at the core of our engineering practices. We design long-lasting, energy-efficient solutions that minimise environmental impact. By integrating sustainability into our engineering processes, we help clients achieve eco-friendly, cost-effective outcomes.

Yes, we offer a free consultation to new clients. Our expert team will assess your project requirements, provide tailored advice, and propose solutions to help you achieve your goals. This initial consultation will provide clarity on project direction and potential next steps.

Absolutely. We serve clients across Australia, offering project support in remote locations as well as major urban centres. With offices in Brisbane and Cairns, we have the infrastructure and resources to support projects nationally.

With over 28 years of experience, we bring technical excellence and industry insight to every project offering expertise across a wide range of industries. Our experience in project management, engineering, and construction ensures that we deliver innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions on every project.

We work across multiple industries, including mining, oil & gas, utilities, manufacturing, and construction. Our expertise in handling complex projects across these sectors allows us to meet the diverse needs of our clients with practical, industry-leading solutions.

Our qualified engineers (CPEng, NER, RPEQ, RPEV) provide certification services for new and existing equipment, including pressure vessels, lifting devices, cranes, and mobile plants. We ensure compliance with Australian and international standards, giving you peace of mind that your equipment is safe and fit for service.

Our in-house construction management and site-based teams provide support throughout every phase of your project, from initial scoping to detailed design, fabrication, and construction. Our teams include qualified project managers and safety officers to ensure safe and efficient site delivery, offering a one-stop shop for all your project needs.

Practical Engineering aims to improve the industry through creating and embracing evolving technology, promoting safer workplaces and lifting professional standards through ethical and sustainable engineering practises.

Our core values drive our companies’ culture.

• Accountability – for the work we do, the decisions we make and their impact to the community

• Integrity – to act honestly, ethically and fairly to all our stakeholders

• Respect – for each other, our clients, our suppliers and most of all respect for the ability we have to make a difference.

Our mission is to leave a legacy to be proud of by securing tomorrow through sustainable engineering – Creative Thinking. Practical Solutions.

Testimonials. What our previous clients and project partners have to say about us.

Testimonials. What our previous clients and project partners have to say about us.

Practical Engineering has been a key partner in our most recent project. Their team’s technical expertise, project delivery, and commitment to quality have consistently exceeded our expectations. From concept to execution, they have provided innovative solutions that have allowed us to meet critical deadlines without compromising on safety.

What sets Practical Engineering apart is their deep understanding of the unique demands of the aerospace industry. They are always proactive in addressing potential challenges and have the flexibility to adapt to evolving project requirements. Their collaborative approach and clear communication made the entire process seamless, and we always felt confident that our projects were in capable hands.

Graham P – Aerospace Industry

star star star star star

It is essential that we partner with firms who not only understand the complexity of our projects but also uphold the highest standards in structural integrity and compliance. Working with Practical Engineering has been a great experience.

Their expertise  has been invaluable in ensuring our projects meet all regulatory requirements without compromising on quality or safety. The team at Practical Engineering is knowledgeable, responsive, and always delivers solutions that are both practical and innovative. We trust them with our most critical structural assessments and look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future.

Mark M – Industrial Construction

star star star star star

Practical were able to work within my budget and time requirements and were accommodating in design reviews to ensure that the finished design was fit for purpose.  Further, they secured for us manufacturing of our design and delivery to site. I would recommend Practical for your design needs in my industry yes.

Thomas L, Materials Handling  

star star star star star

Practical Engineering has been a key partner in our most recent project. Their team’s technical expertise, project delivery, and commitment to quality have consistently exceeded our expectations. From concept to execution, they have provided innovative solutions that have allowed us to meet critical deadlines without compromising on safety.

What sets Practical Engineering apart is their deep understanding of the unique demands of the aerospace industry. They are always proactive in addressing potential challenges and have the flexibility to adapt to evolving project requirements. Their collaborative approach and clear communication made the entire process seamless, and we always felt confident that our projects were in capable hands.

Graham P – Aerospace Industry

star star star star star

It is essential that we partner with firms who not only understand the complexity of our projects but also uphold the highest standards in structural integrity and compliance. Working with Practical Engineering has been a great experience.

Their expertise has been invaluable in ensuring our projects meet all regulatory requirements without compromising on quality or safety. The team at Practical Engineering is knowledgeable, responsive, and always delivers solutions that are both practical and innovative. We trust them with our most critical structural assessments and look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future.

Mark M – Industrial Construction

star star star star star

Practical were able to work within my budget and time requirements and were accommodating in design reviews to ensure that the finished design was fit for purpose. Further, they secured for us manufacturing of our design and delivery to site. I would recommend Practical for your design needs in my industry yes.

Thomas L, Materials Handling

star star star star star

Ensure the success of your next project. Contact Practical Engineering today and experience the difference that our expertise and dedication to AS 4100 compliance can make.

Our mission is to leave a legacy to be proud of by securing tomorrow through sustainable engineering – Creative Thinking. Practical Solutions.