Structural Design and Building Safety.
Structural design is what keeps a building safe and sound for its whole life. We model the concrete or steel frame to the Saudi Building Code (SBC) — the national building code, whose 2024 edition has been mandatory since mid-2025 — so that it resists gravity loads, wind and earthquakes.
We design structures that keep columns and beams out of the way of the architecture, size reinforcement and concrete without waste, and take account of the local soil and climate to protect the frame from corrosion.
On many coastal sites in the Eastern Province the groundwater is close to the surface and the soil is saline. That directly affects the type of foundation, the concrete grade and the waterproofing method, so we do not start the foundation design until we have read the soil report for the site itself.
How it runs
The stages.
- Soil report and architecture review. We review the soil bearing capacity, the foundation levels and the architectural layout, so the structure fits the architecture.
- 3D model and structural analysis. We build the computer model and analyse dead, live, wind and seismic loads to the SBC.
- Member design and reinforcement. We size the concrete members and reinforcement to meet the code without wasted quantities.
- Durability details for a coastal site. We specify concrete cover, waterproofing and expansion joints to protect the building from moisture and salts.
- Structural construction drawings. We issue the construction drawings, reinforcement schedules and full technical specifications for the permit and for construction.
Deliverables
What you receive.
- Foundation drawings. The foundation type suited to the soil — isolated footings, combined footings or a raft — with ground beams and grid lines.
- Columns and shear walls. A considered layout of column sections and concrete shear walls for stability and resistance to lateral forces.
- Slab and beam layout. The slab system and thickness — flat slab, hordi (hollow-block ribbed) slab or solid slab — chosen for the spans and loads.
- Bar bending schedules. The diameter, length and bends of the reinforcement in every element, to make construction easier and avoid waste.
- Calculation report. A full report documenting the load analysis and the computer model, for technical checking and approval.
- Concrete, waterproofing and joint specifications. Concrete grades, cement type, concrete cover, and expansion and settlement joints to limit cracking.
Before we start
What we need from you.
- A soil investigation report for the site itself, from an accredited laboratory.
- The approved or near-final architectural drawings in AutoCAD.
- The survey report and the ground levels.
- The intended use of each floor and any special loads: water tanks, a swimming pool, rooftop equipment or future floors.
- For existing buildings: the original structural drawings if they exist, and access to the site for inspection.
Fees
What sets the fee.
- Total floor area, the number of floors and whether there is a basement.
- The structural system: conventional concrete frame, flat slab or steel structure.
- The foundation type the soil calls for, and any special treatment the soil report recommends.
- Long spans, cantilevers and unusual loads such as pools and tanks.
- The level of detail: permit drawings only, or full bar bending schedules for construction.
- For existing buildings: whether a structural assessment and strengthening are needed before any addition.
Frequently asked questions.
Why is a soil test required before structural design in Saudi Arabia?
The soil report sets the bearing capacity of the ground, the type of foundation and the depth of excavation. Without it, the building risks differential settlement and serious cracking. A soil investigation report is also one of the listed requirements of the building-permit service on Balady, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing's platform where permits are issued.
How does accurate structural design save on construction costs?
By calculating the actual loads precisely instead of adding generous guesses, it avoids paying for steel and concrete the building does not need, while keeping every safety requirement in full.
How does structural design protect a building in the Eastern Province?
By specifying concrete grades that resist salts and sulphates, and enough concrete cover to protect the reinforcement from moisture and corrosion.
Which parts of the Saudi Building Code apply to structural design?
Mainly the loads code covering seismic and wind loads (SBC 301), the soils and foundations code (SBC 303) and the concrete structures code (SBC 304), plus the steel structures code (SBC 306) when the frame is steel. The edition in force is the 2024 SBC, which became mandatory in mid-2025.
Can I add a floor to an existing villa?
Not until the building has had a structural assessment: a review of the original drawings if they exist, an inspection of the columns and foundations, and possibly tests on the strength of the existing concrete. If the existing members cannot carry the extra load, they may need strengthening before the addition. The 2024 code includes a part on the assessment, repair and rehabilitation of existing concrete structures (SBC 310), and the addition needs a permit from the relevant authority.
What is the difference between a flat slab and a hordi slab?
A flat slab is a solid slab supported directly on the columns, with no downstand beams, which gives a level ceiling that makes it easier to run services. A hordi slab has hollow blocks set between concrete ribs; it is lighter and common in villas. The system is chosen according to the spans, the architectural layout and the cost, and we explain the reason for the choice before the design is approved.
Official sources
- Saudi Building Code — editions and parts — Saudi Building Code National Center
- Issuing a building permit — Balady — Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
- Law for applying the Saudi Building Code, as amended — Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
Contact
Talk to an engineer.
Send us the plot location and what you want to build. We reply with the scope, the route through the permit, and a written quote.