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Home: Welcome Welcome to Shepherd Gilmour Who we are: We are a Civil & Structural Engineering Consultancy What do we do? We provide design consultancy services, surveys, inspections and on-site supervision What makes us different? We are uniquely positioned to handle projects both large and small with a team of highly qualified and specialised individuals How can we help you? Scroll down to review our list of Services or press the button below to contact one of our expert staff and we will endeavour to respond within 24hrs Sectors Civil Infrastructure New Building Design Building Ancillaries Domestic & Residential Heavy Industrial Building Service Supports Sectors Home: Services Services Earth Retaining Structures Structural Fire Design Seismic Engineering Construction Supervision Expert Witness Reports Design Calculations Structural Monitoring Structural Surveys BIM & Technical Drawings Latest Insights & Updates Andrew Waddington Dec 3, 2024 3 min read Transform Your Property Development Vision into Reality with Shepherd Gilmour At Shepherd Gilmour Leeds, as well as being able to provide structural design calculations, we specialise in providing high-quality... Andrew Waddington Sep 30, 2024 3 min read Repurposing Shipping Containers: A Sustainable Solution for Modular Structures In an age where sustainability and cost-efficiency are more important than ever, the repurposing of shipping containers is becoming an... Recent Commercial Projects Pettypool Activity Centre £1.04m Activity Centre in Cheshire. Read More Brett Aggregates - North Sea Terminal Europe's largest Radial Conveyor. Read More Old Trafford Cricket Ground £32m Redevelopment of Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Read More Medway Maritime Hospital £11.5m Emergency Department Building at Medway Maritime Hospital. Read More Home: Projects

Projects: Commercial The Brentford Project A transformative 4.79-hectare development in West London, set to deliver 876 new homes and approximately 14,000 square meters of retail space. The project is expected to complete in 2027. Read More Battersea Power Station This £9 billion redevelopment transformed the iconic London landmark into a vibrant mixed-use destination with luxury apartments, offices, shops, and restaurants, preserving its historic architecture. Read More Lu's Place Cafe A New & Vibrant Venue Nestled in the Holme Valley. Read More Blackburn Meadows Waste Water Treatment Works Waste Water Treatment Flocculation Tank Scraper Bridge Design. Read More Bradford Royal Infirmary £22m Ward Block. Read More Medway Maritime Hospital £11.5m Emergency Department Building at Medway Maritime Hospital. Read More Old Trafford Cricket Ground £32m Redevelopment of Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Read More Brett Aggregates - North Sea Terminal Europe's largest Radial Conveyor. Read More Pettypool Activity Centre £1.04m Activity Centre in Cheshire. Read More

< Back The Brentford Project A transformative 4.79-hectare development in West London, set to deliver 876 new homes and approximately 14,000 square meters of retail space. The project is expected to complete in 2027. Client: Dearneside Fabrications Developer: Ballymore Group The Brentford Project , a landmark development by Ballymore Group, is redefining West London’s waterfront with a vibrant mix of residential, retail, and leisure spaces. Shepherd Gilmour (SG) was privileged to contribute to this transformative project, bringing our structural design expertise to bear as a Designer under the CDM 2015 regulations. Proactive Design for Exceptional Results Working alongside our client, Dearneside Fabrications, and consultants, OCSC, SG adopted a proactive and collaborative approach to design. Our commitment to efficiency and diligence ensured seamless compatibility with other designers and contractors involved in the project. Leveraging code-driven design principles, we utilised Eurocodes, BS 8579:2020, and BS 6180 to ensure compliance, safety, and efficiency in every aspect of our work. We went beyond the brief, identifying opportunities to refine concept designs, such as improving the detailing of connections and tie rods to stiffen the balconies with minimal steel weight penalty. Additionally, by employing advanced parametric modelling and finite element analysis, we optimised steel thicknesses, increasing it only where necessary. These improvements led to significant time and cost savings without compromising quality or aesthetics, and they were embraced by the project team, demonstrating our ability to add tangible value. Scope of Design Responsibilities Our comprehensive design responsibilities included: Balcony Packages: Designing balcony structures for several apartment blocks across the site, featuring large cantilever projections exceeding 5 metres. Many of these balconies were bespoke, adding unique character to the development while adhering to BS 8579:2020 standards for balconies and terraces. Balcony Type A (Large Cantilever Projection) - Plot K Secondary Steelwork & Architectural Metalwork: Creating intricate designs for staircase structures, feature balustrades, podium steelwork, and fire barrier supports, aligning with the requirements of BS 6180 for guarding and balustrades. Bespoke Connection Details: Developing innovative solutions for moment-connected cellular beams and post-fix reinforced concrete anchorage details for various building structures across the site. Many of these connections required non-standard design approaches beyond typical "Green Book Details" due to unique constraints. Overcoming Complex Challenges A key challenge of the project was supporting the large cantilever balconies, which required careful attention to deflection performance and wind load resistance. SG addressed this through: Conducting design workshops and reviews with the client and principal designer. Utilising moment stub connections and ties to achieve the required performance. Optimising the balcony grillage to balance mass and stiffness against cost, while adhering to Eurocode guidelines for structural integrity and stability. These solutions ensured the balconies not only met stringent performance criteria but also aligned with the architect’s striking vision for the development. Balcony Type A - 1D FEA Model Deliverables and Outcome SG delivered comprehensive calculation reports, ensuring full compliance with Eurocodes, and general arrangement drawings with exceptional clarity and precision. The results speak for themselves: Smooth site works with no significant issues during construction. A finished product that exudes high-end appeal, with unique architectural elements seamlessly integrated. Balconies and steelwork that enhance the visual and functional impact of The Brentford Project. Conclusion Our involvement in The Brentford Project exemplifies SG’s ability to deliver innovative, efficient, and high-quality structural designs for complex developments. By prioritising collaboration, ingenuity, and meticulous attention to detail, we played a pivotal role in bringing Ballymore Group’s vision to life. This case study underscores our capacity to tackle demanding projects and exceed client expectations, making us a trusted partner for businesses seeking exceptional structural engineering solutions. Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Battersea Power Station This £9 billion redevelopment transformed the iconic London landmark into a vibrant mixed-use destination with luxury apartments, offices, shops, and restaurants, preserving its historic architecture. Introduction Battersea Power Station, one of London’s most iconic landmarks, has undergone a transformative £9 billion redevelopment, converting the former industrial site into a vibrant mixed-use destination. As part of the project’s extensive regeneration, Shepherd Gilmour was commissioned by Dearneside Fabrications to provide specialist structural design expertise for several critical elements of the project. Working under CDM 2015 regulations, our team contributed to the successful delivery of the project between 2018 and 2022, collaborating with several teams and ensuring seamless integration of design and construction. Our Role Our primary responsibility was the detailed design of key building ancillary components, focusing on numerous feature stairs, both internal and external, walkway bridges, architectural metalwork and glazing. Shepherd Gilmour was engaged to provide innovative engineering solutions, ensuring both aesthetics and functionality were preserved while meeting the structural requirements of the redevelopment, in accordance with relevant British Standards and Eurocodes. Notable highlights of our involvement include: A Suspended Pedestrian Feature Bridge in Turbine Hall A One of the standout features of the redevelopment is the suspended pedestrian bridge in Turbine Hall A. Initially conceptualised by Buro Happold, we were tasked with delivering the detailed structural design, ensuring the bridge met the required safety and performance standards. This intricate bridge is not only a structural feat but also a striking architectural element, placed front and centre, that connects key areas of the development. Battersea Power Station - Turbine Hall A - Suspended Pedestrian Walkway Bridge Boiler House, South Atrium Feature Stair Working in close coordination with third parties, our goal was to deliver a structurally complex, but visually striking stair set. The architects vision was to provide two opposing stair sets, each with a horizontal kink, which are supported by an offset steel box section. The stair its self cantilevers from the offset spine, which delivers a bold, unique statement directly above the South Atrium to offices above. Our experienced design team employed extensive use of both linear and non-linear finite element analysis techniques, as well as industry leading footfall induced vibration analysis. This design process enabled our team to confidently deliver a design worthy of the facility in which it is installed, ensuring consistent predictable performance, without compromising the architectural vision. Service Risers While service risers may be considered less glamorous, they play a crucial role in supporting the backbone of hidden facilities which underpin the functional requirements of a complex facility such as Battersea. SG were responsible for structural design of various large service risers on site. These are essential components which house electrical and mechanical services throughout the building. These risers required detailed coordination with other building systems and architectural elements to ensure efficient integration. Additional Works In addition to the highlights noted above, Shepherd Gilmour performed over 50 additional structural design verifications of balustrades, barriers, and various building appendages. These elements, although seemingly minor, were crucial to the overall aesthetic and safety of the building and wider external development, ensuring that all architectural metalwork met the required structural performance criteria while maintaining design intent. Battersea Power Station - Turbine Hall showing Architectural Metalwork Collaboration & Coordination Our work required close collaboration with multiple project stakeholders, including the concept design team at Buro Happold, installation teams, fabricators, and architects. This coordination was essential to achieving a fully integrated and holistic design. Regular design reviews, coordination meetings, and on-site inspections undertaken by the site-team allowed us to identify and resolve potential issues early, minimising disruptions during construction. Challenges & Solutions One of the key challenges in this project was maintaining the delicate balance between preserving the historical significance of the building while incorporating modern structural and safety standards. The suspended pedestrian bridge, in particular, required creative engineering to maintain both the architectural vision and the performance specifications set out during its concept design. Additionally, the sheer complexity of the building’s architectural features demanded rigorous structural analysis and verification to ensure that all metalwork and glazing components were safe, functional, and visually coherent. Shepherd Gilmour leveraged advanced structural modelling software to simulate performance under various conditions, providing confidence in the robustness of our designs. Crucially, additional verifications were undertaken by hand to validate the modelling results. Project Outcome The successful redevelopment of Battersea Power Station stands as a testament to the importance of collaboration, detailed planning, and expert engineering. Shepherd Gilmour is immensely proud to have been involved in this landmark project, contributing our structural expertise to the revitalisation of one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Our work not only helped preserve the building’s architectural integrity but also enhanced its functionality for modern use. The completed project now serves as a bustling hub of residential, commercial, and retail activity, with our structural contributions playing a vital role in the building’s overall success. Project Gallery Previous Next

Our Projects Explore our wide range of completed projects, from large-scale commercial designs to bespoke residential renovations. Commercial From retain and office spaces to industrial steelwork structures, see how we bring commercial visions to life. Explore Commercial Projects Domestic & Residential See how we transform homes with creative structural design solutions. Explore Domestic Projects

< Back Blackburn Meadows Waste Water Treatment Works Waste Water Treatment Flocculation Tank Scraper Bridge Design. Blackburn Meadows wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is located in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, UK. The WWTP was constructed on a 78 acre site which falls under the jurisdiction of Yorkshire Water. The site serves some 800,000 inhabitants of the cities of Sheffield and Rotherham. The plant was upgraded by a joint venture (JV) of AECOM and Galliford Try with a contract value of £49m. The scheme expanded the plant’s capacity to serve up to 830,000 people. Plant owner Yorkshire Water awarded the two contracts to the JV in April 2012. Worth in excess of £30m, the first enables the treatment plant to meet the requirements of the EU Freshwater Fish Directive (FDD). Worth around £19m, the second contract enables the plant to treat 21,000t of sludge annually, with integrated thickening and dewatering processes. The upgrades were completed in April 2016. During the upgrades, it was noted the scraper bridges within the sites flocculation tanks were suffering damage during prolonged operation. SGL were appointed to carry out structural inspections of the tanks to determine the probable cause of failure. SGL found the scraper bridges, which were constructed of long span steel truss sections were twisting under load, resulting in excessive deflection of the scraper arms and inadequate operation of the flocculation tanks. On closer inspection, it was found the scraper bridges had undergone permeant plastic deformation and repair was none-viable. SGL provided a new design for the 40m long scraper bridges which incorporated high torsional stiffness to resist the torsional stresses induced under load and minimise deflection of the scraper arms to ensure their correct and proper operation throughout their design life. By working closely with Yorkshire Water and the steelwork fabricator, the new scraper bridges were successfully installed and began operating successfully. Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Brett Aggregates - North Sea Terminal Europe's largest Radial Conveyor. Brett Aggregates are the UK’s largest independent building materials group, handling over 5m tonnes of aggregate and producing up to a million cubic metres of concrete every year. As part of their development plans to their Ready Mixed Concrete & Screed site in Cliffe , they required the design and fabrication of a new radial conveyor, the size of which would place it amongst the largest in Europe. SGL were appointed as the structural designer working in tandem with the fabricator Atherton Material Handling (AMH). A working concept was drawn up between parties which was then input into a Finite Element Model (FEM) by SGL. Our talented and experienced engineers drew upon their knowledge to optimise the concept design, bringing down material weight significantly from that of the first concept. A mixture of tension only cross bracing and compression/tension bracing was employed, along with a central triangular braced tower which allowed the 67m conveyor to cantilever approximately 23m. Detailed wind analysis was performed on the structure due to the dynamic nature of the conveyor being that it is not ordinarily fixed to a foundation. Various loading assessments were carried out to represent the dynamic loading patterns the structure will likely experience throughout its design life, ensuring safe and consistent performance under all foreseeable scenarios. Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Medway Maritime Hospital £11.5m Emergency Department Building at Medway Maritime Hospital. Medway Maritime Hospital expanded its premises with a new emergency department building which opened its doors on 8th November 2018 to admit new patients, two years after construction began in 2016. The new building houses state of the art facilities which shall support the NHS trusts emergency department team to enable them to deliver the best care to their patients. The department building spans over three floors and cost a total of £11.5m to complete. The building formed part of a wider scheme which encompasses existing building refurbishment with an estimated total of £21m. The new emergency department houses seven new resuscitation bays, as well as dedicated bays for paediatric patients and rapid assessment. Furthermore, there are four ‘majors’ bays used to treat walk-ins and ambulance patients which brings to overall capacity of the department to 16 bays. SGL were responsible for the civil engineering design works of the new department building, including foundation design, drainage and superstructure. In tandem with the other responsible parties, SGL were able to deliver the design package on time and in a way which met the needs of the trust. SGL were also attentive on site during the construction phase to assist with site queries and concerns which ultimately led to the overall delivery of a successful project. Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Pettypool Activity Centre £1.04m Activity Centre in Cheshire. The existing Girlguiding Activity Centre in Cheshire Forest was a “hotchpotch” of prefabricated structures, joined together in an impractical way over several years of expansion which ultimately resulted in a premises which was increasingly becoming inaccessible and not fit for purpose. As a result, the Pettypool committee for Girlguiding Cheshire Forest required a new building to replace the original prefab structures, with key emphasis being accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability with an appearance which would seamlessly fit into the surrounding natural environment. Walker Simpson Architects were appointed as the principle designer, with SGL appointed as the leading structural designers for the project. Together with the M&E consultants A&P Dynamic Design, we were able to provide a new activity centre on time and on budget. The design was situated on sloping ground and incorporated two main wings which enclose a central courtyard. A terrace extends outwards, cantilevering over the bank towards the lower level of the site. The building was required to exhibit a large open plan space for activities, for which a steelwork portal frame structure was employed. The structure was clad in timber and steel, with highly recyclable products in use throughout, such as the Hunter Douglas Heartfelt system which also gave a unique and fitting aesthetic to the ceilings within the building. Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Old Trafford Cricket Ground £32m Redevelopment of Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Old Trafford Cricket Ground underwent a significant transformation in 2013 with a complete overhaul. The new ground was constructed to provide seats for up to 25,000 spectators with on site amenities and a wide range of members facilities as well as hospitality suites. Morgan Sindall were appointed as the main contractor for the works and SGL provided a subcontracted design works package on discrete elements of the scheme. Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Bradford Royal Infirmary £22m Ward Block. The Bradford Royal Infirmary appointed BAM as the principle contractor of the works to deliver a £20m+ scheme in a tight environment to delivery a three storey ward block with a new critical care unit and on site parking. During construction, the site was betwixt live hospital buildings and it was critical the building could be constructed quickly and with minimal disruption to the surrounding buildings. The main structure consisted of a braced steelwork frame upon reinforced concrete footings, cast atop sandstone bedrock. NG Bailey the M&E contractor provided prefabricated service modules to reduce site works and expediate the installation. The project was completed in 2017 with minimal disruption to existing adjacent departments and is currently being used by new patients. Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Lu's Place Cafe A New & Vibrant Venue Nestled in the Holme Valley. Lu’s Place is a new and vibrant venue located in the Holme Valley. SGL were appointed as the civil and structural designer for the project to develop a new multi-function venue on what was at the time a brown field site with a host of complex underlying challenges. Lu’s place its self forms one of three buildings on the site which were designed in house. The site is located on a hillside which had previously been levelled with made ground, with a steep embankment to the valley below. It was not possible to stabilise the ground by grading due to several trees on site with Tree Protection Orders (TPO’s). Various options of geotextile soil stabilisation were reviewed as well as soil nailing techniques and traditional retaining structures, although none were viable due to the complex site constraints. The solution came in the form of a ground beam inter-linked piled retaining wall which resulted in minimal environmental impact while providing stability to the site. Due to the challenging geotechnical conditions, ground beams & piles were used to form the foundations of the buildings. The superstructures were required to be two storey open plan buildings with the ability to be clad according to their clients’ needs with large uninterrupted openings for glazing, bifold doors and access. This design requirement was achieved by employing the use of efficient steelwork portal frames. Further geotechnical challenges existed in the form of contaminated land with VOC’s present. The risks of gaseous VOC contamination within the buildings was mitigated with the use of ventilation voids at foundation level, coupled with barrier membranes. These measures were coordinated with the Architect JG-D to ensure the visual appearance of the structures remained in keeping with the client’s expectations. Project Gallery Previous Next