Structural Engineering Services in San Diego, CA

ASCE 7 design parameters

Default values used for most residential and light-commercial projects in San Diego. Site Class and seismic spectral values may shift based on geotechnical investigation.

Risk Category II assumed for typical residential and light commercial use — confirm with your engineer if the occupancy or use may require a higher category.

San Diego is a Seismic Design Category D area, and the Rose Canyon Fault runs right through downtown and out toward La Jolla, so it is a more active seismic setting than its mild reputation suggests. Expansive clays such as the Friars Formation are common, and coastal bluff erosion and landslide areas like Mt. Soledad bring their own constraints. The values below are regional placeholders only. Always pull site-specific values from the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool (https://ascehazardtool.org) for the actual project address.

Common projects engineers design in San Diego

The work engineers handle frequently in San Diego and the surrounding San Diego County.

• Load-bearing wall removals and open-concept remodels
• Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and the ADU Bonus Program
• Room additions and second-story additions
• Coastal bluff and hillside foundation design
• Foundation work in expansive clay soils
• Deck, balcony, and view-deck structures
• Rooftop solar array structural verification
• Retaining walls on canyon and slope lots