Business North July / August 2021

Challenging business as usual Challenging the status quo is one of GRIT’s core values and what keeps the team excited and engaged. “We believe in working that little bit harder and digging that little bit deeper to understand variables. This approach allows us to deliver smartly on what is actually required rather than making easier conservative assumptions which often lead to over engineering or unseen risk. That’s how we, as a team, add value for our clients” says Jason Matthews Founder and Director of GRIT Engineering. The ability to carry out more than just typical structural engineering work becomes crucial when working with brown ield industrial or infrastructure projects like the GBC - Tyre Derived Fuel project. These projects interface with existing structures and systems in live operating environments (24/7) with unique design and execution challenges not generally encountered in green ield execution. “Green ields are typically far less complex and are often simply built as designed". Whether it’s lack of as-built information and survey data, existing facilities that are not up to task for the new functions/loading, structures and equipment installations with constrained shutdown durations, heavy lifting across live sites and a huge range of variables associated with brown ield projects, GRIT has proved they have the team and capability to deliver. It’s highly stimulating to combine structural irst principles and reverse engineering skills with software and technology, to work on complex projects like this, thinking on your feet and adapting design when unexpected developments require it” says Erik Thomson Lead Structural Engineer at GRIT. Erik was so enthusiastic about the TDF project, he returned earlier from his Christmas break to support the project with his heavy lifting expertise. GRIT Engineering was proud to support the TDF project with a wide range of services including Construction Management of the civil scope, Structural Engineering and Design, Temporary Works and Heavy Lifting Engineering and Coatings and Refractory advice. Check GRIT’s website for more details about their involvement in this project and how the team lived their values. Experts in structural engineering and design, asset management, maintenance/ modi ication/rehabilitation and durability, the Team at GRIT understands industrial sites and infrastructure assets. GRIT can carry out seismic, engineering and durability assessments looking at the current asset condition, required life and performance requirements, predicted corrosion rates, as well as failure investigation to provide speci ic recommendations for decision making. “We have experienced irst-hand the e ects of poor design and speci ications and can add value both in early de inition stages or during the design phase to ensure durability and constructability issues/opportunities are proactively and practically identi ied, considered and managed.” GRIT’s ‘whole asset management life cycle’ knowledge and understanding of business objectives and risk drivers are also key in the creation of it for purpose approaches. Jason welcomes discussion about how GRIT’s approach and expertise can add value on customer’s projects. Civil & Structural Engineering and Design • Asset Management • Corrosion & Durability Fit for purpose engineering and asset management for industrial and infrastructure assets 0800 GRIT ENG (0800 4748 364) Marsden Point, Northland Ponsonby, Auckland info@gritengineering.co.nz www.gritengineering.co.nz Rob Aubrey, GRIT’s Senior Civil PM, oversaw the execution of all the civil works for the TDF project.