OVERVIEW
Independent Structural Review for Chicago Permit Applications
Anax Engineering provides structural peer review services for projects utilizing the City of Chicago Structural Peer Review program.
Our principal, Vladimir Kovacevic, PE, SE, is a City of Chicago Registered Structural Peer Reviewer. Peer review provides an independent technical evaluation of the structural design, calculations and construction documents prepared by the project’s structural engineer of record.
Our review focuses on structural code compliance, design criteria, load paths, analysis, member design, foundations, lateral systems and coordination between the calculations and structural drawings.
A Focused Independent Review
Structural peer review requires more than checking isolated calculations. The structural system must be evaluated as a coordinated whole and the design documents must clearly communicate the intended load paths and structural requirements.
Design Criteria — Review applicable structural design criteria, loading assumptions, material requirements and other project-specific design parameters.
Structural Analysis — Evaluate gravity and lateral analysis, load paths, member design and the assumptions used to establish structural demands.
Foundations & Lateral Systems — Review foundation design and the building’s wind and seismic force-resisting systems for consistency with the overall structural concept.
Calculations & Drawings — Confirm that structural calculations and construction documents are coordinated and that critical design requirements are adequately documented.
Typical Peer Review Scope
Structural Design Criteria
Review of applicable loads, material properties, design assumptions and structural criteria.
Gravity Framing
Review of floor and roof framing, beams, columns, bearing elements and primary gravity load paths.
Lateral Force-Resisting Systems
Review of wind and seismic design, diaphragms, frames, walls, collectors and related structural elements.
Foundations
Review of foundation design, reactions, bearing conditions and coordination with geotechnical recommendations.
Structural Drawings & Details
Review of construction documents for consistency with the structural analysis and design requirements.
Review Comments & Resolution
Documentation of review comments and evaluation of subsequent responses and revisions.
OUR APPROACH
A Structured Review Focused on the Whole Building System
Effective structural peer review requires more than checking isolated calculations or individual members. The review should consider how the gravity, lateral and foundation systems work together and whether the design documents clearly communicate the intended structural behavior.
Anax Engineering reviews the structural calculations and construction documents as a coordinated package, with attention to design criteria, loading assumptions, analysis methods, load paths, member design, foundations, lateral systems and critical detailing.
Review comments are organized to identify technical issues, coordination items and areas requiring clarification. Responses and revised documents are then evaluated to confirm that the issues identified during the review have been adequately addressed.
The objective is to provide an independent technical review that supports a clear, coordinated and code-compliant structural design for the permit process.
01
Review Design Criteria
Review structural design criteria, loading assumptions, materials, geotechnical information and other project-specific parameters that form the basis of the structural design.
02
Evaluate Structural Analysis
Review gravity and lateral analysis, structural models, load paths and major design assumptions used to establish forces and structural demands.
03
Review Structural Components
Evaluate representative framing, foundations, lateral elements and critical structural components for consistency with the analysis and applicable design requirements.
04
Issue Review Comments
Prepare clear, organized comments identifying technical issues, coordination items, inconsistencies and areas requiring clarification or revision.
05
Review Responses & Revisions
Evaluate responses and revised documents to confirm that peer-review comments have been adequately addressed and the structural package is coordinated.
STRUCTURAL REVIEW SCOPE
Reviewing the Structural System as a Coordinated Whole
Structural peer review should address the primary systems that govern the building’s behavior, not simply individual calculations in isolation.
Anax Engineering evaluates the relationship between gravity framing, lateral systems, foundations, diaphragms, collectors and other critical components to confirm that the overall structural concept is internally consistent.
The review also considers whether the structural drawings, calculations and design assumptions are coordinated and whether the information presented is sufficient to support the intended load paths and structural performance.
Primary Areas of Review
Gravity Load Paths
Floor and roof framing, beams, columns, bearing elements and transfer conditions.
Lateral Systems
Shear walls, frames, diaphragms, collectors and other wind- and seismic-resisting components.
Foundations
Foundation reactions, bearing conditions, settlement considerations and coordination with geotechnical recommendations.
Structural Connections
Critical connections and detailing required to transfer gravity and lateral forces through the structure.
Design Coordination
Consistency between structural calculations, plans, sections, details and project-specific design criteria.
REVIEW COMMENTS & RESOLUTION
Clear Comments That Keep the Review Process Moving
Effective peer review depends on communicating technical concerns clearly and efficiently. Review comments should identify the issue, provide enough context for the Engineer of Record to understand the concern and focus attention on the information or revision needed to resolve it.
Anax Engineering organizes peer-review comments around specific structural issues, calculations, drawing locations and coordination items so that the project team can respond systematically.
Responses and revised documents are then reviewed to determine whether the original concern has been addressed or whether additional clarification is required.
The objective is a focused and collaborative review process that resolves technical issues without introducing unnecessary complexity or redesigning the project on behalf of the Engineer of Record.
Effective Peer Review Communication
Clear Technical Comments
Comments identify the specific structural issue and the information requiring clarification, verification or revision.
Organized Review Tracking
Comments and responses are maintained in a structured format so that outstanding items can be readily identified.
Focused Follow-Up
Revised calculations and drawings are reviewed specifically against the issues raised during the previous review.
Coordination With the Engineer of Record
Technical questions are addressed directly and professionally while maintaining the Engineer of Record’s responsibility for the design.
Documented Resolution
Review items are tracked through resolution to establish a clear record of the peer-review process.
INDEPENDENCE & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Supporting the Permit Process Without Replacing the Engineer of Record
Structural peer review is an independent technical review of the structural design prepared by the project’s Engineer of Record. The purpose is to evaluate the design for technical adequacy, consistency and compliance while maintaining a clear separation between the reviewer’s role and the responsibility of the design engineer.
Anax Engineering approaches the review as an independent check of the structural system, calculations and construction documents. Where questions or concerns are identified, they are communicated through the peer-review process for response and resolution by the Engineer of Record.
The peer reviewer does not take over the project design or direct the Engineer of Record’s design approach. The goal is to provide a rigorous, efficient and well-documented review that supports the City of Chicago permit process while preserving the responsibilities of each member of the project team.
This clear division of responsibility helps keep the review focused, professional and technically useful throughout the permit process.
Need a Structural Peer Reviewer for a Chicago Project?
Planning a project that will use the City of Chicago Structural Peer Review process? Anax Engineering can provide independent review of the structural calculations and construction documents and work with the project team through comment resolution and permit coordination.