Structural & MEP Engineering for a Custom Wood-Framed Residence | Lincoln, Texas

S3DA Design provided comprehensive Structural and MEP engineering services for a new single-story custom residence in Lincoln, Texas. The approximately 3,547 SF residence includes 2,289.53 SF of living space, a 721.11 SF three-car garage, and covered front and rear porches. The engineering design was developed to deliver a permit-ready, code-compliant solution while addressing the site’s challenging soil conditions.  

S3DA’s Scope of Work 

Structural Engineering 

• Wind, seismic, dead, and live load analysis  

• Stiffened grade beam slab-on-ground foundation designed per the geotechnical report for highly expansive clay soils  

• Structural design of shear walls, load-bearing walls, headers, porch beams and posts  

• Roof truss support framing, girder supports, bearing locations, and uplift connections  

• Foundation plan  

• Roof framing plan  

• Shear wall layout  

• Structural building sections  

• Structural details, notes, and specifications  

Mechanical Engineering 

• HVAC load calculations  

• Mechanical floor and roof plans  

• HVAC ductwork layout with rigid duct distribution  

• Mechanical schedules, specifications, and details  

Electrical Engineering 

• Lighting and power plans  

• Panel schedules and single-line diagram (SLD)  

• Electrical load calculations  

• Electrical specifications and construction details  

Plumbing Engineering 

• Domestic water and sanitary drainage plans  

• Natural gas distribution design  

• Water and sanitary riser diagrams  

• Plumbing schedules, calculations, and details  

Key Challenges & Engineering Solutions 

One of the project’s primary engineering challenges was the presence of highly expansive clay soils, as identified in the geotechnical investigation. S3DA addressed this by designing a stiffened grade beam slab foundation in accordance with the geotechnical recommendations, helping improve long-term structural performance and minimize movement associated with soil expansion. 

The roof system utilizes pre-engineered wood trusses as a deferred submittal. S3DA coordinated the structural design by providing the required roof loading criteria, girder support framing, bearing conditions, and uplift connections, ensuring seamless integration with the future truss manufacturer’s design. 

The Result 

By delivering fully coordinated Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing engineering under one roof, S3DA Design streamlined project coordination and produced permit-ready construction documents tailored to Texas building requirements. The integrated engineering approach improves constructability, enhances coordination between disciplines, and supports an efficient permitting and construction process.