What is Plant Design?

Plant design refers to the engineering and planning of industrial plants. Industrial plants—such as oil refineries, chemical factories, and pharmaceutical production facilities—are essential to modern infrastructure and the manufacturing of critical products that support daily life.

These facilities often contain equipment and piping systems that handle hazardous or toxic substances. In the event of an accident or natural disaster, such materials could pose serious risks to human health and the environment. For this reason, plant structures must be designed to meet far more stringent safety standards than general buildings.

Plant design involves engineering each structural component to withstand various external forces, including seismic activity, thermal stress, and operational loads. Plant design, based on advanced engineering and safety principles, ensures the resilience of industrial facilities and the continuity of critical services.

Design and Engineering Process

Design Preparation

We begin by carefully reviewing the design specifications to understand key conditions such as loading requirements, design parameters, and project-specific structural considerations.
For international plant projects, applicable design standards differ by country and client. It is therefore essential to confirm in advance which codes and guidelines will be used.

Structural Planning

At this stage, we evaluate the pre-established layout of piping, equipment, and surrounding infrastructure to determine the optimal placement of beams and braces. This is done to effectively resist horizontal forces such as those generated by seismic activity.
Structural planning is critical, as it directly influences both the safety and cost-efficiency of the final design.

Preliminary Load Calculations

We calculate the external forces acting on the structure, including piping loads, equipment weights, thermal expansion forces, and frictional loads.
Compared to general building projects, plant structures require consideration of a significantly greater number of load cases.
These calculations, like structural planning, are fundamental to the integrity and reliability of the overall design.

Analysis Model Development

A detailed structural analysis model is created to reflect actual site conditions. All relevant loads are applied to this model to simulate how forces are distributed throughout the structure.
This process enables accurate evaluation of structural performance under various scenarios.

Design

Based on analysis results, we verify the safety and stability of all structural members and finalize their dimensions and specifications.

Preparation of Calculation Reports

All design processes and analysis results are compiled into a comprehensive structural calculation report, serving as a formal and traceable record of the engineering work.

Development of Tools for Structural Analysis Integration

We also develop proprietary applications using programming languages such as VBA to improve design efficiency and accuracy.
These tools are created based on the results from general-purpose structural analysis software like AutoPIPE, CAESAR II, and STAAD Pro.

Our Approach to Plant Design

Plant design projects are large-scale endeavors involving numerous specialized disciplines. The design process spans across multiple departments, including project management, piping, mechanical design, electrical and instrumentation, and civil and architectural engineering—each playing a critical role in supporting the plant’s structural and operational requirements. Given the collaborative nature of this work, successful project delivery depends on seamless coordination and frequent communication among all parties involved.

Since each project site presents unique environmental and cultural conditions, we begin every design with a strong understanding of the local climate, regulations, and design codes. While many standards are globally recognized, individual countries often enforce their own guidelines. Correctly interpreting and applying these requirements is a crucial first step.

At RISE, we are committed to delivering added value throughout the design process. We create detailed task schedules using matrix charts, manage progress daily, and take early action to resolve potential issues. This approach ensures we meet deadlines efficiently while maintaining design quality. Where appropriate, we also proactively propose cost-saving solutions that do not compromise safety or performance.

Challenges can be complex, but we are dedicated to finding practical and effective solutions —guided by experience, collaboration, and a deep sense of pride in our work. Through this approach, we are continuously striving to provide structural design proposals that our clients can trust and depend on.

We recognize that plant design often presents complex and unforeseen challenges. However, we are committed to finding practical and effective solutions—driven by a deep sense of responsibility and pride in our work. Through this approach, we continue to build trust with our clients by delivering reliable, well-considered structural design solutions.