Recently, Henan Jingtian Membrane Structure Engineering Co., Ltd. At the client’s request, we conducted a structural inspection and on-site survey of the Henan Agricultural Factory premises to provide a structural assessment, reinforcement recommendations, and cost estimates in support of the subsequent rooftop photovoltaic installation.

Project Requirements

· The main objectives of this project include:

· Conduct on-site structural inspection of the existing factory building.

· Assess whether the existing steel structure can accommodate the additional photovoltaic load requirements.

· Provide reinforcement recommendations for locations with insufficient load-bearing capacity.

· Perform structural mechanics calculations based on field data.

· Output the preliminary design plan and project budget.

As the facility has been in operation for many years, the client seeks to complete the assessment without disrupting ongoing production and to minimize subsequent construction costs.

Henan Jingtian engineers conducted an on-site inspection.

I. On-site Structural Inspection of the Factory Building

Upon receiving the project requirements, the Henan Jingtian engineering team promptly visited the plant site and conducted a systematic on-site inspection of the target facility.

The main on-site testing items include:

1. Confirmation of the overall structural configuration of the factory building

2. Measurement of cross-sectional dimensions of steel columns and steel beams

3. Verification of column spacing and span dimensions

4. Measurement of Column Heights and Purlin Layout

5. Inspection of Roof Structure Connection Joints

6. Inspection of Existing Structural Deformations and Corrosion Conditions

Through on-site measurements, the actual construction conditions of the existing steel structure and its historical service history were further verified.

II. Rebound Testing and Material Verification

To more accurately assess the load-bearing capacity of the existing structure, engineers conducted on-site testing of selected structural members using a rebound hammer.

Mainly includes:

1. Rebound testing of concrete foundation strength

2. Preliminary confirmation of component material

3. Verification of steel structure thickness and specifications

4. Assessment of the Aging Condition of Existing Materials

Compared with relying solely on historical drawings, on-site inspections can more accurately reflect the current structural condition of the factory building and provide a reliable basis for subsequent structural analysis.

Why is a structural review mandatory for photovoltaic rooftop installations?

Many companies believe that all that’s needed on a rooftop is to install photovoltaic mounting structures, but in reality:

The addition of a photovoltaic system entails not only an increase in module weight, but also:

• Support load
• Wind load
• Snow load
• Dynamic Additional Load
• Long-term fatigue impact

In particular, for industrial buildings that have been in service for an extended period, proceeding with construction without first conducting a structural review may result in:

• Roof deformation
• Sagging of purlins
• Node cracking
• Local buckling
• Increased safety hazards

Therefore, formal photovoltaic rooftop‑extension projects typically require advance structural analysis and safety assessments.

Mechanical Calculations and Discussion of Reinforcement Schemes

Following the completion of on-site testing, the Henan Jingtian technical team conducted an in-depth structural analysis of the project based on the field-collected data.

The main tasks include:

·Original structural load verification

·Calculation of new photovoltaic load

·Structural Load Analysis

·Node Stability Verification

·Assessment of the Load-Carrying Capacity of Purlins and Steel Beams

·Discussion on the feasibility of local reinforcement

For certain areas with insufficient load-bearing capacity, engineers have put forward targeted optimization recommendations, such as:

• Add corner braces
• Local Node Reinforcement
• Local anti-corrosion treatment
• Increase the cross-sectional area to enhance the stability of the connection plate.
• Overall Structural Optimization of the Roof Deck

While ensuring safety, it also takes into account construction efficiency and project cost control.

One-stop integration of inspection, design, and construction coordination.

Compared with simply providing processing services, Henan Jingtian Membrane Structure Engineering Co., Ltd. Places greater emphasis on the project’s overall implementation capability.

From:

• Preliminary On-site Testing
• Structural Assessment
• Mechanical calculations
• Reinforcement Scheme Design
• Steel Structure Detailing
• Component fabrication
• Post-construction coordination

Establish a comprehensive project service workflow to help clients reduce multi‑party communication costs and enhance project execution efficiency.

Conclusion

Adding photovoltaic systems to industrial buildings is far from as simple as “just installing solar panels.”
What truly determines a project’s safety and service life is the preliminary structural inspection and scientific assessment.

Through on-site inspections, structural re‑verification, and mechanical calculations, potential issues can be identified in advance and design solutions optimized, thereby effectively mitigating risks during subsequent construction phases.

Looking ahead, Henan Jingtian Membrane Structure Engineering Co., Ltd. will continue to deepen its expertise in steel‑structure and membrane‑structure engineering, providing more industrial and commercial clients with professional, safe, and efficient structural solutions.