Business Details
25 Years
experience
Expert Structural Engineering for Water, Civil & Building Projects
At SM&RC Structural Engineers, we collaborate with owners, water resource firms, process engineers, architects, and contractors to deliver effective, safe, and durable structural designs that align with multidisciplinary design intents and long-term operational goals. Founded in 2001 by David Blanchette, our firm initially specialized in structural designs for water resource and mining sectors before expanding into general civil structures, commercial, and residential buildings. Our philosophy emphasizes comprehensive, detailed design documentation and active collaboration throughout project lifecycles to ensure successful outcomes. Our team brings decades of combined experience in designing dams, civil structures, and mining facilities, with expertise in ACI 350 concrete design, seismic analysis, and post-tensioned concrete. We specialize in hydraulic structures subjected to complex loading scenarios, including flow vibration and hydroelectric turbine-induced dynamic loads.Our engineers have led major dam projects and participated in FERC Part 12D inspections, Probable Failure Mode Analyses, and seismic evaluations in high-risk regions. We provide full-service structural engineering, including feasibility studies, retrofitting, construction management, and non-destructive testing. Our staff holds professional registrations across 12 states and maintains deep technical knowledge of coatings, stability analysis, and longevity-focused design for challenging environments. We prioritize client partnerships to develop innovative solutions tailored to unique project requirements, from concept through completion. With senior engineers boasting over 35 years of cumulative experience, we combine technical rigor with practical insight to deliver structures that meet functional, safety, and aesthetic objectives.
Services
Structural Design
Hydraulic Structures
Civil Engineering
Construction Management
Seismic Analysis
Retrofitting
Non-Destructive Testing
Feasibility Studies
Post-Tensioned Concrete
Probable Failure Mode Analysis
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of specialized hydraulic structure design experience
- Our team holds 12 state PE registrations and seismic analysis expertise
- We provide full lifecycle engineering from feasibility studies to construction support
- Our collaborative approach integrates structural solutions with multidisciplinary design goals
- We maintain ACI 350 code compliance and advanced coatings selection expertise
Services
Hydraulic Structures
Specialized structural design for dams, canals, treatment plants, and pump stations. Our engineers address unique challenges including ACI 350 compliance, hydraulic load stability, and coating selection for longevity. We deliver solutions that balance functional requirements with environmental durability.
Seismic Analysis
Advanced seismic evaluation and design for structures in high-risk regions. We utilize finite element analysis and dynamic modeling to ensure structural integrity under seismic loads, with proven experience in California's critical infrastructure projects.
Construction Management
Comprehensive construction phase support including structural observation, bid evaluation, and cost estimating. Our engineers provide technical guidance during implementation to maintain design intent while addressing field challenges.
Retrofitting
Rehabilitation solutions for aging infrastructure including dams, spillways, and industrial facilities. We conduct condition assessments and develop cost-effective retrofit strategies to extend service life while meeting current code requirements.
Non-Destructive Testing
Field testing using advanced techniques to evaluate structural integrity without compromising components. Our rope access-certified engineers perform inspections and diagnostics to inform maintenance and repair decisions.
People
David Blanchette
Principal Engineer
Founder with 35+ years of experience in dam and mining structure design. Expert in hydroelectric turbine load analysis and FERC inspection protocols. Holds PE licenses in 8 states.
Jeff Blanchette
Senior Structural Engineer
Specializes in seismic analysis and post-tensioned concrete. Experienced with finite element modeling and structural design across multiple materials. Licensed in 4 western states.
Jerry Isler
Senior Structural Engineer
30-year veteran in water/wastewater facility design. Provides technical leadership on pipeline projects and municipal infrastructure. Maintains Colorado PE registration.
Questions
What engineering services do you specialize in?
We focus on structural design for hydraulic structures, civil infrastructure, and commercial/residential buildings, including seismic analysis, retrofitting, and construction management.
How long have you been in business?
SM&RC Structural Engineers was founded in 2001 by David Blanchette, with our team collectively holding over 90 years of engineering experience.
Do you work on water resource projects?
Yes, we specialize in dam structures, treatment plants, pump stations, and canal systems with ACI 350 code compliance expertise.
What geographic areas do you serve?
Based in Lakewood, CO, we serve clients nationwide with project experience across the western United States.
Are your engineers licensed?
All senior staff hold Professional Engineer (PE) licenses in multiple states, with specialized credentials in seismic and structural engineering.
How do you handle project collaboration?
We maintain continuous collaboration with architects, contractors, and owners throughout design and construction phases to ensure successful project delivery.
