Chartered Structural Engineer — Huddersfield
The Beam Doctor gives homeowners chartered structural advice before they alter their home.
Who is The Beam Doctor?
The Beam Doctor is led by Paul Kangunga, a Chartered Structural Engineer (CEng MIStructE) based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Unlike general builders or architects, my sole specialism is the physics of buildings—calculating exactly what keeps your roof over your head.
What does "Chartered" mean?
It means my competence has been assessed by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). It is a recognised benchmark of engineering competence in the UK.
Meet the Engineer — Paul Kangunga, CEng MIStructE
The Beam Doctor is led by Paul A. Kangunga (BSc, MSc, CEng, MIStructE), a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Structural Engineers since 2003. Over more than 25 years, in his employed career with engineering consultancies, he has designed and assessed structures across some of the most demanding sectors in engineering:
- Energy & infrastructure: electricity distribution substations and associated infrastructure for Scottish Power and Iberdrola.
- Rail & highways: overhead-line electrification on a branch of the West Coast Mainline, and highway retaining-wall design for Kirklees Council.
- Buildings: multi-storey commercial and residential schemes in Leeds — and, closest to home, domestic new builds, alterations and extensions across Huddersfield.
He holds an MSc in Civil Engineering (specialising in Structural Engineering) from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Malawi. He designs in steel, reinforced concrete, masonry and timber to British Standards and the Eurocodes, alongside international codes such as ACI, AISC and ASCE.
That breadth is the whole point of The Beam Doctor: bringing the rigour demanded on major energy and infrastructure projects to the steel beam over your kitchen knock-through. The same engineer who checks a substation will size your RSJ.
Why I Started The Beam Doctor
Two common problems are chimney breasts removed with the stack left unsupported, and steels bearing on timber instead of concrete padstones.
I set up The Beam Doctor to give homeowners clear, chartered structural advice on home alterations.
Expertise
25+ years across energy, rail, highways and residential structural engineering.
Education
MSc Structural Engineering (SUNY Buffalo); chartered with the IStructE since 2003.
Professional Tools
Paul also develops professional tools for the engineering community, including the Structural Engineering QA Toolkit — a risk-based design check system for engineering practices.
My Promise to You
- Safety First: I will never recommend a "quick fix" if it compromises stability.
- Independence: I am not affiliated with any building contractor. I give my own professional view, whoever instructs me.
- Clarity: No jargon. Just clear, actionable advice on keeping your home safe.