Are electronic signatures legally valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally effective under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and in most states under UETA (1999). Certain narrow exceptions (for example some testamentary instruments) remain subject to specific rules.

Does a PE seal work electronically?

Many jurisdictions accept an electronic seal plus signer attribution; local rules vary. Confirm with the authority having jurisdiction whether an electronic stamp, digital signature, or wet stamp is required.

Which file format should I submit?

Submit a flattened, signed PDF (PDF/A preferred) for the stamped calculation and include supplemental native files (CAD, spreadsheets) only if the reviewer requests them.

How do I correct errors after signing?

Prepare a revised calculation, apply a new stamp and signature, and resubmit. Maintain version history and an audit trail showing the revision reason and dates.

Is notarization required for submission?

Not typically required for structural calculations, but some jurisdictions or project-specific requirements may ask for notarized affidavits or owner certifications; verify with the local permitting office.

How long must signed calculations be retained?

Retain final signed calculations per project and regulatory requirements; federal guidance includes IRS (3 years, IRC §6501(a)) and HIPAA records (6 years, 45 CFR §164.530(j)), with many projects kept longer by contract or state law.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Engineering Structural Calculation

Engineering Structural Calculation

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

ENGINEERING STRUCTURAL CALCULATION AGREEMENT AND REPORT

WHEREAS, Client Name: (the "Client") requires structural engineering calculations and associated deliverables for the Project described below; and

WHEREAS, Engineer Name: (the "Engineer") is duly qualified and agrees to perform the engineering structural calculation services under the terms set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Project: located at is the subject of the required calculations;

Scope of Work

The Engineer shall perform structural analysis and calculations in accordance with accepted engineering practice to determine required member sizes, connection forces, and load effects. The services shall include preparation of written calculation notes, critical load case analyses, and any calculations necessary for permit submission and construction. The scope specifically includes the following deliverables and tasks:

Detailed Scope Description Applicable Codes and Standards

Assumptions and Design Criteria

The Engineer's calculations shall be based on the following assumptions. Any deviation discovered during subsequent design or construction shall be reported to the Client and may require revision of the work and associated fees.

Calculation Summary and Load Cases

Provide a concise summary of the primary calculation results, controlling load cases, and critical member checks. This summary will accompany the full calculation package produced by the Engineer.

Attachments to be Delivered (check all that apply)

Calculation files and notes
Engineer-stamped calculations
Summary report for permit submission
Peer review documentation (if requested)

Payment Terms

The Client shall pay the Engineer for services rendered in accordance with the fees and schedule set forth below. Invoices are due upon receipt unless otherwise specified.

Total Contract Amount (USD) Payment Schedule / Milestones Deposit or Initial Payment Late Payment Fee

Term and Termination

This Agreement shall commence on the Start Date and continue until the End Date or until completion of the services unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Start Date Estimated End Date Termination Notice Period

Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause if the other party materially breaches any obligation and fails to cure within the notice period specified above. Upon termination the Client shall pay the Engineer for all services performed and any reimbursable expenses incurred through the effective date of termination.

Confidentiality

The parties acknowledge that certain information exchanged under this Agreement may be confidential. Each party shall treat such information as confidential and shall not disclose it to third parties except to the extent necessary to perform the services, to comply with legal requirements, or with the prior written consent of the disclosing party. Confidential information does not include information that is publicly available through no fault of the receiving party, or independently developed by the receiving party without reference to the confidential information.

Engineer Certification and Limitation of Liability

The Engineer certifies that the calculations have been performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer and that the calculations are true and correct to the best of the Engineer's professional knowledge. The Engineer's liability for claims arising out of this Agreement shall be limited to the amount of fees paid for the services related to the claim, except where otherwise prohibited by law. The Client acknowledges that design and construction risks cannot be entirely eliminated and that the Engineer shall not be responsible for construction means, methods, or site safety.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with any attachments and exhibits expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the services described and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Additional Administrative Information

Engineer License Number Primary Contact for Technical Questions Contact Email / Phone

Engineer:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

What an Engineering Structural Calculation Is and when it’s used

An Engineering Structural Calculation is a technical report that documents the loads, analysis methods, assumptions, and design checks used to size and verify structural members, connections, and foundations. It typically references applicable codes and standards, shows step-by-step calculations for live, dead, wind, seismic, and other loads, and includes material properties, load combinations, and safety factors. Jurisdictions and approving authorities commonly require the calculation to be signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer before issuing building permits or certifications of compliance.

Why a complete structural calculation matters for projects

A clear, code-referenced calculation documents the engineer’s design intent, evidences compliance with building codes, supports permit approval, and limits downstream ambiguity. Proper documentation reduces review cycles, lowers the risk of design errors or field rework, and provides a defensible record if questions about performance or liability arise.

Who prepares and relies on structural calculations

Structural calculations are prepared by licensed professionals and used by multiple stakeholders during design, permitting, and construction.

Structural engineers and licensed professional engineers responsible for design, computations, and certification of structural adequacy.
Architects and project managers who coordinate code compliance, review design intent, and integrate structural information into construction documents.
General contractors and subcontractors who use the calculations for fabrication, installation, and field verification of structural elements.

Clear ownership and routing reduce review time and clarify who is responsible for design assumptions, updates, and final certification.

Core sections to include in a professional calculation package

A well-organized structural calculation groups required content so reviewers can find code citations, input data, and the engineer’s conclusions quickly.

Project Data

Project name, address, client, project number, site conditions, and contact details for the design team.

Codes and Standards

List governing codes and editions (for example ASCE 7 and the adopted IBC edition) used for load definitions and design criteria.

Material Properties

Specify steel grades, concrete strengths, timber species and allowable stresses used for member sizing and checks.

Loads and Combinations

Detailed load calculations for dead, live, wind, seismic, snow, and load combinations used in design checks.

Member Calculations

Analyses, formulas, load paths, deflection checks, and connection designs demonstrating code compliance for each element.

Certification Block

Engineer’s statement, signature, license number, seal/stamp, and the date of stamping or revision.

Security and compliance controls to protect calculation records

Encryption in transit: TLS 1.2 / 1.3

Encryption at rest: AES-256

Third-party attestations: SOC 2 Type II

Healthcare compliance: HIPAA (BAA required)

Regulated workflows: 21 CFR Part 11 support

International standards: ISO 27001

Consequences of incomplete or incorrect structural calculations

Permit denial: Missing or incorrect data may delay or block permit issuance

Construction rework: Design errors can force costly field changes

Civil liability: Deficient designs can lead to claims and litigation

Professional discipline: Licensing boards may investigate substandard work

Project delays: Review cycles extend overall schedule

Insurance impacts: Higher premiums or denied coverage for defects

Step-by-step: preparing and submitting a structural calculation

Follow a consistent sequence from data gathering to final stamping to minimize review cycles and support permit approval.

01

Gather project data: Collect drawings, soil report, loads, code edition, and client information.
02

Perform load analysis: Calculate dead, live, wind, seismic, and special loads per referenced standards.
03

Run member checks: Analyze and verify member strengths, connections, and deflections against design criteria.
04

Stamp and submit: Sign and seal the final file, then route to the authority having jurisdiction.

Recommended digital workflow settings for calculation packages

Use consistent file formats, required fields, and authentication to reduce administrative back-and-forth during reviews.

Field	Configuration
Document upload format	PDF/A preferred for permanence; include native CAD/DWG as supplemental files
Signature method	Use a licensed engineer’s electronic signature or PKI-based digital signature where required
Authentication level	Email + SMS code or SSO for stronger signer attribution
Retention policy	Store final signed PDF and audit trail for the required retention period

Where calculations are sent and how approvals move forward

Typical submission paths depend on project type and local permitting workflows; route documents to the correct review authority.

Local building department: Primary reviewer for permit issuance and code compliance checks
Owner / client: Receives stamped calculations for record and contract compliance
Contractor / fabricator: Uses calculations for shop drawings and field installation
Third-party reviewer: Independent peer review when required by jurisdiction or owner

Technical considerations for eSubmission and eSigning platforms

Choose a platform that supports required file types, strong signer attribution, and integrations with construction and document systems.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Procore, Box, Google Workspace
Formats supported: PDF, DOCX, DWG supplemental, Excel input/output
Authentication options: Email, SMS code, SSO, KBA where available

Confirm the platform meets any regulatory or contract-specific signature standards, supports audit trails, and allows export of signed PDFs for long-term storage.

Typical timing milestones for calculation review and permit approval

Review and permit timelines vary by jurisdiction, project size, and completeness of submission.

Internal QA review:

1–5 business days depending on firm workload

Engineer stamping:

Same-day to a few days after final reconciliation

AHJ plan review:

Often 2–8 weeks; expedited reviews available in some jurisdictions

Permit issuance:

After corrections and approvals are complete; timing depends on backlog

Construction start:

Contingent on permit issuance and any special inspections scheduling

Practical tips to reduce review cycles and risk

Adopt consistent document controls and communicate assumptions clearly to speed approvals and reduce rework.

Document assumptions clearly

List all simplifying assumptions, load interpretations, and boundary conditions at the start of the calculation so reviewers can quickly assess applicability and avoid unnecessary questions.

Reference code sections

Cite specific code sections and equations used. This reduces ambiguity for plan reviewers and links your approach to accepted standards.

Use version control

Stamp each revision and maintain an accessible audit trail so reviewers and contractors work from the same signed version and avoid field errors.

Coordinate with disciplines

Confirm critical interfaces (foundations, lateral systems, MEP penetrations) before final stamping to preempt constructability issues and requests for calculation changes.

Real-world examples of electronic signing in technical workflows

Signatures and sealed PDFs are used by firms to speed approvals and make stamped documents available to project teams and permitting authorities.

Optica Ventures — Brian Fitzgibbons

Optica used electronic signing to speed document returns and reduce in-person coordination.

Simplified customer experience.
The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

A small property developer processed signed technical forms remotely to meet short scheduling windows.

Faster turnaround for approvals.
I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security.

eSignature vendor comparison relevant to structural calculation submissions

Compare common plan features and starting prices for eSignature providers; signNow appears first per platform comparison conventions.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions about signing and submitting structural calculations

Answers to common questions about legal validity, stamping, formats, and correcting signed calculation files.

Need help? Contact support

Are electronic signatures legally valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally effective under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and in most states under UETA (1999). Certain narrow exceptions (for example some testamentary instruments) remain subject to specific rules.
Does a PE seal work electronically?
Many jurisdictions accept an electronic seal plus signer attribution; local rules vary. Confirm with the authority having jurisdiction whether an electronic stamp, digital signature, or wet stamp is required.
Which file format should I submit?
Submit a flattened, signed PDF (PDF/A preferred) for the stamped calculation and include supplemental native files (CAD, spreadsheets) only if the reviewer requests them.
How do I correct errors after signing?
Prepare a revised calculation, apply a new stamp and signature, and resubmit. Maintain version history and an audit trail showing the revision reason and dates.
Is notarization required for submission?
Not typically required for structural calculations, but some jurisdictions or project-specific requirements may ask for notarized affidavits or owner certifications; verify with the local permitting office.
How long must signed calculations be retained?
Retain final signed calculations per project and regulatory requirements; federal guidance includes IRS (3 years, IRC §6501(a)) and HIPAA records (6 years, 45 CFR §164.530(j)), with many projects kept longer by contract or state law.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now