972-825-7741
Official Engineering Partner of PoolPlans.com

Swimming Pool
Engineering Services

Professional Pool Engineering to Last a Lifetime

Expert structural and hydraulic engineering designed specifically for the unique challenges of pool construction. Protect your investment with professional engineering that ensures your pool is built to last.

Start Your Project Visit PoolPlans.com

⚡️ Official Engineering Partner of PoolPlans.com

Swimming Pool Engineering Services

Professional Pool Engineering to Last a Lifetime

Expert structural and hydraulic engineering designed specifically for your specific site for commercial and residential pool construction. Protect your investment with professional engineering that ensures your pool is built to last.

Start Your Project
The challenge

Why Professional Engineering Matters to Pool Design

At Ultimus Engineering, we understand the significant investment and pride that comes with building and owning a swimming pool. However, it’s crucial to address a critical aspect of pool construction that directly impacts its longevity and safety: structural engineering.

The Challenges of Various Soils
Across the Nation

Headquartered in Texas, we face unique challenges due to the high Plasticity Index of our soils. Specifically referred to as the potential of vertical rise (PVR), this measurement indicates how much the soil can swell and shrink with changes in moisture content. The expansive clay soils prevalent in our region can undergo significant fluctuations, leading to potential structural issues for swimming pools if not properly addressed. 

Other locations across the nation experience their own special challenges. Partner with licensed professional engineers who understand the nuances of your geography. 

 

Average soil movement (PVR) in Texas
100 inches

It is not uncommon to see PVR data in Texas averaging 5-6 inches of movement. No amount of structural engineering alone can withstand this level of movement against a pool foundation. Additional ground preparation techniques, and possibly deep foundation design, must be implemented to ensure the longevity of the swimming pool.

Foundation Movement

Soil expansion and contraction causes shifting and instability, resulting in structural damage over time.

Cracking and Leaks

Repeated soil movement causes cracks that lead to water leaks and weaken structural integrity.

Groundwater Pressure

High groundwater levels create additional pressures that can dislodge and deform pool structures.

Site-Specific Analysis

Geotechnical soil testing reports are essential to determine exact conditions at each job site.

OUR SERVICES

Comprehensive Engineering Solutions

We provide complete structural and hydraulic engineering services designed specifically for swimming pools, ensuring your investment is protected for decades to come.

Structural Design

A swimming pool is a permanent structure, not just a hole in the ground. Good structural engineering helps prevent costly issues like excessive cracking, movement, or leaks by designing the pool shell and supporting elements to handle soil conditions, water loads, and long-term use.

What You Get:

  • Clear, permit-ready structural plans and details (sealed when required)
  • Pool shell thickness and steel reinforcement layout
  • Bond beam design for structural integrity
  • Steps, benches, and raised walls engineering
  • Structural details for spas, grottos, and sheer descents
  • Reinforcement and shotcrete/gunite detailing contractors can build from
  • Coordination with geotechnical recommendations
  • Design focused on durability, constructability, and code compliance

Hydraulic Design

Hydraulic design determines how water moves through your pool system. It affects how well the pool circulates, filters, heats, and stays clean. It also impacts safety, energy cost, noise, and how well water features actually perform.

What You Get:

  • Pump, filter, heater, and sanitizer selection and sizing
  • Circulation layout (skimmers, suction points, returns) for optimal water movement
  • Plumbing sizing and routing for efficiency and performance
  • System design for spas and water features
  • Advanced edge systems (perimeter overflow, infinity edge, tension edge)
  • Catch basin and surge tank design and sizing
  • Flow rate calculations and balanced system design
  • Coordinated, permit-ready plans focused on reliability and lower operating costs

PORTFOLIO

Professionally Engineered Pools

Each pool represents a commitment to engineering excellence, structural integrity, and lasting beauty

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

We help you design
the life you want.

Every pool we engineer includes detailed structural plans showing reinforcement layouts, foundation systems, and load calculations. Our sealed engineering drawings ensure your pool is built to withstand your soil conditions and provide decades of reliable performance.

From shotcrete specifications to bond beam design, we document every critical element to give contractors clear, buildable plans and give you confidence in your investment.

HYDRAULIC PRECISION

Advanced Water Management

Proper hydraulic design is what separates a good pool from a great one. Our engineering calculations ensure optimal flow rates, efficient filtration, and reliable water feature performance.

Whether it’s a perimeter overflow system or a complex infinity edge, we design the plumbing, surge capacity, and equipment systems to work flawlessly together.

ADVANCED SYSTEMS

High-End Water Features and Edge Systems

Hydraulics are especially critical for complex edge systems and high-end features, because they rely on precise water movement to look right and operate reliably. We regularly design systems for demanding applications.

Perimeter Overflow Pools

Water spills evenly on all sides into a hidden collection system, then returns to the pool. The "even sheet" look requires careful balancing of flow, elevations, and collection capacity.

Infinity Edge Pools

Water flows over a designated edge into a trough and collection tank, then gets pumped back. Design must maintain consistent edge flow without starving the main circulation system.

Tension Edge Pools

Engineered to keep the waterline extremely tight to the deck with a very clean visual. Demands tight control of water level, surge capacity, and return flow.

Catch Basic & Surge Tank Design

Components that capture overflow water and handle water level changes from swimmers, wind, and rain. Proper sizing prevents flooding, pump issues, and constant water level problems.

Advanced Systems

High-End Water Features & Edge Systems

Hydraulics are especially critical for complex edge systems and high-end features, because they rely on precise water movement to look right and operate reliably. We regularly design systems for demanding applications.

Perimeter Overflow Pools

Water spills evenly on all sides into a hidden collection system, then returns to the pool. The "even sheet" look requires careful balancing of flow, elevations, and collection capacity.

Infinity Edge Pools

Water flows over a designated edge into a trough and collection tank, then gets pumped back. Design must maintain consistent edge flow without starving the main circulation system.

Tension Edge Pools

Engineered to keep the waterline extremely tight to the deck with a very clean visual. Demands tight control of water level, surge capacity, and return flow.

Catch Basin & Surge Tank Design

Components that capture overflow water and handle water level changes from swimmers, wind, and rain. Proper sizing prevents flooding, pump issues, and constant water level problems.

Investment Protection

The Smart Investment: Engineering That Pays for Itself

Professional pool engineering isn't an expense—it's protection for your investment. The choice is simple: invest approximately 10% of your pool cost now in proper engineering, or risk spending 50% or more later on structural repairs and replacements.

10%
→
Prevents 50%+ in future repairs

What You're Getting: Comprehensive structural and hydraulic engineering, sealed engineering drawings, geotechnical coordination, and the peace of mind that your pool will last for decades—not just years.

Engineering Investment

~10%

A rough estimate of the engineering costs to soundly engineer a pool, along with the associated inspection and advanced construction techniques, is around 10% of the total pool cost for a typical single-family residential pool.

  • ✓ Structural plans sealed by PE
  • ✓ Hydraulic system design
  • ✓ Geotechnical coordination
  • ✓ Site-specific soil analysis
  • ✓ Construction oversight

Failure & Repair Costs

50%+

These costs are offset many times over considering the repair and replacement costs of a structural pool failure can be 50% or more of the initial cost of the pool. Pools with proper engineering last immensely longer.

  • ✗ Structural cracking & leaks
  • ✗ Foundation movement damage
  • ✗ Complete pool replacement
  • ✗ Property damage from failures
  • ✗ Years of headaches & costs

Protect Your Investment Today. Engineering is the difference between a pool that lasts 5-10 years and one that lasts 30+ years. Don't gamble with the largest backyard investment you'll ever make.

Trusted Partnership

Official Engineering Partner of PoolPlans.com

We're proud to be the preferred engineering partner of PoolPlans.com, bringing professional engineering expertise to homeowners who are ready to build their dream pools.

This partnership ensures you receive comprehensive pool plans paired with expert engineering services—streamlining your project from concept to completion. When you work with PoolPlans.com, you gain access to the specialized structural and hydraulic engineering your pool needs to last for decades.

Where pool design meets engineering excellence

Ready to Build Your Dream Pool the Right Way?

Don't leave your pool's structural integrity to chance. Our professional engineering services ensure your investment is protected from day one. Get started with a consultation today.

📞 Call (972) 825-7741 ✉️ Email Us
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