NV5’s structural forensic engineers are consulted to determine the cause of an unexpected performance of a structure. They routinely determine the primary cause of an incident and any contributing physical factors. This determination must be made prior to establishing the responsibility and liability of the structural damage or failure.
We provide consultation, investigation, and scientific analysis; prepare technical reports; and serve as expert witnesses for a variety of project sites including residential and commercial buildings, high-rise structures, industrial facilities, historic structures, seawalls, and piers. Our areas of specific expertise include roofing, foundations, building envelopes, water intrusion, evaluation of construction defects, and premises liability evaluations.
Expertise
Structural investigations
Cause and origin determinations
Industrial, commercial, and residential structure investigations
Building code compliance
Underpinning design
Building envelope evaluations
Stucco/exterior insulation finish systems
Foundation system studies
Dock, seawall, and pier damage evaluations
Repair design and drawing preparation
Vibration investigations
Roof evaluation services
Construction claims analysis
Claims review/negotiation
Damage claims preparation
Litigation support
Catastrophe response investigations
Storm surge calculations
Wind vs. surge calculations
Flood depth determination
Wind-induced failure analysis
Hail damage assessment
Seismic evaluations
Construction defect analysis
Cause and origin determinations
Destructive testing
Building envelope/moisture intrusion surveys
Indoor air quality evaluations
Construction drawing and specification review
Design consistency and constructability analysis
Remediation and repair recommendations
Defect correction monitoring
Multi-level parking garages & foundation walls
Condition assessment of reinforced concrete walls, slabs, columns
Condition assessment of waterproofing and traffic wear course system
Corrosion potential assessment (half-cell)
Field testing (membrane, concrete bond tests, slab deflection)
Laboratory testing (concrete testing: chloride ions, compression)
Restoration and corrective design specifications
Construction review and quality control
Maintenance programs
Roofing systems
Condition assessment of the roof (visual survey, thermographic inspection, cut-test, non-destructive or destructive moisture detection)
System evaluation of the waterproofing membrane, vapor barrier or insulation system
Restorative and corrective design specifications
Construction review and quality control (AMCQ)
Maintenance programs
