Our structural engineering experts conduct property evaluations across the United States. Our primary focus is assisting our clients in determining the cause of damage. Is the damage related to a weather event? Did it occur suddenly or is there a long term contributor? Was there a construction defect involved? Was there a design defect that led to the damage? Our goal of our evaluations and damage assessments is to provide our clients with definitive answers to these questions.
Construction Defect Evaluations
U.S. Forensic can identify deficiencies in the design or construction of a building or structure. We can also determine whether the installation of a product or material was conducted properly. We can determine if damage was a result of:
- Poorly designed foundation or roof system
- Insufficient ventilation
- Lack of proper moisture barriers
- Improper flooring or window installation
- Incorrect material application
- Deficient design leading to collapse
Appliance & Equipment Installation
Our experts can determine whether the appliance or equipment failed due to improper installation or because of a design or manufacturing defect. Items such as plumbing components, water filters, small appliances, and electrical components can be shipped to our laboratory for a comprehensive evaluation.
Foundation Evaluation Research & Applications
Through the research of two U.S. Forensic engineers. it was determined that there is a lack of consistency in the application of the current published research on evaluating foundation construction defects. This inconsistency of methodology has also led to an inconsistency in findings. Through this research, the goal of U.S. Forensic is to reduce type I (false positive) and type II (false negative) errors in the evaluation process and provide an more consistent, accurate, and reliable method of evaluating foundation defects in residential buildings. This will provide engineers in the industry with the tools to better interpret data and provide our clients with more consistent results.
How does this impact our clients?
- Proposes a consistent, research-backed approach to evaluating residential construction defect claims involving concrete slab on grade foundations.
- Provides supporting data and diagrams that illustrate the science and methodology to provide for more objective and specific conclusions involving construction defect claims surrounding residential concrete foundations.
- Builds on existing guidelines with the aim of developing standards for evaluating slab on grade concrete foundations.
How does this set U.S. Forensic Apart?
- We have researched actual cases to identify key factors in improving the evaluation process leading to consistent and reliable results.
- We have developed an engineering tool that can be utilized to improve the consistency of the evaluations.
- This new approach is being utilized and has been proven effective in many cases for existing clients.
- We are building on this research to further develop the current standard that is being utilized by our industry.
Featured Project
To view a case involving a design defect, visit our Featured Project page.
Featured Experts for this Forensic Service
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Habeeb O. Alabi, M.Sc., P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Mehdi Alirezaei, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Gilberto Avila, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Miguel Castro, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Brian Ciampitti, P.E., P.P. | Professional Engineer |
| Asher Cohen, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Michael Combs, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| John Cui, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Joseph Czajka, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Adel Abe El-Nabi, P.E. PhD | Professional Engineer |
| Reginald Fequiere, P.E., S.I. | Professional Engineer |
| Kori Flowers, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Brad Gerlick, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Paul J. Heagney, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Michael Holden, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Joel Howard, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Benjamin Joyner, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Sonya Kalisz, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Joseph Kamanda, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Mitchell Kirkland, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Kenneth J. Krefft, Jr., P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| David McCauley, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| S. Bryant McKinnie, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| William J. Moran, II, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Mehdi Motaleb, Ph.D., P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Marcus Phillips, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Jon Robertson, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Anthony Ruth, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Juan L. Santillana, M.S., P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Christopher Sewell, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| John Skidmore, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Alexis Spyrou, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Phillip Vanciel, P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Jose D. Versace, M.S., P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| Daniel Williams Jr., P.E. | Professional Engineer |
| William Yanko, Ph.D., P.E. | Professional Engineer |
