Civil Engineering Failure Analysis
By Forensic Engineering Firm, McDowell Owens
Under abnormal or extreme conditions – hurricanes, floods, winds, fire, earthquakes – almost any structure may fail.
Who is responsible? Why did the failure occur? Was it a design flaw or deficiency? Was it due to poor construction or improper materials? Is the structure safe, salvageable or does it need to be leveled?
These are the questions we answer when conducting a failure analysis.
By evaluating the design, materials and methods employed in the construction of a structure or foundation, we are able to determine loading and stability factors that may have contributed to loss. Our experience includes buildings, roofs, bridges, process plants, grain elevators, sewers and drilling and production structures.
Specific areas of forensic assessment include:
- Roof Analysis
- Foundations
- Post-Damage Structural Analysis
Examples include:
- Analysis of the support columns of a Florida commercial greenhouse, which collapsed under the winds of a hurricane
- Review of construction designs of a condominium project damaged during a California earthquake
- Evaluation of a Texas state capitol storm drainage system after a large underground building flooded during construction
- Foundation failures and roof damage
When you need the expertise of civil engineers for structural failure analysis, contact McDowell Owens at (281) 358-2876 or complete our contact form.
