Projects

Case studies of situations we see often, and the real projects behind our work.

Case studies

How we approach common situations, from the first call to the final report.

Illustrative examples. These show how we typically handle each situation. They are not accounts of specific client projects; you’ll find those under Real projects.

  1. Renovation & added floor

    Adding a floor to an older house

    The situation
    A family wants to add a fourth floor to a three-storey concrete house built in the 1990s. The original drawings are lost.
    What we do
    Inspect the structure, scan for rebar, and take cores to learn the concrete’s actual strength. Then check whether the columns and footings can carry the new floor.
    What you get
    A clear yes or no before construction starts. If strengthening is needed, it’s designed only for the members that need it, with plans and computations for the permit.

    Facing something similar? Ask about this

  2. Structural inspection

    Cracks after an earthquake in a condominium

    The situation
    After a strong earthquake, residents of a mid-rise condominium report diagonal cracks in walls and around doors.
    What we do
    Map and measure the cracks, and separate cracks in partition walls from damage to columns, beams, and slabs. Recommend an ASCE 41 screening only if the findings call for it.
    What you get
    A plain-language report on which cracks matter and which are cosmetic, what to repair, and whether further evaluation is needed.

    Facing something similar? Ask about this

  3. Compliance certification

    Turning a house into a clinic

    The situation
    An owner is converting a two-storey house into a clinic. The permit office asks for a structural assessment before the new use is allowed.
    What we do
    Confirm the requirements for the new use, such as heavier floor loads, then inspect and test the building and check it against them.
    What you get
    A structural certification if the building complies. If it doesn’t, a list of the work needed, and the design for it.

    Facing something similar? Ask about this

  4. ASCE 41 seismic evaluation

    Evaluating an older school building

    The situation
    A school wants to know how its 1970s classroom building may perform in a major earthquake before deciding on a retrofit budget.
    What we do
    Start with a Tier 1 screening. Where it flags possible weak points, such as a soft first storey, do targeted Tier 2 checks against the performance target agreed with the school.
    What you get
    A focused retrofit scope aimed at the parts that need it, instead of strengthening the whole building by default.

    Facing something similar? Ask about this

  5. Second opinion

    Checking a building under construction

    The situation
    An owner is building a six-storey mixed-use building. Halfway through, the contractor suggests adding a steel mezzanine and a roof deck with a water tank, and the owner wants to know whether that’s safe.
    What we do
    Compare the work on site with the approved structural plans, and check the rebar before each pour. Review the steel and concrete test results. Then check the proposed changes all the way down through the beams, columns, and foundation, not just the floor where they go.
    What you get
    A clear list of anything that doesn’t match the plans, fixed while it’s still easy to reach. A yes or no on the changes; if they can go ahead, the revised design and computations to get them approved before they’re built.

    Facing something similar? Ask about this

Real projects

Work we’ve done for building owners, shared with their permission.