Ultrasonic testing to help find hidden cracks, voids, and defects.
Not yet available in-house.
Building damage from past earthquakes in the Philippines.
Pay only for what your building needs, and know it complies
Earthquakes, typhoons, and decades of use all test a building. Before you strengthen, renovate, or add a floor, an assessment of what’s already there shows what is adequate, so retrofit work can focus where it’s actually needed.
We confirm the requirements that apply, inspect and test what exists, agree the performance target with you, and certify the building if it complies. If it doesn’t, we tell you what’s needed. Savings are never guaranteed, but you’ll know before you spend.
Associate Member, ASEP University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University
Structural analysis, design, and detailing of concrete and steel buildings, with a focus on mid- and high-rise structures.
Co-founder
Virgilio L. Velasco III, RCE
Associate Member, ASEP University of Mindanao
Structural design and detailing of concrete and steel buildings, with a focus on assessment and retrofitting using ASCE 41.
Proud members of ASEP, the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. RCE: Registered Civil Engineer · MEng: Master of Engineering
Common questions
Will my building be “earthquake-proof”?
No building is. We agree on a performance target with you (see the target picker). For many ordinary buildings that’s Collapse Prevention; essential facilities or higher risk categories may require Life Safety or Immediate Occupancy.
Will an assessment always save me money?
Not always, and we won’t promise it. An assessment can show where work isn’t needed, or confirm that substantial strengthening is.
How are fees and timelines set?
They depend on the building’s size, available records, access, and the testing and analysis needed. We agree on them after reviewing your project information.
Can I see your past work?
Yes. Our Projects page has case studies of common situations, and we’re adding real projects as our clients agree to share them.
Where do you work?
Field work and testing cover Metro Manila and Greater Metro Manila. Arrangements are confirmed when the scope is discussed.
For engineers & architects: NSCP 2015, ASCE 41, and performance objectives
New-building design checks and existing-building evaluation answer related but different questions. ASCE 41 is specifically developed for the seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing buildings. It considers both strength and deformation capacity against defined performance objectives. We use ASCE 41-17 where appropriate, selecting linear or nonlinear procedures to suit the building and the evaluation requirements. The performance objective is agreed with the client, and buildings in higher risk categories, such as essential facilities, may require higher performance levels. Read the ASCE 41-17 overview
Applicable NSCP provisions, Philippine requirements, and authority approvals remain part of the project’s design basis. ASCE 41 is not an automatic exemption from them. For example, DPWH’s 2020 clarification for its “The Big One” Phase III projects required NSCP 2015 together with ASCE 41-13 Life Safety criteria. The applicable requirements must be established for each project. Read the DPWH project clarification (PDF)
Tell us what’s going on. Email us, or answer a few questions on our contact page and we’ll turn them into an email for you.