We provide forensic engineering services for the building renovations, insurance and property issues. When it comes to hiring a forensic expert, it is important to choose an experienced firm that has a proven track record in the field. GTech Engineering Corporation has both the experience and ability to investigate complex issues and provide unbiased reports for legal cases and insurance industry.
Wind, fire, water and soil settlement are leading causes of building damages in British Columbia and Alberta. All these issues can cause significant damage to the structural systems of the buildings. The effects of these damages to structural members may not be obvious to the human eyes often, but reduction in structural strength of the building components can compromise the safety of the building and its occupants. Hidden damages can cause irreversible, long-term damage to a building.
Depending on the scope of the work, our service includes in depth inspection of various building elements from footing to roof and in-depth engineering analysis. We provide a detailed report along with colored photographs of the building issues.
Our Forensic Engineering Services
Fire Damages Structural Assessment
Building fires are unfortunately common and cause significant damage to the structural systems of the buildings constructed from wood, concrete, or steel. The effects of fire damages to framing members may not be obvious to the human eyes, but exposure of building materials to high temperatures can significantly alter the properties of material, reducing strength and altering structural behavior.
We evaluate extent of fire damages and help to determine the need for immediate shoring of the building to meet Work Safe BC requirements. We have extensive experience evaluating fire-damaged structures and provide details report for strengthening of the building.
We evaluate all kinds of buildings ranging from single family houses, warehouses, cinemas, and commercial buildings. We assess the general conditions of the impacted structure and the extent of the damages. This assessment includes visual and lab testing of burned structural elements to determine the extent of the damage.
We provide our findings supported by color photographs in a well-organized structural damage assessment report, which will identify the areas that require remedial work, as well as major corrective work and/or component replacement. These reports are based on field observations and review of available existing building drawings and specifications.
Water Damages Structural Assessment
Structural damages from water are very common in wet and coastal weather of British Columbia. Damage caused by water can be catastrophic and can lead to structural failure of the building and its components.
The impact of water damage in residential, commercial, industrial buildings ranges from local superficial damage to deep damage throughout the structure. Water intrusion leads to destruction of building elements such as wood rotting, concrete cracks and rusting of reinforcement.
Our assessment includes the initial review of the structure followed by a structural analysis (depending on the damage and scope of work). We provide our findings supported by color photographs in a well-organized structural damage assessment report, which will identify the areas that require remedial work, as well as any major rehabilitation of the building.
These reports are based on field observations and review of available existing building drawings and specifications.