Forensic Engineering

What Is Forensic Engineering?

Forensic engineering is a specialized field that applies advanced engineering principles, scientific methodologies, and rigorous analytical techniques to investigate and determine the causes of structural, mechanical, or material failures. It involves the systematic collection and examination of physical evidence, computational modeling, and failure analysis to reconstruct incidents or malfunctions. This process aids in identifying the root causes of engineering failures, whether due to design flaws, material defects, operational errors, or environmental factors. Forensic engineering is often utilized in legal and insurance investigations, providing expert assessments and testimony to resolve disputes and inform corrective measures.

Forensic Engineering Services

At Vital Structures® LLC, we specialize in forensic engineering, focusing on the investigation and analysis of structural and building envelope issues to identify the root causes of problematic issues and/or failures. Serving Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, Vital Structures® provides expert forensic engineering services across much of the New England area. Whether you’re dealing with damage from a structural failure, water or fire-related loss, flood or storm impact, chemical attack, experiencing defective material performance, or looking to extend the life of historic architecture, our forensic engineering expertise can save you time and money by identifying problems early and providing solutions before they escalate.

Vital Structures® performs both structural and envelope related Forensic Engineering. Some of our projects have included:

  • Concrete fire distress
  • Timber fire assessment
  • Flood impact forensics
  • Retaining Wall Failures
  • Foundation Failure & Building Settling
  • Material Spectroscopy
  • Petrographic Examination
  • Insurance Investigations
  • Expert Witness Testimony

Project Spotlight: Targeted Forensics of New Brick Veneer Mortar Joints:

Vital Structures® was retained by the owner to perform a forensic investigation into the condition of the mortar joints, for the recently installed custom German imported brick masonry façade at this new building. Our services were requested, due to the owner having concerns that their hired contractor installed the masonry on several days in February 2023, where the ambient and surface temperatures may have been below the acceptable range, and  cold weather construction methods to prevent freezing of the mortar were in question. Mortar admix type and dosage along with current ACI and BIA industry standards were reportedly not strictly followed.

Vital Structures® extracted multiple wall veneer samples from the masonry façade and analyzed for visual defects in the masonry which may be indicative of poor workmanship or freezing. Additionally, Vital Structures® contracted the services of a third-party petrographic testing agency to perform petrographic examination and chemical analysis of the mortar joints, in an effort to determine overall condition and whether the mortar had frozen.

 

Ultimately it was determined that the masonry samples extracted from the wall did not show evidence of freezing. Furthermore, Vital Structures®’ visual review of the mortar joints did not identify specific locations where symptoms of mortar freezing was evident.

See more of Vital Structures® Forensic Engineering Projects here.

 

Trust Vital Structures® LLC for Your Forensic Evaluations 

Our Engineers are committed to thoroughly investigating and diagnosing the root cause of structural and envelope issues to ensure accurate, reliable solutions from the start. Whether it’s assessing damage, determining failure causes, or providing expert recommendations, we help preserve the safety and functionality of your structure while maintaining its original character. To learn more about our forensic engineering services and how we can safeguard the integrity of your structure, call us at 508-279-0655 or contact us online.

Project Type

New Hampshire Condominium Complex

New Hampshire Condominium Complex

Exterior Balcony & Limited Wall Repairs

Exterior Balcony & Limited Wall Repairs

New Exterior Deck Design & Miscellaneous Structural Augmentation

New Exterior Deck Design & Miscellaneous Structural Augmentation

Rising Masonry Wall Repairs

Rising Masonry Wall Repairs

Basement Masonry Support Pier Replacement- Boston Condominiums

Basement Masonry Support Pier Replacement- Boston Condominiums

Fire Department Connection Building Penetration

Fire Department Connection Building Penetration

Gas Station Roof Structure Replacement

Gas Station Roof Structure Replacement

Parking Garage and Loading Dock

Parking Garage and Loading Dock

Bearing Wall Removal & Structural Augmentation

Bearing Wall Removal & Structural Augmentation

Structural Assessment for Roof Top Unit Replacement-  New Bedford, Massachusetts

Structural Assessment for Roof Top Unit Replacement- New Bedford, Massachusetts

General Building Structural Condition Assessment

General Building Structural Condition Assessment

Tower Main Entrance Canopy Foundation Design- Boston, MA

Tower Main Entrance Canopy Foundation Design- Boston, MA

Concrete Electrical Make-Safe Evaluation, Boston, MA

Concrete Electrical Make-Safe Evaluation, Boston, MA

Concrete Utility Tunnel Forensic Evaluation, Cambridge, MA

Concrete Utility Tunnel Forensic Evaluation, Cambridge, MA

Leaking New Construction Garage- Forensic Evaluation, Boston, MA

Leaking New Construction Garage- Forensic Evaluation, Boston, MA

Emergency Forensic Evaluation and Design for Failed Beam, Manchester, NH

Emergency Forensic Evaluation and Design for Failed Beam, Manchester, NH

Precast Plank Support Grout Repair, Stoneham, MA

Precast Plank Support Grout Repair, Stoneham, MA

Parking Garage Repairs- Cambridge, MA

Parking Garage Repairs- Cambridge, MA

Boston City Facade Ordinance Evaluation

Boston City Facade Ordinance Evaluation

University Building, Cambridge, MA – Water Infiltration Evaluation and Subsequent Steps

University Building, Cambridge, MA – Water Infiltration Evaluation and Subsequent Steps

Grease Trap Replacement & Pool Backwash Drainage Modifications

Grease Trap Replacement & Pool Backwash Drainage Modifications

University, Steam Tunnel Sump Pit Repairs- Cambridge, MA

University, Steam Tunnel Sump Pit Repairs- Cambridge, MA

Exterior CMU Wall Replacement

Exterior CMU Wall Replacement

New Building Forensic Masonry Evaluation, Amherst, MA

New Building Forensic Masonry Evaluation, Amherst, MA

Campus, Cambridge, MA- Replacement of Electrical Manhole Roof Slab

Campus, Cambridge, MA- Replacement of Electrical Manhole Roof Slab

Evaluation of Central Fire Station, Apparatus Bay Floor Concrete Repair and Remedial Waterproofing

Evaluation of Central Fire Station, Apparatus Bay Floor Concrete Repair and Remedial Waterproofing

Wood-Framed Balcony Repairs & Egress Certification

Wood-Framed Balcony Repairs & Egress Certification

Condominiums, Provincetown, MA – Wood-Framed Balcony Replacement and Structural Repairs

Condominiums, Provincetown, MA – Wood-Framed Balcony Replacement and Structural Repairs

Campus Cooling Tower Basin Slab – Concrete Repairs and Waterproofing System Replacement

Campus Cooling Tower Basin Slab – Concrete Repairs and Waterproofing System Replacement

Middle School – Steep Slope Roof Replacement

Middle School – Steep Slope Roof Replacement

Office Building – Complete Window System Replacement

Office Building – Complete Window System Replacement

Garage Plaza Deck and Parking Garage Repairs

Garage Plaza Deck and Parking Garage Repairs

Roof Replacement Project, Balcony Waterproofing, Atrium Skylight and Exterior Wall Repairs

Roof Replacement Project, Balcony Waterproofing, Atrium Skylight and Exterior Wall Repairs

Campus Cooling Tower Concrete Repairs, Pre-Cast Façade Repairs and Basin Waterproofing System Replacement

Campus Cooling Tower Concrete Repairs, Pre-Cast Façade Repairs and Basin Waterproofing System Replacement

Garage and Balcony Concrete Repairs and Waterproofing

Garage and Balcony Concrete Repairs and Waterproofing

Industrial Office Building Foundation Stabilization

Industrial Office Building Foundation Stabilization

Low Slope Roof Replacement with Structural Roof Framing Modifications

Low Slope Roof Replacement with Structural Roof Framing Modifications

Building Facade & Door Leak Repairs With Deck Replacement

Building Facade & Door Leak Repairs With Deck Replacement

Roof Replacement With Balcony and Exterior Wall Repairs

Roof Replacement With Balcony and Exterior Wall Repairs

Low Slope Roof Replacements

Low Slope Roof Replacements

Condominium Evaluation & Repair

Condominium Evaluation & Repair

Balcony Terrace Waterproofing Replacement

Balcony Terrace Waterproofing Replacement

Glass Factory Penthouse Beams

Glass Factory Penthouse Beams

Concrete Sea Wall Evaluation for Repairs

Concrete Sea Wall Evaluation for Repairs

Davit Crane Base Modifications

Davit Crane Base Modifications

Chimney Enclosure Repairs

Chimney Enclosure Repairs

Biomedical Building Roof Replacement

Biomedical Building Roof Replacement

Office Park Building Roof Replacement

Office Park Building Roof Replacement

Research Lab Building Roof Replacement and Related Work

Research Lab Building Roof Replacement and Related Work

Mechanical Roof Replacement

Mechanical Roof Replacement

Bio-Science Bldg. Reroof & Waterproofing

Bio-Science Bldg. Reroof & Waterproofing

University Cooling Tower

University Cooling Tower

Wood-framed Building Envelope Failure

Wood-framed Building Envelope Failure

Parking Garage

Parking Garage

Plaza Deck

Plaza Deck

Boston Utility Tunnel

Boston Utility Tunnel

Office Building Atrium

Office Building Atrium

Data Center Roof

Data Center Roof

Evaluate. Guide. Revitalize.

Let's Do Something Vital Together!

“An Objective Expert We Could Trust”

We retained Vital Structures after finding our builder unwilling to help identify and rectify obvious bowing and waving to our accessory building.  The information provided by Vital was impressive as it was detailed and specific calling out nonconformance to building codes, industry standard construction practices and manufacturer specifications.  The reports were written in a way that was observational, with pictures and evidence.  Had we not hired an objective expert we would have been faced with serious structural problems unknown to layman.  The professionalism, expectation setting and follow-through on Vital Structures part was the due diligence we needed to protect ourselves in this endeavor.  It is well worth the time and expense to correct the issues in advance of accepting subpar construction.

Jeanne Pagani

Homeowner

“Vital Structures Has My Highest Recommendation.”

As the trustee for the Lois J. Lewis Trust, I contracted Vital Structures to oversee a project to evaluate and repair the foundation pilings of an 1880s lakefront cabin on Spofford Lake. The cabin’s piling foundations had deteriorated due to hillside erosion, age, and lack of maintenance. By the time Vital Structures took on our project, the foundation was close to failure.

David Morand, who oversaw the project, was professional, meticulous, and flexible,- offering several well-considered solutions to our problem. He and his team were involved from start to finish, readily available for updates, and on site to address any issues that arose. David was also instrumental in connecting us with a contractor who could meet our unique needs, given the limited access and difficult site conditions.

I can’t say enough good things about the way Vital Structures conducted the project and their professionalism throughout the process. They were a pleasure to work with.

Kenneth Betts

Trustee, The Lois J. Lewis Trust

“Vital provided invaluable assistance and made our buildings healthy again!”

Our Association hired Vital Structures to inspect our decks. David, Richard, and the rest of their team are very professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. As our relationship formed, Vital Structures became our Engineers of choice to develop a new design to replace all the decks in the Association.  Vital provided us with invaluable assistance in obtaining Contracting Bids, so we had verifiable Construction Company choices.  Once renovation began, Vital oversaw the project, holding Contractors accountable, ensuring construction was completed to our new design specifications and that the job was done correctly.  Everyone loves the new look and our buildings are becoming healthy again!

Mike Labrecque

Trustee, The Colonial Village

“A huge value to our business!”

We are a waterfront business operating in Provincetown for over fifty years. Vital Structures has been our valued “go-to” partner whenever we address issues relative to our building or property. Their comprehensive knowledge and ability to assess issues and provide solutions across the board is truly a unique expertise and of huge value to businesses like ours. They are service-oriented, extremely responsive, and know their business – and ours. Five-star excellence in all regards!

 

Jill Botway

Managing Director, The Boat Slip LLC

“Highly Recommended! “

Vital Structures llc has proven to be a top notch engineering firm. Beginning with a comprehensive and thorough review of the job scope, to the completion of a project with no details missed. All personnel involved with each project we have found to be excellent to work with and yet never willing to compromise details that would have any adverse effect on the project. Whenever unforeseen conditions arise, they are immediately back to the drawing board without any hesitation in order to keep the project moving. I would highly recommend Vital Structures llc for any structural or building envelope projects.

Brett Emery

Emery Construction LLC

“An Eye for Detail”

We have been working with David Morand of Vital Structures on a few different projects over the years.  We are completely impressed as he is professional, has an eye for detail, is very thorough, and always answers all our questions.  David & the Vital Structure’s team are very knowledgeable about the industry, very proactive with their approach, and always do a great job.  I would not hesitate to use David and his team on the future projects.

Laurie Ferrari

CEO, Peters Property Management