Subsidence Engineers Need Soil Testing Experience
**๐๐๐ง๐๐ฌ-๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐๐ & ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ.**
Very Important: When choosing an engineer for a subsidence and wall crack inspection, ensure they have actual field and lab soil testing experience. Few engineers offering these reports have any real soil testing experience, and many would struggle to interpret soil drill logs and soil lab test results. Whether you are dealing with low bearing capacity, soil shrinkage, poorly compacted landfill, or black clay swell, you need an expert. Forensic Engineers provide genuine, expert subsidence reports backed by a real apprenticeship in soil testing and geotechnical engineering.
๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐;
- soil test drilling
- soil lab testing
- soil descriptions
- site classifications
- footing and slab designs; strip, pad and edge beam footings, conventional and waffle pod slabs
- deep footing piers, conventional concrete piers, push-piles, small diameter driven timber piles and steel screw piles
- Foundation Underpinning; conventional concrete, polyurethane resin, timber piles and steel screw piers.
๐จ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ -๐๐-๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
- areas with highly plastic clay soils
- poorly compacted land fill
- alluvial deposits
- compressible soils
- organic soils
- acid-sulphate soils.
- marine clays
๐ข๐๐ฟ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐-๐ผ๐ป ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ; real soil testing knowledge and skills.
Engineers offering subsidence reports must have local Queensland experience in soil testing and geotechnical behavior.
With over 6,000 cases completed in the last 13 yearsโand decades of prior hands-on experience in geotechnical soil testing, site classification, and slab designโForensic Engineers are the best choice for RPEQ Structural Engineer Reports regarding subsidence and house foundation problems.
Which Type of Underpinning is the Best?
๐๐ก๐จ ๐๐๐ง ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ?
Some underpinning companies employ โhard sellโ reps who charm you and promise the world. The most reliable companies send the actual owners and skilled technicians - the people who do the work - to provide expert advice.
Often, these underpinners will suggest you get an independent structural engineer's report to give you confidence before you commit to expensive work.
Forensic Engineers provide the best expert, independent RPEQ structural engineer reports. We are on your side because we arenโt trying to sell you underpinning.
๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐?
1) ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ฉ๐ข๐๐ซ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ is the industry standard because;
โข it is engineer designed specifically for your property
โข it is engineer certified
โข it includes a soil test report to identify the soil types and most importantly the depth to solid natural ground
โข it provides long-term peace of mind. it is engineer designed specifically for your property
2) ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ has benefits including;
โข most jobs are completed in a day
โข it eliminates digging and site mess
๐๐ซ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐;
โข in most cases there is no engineer design or certification
โข in most cases there is no soil test to show the depth to solid natural ground
โข some footings and slabs are designed to be anchored down and Urethane Resin Injection will not lift effectively
โข possible requirement for injection at multiple depths (instead of just below footings) which can increase the volume of Urethane and the cost significantly. (in deep, loose landfill, the resin required to stabilize the ground can be cost-prohibitive)
3) ๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฐ ๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Established Underpinners use steel screw piers when groundwater causes bored piers to collapse, or when solid founding material is too deepโsuch as on reclaimed Gold Coast canal properties.
In typical everyday cases, contractors often overprice steel screw piers.
A report from Forensic Engineers will tell you which underpinning type best suits your situation.
๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐.
In many cases, you can stabilize footings and slabs without resorting to expensive, stressful underpinning. You can also reduce excessive floor level variations by following expert advice.
Before jumping into expensive underpinning, contact Forensic Engineers for an expert, independent structural engineer report.
๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ก๐จ ๐จ๐๐๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ.
They charge twice the Industry Rate and their Engineers Work for them, Not for You.
Forensic Engineers stay on your side. We are 100% independent and we write our reports are for you - not for an underpinning Sales rep.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ก ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ?
The base industry rate is $700-$900, depending on the property size and location. ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐๐ก๐๐จ ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ช๐ค๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ข๐ค๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ, ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐!
๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ญ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
If you need engineering advice for subsidence, wall cracks and underpinning.
Wall Cracks, Subsidence, Underpinning, Structural Engineer Reports
๐ญ) ๐จ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ;
We found cracks in a nib-wall caused by a missing footing. To support the wall, it required a footing extension. We recommended an expert Repair Builder who quickly and economically installed the new footing section and repaired the wall.
๐ฎ) ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ;
Soil swell ("heave") lifted the driveway slab, though the house remains unaffected.
๐ฏ) ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ;
We identified gaps in the exterior and cracks in the garage slab, but our investigation confirmed no significant footing or slab deflections.
UNDERPINNER FREE HOME ASSESSMENT WAS WRONG
๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ ๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ต๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐๐น๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐. ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐น๐, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ต๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฅ๐ฃ๐๐ค ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐บ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ฒ
Report Highlights:
๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐ง๐๐ข๐ก
The house features:
โข Multi-level construction
โข Masonry, stud, and blueboard walls
โข Slab on ground, suspended slab, and timber floors
โข Tile roof
๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ
Exterior:
โข Erosion voids under the firewall footing at the left garage entry
โข Slight erosion under the firewall of units 7 & 8
โข A non-vertical front storm water downpipe (original installation)
โข Edge gaps at some blueboard sheet joints and crack repairs on the front wall
โข Cracks in the old front driveway
โข Crack repairs on the north wall
โข A split joint seal on the west outdoor living roof beam
Interior:
โข Garage slab cracks
โข Cracks in the garage and store walls; fine cracks in the ceiling (slab)
โข Edge gaps in the added family/dining stud wall
โข Edge cracks on the kitchen bulkhead
โข Gaps between some door architraves and walls
โข Wear on the 3rd level window reveal trim and ceiling sheet edge gaps
โข A wall crack in the 2nd level laundry
โข Wall cracks in the 2nd level hallway and bedroom 3
๐๐๐ข๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ฆ
We reset the relative zero for each floor. Household items may restrict some approximate test locations. Note that carpet wear affects readings, bathroom slabs slope toward the floor waste, and garage floor slabs typically slope toward the door. Unit 9 (adjacent) recorded a level of -11 at the front left entry.
We measured floor levels (highlighted in red in mm). Some variations reflect "as finished" levels, while others likely stem from slight ground movements. We interpret these ground-movement variations as minimal and well within the tolerances of AS 2870 Appendix C and Table 4.1.
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ฆ
Wall cracks meet category 2 and garage slab cracks meet category 1 according to AS2870-2011 Appendix C.
๐๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ
๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐น ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐
Our local experience indicates that contractors pre-consolidated the housing estate's founding soils, which consist of clean landfill, before construction.
Although civil engineers would certify the founding material's quality density as a suitable standard for high-level footing construction, applied loads can cause slight initial or normal footing settlements within design tolerances. Some landfill can also shrink and swell with variations in moisture content, though this is generally insignificant and remains within design tolerances.
In this case, slight initial footing/slab settlements likely caused the cracks and gaps. Current, slight footing and slab movements likely contribute as well.
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐๐๐น๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐, ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ & ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป.
We found no evidence that the slight erosion under the garage firewall edge caused settlements or footing/slab instability.
๐ข๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ & ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฝ๐
Building elementsโblueboard, concrete, plasterboard, and framingโexpand and contract differentially as temperature and humidity vary.
Poor quality finishing and fitments during construction can exacerbate this.
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ณ๐น๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐
"Plastic shrinkage cracks" caused the cracks in the garage floor shortly after the pour. These cracks occur as concrete shrinks during curing; they generally grow as surface edges wear and become more visible as they collect dirt. They are not a structural defect.
๐ฅ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ
Brief
We found no evidence of significant footing or slab movement. Specifically, the unit 10/unit 9 garage common firewall and slab show no signs of settlement from storm drain erosion.
* Seal storm drain connections to prevent seepage under footing or slab edges.
* Plug the void with non-shrink cementitious grout.
* Repair exterior blueboard sheet edge gaps by raking them out and sealing them with Sikaflex 11FC or a similar product.
* Seal exterior door and window frame gaps with Sikaflex 11C or similar.
* Fill and paint interior ceiling and wall cracks using fibreglass joint tape.
* Leave garage floor cracks as they are; they do not require repair.
* Rake out and repair masonry and concrete cracks with high-bond strength non-shrink cementitious grout.
๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐
If your house develops cracks and gaps, do yourself a favor: before investing in expensive underpinning, hire an independent engineer to determine if you actually need it and which type works best for your home.
๐๐ข๐ช ๐ ๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ฆ ๐๐ก ๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ง?
An expert RPEQ Engineer subsidence Report from Forensic Engineers generally costs between $700 - $900 ex GST (local service area only).
IS YOUR UNDERPINNER ARRANGING THE REPORT?
Some underpinners offer to arrange a report through their own engineer. They often charge considerably moreโup to $1,000 more than Forensic Engineers. This creates a huge conflict of interest. Forensic Engineers provide 100% independent reports. We do not work for or take payment from underpinners, and we never sell underpinning services.
๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ง๐ข ๐จ๐ฆ
For peace of mind, contact Forensic Engineers for a chat and an independent opinion before you commit to any underpinning.
Pre Purchase Engineer Report for ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐: Only wear & tear
A brilliant Pre-Purchase Building & Pest Inspection identified external door & windows gaps and possible subsidence, prompting the inspector to recommend that the buyer call Forensic Engineers for an independent expert opinion.
๐๐ช๐ง ๐๐ฉ๐ง๐ช๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐
- Gaps in window reveals and door jambs
- Several cracks in brick mortar and a few interior cracks and gaps
- Minor variations in floor levels -ย ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐ช๐ง ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ง๐ช๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐๐๐
- The house experienced slight initial settlement.
- These movements were not serious.
- Subsidence abated long ago.
- The house is now perfectly stable.
๐๐ช๐ง ๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฉย ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ง๐ช๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฎ ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ง ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐.
Buyers need independent engineer reports whenever they identify house subsidence. Turn to Forensic Engineers, the specialists in the field.
Subsidence, Wall Cracks, Sink Holes, Stump Damage
Structural Engineer Reports needed from Forensic Engineers.
These are cases we deal with every day.
Case 1) A house at Warner had serious settlements under a slab. We found the causes, assessed the slab condition and gave expert recommendations to re-support the slab. In this case pressure grouting was the most practical and affordable repair.
Case 2) A Tweed Heads house with possibly serious subsidence problems. We found that there had been some footing settlements a long time ago, but the house was now stable. Some drainage work and expert crack repair required - no underpinning needed! A terrific result.
Case 3) Walloon house with serious slab movements. We are in Walloon just about every week! If you are looking to buy a house in this area and the Building & Pest Report finds wall cracks - for peace-of-mind, call us to arrange an Expert Structural Engineer Report. In most cases there are some movements of the house footings and site works can help to keep the house relatively stable. In other cases where serious movements and damages are evident, traditional underpinning is the most effective method for stabilization, level correction and crack closure.
Case 4) A house on-the-market at Stafford. The buyer was concerned that damaged stumps have caused structural damages to the house. Our expert investigation found that apart from some stumps that were past their "use-by" date, the house was "sound-as-a pound".
Forensic Engineers: Expert RPEQ Structural Engineer Reports
Resin Injection Underpinning? Slab Lifting Required
This gymnasium floor is uneven and continues to shift.
Our structural engineer found that the building sits on compressible Brisbane River alluvial soils, which are gradually and constantly subsiding. Flood events and saturated soils further exacerbate this subsidence.
After a thorough investigation, our RPEQ structural engineer recommended ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐จ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ป ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป to restore an even floor surface.
Several companies offer urethane resin solutions for slab settlement and footing subsidence.
๐ง๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐น๐ ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ, ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐๐ผ๐น๐๐๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด. Success depends on the construction type, ground conditions, andโmost importantlyโthe experience of the company performing the work.
If you are considering resin injection underpinning, we advise you to get an independent engineer's report first.
Expert RPEQ Structural Engineer Reports: Forensic Engineers
Body Corp: Structural Engineer Report, SUBSIDENCE & WALL CRACKS
๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฝ: ๐ช๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐. ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐. Fast, accurate, affordable & great to deal with.
๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฐ๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐;
Our Body Corporate engaged Forensic Engineers at very short notice to inspect our townhouse after another engineering firm provided an unsatisfactory inspection and report.
They completed the inspection yesterday in a very timely manner, after ensuring all stakeholders agreed on the full scope of work. Before leaving, they gave us (the owner-occupiers) and our B.C. Chair a much-appreciated verbal debrief of their findings.
They completed their comprehensive report promptly overnight and sent it to stakeholders this morning (Good Fridayโฆ a public holiday).
We commend Forensic Engineers for their vast professional knowledge, keen attention to detail, and their ability to call โa spade a spadeโ. We are very happy with the service Forensic Engineers provided. Thumbs up.
John & Simone.
When subsidence and wall cracks affect housing complexes, Body Corporates and Strata Managers turn to Forensic Engineers for expert RPEQ Structural Engineer Reports.
Sink Holes, Subsidence, Voids under Footings & Slabs
These are common foundation issues we investigate every day.
Be alert.
Act now.
Peace-of-mind
Structural Engineer Reports - All in a Day's Work
๐ก๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ต ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐น - ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐
A homeowner renovating a 1970s bungalow sought expert advice on repairing cracked and displaced bricks. Our Structural Engineer's report identified footing settlement and rotation as the cause. We recommended several procedures to stabilize the footings and provided practical, affordable methods to repair the damaged bricks.
๐๐๐ฟ๐น๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ - ๐ข๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐
This house was on the market with evidence of old subsidence and repaired cracks. Our engineer's investigation revealed that loose material in the footing bases caused settlement when the builders poured the concrete. To complicate matters, subsequent seepage softened the founding material, causing further settlement. We resolved the seepage problem and stabilized the footings, making the house "sound-as-a-pound."
๐ ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฏ๐ - ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐
We discovered that concretors damaged the post galvanizing during construction and failed to "tank" the post bases. While cleaning and treating the bases will prolong the life of some posts, the owner will need to replace the posts in the future.
๐ฅ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ - ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ & ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐
This house suffered from serious gaps and cracks. We found that the house slab had severe, progressing deflections. The property requires significant underpinning to stabilize the structure before we can properly repair it.
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ณ๐ถ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ - ๐ช๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ
We inspected this house for a buyer and found that a small section of the slab edge beam concrete had broken away, exposing the edge reinforcement. Our investigation confirmed the damage was localized and the slab showed no significant deflections in this area. Our structural engineer's report recommended simple, cost-effective grout repairs.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฃ๐๐ค ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐