Structural Engineering

A building and structure expert witness working within the appropriate structural engineering scope can examine damaged framing, load-bearing members, connections, deformation, prior repairs, and the relationship between the affected area and the surrounding structural system. The investigation may consider impact, fire, overloading, framing alterations, deterioration, corrosion, or water-related conditions where they affected structural materials or support. Comparing those conditions with the original and modified structural configuration can help assess how the damage developed and whether structural capacity or load transfer was affected.

Openings cut into framing, removed walls or columns, relocated supports, added rooftop or mechanical equipment, altered connections, or new concentrated loads can change structural forces, stiffness, and load distribution. Original drawings can be compared with renovation documents, permits, photographs, calculations, and field conditions to document what changed. Structural analysis can then assess whether those modifications affected the load path, stability, deflection, member forces, or available capacity.