SOLUTIONS FOR STRUCTURES
Forensic Investigation
When structures are damaged by natural forces or compromised by human error, Walker's team of forensics experts are able to identify the source and cause of the problem. This is done thorough site investigations, critical reviews, and advanced analyses. Our broad spectrum of forensic services ranges from structural engineering to architecture and building envelope.
Whether a simple failure of a distinct system or a complex, interconnected problem, we can precisely identify the root cause or factors resulting in defects and deficiencies. Our education, training, and experience in design, forensic skills, analysis, and visualization allows us to succinctly and effectively communicate our findings. Our experts stay up-to-date and contribute to the field by participating in professional committees, writing and updating codes, and publishing peer-reviewed technical articles.
Our large geographic presence with offices throughout the United States allows us to efficiently respond to local needs with specific knowledge from expert designers and practitioners.
Construction Defect Investigation
Walker Consultants can help you understand why and how things went wrong in a structure, whether during construction or after completion. Our subject-matter experts perform meticulous site investigations to document and identify defects. Then, we review design documents, specifications, applicable codes and standards to establish cause(s) of failures and defects.
Design Error And Omissions
Our thorough investigations establish causes of failures and defects. To investigate design errors and omissions, Walker’s forensic experts rely upon their knowledge and experience designing structures and their components as well as collaborating with our structural and architectural design professionals around the company.
Natural Disaster Investigation
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, wild fires, and flooding have major impacts on built environments and societies; and each disaster requires a thorough understanding of the unique nature of the disaster.
Our team of experts, having the depth and breadth of required knowledge in each type of disaster provides clients with an outstanding consulting services in a timely manner. Walker’s nationwide experts in numerous offices are ready to visit the disaster areas to assist clients to help understand the effects of the natural disaster to their property; provide recommendations to address the immediate concerns; and develop scope of work to address the conditions caused by the disaster. Walker engineers and architects are also well equipped to prepare repair and reconstruction drawings and specifications to address the damage caused by natural disasters.
Adjacent Construction Investigation
In densely built areas and urban environments, new structures are built immediately adjacent to existing buildings and infrastructure, which often also require demolition of existing structures and excavation and may involve significant foundation construction including pile installation. As a result, the adjacent construction may have a significant impact on the adjacent structures.
Walker Consultants have significant experience in reviewing the construction drawings, evaluating the effects of the new construction to existing structures and developing measures to reduce the risk of damage to the existing structures. Moreover, our experts are ready to visit the adjacent structures to provide preconstruction survey, develop or assist in developing monitoring plans, document damage caused by construction and develop scope of work to repair the damage. Our experts having the depth of knowledge in the subject matter provide superior engineering and consulting support to the insurance professionals and litigation support to the attorneys handling such matters.
Water Damage
Our experts identify water damage that can cause harm in the short and long-term life of a structure. Water can infiltrate all aspects of a building enclosure from various sources and cause untold damage until identified. Walker investigates structures to reveal underlying conditions that can lead to further damage if left un-repaired. During assessments and investigations, our experts perform visual observations, testing consulting, and document the extent of damage.
Risk Analysis
Walker offers risk analysis services for every building type and occupancy. Risk can be thought of as a combination of exposure and vulnerability. Walker engineers use the most up-to-date hazard models and data to assess the exposure of a given building, based on its location and structural properties. The services we provide include probable maximum loss (PML) studies for natural and man-made hazards and life-cycle cost analysis for anticipating structural deterioration. In addition to quantifying risk, we help clients understand exposure, vulnerability, and the resulting risk as it applies to individual buildings and portfolios, so that they can make critical risk management decisions with the information.
Impact and Drop Object Analysis
Walker has evaluated the effects of impact to numerous metal buildings and concrete structures by aircraft, dropped objects, and projectiles generated during explosion. The finite element models of the structures and projectiles are created and evaluate the penetration velocities and the integrity of the structure. Our impact analysis services include:
- Aircraft impact to nuclear structures and general infrastructure
- Missile impact analysis
- Dropped object analysis
- Accidental and intentional vessel impacts
- Ship impact analysis
- Collision analysis
- Fragment impact analysis (blind flanges, valves, debris, etc.)
- Helicopter collision analysis
- Evaluation and development of energy absorbent elements for impact loads
- Soil behavior under impact loads
