Expert Witness and Investigation Services
Thomas Consulting have been undertaking forensic investigation services of structural and engineering failures for more than 20 years. The scope of these services ranges from investigations of structural failures in domestic properties through to complex problems affecting commercial premises.
The majority of our investigations relate to failure of building performance such as excessive cracking of walls or floors or settlement of foundations. We have, however, investigated a number of major structural failures. It is a rare but not infrequent event for whole buildings or significant elements of a building to collapse (see the CROSS and HSE reports below). In our experience the most frequent cause of structural collapse is a failure to plan or undertake excavation work in a proper manner. Over the years we have investigated a number of such collapses, including a number where only luck prevented fatalities. The costs involved in both repairing the damage and the disruption caused to the construction project far outweigh what it would have the cost to have prudently managed the works in the first instance. We have also seen a number of projects where the problems associated with excavation work were only identified by Party Wall Surveyors; clearly this should not be happening. If you are undertaking excavations in or adjacent to existing structures proper investigations should be undertaken during the design process to enable the exaction work to be undertaken in a safe manner. Collapse of a structure can also occur when adequate temporary restraints or bracing are not employed during construction. It is often not appreciated that a building or parts of a structure may not be adequately stable until the building is complete. We have recently advised upon the collapse of a masonry wall that collapsed during in modest winds, seriously injuring a number of workmen. It had not been appreciated that the wall was not properly restrained in the partially built stage and although in the completed condition it was an internal wall during construction it was subject to full wind load. We have provided expert advice in cases involving a few thousand pounds to repair through to several million pounds and have been appointed by leading solicitors to provide evidence for litigation proceedings and/or remedial specifications. Our partners are happy to discuss issues such as those highlighted above, and provide initial opinion without commitment.
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