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Structure Evaluation Engineers, Inc.
(SEE) was retained to provide litigation support and
expert witness services related to the failure of composite Hollow-Core floor slab. The new
jail design specified a Hollow-Core slab with concrete topping for floor construction. The precast
manufacturer proposed a composite topping in order to meet the design requirements. After placement
of the concrete topping it became evident that the concrete topping was not bonded to the precast
planks.
Contractor retained a well-known consulting firm to assess condition and provide
repair recommendations. The consulting firm determined that lack of surface preparation resulted in
bond failure. They recommended epoxy injection to bond the topping to the planks rather than
removing and replacing concrete topping. After injection epoxy resin infiltrated into the
conduits embedded in the concrete topping, wall construction, and electrical and mechanical
systems. This made the jail building non-functional, hence it had to be removed and
replaced
SEE was retained, by the law firm representing
the architectural firm, to provide forensic engineering services for this multi-million dollars
construction law suit. The scope of services included review of original contract documents,
construction documents, construction techniques, material evaluation, manufacturer's literature,
applicable codes and standards, depositions, opinions and reports prepared by other consulting
firms, and preparing expert opinion statement. We worked very closely with the lead attorneys
and provided objective expert witness services that resulted in a settlement in favor of our
client.
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