Strive for Structural and Personal Integrity

Structural Evaluations, Insurance, and Property Assessments

Structural integrity is one of the most important aspects of engineering for buildings and infrastructure. Are construction materials of high quality? Can the project adequately withstand natural disasters or damaged foundations? Ensuring these questions are answered is just one small part of McClure’s Structural Evaluations, Insurance, and Property Assessments.

Why Are Site Structural Evaluations Important?

Sometimes structural flaws are difficult to detect unless certain conditions are met. In other cases, they’re a result of gross negligence by an architect or builder. Structural engineering companies evaluate countless scenarios that could put the structural integrity of your project at risk, such as:

  • Natural disasters and severe weather: Hurricanes, earthquakes and severe flooding can cause extensive damage and even the collapse of finished buildings. We can review your building to minimize the risks posed by high winds or water damage.
  • Accidents: Traffic collisions can cause structural elements to fail. A chemical spill may seep into sensitive utilities or other systems. Our evaluations take both internal and external accidents into account.
  • Poor design and construction: Amateur or dishonest contractors may cut corners. Overloading structural elements and ignoring local building codes can lead to disaster. If you’re unsure about a building’s structural integrity, we can reveal weaknesses and inefficiencies.
  • Normal wear and tear: Time and consistent use will naturally wear down structural elements. We can verify any early signs of structural decline so you can take steps necessary to minimize potential damage or safety hazards.

An inspection from a structural engineer should highlight any concerns with the foundation, framing or other weight-bearing components of your building. Their findings are compiled into a final report, prioritizing severe or time-sensitive problems. Any elements that aren’t structurally sound will be pointed out, as well as what repairs can be completed to repair the damage.

Some things your structural engineer will look for during inspections are:

Cracks in Structural Components (Foundation, Walls and Ceiling)

A telltale sign of structural damage. Load bearing components like walls and pillars should be able to withstand the weight they’re supporting. While small cracks may not be concerning, anything larger than a quarter inch should be inspected.

Foundation Settlement

The weight of your building’s foundation will gradually impact the surrounding soil. As air is displaced, sediment becomes deformed and leads to settlement. The severity may depend on your local soil composition as well as the structural design of your foundation.

Differential settlement refers to distinct rates of settlement at different parts of the foundation. It can lead to distorted framing, sloping floors and cracks in the walls and glass. A large percentage of foundation problems can be attributed to differential settlement.

Uniform settlement is the other primary form of settlement. This type is more common when soil composition is the same across the entire building’s foundation. It’s also reliant on an even distribution of weight across all structural elements. While not as damaging as differential settlement, it can disrupt underground utilities such as plumbing for sewage or water supply.

Accidental Structural Changes from Renovation/Remodeling Projects

Making new additions, renovations or other changes to your building is an exciting project. But large-scale projects should verify if these changes will alter or weaken structural components. For example, removing walls for an open floor plan can lead to fewer load bearing structures. To maintain structural integrity, new components can be added or existing structures can be strengthened.

For longer renovations, temporary supports should be used. A structural engineering company can make sure temporary supports are adequate, as well as any elements intended to replace them once renovations are complete.

Drainage Concerns

Soil composition, heavy rains and nearby excavation work can introduce drainage problems adjacent to or underneath your building. Excessive moisture can damage your foundation and cause extensive interior water damage. In winter, this can lead to ice formation.

Structural Insurance

When disaster strikes, structural damage insurance is at minimum extremely beneficial, but often required by law. Structural insurance coverage protects owners from excessive legal penalties while also facilitating compensation for those affected by the damage.

In order for an insurance claim to be processed, damaged property must be thoroughly inspected. Design flaws can be identified as well as any party culpable for the damage.

How Is a Property Assessment Completed?

McClure helps define the damage’s scope with a visual inspection of the property and the damage’s extent. An assessment can be tailored to prioritize local building codes and specific structural issues. Using our recommendations, efficient repairs can be enacted alongside new precautions designed to minimize the risk of the same problem reappearing.

Ideally, these assessments should catch structural concerns before they lead to failure. Investing in quality materials and experienced engineers will minimize the risk of your building suffering from structural failure.

Strive for Structural and Personal Integrity

Structural Evaluations, Insurance, and Property Assessments

Structural integrity is one of the most important aspects of engineering for buildings and infrastructure. Are construction materials of high quality? Can the project adequately withstand natural disasters or damaged foundations? Ensuring these questions are answered is just one small part of McClure’s Structural Evaluations, Insurance, and Property Assessments.

Why Are Site Structural Evaluations Important?

Sometimes structural flaws are difficult to detect unless certain conditions are met. In other cases, they’re a result of gross negligence by an architect or builder. Structural engineering companies evaluate countless scenarios that could put the structural integrity of your project at risk, such as:

  • Natural disasters and severe weather: Hurricanes, earthquakes and severe flooding can cause extensive damage and even the collapse of finished buildings. We can review your building to minimize the risks posed by high winds or water damage.
  • Accidents: Traffic collisions can cause structural elements to fail. A chemical spill may seep into sensitive utilities or other systems. Our evaluations take both internal and external accidents into account.
  • Poor design and construction: Amateur or dishonest contractors may cut corners. Overloading structural elements and ignoring local building codes can lead to disaster. If you’re unsure about a building’s structural integrity, we can reveal weaknesses and inefficiencies.
  • Normal wear and tear: Time and consistent use will naturally wear down structural elements. We can verify any early signs of structural decline so you can take steps necessary to minimize potential damage or safety hazards.

An inspection from a structural engineer should highlight any concerns with the foundation, framing or other weight-bearing components of your building. Their findings are compiled into a final report, prioritizing severe or time-sensitive problems. Any elements that aren’t structurally sound will be pointed out, as well as what repairs can be completed to repair the damage.

Some things your structural engineer will look for during inspections are:

Cracks in Structural Components (Foundation, Walls and Ceiling)

A telltale sign of structural damage. Load bearing components like walls and pillars should be able to withstand the weight they’re supporting. While small cracks may not be concerning, anything larger than a quarter inch should be inspected.

Foundation Settlement

The weight of your building’s foundation will gradually impact the surrounding soil. As air is displaced, sediment becomes deformed and leads to settlement. The severity may depend on your local soil composition as well as the structural design of your foundation.

Differential settlement refers to distinct rates of settlement at different parts of the foundation. It can lead to distorted framing, sloping floors and cracks in the walls and glass. A large percentage of foundation problems can be attributed to differential settlement.

Uniform settlement is the other primary form of settlement. This type is more common when soil composition is the same across the entire building’s foundation. It’s also reliant on an even distribution of weight across all structural elements. While not as damaging as differential settlement, it can disrupt underground utilities such as plumbing for sewage or water supply.

Accidental Structural Changes from Renovation/Remodeling Projects

Making new additions, renovations or other changes to your building is an exciting project. But large-scale projects should verify if these changes will alter or weaken structural components. For example, removing walls for an open floor plan can lead to fewer load bearing structures. To maintain structural integrity, new components can be added or existing structures can be strengthened.

For longer renovations, temporary supports should be used. A structural engineering company can make sure temporary supports are adequate, as well as any elements intended to replace them once renovations are complete.

Drainage Concerns

Soil composition, heavy rains and nearby excavation work can introduce drainage problems adjacent to or underneath your building. Excessive moisture can damage your foundation and cause extensive interior water damage. In winter, this can lead to ice formation.

Structural Insurance

When disaster strikes, structural damage insurance is at minimum extremely beneficial, but often required by law. Structural insurance coverage protects owners from excessive legal penalties while also facilitating compensation for those affected by the damage.

In order for an insurance claim to be processed, damaged property must be thoroughly inspected. Design flaws can be identified as well as any party culpable for the damage.

How Is a Property Assessment Completed?

McClure helps define the damage’s scope with a visual inspection of the property and the damage’s extent. An assessment can be tailored to prioritize local building codes and specific structural issues. Using our recommendations, efficient repairs can be enacted alongside new precautions designed to minimize the risk of the same problem reappearing.

Ideally, these assessments should catch structural concerns before they lead to failure. Investing in quality materials and experienced engineers will minimize the risk of your building suffering from structural failure.

Where We Make An Impact

McClure can keep property safe and prosperous for many years to come.

WHERE WE MAKE AN IMPACT

McClure can keep property safe and prosperous for many years to come.