Evaluation of a Damaged Steel Commercial Structure, Long Island, NY

摘要

Too frequently, forensic engineers are tasked with developing investigation and testing protocols for projects that exhibit damage and restraints that are onerous at best, and almost impossible to conduct at worst. Therefore, it is critical to keep the client's expectations in mind, especially when they may be in conflict with the techniques required. As professionals, how do we find a balance between the two, without sacrificing quality? This case involved the forensic investigation of a steel framed commercial building, which had long-term exposure to water penetration from the roof and facades, and also vapors from within the facility. The building was occupied by an active commercial gym, presenting significant logistical challenges in our evaluation. Closing the active during our investigation was not feasible, so we had to coordinate our investigation around the tenant's needs. This required solutions that managed manpower efficiently, minimized costs, and kept the investigation on schedule. Additionally, limited access and obstructions required practical methodologies that wouldn't sacrifice accuracy. The project required us to develop inspection methods that incorporated ultrasound instruments and other devices in order to obtain the most accurate data of steel section losses and determine structural adequacies of the damaged steel members.