Construction Forensics

Through our 45 years of forensic investigations, D&A architects have developed the skills to rapidly identifying deficiencies in building envelopes many that have been overlooked by prior forensic consultants, often this is achieved as early as during initial site observations. On over 30% of our projects, D&A was retained after prior remedial efforts had failed. In all cases, D&A has successfully analyzed and implemented remedial programs.

D&A Proprietary Database

Over the decades D&A has developed a comprehensive database to draw upon in identifying deficiencies, and for determining the most efficient and cost-effective analysis program. Our in-house testing abilities provide rapid confirmation of the specific concealed conditions that require repairs, without the cost and delays of using third-party firms. All too often, prior repairs failed due to assumptions that were not confirmed.

With over 1,000 projects, we have the skill to develop technical solutions that are most cost effective while least disruptive to occupants. Where standard repair methods are not feasible or cost effective, D&A has an established record of providing innovative remedial designs based on prior projects that have demonstrated ongoing performance over many years, or even decades.

D&A Borescope Testing Advantage

Masonry probes are typically performed to determine conditions in exterior walls. This requires installing a swing stage in order to remove several square foot sections of brickwork for each test location, which is expensive and disruptive to occupants. With D&A’s borescope equipment, this can be achieved by drilling a 1/4” hole through mortar joints. This approach does not result in ugly patches, nor disrupts occupants with noise, vibration, or dust. The cost of erecting a swing stage is also avoided since access can be obtained through windows and balconies. D&A borescopic analysis services surpasses other forensic firms by using more technically advanced equipment augmented with custom fabricated accessories.

With a controlled, articulating tip and extended visual range, these cameras can be guided around obstacles in the masonry cavity to confirm actual, as-built intent, components causing the deficiencies, and configuration dimensions necessary to determine the most effective and cost-efficient remedial design.
The borescopic analysis can then be expanded to substantiate consistency of the concealed conditions at a cross-sample of floors and elevations to determine if the remedial scope needs to address systemic conditions, or can be reduced to specific areas.
Custom accessories include telescoping support for extending horizontally up to six feet into deep voids with the further flexibility to install or retrieve monitoring devices.

Non-Destructive Water Infiltration Analysis

D&A capacitance testing equipment has the ability to detect moisture up to 4.5” inside walls and roofs. With decades of experience, D&A can determine correlations of infiltration patterns with assembly components and locations of probable sources. Based on these findings, a borescopic analysis is performed to substantiate the source locations and cause of deficiency.

Water Testing

D&A has AAMA compliant spray racks and nozzles for substantiating resistance to water penetration at fenestration or confirming paths of water infiltration in existing buildings. This provides the in-house advantage of performing testing on short notice or in close intervals without delays and cost inefficiencies typical of scheduling third party testing firms.

Infrared Analysis

This testing method uses an alternate technical basis to confirm the findings and conclusions of other testing methods. The documentation is basically a pixel database that can be used in more detailed analysis.

Temperature and Humidity Monitoring

Installation in wall cavities or other building components can track conditions over long periods of time to determine if detrimental

Conditions or level of performance occur within assembly.

Non-Destructive Steel Reinforcement and Anchor Analysis

With use of a more technically advanced pacometer, D&A has the ability to determine steel reinforcing in concrete slabs to determine clearances for inserts or in order to reverse engineer loading capacity. With modifications, D&A has developed methods to confirm the existence of brick tie embedments in mortar joints. This avoids the high cost and limited ability of exhaustive borescope or brick probes. To our knowledge, this service is not available from other firms.

Remedial Design

Based upon our constructions forensics capabilities, D&A not only provides the necessary recommendations for remedial repairs, but can also prepare the associated remedial design including construction drawings and details, specifications, and budgetary estimates. “See Façade Assessments and Repair Services” for details.

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