With the Holiday season almost upon us and 2024 coming to a close, we at Nelson Forensics are reflecting on this past year. Forensic investigations can be very interesting and the conditions we observe can vary from repeated failures to unique occurrences. We would like to share some of the interesting things that we encountered in 2024.
Figures 1 and 2 show structures damaged by fallen trees, but in different ways. Figure 1 shows a structure in Texas that was impacted by a pair of fallen trees during Hurricane Beryl. Figure 2 shows a less common form of tree-related damage, where the wall of a house was displaced (lifted) by the action of the roots of the fallen tree, which had extended under the foundation.
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Damages from high winds are a common reason for forensic investigations, and Nelson’s team responds to wind events in different parts of the country every year. This year was certainly no exception. A thunderstorm wind event in Central Texas during the spring caused a swath of damage, including to the roof shown in Figure 3. The edge of the roof was lifted and a large section of the roof was thrown into the surrounding field and trees. What made matters worse was that a sprinkler line ruptured due to the roof failure, causing flooding and widespread damage throughout the interior of the building.
Figure 3.
Failures of building materials occur with some frequency and can be interesting. In the past year, Nelson has investigated several material failures, including patterns of cracking in concrete related to alkali-silica reaction (ASR). Figure 4 shows cracking in a swimming pool caused by ASR.
Figure 4.
Parking structures typically feature concrete framing and require maintenance and regular evaluation for deterioration and the need for repairs. Such considerations are important due to the long service life typically expected for a parking garage in combination with a garage’s exposure to the elements (including the potential exposure to salts and other contaminants deposited by parked cars). The parking garage in Figure 5 was deteriorated and failed due to construction loading during application of additional pavement to the level above. This created an unstable and unsafe condition.
Figure 5.
Damages from a fire can be devastating, as seen in Figure 6. This is an historic structure that experienced significant structural damage from a fire and Nelson worked to help preserve elements of the building for reconstruction.
Figure 6.
In addition to our daily forensic work, authors from Nelson published four papers at the recent ASCE Forensic Engineering Congress in Seattle, WA. These papers covered a variety of topics, from roofing to explosions to water intrusion and flooring damages. We also participated in the annual Forensics Engineering Conference at the University of Texas, with a presentation highlighting the regional aspects of our profession in the northeastern United States.
At Nelson Forensics, we are thankful for our work, our clients, and of course, our people. We hope that you enjoy the start of a safe and wonderful Holiday season.
