Assessing when to go beyond prescribed building codes
Modern building codes are written to help structures withstand extreme loads like earthquakes and windstorms, but the amount of damage a building sustains depends on the quality of the design and the criteria the building is designed to meet. Ä¢¹½tv's structural failure investigations over the past 50 years reveal that many buildings are designed to conform to minimum requirements prescribed by building codes and standards but often do not meet expectations.
Performance-based design requires the designer to go beyond code prescriptions and accurately predict how a structure will respond to its environment, often during extreme events. Making these predictions typically requires sophisticated structural analysis and advanced software and laboratory testing to determine damage mechanisms and thresholds. With cutting-edge tools, Ä¢¹½tv's multidisciplinary team of engineers predicts the performance of complex structural systems under extreme conditions like earthquakes and hurricanes.
services
For 50+ years, we’ve thrived on solving unstructured problems that require bespoke solutions. Some of our services include:
• Advanced structural analysis, including computer simulations incorporating geometric and material nonlinearities
• Peer review of building designs in areas of high seismic or hurricane hazard
• Peer review of special structures and equipment (e.g., in nuclear facilities and automated storage systems)
Our Capabilities Are Unparalleled
With expertise in over 90 disciplines and hundreds of capabilities, tools, and methodologies — we get to the root of even the most complex challenges and give you the objective answers you need.
Structural & Geotechnical Quantitative Risk Assessment
Innovative, quantitative risk assessments to support climate-change planning that helps protect buildings, infrastructure, and other valuable assets.
Structural & Geotechnical Design Support
Complex structural health and design support, with effective strategies to mitigate environmental impacts and degradation.
Design & Construction Defects
Rigorous design and construction defect assessments, including building components and standard-of-care evaluations.
Testing & Analysis of Construction & Building Materials
Cutting-edge technical construction engineering and materials testing.
Construction Accidents
Accident investigation informed by 50+ years of failure analysis, including falls, equipment-related incidents, impacts and collapses.
Specialty Structures
From airports to green buildings, construction consulting for specialty structures requiring wide-ranging expertise to improve safety and performance.
![[BS] Buildings & Structures - Structural Failures - [ME] Failure & Root Cause Analaysis - construction professional examine exterior wall](/sites/default/files/styles/cards_home_card/public/media/images/GettyImages-522675447.jpg.webp?itok=7IgcrhSZ)
Structural Failures
Understand why buildings and structures fail, and how to prevent similar failures in the future.
Emergency Response
Rapid, data-driven engineering response to natural disasters, accidents, and human-made catastrophes.
Experts
Our global and comprehensive expertise across industries gives us a deep understanding of current challenges, best industry practices, and the implications of emerging technologies.
Corporate Vice President and Principal Engineer
Practice Director and Principal Engineer
