Jun 12
27
Building Forensics International
http://buildingforensicsintl.com
Posted in Building Forensics Building Forensics Investigation Cement Forensic Investigation Concrete Civil Engineering Concrete Crazing Cracking Concrete Damage Concrete Expert Witness Concrete Failure Analysis Concrete Forensic Investigation Construction Defect Expert Construction Expert Witness Expert Concrete Forensic Cement Investigation Forensic Concrete Analysis Forensic Concrete Investigation Forensic Expert Witness by .
Jun 12
27
Concrete Damage2 Video
http://buildingforensicsintl.com
Posted in Building Forensics Building Forensics Investigation Cement Forensic Investigation Concrete Civil Engineering Concrete Crazing Cracking Concrete Damage Concrete Expert Witness Concrete Failure Analysis Concrete Forensic Investigation Concrete Specifications Construction Defect Expert Construction Expert Witness Expert Concrete Forensic Cement Investigation Forensic Concrete Analysis Forensic Concrete Investigation Forensic Expert Witness Structural Concrete Design by .
Drying Shrinkage Cracking although many would attribute this type of Concrete Damage to improper or inadequate placement of expansion joints and that may well be a large part of this type of Concrete Damage but many times there are other causes that can attribute to Drying Shrinkage Cracking. So let’s take a look at a broader picture to better understand how this type of Concrete Damage occurs.
When concrete is poured or placed into use it usually contains more water than is required to mix and hydrate the materials together. During the curing or drying stage this excess water naturally escapes and results in some shrinkage of the concrete in place.
The shrinkage of the concrete produces stress and Drying Shrinkage Cracking can occur. Some drying shrinkage cracking can be considered acceptable (up to .02 inches in width); However if large amounts or cracks larger than .02 inches in width occur then this might be considered Concrete Damage and we recommend consulting a concrete expert witness or a concrete expert witness firm like Building Forensics International.
To help mitigate this type of Concrete Damage an installer would normally instal expansion joints in the concrete at specified locations in order to reduce the stress caused by drying shrinkage. Some people might state that improper spacing or cutting of the expansion joints has caused the Concrete Damage but there are many factors that can cause this type of Concrete Damage.
Other factors involved can include an improper mix design of the concrete, more water than the concrete mix design called for, weather conditions causing rapid drying, failure to properly prepare the subgrade prior to installation, poor reinforcement, poor or insufficient finishing methods, poor or insufficient curing techniques. These can add to the Concrete Damage as well as improper or inadequate installation of expansion joints.
If you feel your concrete installation has produced an unacceptable Drying Shrinkage Cracking Concrete Damage we recommend that you contact a professional Concrete Expert Witness or a Concrete Expert Witness Firm like Building Forensics International.
Jun 12
8
Concrete Damage
Concrete Damage
There are two main types of concrete damage or two main reasons that concrete can sustain damage. Concrete can sustain damage do to poor workmanship or improper installation of the concrete causing concrete damage when the concrete is put into its intended use. Concrete damage may also be due to a design flaw when the design of the concrete structure fails to meet the minimum standards required for its intended use thus resulting in concrete damage. Although concrete damage will fall into at least one of these categories of damage, sometimes the damage to the concrete can be a result of both improper workmanship and design flaws. The purpose of this segment of our Blog will be to discus the different types of concrete damage, the causes, effects and appearance of the damaged concrete. We will provide photos of the different types of concrete damage and encourage the comments and discussions of the concrete damage you have experienced along with photos when possible. As always if you feel your concrete damage is the result of improper workmanship or a design flaw contact a qualified concrete expert witness or concrete expert witness firm like Building Forensics International to conduct a thorough concrete forensic investigation.
Our goal will be to add to this discussion on concrete damage over time allowing for viewer comments and photo uploads. We will post photos in the blog and store them under concrete damage photos as well.
Our concrete damage topics:
Crazing Cracking:
Crazing is a condition of concrete damage commonly caused from improper finishing. This type of concrete damage would fall into the category of workmanship or improper installation. Crazing can be caused by finishing when there is still too much bleed water on the surface of the concrete causing surface cracking. Crazing cracking may appear to be concrete damage caused by drying shrinkage cracking but this is a different form of concrete damage. Normally crazing cracking would be considered cosmetic concrete damage and not structural concrete damage.
Concrete Damaged from Crazing Cracking
Concrete Damage Caused by Plastic Shrinkage Cracking
Plastic Shrinkage Cracking
Concrete damage caused by plastic shrinkage cracks is different from other types of damage to concrete caused during the curing or drying stage of the concrete. As always if you think you might have this type or any other type of concrete damage contact a qualified concrete expert witness or expert witness firm like Building Forensics International to provide you with a thorough concrete forensic investigation and Concrete Failure Analysis before spending money to attempt to correct the concrete damage.
May 12
8
Concrete Expert Witness
We have been hearing a lot about Concrete Expert Witness in recent law suits so its nice to read some post about how important concrete expert witnesses are outside of court.
Keep writing post like this it is good for all of us who devoted our life to the concrete Industry. And its great when we stay out of court!
May 12
8
Concrete Expert Witness
Concrete Expert Witness 1Many people do not understand or miss completely the importance of retaining a Concrete Expert Witness before litigation ensues. Many people think that a Concrete Expert Witness is only someone who testifies in court as an expert witness in concrete. While testifying in court it is a vital proponent of the Concrete Expert Witness and it is important that you have an experienced Concrete Expert Witness who posses not only the technical knowledge in concrete but also has a trustworthy and honest demeanor with the ability to communicate clearly the information needed in the case to the judge/arbitrator and or jury, this is only a small portion of the work of a Concrete Expert Witness.
Most of the duties performed by the Concrete Expert Witness are performed outside of the court room. This is due to the fact that in construction defect litigation most cases will settle outside of court. The real work of the Concrete Expert Witness has been the investigation of the facts pertaining to the alleged defect in material and/or workmanship as well as the recommendations made by the Concrete Expert Witness to bring resolution to the conflict.
One of the most renowned Concrete Expert Witness professionals in the United Sates is Geoffrey Hichborn Sr. P.E. Mr. Hichborn has over 30 years of experience as a Concrete Expert Witness providing dispute resolution through his scientific approach to the areas of his expertise in concrete and cement. Geoffrey Hichborn Sr. P.E. provides his Concrete Expert Witness services through Building Forensics International a construction defect and failure analysis expert witness firm located in Southern California primarily serving the Western United States and Eastern Seaboard.