Monmouth County Correctional Institution
Challenge
An insurance carrier retained Atkinson-Noland & Associates as an expert witness for a project involving reinforced concrete masonry construction. The expert firm retained by the county was charging hefty fees for deficient recommendations—some of which were implemented. We stepped into a complex situation, where years of litigation had generated a massive volume of reports and case files, as well as adversarial relationships between the parties. We represented the interests of the general contractor and, in some cases, the mason contractor.
Solution
Our team performed a comprehensive statistical analysis and demonstrated that conditions were not as dire as the county’s experts claimed. Some of the construction did not meet the letter of the building code or the design specifications. However, our engineering analysis confirmed that the actual construction work met code at nearly all locations. As a result, repairs could focus on specific areas, rather than repairing the entire building. We also performed life-cycle analyses to better understand the facility’s usage. These calculations showed that the county—which had been using the facility for more than 15 years without hindering operations—had, in fact, reaped significant benefits from the construction.
Solutions Provided
ANA has unique insight into building code requirements, having helped develop many codes and standards used in the construction industry. Our engineers evaluate design and construction characteristics for compliance with code requirements. The resulting analysis either validates existing construction or drives solutions for problematic conditions.
With specialized expertise in design, construction, and repair of masonry and concrete, ANA engineers have been recognized as expert witnesses in more than 100 legal proceedings. Our engineers assist legal teams and offer expert opinions, reports, and testimony about design quality, construction defects, and material deficiencies.
ANA engineers conduct investigative studies to understand causes of problematic conditions and to develop solutions that mitigate future distress. Forensic studies may involve monitoring building movement, assessing material deterioration, evaluating corrosive effects, and mapping cracks. Analysis of results reveals the relationships between observed conditions and their causes.
Structural analysis characterizes the structural response when subjected to a variety of conditions and actions, such as changing environmental conditions, new load requirements, etc. This assessment involves evaluating a structure under stress, deformation and displacements, and reactions. Nonlinear analysis through finite element (FE) modeling can be used to pinpoint the source of excessive stress leading to damage of the structure (e.g., cracking in tension, crushing in compression) when evaluated under service and ultimate load ranges.
Result
Based on our findings, the client settled the claim for a fraction of the initial amount.
Project
Monmouth County Correctional Institution
Freehold, New Jersey
Client
Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald, LLP
McLean, Virginia
Partner
Thornton Tomasetti
R.M. Shoemaker Co.
Palermo Masonry