Things seen this week during structural assessments!

A car lost control and crashed directly into the structural post of this building, causing serious damage.

Because of the impact, the building was compromised and the area became unsafe. Before we came out to assess, another company was called out to put in temporary shoring to stabilize the structure.

This is a homeowner’s DIY attempt. These makeshift supports are meant to hold up the floor above, essentially taking the place of a standard wooden post. Not exactly the safest solution.

This broken pipe is severely corroded. The green/blue film is called patina. Patina forms on metal surfaces over time, often caused by prolonged exposure to moisture. In this case, it's a clear sign the pipe has been compromised for a while.

Moisture in the crawlspace is never a good sign as it can lead to rot, mold, and long-term structural damage. You can already see signs of deterioration in this foundation.

Have you ever wondered how to tell if concrete is starting to fail when it’s not visibly obvious?

A simple tap test with a hammer can reveal a lot. If you hear a hollow sound, it could indicate delamination, spalling, or hidden internal damage. This is a quick and effective way to assess whether the concrete has lost its integrity.

A poor concrete mix can lead to a weak foundation over time, and this is a clear example of that. This foundation is split and is rotating as well, with exposed aggregate indicating significant concrete deterioration.

Expansive soil is common in Southern California. This type of soil swells when wet and shrinks when dry, putting constant pressure on a foundation.

You can see this post and pier has developed some rot and is noticeably leaning, both signs of long-term movement and moisture issues.

Taking some preliminary readings with a rebound hammer on fire-damaged retaining walls in the Pacific Palisades to assess whether the foundation is salvageable. We perform this step before issuing a forensic engineering proposal for formal analysis, including compressive strength testing, lab testing, and more. This gives us an early idea of the extent of the damage and what the repairs may consist of.

At Alpha Structural, we are doing everything we can to salvage expensive foundation systems like pile or caisson foundations and retaining wall foundations, helping our clients rebuild faster and more cost effectively.