Arbitech Case Studies 

Some examples of forensic engineering investigations involving structural systems:

• • Collapse of a precast hollow core concrete floor panel during construction of senior’s residence
  • Subsidence in concrete underpinning of foundation for new residential addition
  • Review of roof design following wind damage to large agricultural building
  • Premature corrosion in exposed structural steel framing of residential guest house
  • Review of cast-in-place concrete floor slab design for large transportation terminal following reports of improper reinforcing steel placement
  • Investigate cause of plaster ceiling collapse on a flat terracotta tile arch floor at a heritage municipal building
  • Investigate cause of motel canopy soffit collapse
  • Perform structural assessments of buildings damaged by vehicle impacts, fire and high wind events
  • Investigate cause of structural steel roof collapse at distribution warehouse from material overloading
  • Investigate cause of wood-framed roof collapse at religious hall undergoing roofing replacement
  • Investigate agricultural metal grain bin collapse after undergoing modifications by Contractor to increase volume capacity
  • Assessment of storm damage to boat house
  • Investigate concrete masonry foundation collapse at a residential home
  • Structural forensic evaluation on hotel for lateral loading

Some examples of forensic investigations involving pavements and earthworks:

• Owner/contractor dispute regarding soil compaction and settlement at a public outdoor recreational facility
• Inadequate interceptor swale causing overland flow towards new housing project

Some examples of forensic engineering investigations involving high performance roofs:

• Water penetration at drainage interceptor throughs in a zinc roof of a medical facility
• Ice dam and snow buildup on flat roofs tying into slopped roofs resulting in leak into resort residential complex

, Some examples of materials and metallurgical related investigations performed by our forensic engineering experts:

• Oil & Gas Pipe and Pipeline (carbon steel, stainless steel, cement-coated, Flexsteel, Fiberspar, ABS, HDPE, PEX, PSV and FRP polymer pipe) – Failure Analysis’, Metallurgical Assessments and Expert Reporting – Alberta
• Oil & Gas Extraction, Transport & Processing Equipment Including: valves (relief, check, globe, gate, butterfly, ball, needle, actuator, choke, well-head) etc.), spools, struts, crankshafts, sucker rods, pinion bearings, quills, sinker bars, stators, coiled tubing, compressors, pumps and pump impellers, pig launchers, pump seats and stators, flanges, couplings, pump barrels, bearing mandrels, rotors, bolts, blowout preventers, steel chains, boiler tubes, drill collars, annular packing unit elements, casings, pressure gauges, etc. – Failure Analysis’, Metallurgical Assessments and Expert Reporting – Alberta
• Bridge Girders, Truss Bridge – Metallurgical Assessment and Expert Reporting – Winnipeg, MB
• Streetcar Window Frames – Corrosion Damage & Metallurgical Assessment and Expert Reporting – Toronto, ON
• Pressure Vessels & Piping – Metallurgical Assessments and Expert Reporting – Nitrogen Operation, Carseland, AB
• Circulation Coins – Metallurgical Assessment and Expert Reporting – Royal Canadian Mint, Winnipeg, MB
• Structural Steel Bolts – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg, MB
• Bottle Caps, Soft Drink – Corrosion Root Cause Analysis and Expert Reporting – Toronto, ON
• PRV Valve – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Glace Bay, NS
• Residential Water Heater – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Spencerville, ON
• PRV Valve – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – New Waterford, NS
• Propane Tank Explosion – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Novar, ON
• Sharkbite Fitting – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Residential, Toronto, ON
• Burst Copper Tubes – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting, Bluffers Park, Scarborough, ON
• Industrial Pressure Cooker Explosion – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Courtland, ON
• Cast-Iron Water/Steam Radiators – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Kingston, ON
• Soldered Copper Tube Joint – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Nobleton, ON
• Pallet Loop Shaft, Conveyor – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Pearson International Airport, Mississauga, ON
• Heat Pump Line – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Mississauga, ON
• Water Main – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Kingsville, ON
• Structural Steel, Fire Exposed – Metallurgical Assessment and Expert Reporting – Toronto, ON
• Copper Tube Joint, Soldered – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Residential, Brampton, ON
• Clay Sewage Line, 6-inch – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Mississauga, ON
• Server Chiller Hose – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Toronto, ON
• Swimming Pool Liner – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting– Residential, Hanover, ON
• Communication Tower, Bolts – Metallurgical Assessment and Expert Reporting – Sault Ste. Marie, ON
• Bulk-Storage Pressure Vessel – Metallurgical & Damage Assessment and Expert Reporting – Ford Motor Canada Ltd., Windsor, ON
• Copper Tube Joint, Soldered – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Merritt, BC
• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Pipe – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Surrey, BC
• Water Main – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Industrial Building, Brampton, ON
• Suspended Ceiling Corrosion – Root Cause Analysis – Public Building, Mississauga, ON
• Anaerobic Digester Overpressure and Spill – Root Cause Analysis – WPCP,  Collingwood, ON
• Defective Handrails – Damage Analysis and Remediation Recommendations – Residential, North York, ON
• Failed Soldered Joints – Root Cause Analysis – Residential, Toronto, ON
• Contamination of Domestic Water Distribution System – Root Cause Analysis – Saskatoon, SK 
• Residential Appliances Including: water softeners, water filters, toilets (tanks, bowls, connectors, fill-valves), water heaters, dishwashers, refrigerators, icemakers, water dispensers, humidifiers, washers, steam cleaners, microwave ovens, faucets, shower heads, couplings, fittings, heat pumps, tubing & valves (ABS, HDPE, PEX, FRP, stainless-steel and copper), pressure relief valves, solenoid valves, sewage pumps, electrical switches, oil filters, television brackets, aquariums, flex-hoses, etc. – Failure Analysis and Expert Reporting – Multiple Locations Across Canada

Some examples of how our expert opinion reports can help bring clarity and resolution to matters involving compliance with Building and Fire Codes such as:

• Identifying particulars of a dispute between parties in the context of the Ontario Building Code. We also have expertise supporting Applicants and Respondents in hearings before the Building Code Commission.
• Investigating building code compliance of newly constructed buildings to assist parties in resolving lien claims.
• Investigating existing buildings for compliance with the Ontario Fire Code in response to an Order issued by Fire Officials

Some examples of building sciences projects and claims our experts have been involved in:

• Investigation and analyses into hygrothermal-related (heat, air and moisture flow) issues with building components and roof assemblies
• Investigate exterior precast concrete wall for condensation issues at a storage facility
• Investigate and report on a cold storage room ceiling collapse inside a conventionally-built warehouse after a chiller equipment failure
• Investigation into the cause of ground-heaving of a concrete floor slab in a cold storage room of a conventionally-built warehouse
• Determination of air leakage locations in fire separation between townhouse units