Forensic Engineering in El Paso, TX

The signature El Paso failure is sudden: a structure stable for years settles sharply after landscaping matures, a water line leaks, or drainage patterns change, classic collapsible-soil behavior announcing itself. Other cases run to desert form as well, slabs cracked by placement conditions the record glossed over, stucco and masonry distress tracing back to movement below. We investigate from evidence: elevation surveys mapping the movement's shape and timing, cores per ASTM C42 establishing the in-place concrete, borings and sampling that test the collapse hypothesis directly, and petrographic examination per ASTM C856 where hot-weather placement or curing is in question. Chain of custody is maintained, with licensed engineers engaged for evaluation and testimony.

Collapse settlement is distinguishable from expansive movement by its suddenness, its localization around water sources, and laboratory response-to-wetting tests; the distinction assigns responsibility very differently, so it is worth establishing properly.

• Concrete distress investigation: cracking, scaling, spalling, low strength results
• Core sampling and testing of hardened concrete per ASTM C42
• Petrographic examination of hardened concrete per ASTM C856
• Foundation and pavement performance investigations
• Documented chain of custody and photo documentation built for litigation

ASTM C42ASTM C856ASTM C39