Structural Repair

Focused on structural repair and materials forensic investigations to assist our clients when there are deteriorations or failures that impact their buildings and structures. This team thoroughly assesses the situation to determine the root causes of the structural distress through observations, testing, and analysis. We work with our clients to stabilize the structure, if necessary, to maintain a safe environment and mitigate the impact on their business and daily activities. We develop repairs to restore the capacity of the structural member or system while also addressing the causes to alleviate further damage to their property.  Our structural repair team is dedicated to extending the life of existing structures that may be experiencing deterioration, distress or failures through assessments, investigation, structural repairs, and durability enhancements.

  • Visual assessments
  • Repairs for service life extension
  • Forensic analyses
  • Restoration of deteriorated elements
  • Corrosion testing
  • Concrete repairs
  • Preservation and protective coatings
  • AAMP
  • American Concrete
  • ASCE Civil Engineering
  • AWS
  • International Concrete Institute
  • Green Builders Council
  • IBEC Building Enclosure
  • Post Tension Institute
  • Structural Repair
  • Structural Repair

FEATURED PROJECTS

Frequently Asked Questions
What is structural repair engineering?

Structural repair engineering focuses on extending the service life of buildings and infrastructure that are experiencing deterioration, distress, or failure. SKA Consulting Engineers investigates the root cause of structural damage through forensic analysis, testing, and field observations, then designs repairs that restore capacity and address the underlying problem to prevent recurring damage.

What causes structural deterioration in buildings?

Common causes include corrosion of reinforcing steel, concrete carbonation, freeze-thaw cycling, water intrusion, chemical exposure, overloading, and original design or construction deficiencies. SKA's structural repair team uses corrosion testing, forensic analysis, and visual assessments to identify exactly what is driving the deterioration before designing a repair strategy.

What is a structural condition assessment?

A structural condition assessment is a systematic evaluation of a building's structural systems to document existing damage, identify active deterioration mechanisms, and prioritize repairs. SKA's assessments include visual surveys, corrosion testing, concrete sampling, and analysis to give building owners a clear understanding of structural health and remaining service life.

How are concrete repairs designed for commercial buildings?

Concrete repairs are designed based on the type and extent of deterioration — whether it involves spalling, delamination, corrosion-driven cracking, or loss of structural capacity. SKA's engineers evaluate the damaged members, determine whether partial-depth or full-depth repairs are needed, specify appropriate repair materials and protective coatings, and produce construction documents for contractor bidding.

What is the difference between structural repair and structural engineering?

Structural engineering typically involves the design of new buildings and systems, while structural repair focuses on investigating and restoring existing structures that have experienced damage, deterioration, or failure. SKA provides both services — our structural repair team works closely with our structural design and building enclosure groups to address problems that span multiple disciplines.

Does SKA provide forensic investigation for structural failures?

Yes. SKA's structural repair team conducts forensic investigations to determine the root cause of structural distress, including failures in concrete, steel, masonry, and post-tensioned systems. Our forensic analyses support insurance claims, construction defect litigation, and capital planning for building owners across North Carolina, South Carolina, and the Southeast.