Know what the damage means.
Structural damage assessment across Christchurch and Canterbury. Independent structural damage assessments for insurance, EQC or NHC claims, or simply to identify building damage and recommend suitable repairs.
A crack is a symptom.
The question is not the crack; it is what caused it. A crack from normal building movement can look much the same as one caused by foundation settlement or earthquake damage. One may need a simple repair; another may indicate movement beneath the building. A Chartered Professional Engineer assesses the damage, identifies the likely cause, and recommends an appropriate repair.
Structural EngineeringWhat we assess.
From a single crack to complex foundation movement, we assess the damage, identify the likely cause and recommend the appropriate repair.
Earthquake damage
Forensic assessment of earthquake-related structural damage to identify the nature, extent and likely cause of damage.
Settlement and movement
Structural and geotechnical assessment of foundation settlement, uneven floors and building movement to identify the cause and appropriate repair.
Cracking
Cosmetic or structural — we assess the cracking, identify the likely cause and recommend the appropriate repair.
Pre-purchase assessment
Structural defects can delay a property sale or make insurance difficult to obtain. We assess the issue, determine its significance and, where required, provide a practical rectification solution, engineering documentation and sign-off to help move the property transaction forward.
Remedial works
A complete structural and geotechnical remedial works package — from repair design and Building Consent or exemption documentation through to construction monitoring and PS4 sign-off, providing the engineering documentation needed to support Code Compliance and insurance requirements.
Foundation re-levelling
Compliant foundation re-levelling from start to finish — structural and geotechnical design, Building Consent or exemption documentation, construction monitoring and final PS4 sign-off.
How it runs.
From the first site assessment to a clear, independent engineering report that stands up.
- 01
On-site assessment
A Chartered Professional Engineer assesses the building first-hand, reviews the damage and understands the site conditions before forming an engineering opinion.
- 02
Find the cause
We look beyond the visible damage — assessing crack patterns, floor levels, foundation movement and ground conditions to determine what is actually causing it.
- 03
Report it
A clear, independent engineering report setting out the damage, its likely cause, and what is required to put it right.
- 04
Design the fix
Where repairs are required, we design and document the remedial works, manage Building Consent or exemption requirements, and provide the necessary PS1 and PS4 producer statements.
The engineering record
Every assessment is backed by a clear record of what was inspected, what was found, the evidence considered, and the engineering conclusions reached.
- Discipline
- Structural
- Assessed by
- Akram Kawa, CPEng
- Standard
- Building Code B1
- Seismic rating
- %NBS
- Producer statements
- PS1 and PS4
- Buildings
- Residential, commercial, industrial
Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA)
A detailed engineering assessment of a building’s expected seismic performance, including its %NBS rating, structural vulnerabilities and earthquake risk. Formerly known as a Detailed Engineering Evaluation (DEE), a DSA provides the technical basis for understanding seismic risk and, where required, planning strengthening or remedial works.
Initial Seismic Assessment
The ISA, a first measure of a building against the standard.
Detailed Seismic Assessment
A detailed assessment of seismic performance and %NBS, typically undertaken where an ISA indicates a rating below 34%NBS or a more definitive assessment of earthquake risk is required.
Percent of New Building Standard (%NBS)
The %NBS rating indicates a building’s assessed seismic performance relative to the standard expected of an equivalent new building.
What %NBS meansEarthquake-Prone Buildings
Buildings assessed below 34%NBS may be classified as earthquake-prone, triggering statutory requirements and timeframes for seismic strengthening or other action.
What %NBS meansStrengthening targets
Seismic strengthening designed to the appropriate %NBS target, whether 34%, 67% or 100%NBS, to suit the building, regulatory requirements and project objectives.
MBIE Guidelines
The assessment done to the earthquake-prone building regulations.
What an assessment looks at.
We assess how the building is expected to respond in an earthquake, its structural system, load paths, critical weaknesses and potential failure mechanisms, to establish its seismic performance and %NBS rating.
Guess the cause, fix the wrong thing.
Patch a crack without understanding the cause and it may simply come back. The same applies to settlement, foundation movement and other structural damage. A proper engineering assessment establishes what has happened, why it happened and what needs to be repaired, so the repair addresses the cause, not just the symptom.
Find out what the damage means.
Send us photographs of the damage, along with any plans, reports or previous repair information you have. A Chartered Professional Engineer can review the information and advise what assessment is needed and the next steps.