Forensic Structural Engineering 

In general, South Africa has moderate weather conditions.  In spite of this, we sometimes suffer severe, albeit infrequent, weather storms comprising strong wind forces, intense precipitation and/or hail storms.  Earthquakes also occur in certain areas in the country, mostly associated with mining activity or in close proximity to such.   

Certain geological conditions may also present hazards related to potential structural distress, e.g. underlying dolomitic cavities, areas with expansive clays or collapsible sands, etc.  Risk of structural damage in these vulnerable areas are frequently exacerbated by concentrated water ingress or significant changes in moisture content. 

Devotec will conduct an inspection of the site and make observations of structural damage or distress and assess the cause or causes of such together with recommendations to repair the facility and present proposals to mitigate recurrence of the risk or consequential damage (more than 100 investigations conducted).   

Dolomitic sink hole 

Silo collapse 

Flood damage

Hail storm collapse
 

Wind storm collapse 

Wind storm collapse