Meeting/Event Information

Join us as we kick off our 2024 Technical Sessions with Paula Dombrowski of Foresnic Engineered, LLC! Paula will be presnting "Lessons Learned from Four Case Studies: Claims against the Contractor".

We will walk through four generic Case Studies (presented generically to maintain complete confidentiality) of recent project forensic investigations and/or defect claims against the Contractor. We will discuss basic project details, the investigation, conclusions and what the Contractor may have done to potentially prevent the claim.

• Case Study 1: Watch Your Verbal PromisesWhy make promises when they are not needed?
  • Don’t provide expectations that exceed typical/normal ‘standard of care’.
• Case Study 2: Water Infiltration Will Find Your Defect
  • Water infiltration opens the Project to a full investigation; it is an opportunity to peel back the layers and uncover the defects. Even if you did not cause the water infiltration, your scope/work will be scrutinized.
• Case Study 3: Don’t Ignore the Specifications
  • What is the cost of a box of electroplated nails? Galvanized? Stainless steel nails? Did you check the Project specifications with your subcontractor?
• Case Study 4: Making the Case for Material/System Testing (Even When Not Project Specified)
  • When specifications are not clear, ask for clarity. When clarity is not provided, provide/propose material/system testing, along with principled engineering analysis. Understanding the difference between prescribed (empirical) and engineered options of the Building Code.

Paula J. Dombrowski, P.E., REWC, LEED AP

Principal

Forensics Engineered, LLC

c: (513) 814-3121

With nearly thirty years of professional experience, Paula has engineered structures of all sizes and levels of complexity. Paula began her career in Erie, PA following graduation from Penn State. Before leaving for Cincinnati, OH in 2005, Paula was the Engineer of Record for Penn State Behrend’s Campus, Research and Economic Development Center (REDC) Building, now known as the Burke Center.

In October of 2005, Paula continued her structural engineering career at Schaefer, in Cincinnati, OH, as Project Manager and Engineer of Record for projects that included major universities, K-12 schools, community buildings, parking structures, churches, industrial facilities, hospitals, and single/multi-family residences.

In recent years, Paula has used her extensive career experience to specialize in building forensics, evaluating building defects and providing valuable and experienced insight into the cause and origin, founding Forensics Engineered, LLC in February 2023. She continues her professional career as the Principal/Owner of the woman-owned engineering firm, leading structural and building envelope forensics and specializing in claims, standard of care and expert witness reporting, owner representation, constructability reviews, and smaller structural engineering and building envelope projects, including renovations and restoration of historic structures. Paula is also a Registered Exterior Wall Consultant, experienced in building envelope moisture intrusion and cladding forensics, and an expert in all thing’s masonry, including historic multi-wythe brick walls and masonry veneer cladding. Additionally, Paula continues to provide budget evaluations, pre-construction planning, peer reviews, Building Code evaluations, sustainable structures and life cycle cost analysis, construction observation, field repairs, project quality assurance, permitting and variance consultation, feasibility studies and contract reviews.

We look forward to Paula's presentation, and we look forward to seeing you there!

ICRI Cincinnati Chapter