Field Repairs

Nedwicke Engineering and Design (NED) provides field support and provides design of field repairs.   This service is typically required due to products installed incorrectly, products damaged during construction, material damaged in transit and modifications to the original design.


Improper Installations

Improper installations of products does not necessarily mean the product needs to be replaced.  NED will work with clients to determine if the improperly installed product still meets minimum code requirements and will work with clients to provide repairs if necessary.  

Examples:   

  • A contractor has installed a glulam beam upside down.  In some cases, this can reduce the allowable design capacity by up to 25%.   NED will review the original design and/or generate design calculations to determine if the reduction in capacity is acceptable. If the reduction is unacceptable, NED will work with the contractor to develop a field repair.
  • The concrete contractor has mistakenly placed the anchor bolts for a steel column in the wrong location.  NED will work with the contractor to design an epoxy design repair or modify the column base plate to accommodate the location of the bolts in the field.


Damage During Construction

Damage during construction is not uncommon on building projects.  Typical damage generally includes holes and notches in framing members drilled or cut to accommodate building geometry, wiring, plumbing or duct work.  NED will work with the client to determine if the damage is acceptable or provide a repair for the damaged framing.

Examples:

  • An electrical contractor needs to place a hole in a ridge beam in order to run wiring required for a ceiling fan. NED will work with the contractor to determine if the hole can be drilled in the beam and still meet minimum code requirements.
  • A framing contractor is required to taper cut the ends of the ceiling joists in a stick framed roof to accommodate the roof rafter slope.  NED will work with the contractor to determine if the cut ceiling joist will still meet code minimum design requirements.


Damage During Transit

Damage during transit of building materials occurs occasionally. Damage may include nicks and splits in framing members or the bending of steel framing components. NED will work with clients to determine if the damage is acceptable or if repair/replacement is necessary.

Examples:

  • A bundle of wood I-joists is delivered to a job site.  The flanges of several joists were crushed due to the strapping used for shipping the material.  NED will work with the manufacturer's technical staff to determine what design adjustments are required.
  • A bundle of eighteen foot 2x10's are delivered to a project site.   During delivery, several pieces of the material are damaged by a forklift.   NED will work with the client to determine if the material is still usable for the intended application.


Design Changes

Design changes may be required once construction has already started for a project. These changes may be required due to customer requests, material availability or components of the building already constructed.  NED will work with clients to provide design support for these changes.

Examples:

  • The owner of a residence decides they would like to utilize the attic level as a bonus room rather a storage area as originally designed.  NED will work with the client to determine the structural modifications necessary to accommodate this change.
  • A designer specifies a steel beam that is not kept in stock by local supplies. Due to time constraints, the contractor requires an alternate beam size.  NED will review the original design and provide an equivalent beam that is readily available for the contractor.