Structural Engineering Blog
Educational articles on structural engineering, inspections, foundations, and building assessments
The AO Engineers blog provides educational articles on structural engineering topics relevant to property owners, real estate professionals, contractors, attorneys, and others who work with structural concerns. Articles are written by our engineering team and reflect our experience providing structural engineering services throughout Kentucky and surrounding states.
Understanding Foundation Settlement: Causes, Signs, and What to Do
Foundation settlement is one of the most common structural concerns affecting residential and commercial buildings in Kentucky. This article explains the difference between uniform and differential settlement, describes the soil conditions that contribute to foundation movement in the region, and outlines the steps property owners should take when settlement is suspected.
Read More →Structural Inspection vs. Home Inspection: What's the Difference?
Many property buyers confuse structural engineering inspections with general home inspections. While both serve important purposes in real estate transactions, they differ significantly in scope, methodology, and the qualifications of the professional performing the assessment. This article clarifies the distinction and explains when each type of inspection is appropriate.
Read More →10 Warning Signs of Structural Problems in Older Homes
Kentucky's housing stock includes a significant number of homes built in the early-to-mid twentieth century. These older homes often develop structural issues related to aging materials, outdated construction practices, and decades of deferred maintenance. This article describes ten common warning signs that may indicate structural problems in older residential buildings.
Read More →How Forensic Engineering Supports Insurance Claims for Structural Damage
When structural damage occurs, the question of causation — what caused the damage, and whether it is covered by insurance — is often contested. Forensic structural engineering provides the independent technical analysis needed to document damage, determine its cause, and support insurance claim resolution. This article explains the forensic engineering process and its role in insurance claims.
Read More →A Homeowner's Guide to Load-Bearing Wall Removal
Open floor plans are among the most popular renovation goals for homeowners today. Achieving an open plan often requires removing one or more interior walls — some of which may be load-bearing. This article explains how structural engineers determine whether a wall is load-bearing, what is involved in designing a replacement beam and post system, and why a building permit is required for this type of work.
Read More →Property Condition Assessments: What Commercial Real Estate Buyers Need to Know
Commercial real estate acquisitions typically require a Property Condition Assessment (PCA) as part of the lender's due diligence requirements. This article explains what a PCA is, what it covers, how it differs from a structural inspection, and what buyers and lenders can expect from the process.
Read More →Identifying Foundation Wall Crack Types and What They Mean
Not all foundation cracks are created equal. The type, pattern, width, and orientation of a foundation crack can provide important clues about its cause and significance. This article describes the most common types of foundation wall cracks encountered in residential and commercial buildings and explains what each crack pattern typically indicates.
Read More →Structural Engineering Considerations for the New Madrid Seismic Zone
Western Kentucky lies within the New Madrid Seismic Zone, one of the most seismically active regions east of the Rocky Mountains. This article discusses the seismic hazard in western Kentucky, explains how structural engineers account for earthquake loading in building design and evaluation, and describes what property owners in the region should know about seismic risk.
Read More →Structural Maintenance Best Practices for Commercial Building Owners
Proactive structural maintenance can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems and extend the service life of commercial buildings. This article outlines best practices for commercial building owners and property managers, including recommended inspection intervals, common maintenance priorities, and how to work effectively with structural engineering consultants.
Read More →Why Residential Decks Fail: Common Structural Deficiencies and How to Avoid Them
Residential deck failures are more common than most homeowners realize, and the consequences can be serious. This article examines the most common structural deficiencies found in residential decks, explains why inadequate construction is so prevalent, and describes what homeowners should look for when evaluating an existing deck or planning a new one.
Read More →Structural Assessment of Historic Masonry Buildings: Special Considerations
Historic masonry buildings — a common building type throughout Kentucky's older cities and towns — present unique structural engineering challenges. This article discusses the structural characteristics of historic masonry construction, common deterioration mechanisms, and the special considerations that apply when assessing and renovating these buildings.
Read More →Crawl Space Structural Problems: What's Hiding Beneath Your Home
Crawl spaces are among the least-inspected areas of residential buildings, yet they are home to critical structural components including floor beams, joists, and foundation piers. This article describes the most common structural problems found in residential crawl spaces, explains how they develop, and outlines when a structural engineering inspection is warranted.
Read More →The Role of the Structural Engineering Expert Witness in Construction Litigation
Construction defect and structural damage litigation often hinges on technical engineering questions that require expert testimony to resolve. This article explains the role of the structural engineering expert witness, describes what attorneys and clients can expect from the forensic engineering process, and discusses how expert opinions are developed and presented.
Read More →Retaining Wall Design and Common Causes of Failure
Retaining walls are among the most frequently failing structural elements in residential and commercial settings. This article explains the engineering principles behind retaining wall design, describes the most common causes of retaining wall failure — including inadequate drainage, overloading, and poor construction — and discusses when a structural engineer should be consulted.
Read More →Structural Due Diligence in Commercial Property Acquisitions
Thorough structural due diligence is essential for informed commercial real estate investment decisions. This article describes the structural engineering services commonly used in commercial acquisitions — including PCAs, structural inspections, and forensic investigations — and explains how engineering findings can influence acquisition decisions and negotiations.
Read More →Wood Rot in Structural Members: Identifying, Assessing, and Addressing the Problem
Wood rot is a common finding in residential structural inspections, particularly in older buildings and in areas exposed to chronic moisture. This article explains how wood rot develops, describes the structural implications of deteriorated wood members, and outlines the process for assessing and repairing rot-damaged structural elements.
Read More →Seismic Retrofitting for Existing Buildings: An Overview
Many existing buildings were designed before current seismic design requirements were established. Seismic retrofitting involves modifying an existing building's structural system to improve its performance during an earthquake. This article provides an overview of common seismic retrofitting techniques, explains when retrofitting may be warranted, and discusses the structural engineering process involved.
Read More →Navigating Building Code Compliance in Renovation Projects
Renovation projects can trigger building code compliance requirements that go beyond the scope of the renovation itself. This article explains how building codes apply to renovation and addition projects, describes the concept of existing building provisions, and discusses how structural engineers help clients navigate code compliance during renovation work.
Read More →Structural Engineering for Warehouse Mezzanines: Design and Safety Considerations
Warehouse mezzanines are a cost-effective way to add usable floor area within existing buildings. However, mezzanine structures impose significant loads on the building's structural systems and require proper engineering design to ensure safety. This article discusses the structural engineering considerations for warehouse mezzanine design and installation.
Read More →Post-Storm Structural Assessment: What Property Owners Should Do After Severe Weather
Severe weather events — including tornadoes, high winds, ice storms, and flooding — can cause structural damage that may not be immediately apparent. This article guides property owners through the steps to take following a severe weather event, explains when a structural engineering assessment is warranted, and describes how engineering documentation supports insurance claims.
Read More →Concrete Slab Cracking: When to Be Concerned and When to Relax
Concrete slab cracking is extremely common and causes considerable anxiety for property owners. However, not all slab cracks are structurally significant. This article explains the different types of concrete slab cracking, describes which cracks warrant engineering evaluation, and discusses the structural implications of slab movement and deterioration.
Read More →Structural Engineering in Property Insurance Disputes: An Overview for Property Owners
Insurance disputes involving structural damage can be complex, contentious, and financially significant. Independent structural engineering expertise is often essential to a fair resolution. This article explains how structural engineers assist property owners in insurance disputes, describes the forensic engineering process, and discusses what property owners should know about protecting their interests.
Read More →Expansive Soils in Kentucky: Implications for Foundations and Structures
Expansive clay soils are prevalent throughout much of Kentucky and are a leading cause of foundation movement and structural distress in the region. This article explains how expansive soils behave, describes the areas of Kentucky most affected, and discusses the structural engineering implications of building on or near expansive clay soils.
Read More →Using Structural Analysis to Evaluate Renovation Feasibility
Before committing to a major renovation project, understanding the structural implications is essential. Structural analysis can determine whether existing structural members have capacity for new loads, identify elements that must be reinforced or replaced, and provide the engineering basis for renovation design. This article explains how structural analysis supports renovation planning and decision-making.
Read More →Structural Inspections for Multi-Family Residential Properties: What Investors Need to Know
Multi-family residential properties present unique structural inspection challenges compared to single-family homes. This article discusses the structural inspection process for apartment buildings, condominiums, and other multi-family properties, explains what investors and lenders should look for, and describes how structural findings affect investment decisions.
Read More →- ▸Foundation Engineering
- ▸Structural Inspections
- ▸Residential Structural Engineering
- ▸Forensic Engineering
- ▸Commercial Real Estate
- ▸Commercial Structural Engineering
- ▸Seismic Engineering
- ▸Historic Structures
- ▸Storm Damage
- ▸Building Codes