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Technology Associates
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Forensic Engineering Experts - Ph (800) 358-9909 - Fax (888) 358-9901
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EXCAVATION COLLAPSES |
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The sudden, catastrophic collapse of excavations for buildings and trenches for utility lines is both distressingly common and completely avoidable. The technology for creating a safe, stable work environment below ground is both well established and widely known. Furthermore, there are very detailed OSHA regulations that address below-ground excavation expressly for the purpose of preventing collapses. However, these guidelines are occasionally ignored or not executed properly with unfortunate results.
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Expertise |
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Questions Answered |
We have extensive experience evaluating the causes of excavation and trench collapses including:
- Assessment of applicable OSHA regulations
- Investigation of site-specific soil and ground-water conditions
- Reconstruction of the construction sequences that led up to the collapse
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Through scientific analysis, we can help you answer pertinent questions such as:
- What were the factors that contributed to the collapse of the excavation or trench?
- Could these factors have been anticipated and addressed prior to failure?
- Where the appropriate OSHA regulations followed?
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Past Case Examples |
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Excavation Collapse in Suburban Area:
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Excavation Movement in an Urban Area:
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An excavation for a commercial building was made in the busy downtown area of a suburban town. The contractor failed to design the excavation support system properly and it failed, causing substantial property damage that extended into the adjacent main street of the town. We were retained by the town and were able to demonstrate that the failure occurred because the contractor did not properly design the excavation support system for the site conditions.
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A contractor was constructing a railroad tunnel within an excavation adjacent to a large church. The church suffered physical damage as a result and sued both the contractor and government agency that owned the tunnel. We represented the government agency and successful defended their position that the damage was solely the result of the contractor failing to execute the design properly.
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