Florida Structural Engineers & Forensic Engineers

Florida Structural Engineers & Forensic Engineers, Balcony Inspections, Milestone Inspectors

Florida structural engineers are licensed professional engineers with a central, east, and west Florida coast presence for building inspections, forensic investigations, milestone inspections, hotel & Condo Balcony Inspections, structural testing, and engineered repairs.

Our engineers evaluate the structural design of buildings and the collapse of damaged, deteriorated, and existing buildings throughout Florida. Our licensed Professional Engineers investigate structural damage & collapse, Finite element structural analysis, concrete spalling, foundation settlement, framing failures, roof wind & storm damage, balcony conditions, construction defects, and partial structural failures, then develop technically supportable conclusions and repair documents when required.

Primary Florida offices: Tampa • Orlando • Daytona Beach

What Florida Structural Engineers Should Do Before Recommending Repairs

A reliable structural opinion starts with the structure—not a predetermined repair. EMA documents the visible condition, identifies the affected structural system and load path, reviews available drawings and repair history, and determines what additional information is necessary. Depending on the problem, that may include measurements, selective demolition, material testing, concrete sounding, reinforcement locating, ultrasonic thickness measurements, magnetic particle testing, moisture investigation or structural analysis.

This approach matters because similar symptoms can have different causes. A crack can reflect shrinkage, thermal movement, settlement, overstress or localized deterioration. Concrete spalling can involve corrosion-related expansion, impact damage or construction deficiencies. A sagging floor can result from undersized framing, altered load paths, moisture deterioration or damaged connections. Engineering recommendations should follow the evidence.

Typical investigation sequence: document review → site inspection → damage mapping → targeted testing → engineering analysis → findings and conclusions → repair drawings or monitoring recommendations where appropriate.

Structural Engineers

Structural Analysis & Design, existing-building evaluations, framing and foundation analysis, structural modifications, load-path review, calculations, shoring concepts, permit repair drawings and structural design for concrete, steel, masonry and wood systems.

Structural Engineers Orlando

Structural Engineer Tampa

Forensic Engineers

Independent investigation of structural failures, construction defects, foundation movement, roof and framing failures, concrete deterioration, corrosion, moisture-related damage, fire, impact, wind and hurricane damage.

Forensic Engineer Orlando

Florida Forensic Engineering

Condominium Milestone Inspections

Condo milestone inspections,Florida Hotel balcony and walkway evaluations, concrete deterioration assessments, parking structures, aging-building investigations and repair programs for condominium and cooperative properties.

Milestone Inspections Orlando

Milestone Inspection Daytona Beach

Florida Condominium Milestone Inspections & Structural Deterioration

Florida law requires milestone inspections for qualifying condominium and cooperative buildings. Phase one is a visual examination of the major structural components by a Florida-licensed engineer or architect. If signs of substantial structural deterioration are identified, a phase two inspection is required to determine whether the building is structurally sound and safe for continued use and to characterize the extent of deterioration.

EMA evaluates reinforced concrete frames, balconies, walkways, parking structures, masonry, steel components and other primary structural systems. Typical concerns include concrete cracking, delamination, spalling, exposed or corroded reinforcing steel, displaced components, water-related deterioration and previous repairs.

Authoritative Florida resources: DBPR Milestone Inspection Guidance • Florida Statute 553.899

Structural Testing & Nondestructive Evaluation

Visual inspection is often the starting point, but it does not always establish remaining material thickness, concealed reinforcement, subsurface conditions or crack depth. EMA selects testing based on the engineering question rather than using a generic test package.

Capabilities include ultrasonic thickness measurements for steel, magnetic particle testing of ferromagnetic components and welds, reinforcement locating and concrete scanning, concrete sounding, moisture investigation and selective destructive openings when warranted.

Explore EMA NDT Testing Services

Foundation Movement, Cracking & Building Distress

Foundation and wall distress should be evaluated as a pattern, not by one isolated crack. EMA considers crack orientation and width, differential movement, floor elevations where relevant, framing behavior, site drainage, building configuration, repair history and available geotechnical information.

Where evidence supports further investigation, recommendations may include elevation surveys, monitoring, geotechnical consultation, selective exposure or structural analysis. The objective is to distinguish cosmetic or localized conditions from movement that may affect structural performance.

Forensic Engineers for Failures, Storm Damage & Construction Defects

Forensic engineers in Central Florida, Tampa & Daytona areas apply engineering principles to determine how and why a structure or component became damaged, distressed or failed. EMA investigates reinforced concrete, structural steel, masonry, wood framing, roof systems, balconies, foundations and structural connections.

Assignments may involve hurricane and wind damage, water intrusion, roof failures, fire or impact damage, construction defects, altered framing, corrosion, deterioration or partial structural collapse. The investigation may include photographs, measurements, damage mapping, document review, testing, load-path analysis and calculations.

Forensic Engineering & Failure Investigation • Wind vs. Water Roof Damage

From Structural Inspections to Repair Drawings

Many property owners need more than a condition letter. When the investigation establishes the damaged components and repair basis, EMA can develop engineering calculations, repair details, permit-oriented drawings and specifications for structural concrete, steel, masonry and wood framing.

Concrete repairs may address delaminated or spalled concrete, corroded reinforcement, section loss, deteriorated balconies, beams, columns, slabs and parking structures. Steel repairs may involve plate reinforcement, connection repair, member strengthening, corrosion loss, weld details and stability. Wood repairs may include joist sistering, beam reinforcement, truss repairs, connection upgrades and moisture-damaged framing replacement.

Repair documents should address the structural cause and load path—not only conceal the visible symptom. Where construction observations are part of the retained scope, EMA can also review exposed conditions and field modifications as work progresses.

Structural Engineering Services & Locations

Engineering Experience, Professional Accountability

Engineering leadership: Muja Ali, Ph.D., P.E., S.I., Florida Professional Engineer.

EMA has provided structural and forensic engineering services in Florida since 2006. The firm’s work includes new building desigbn, structural design peer review, existing-building assessments, damage investigations, condominium engineering, repair design, roof and storm investigations, framing failures and specialty-structure evaluations. Engineering opinions are developed from the observed conditions, available documents, testing and analysis applicable to the assignment.

Reports, calculations and repair documents are signed and sealed by a Florida Professional Engineer when required by the project and applicable regulations. Clients can independently verify professional licensure through the Florida DBPR license search.

EMA works with owners, condominium associations, property managers, attorneys, insurers, contractors and public agencies while maintaining independent engineering judgment. Technical conclusions are not adjusted to fit a preferred claim position or contractor scope.

Florida Codes, Statutes & Engineering References

Structural evaluations and repair design are performed with reference to the code and standard framework applicable to the particular building and assignment. For Florida projects, current resources include the Florida Building Commission / Florida Building Code, the Florida milestone inspection statute, and DBPR condominium inspection guidance. Balcony inspections for applicable public lodging establishments may also involve DBPR Form HR-7020.

The governing requirements differ by building type, jurisdiction, age, occupancy and scope. EMA identifies the standards relevant to the assignment rather than presenting a generic code checklist as an engineering conclusion.

EMA Engineers — Tampa, Orlando & Daytona Beach

EMA’s three primary Florida offices support structural and forensic engineering assignments across Central Florida, the Tampa Bay region, East-Central Florida and additional Florida markets.

Tampa Office

2909 W St Conrad St
Tampa, FL 33607

(813) 398-5383
info@emaengineers.com

Serving Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Brandon, Lakeland, Bradenton, Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Tampa Structural Engineering

Orlando Office

7807 Chatterley Ct
Orlando, FL 32835

(321) 355-6052
info@emaengineers.com

Serving Orlando, Winter Park, Windermere, Maitland, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Kissimmee, Sanford, Lake Mary and surrounding areas.

Orlando Structural Engineering

Daytona Beach Office

780 N Street
Daytona Beach, FL

(321) 355-6052
info@emaengineers.com

Serving Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, DeLand, Deltona, Palm Coast and nearby communities.

Daytona Beach Engineering

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Structural Engineers

When should I hire a structural engineer in Florida?

Hire a structural engineer when a building has significant cracking, movement, deflection, concrete spalling, corrosion, damaged framing, foundation concerns, structural modifications, impact or storm damage, or a partial failure. An engineer can determine whether the condition is cosmetic, localized, or structurally significant and define the next investigation or repair step.

What does a forensic structural engineer do?

A forensic structural engineer investigates how and why a building or structural component became damaged, distressed or failed. The work may include field observations, measurements, damage mapping, review of drawings and repair history, testing, structural analysis and evaluation of probable causes.

What is a Florida milestone inspection?

A milestone inspection is a structural inspection required for qualifying Florida condominium and cooperative buildings. Phase one is a visual examination of the major structural components by a licensed engineer or architect. If signs of substantial structural deterioration are found, a phase two inspection is required.

Does EMA perform Phase 2 milestone investigations?

Yes. When a phase one inspection identifies conditions requiring further investigation, EMA can develop a targeted phase two scope that may include testing, selective openings, material evaluation, measurements and structural analysis appropriate to the observed conditions.

Can EMA inspect concrete spalling and corroded reinforcing steel?

Yes. Concrete spalling, delamination, cracking, corrosion and exposed reinforcing steel are common subjects of structural condition assessments. The investigation may include sounding, reinforcement locating, section-loss documentation and repair engineering depending on the condition.

Does EMA perform nondestructive testing?

EMA performs or coordinates structural testing appropriate to the investigation, including ultrasonic thickness measurements, magnetic particle testing, reinforcement locating, concrete scanning and related investigative methods.

Can EMA prepare signed and sealed structural repair drawings?

Yes. After the structural condition and repair basis have been established, EMA can prepare calculations, repair details, drawings and specifications, signed and sealed by a Florida Professional Engineer when required by the project and jurisdiction.

Does EMA investigate hurricane, roof and water damage?

Yes. EMA evaluates hurricane and wind damage, roof and framing distress, exterior wall conditions, moisture-related deterioration and building-envelope issues. Cause opinions are based on the observed damage pattern, construction, available records and engineering analysis.

Where does EMA provide structural engineering services?

EMA’s primary Florida offices are in Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach. The firm accepts structural and forensic engineering assignments throughout Florida depending on project type, scope, access and scheduling.

Get an Engineering Answer Based on the Structure and the Evidence

A crack, deteriorated balcony, corroded connection, sagging floor, spalled concrete surface or damaged roof can be the visible indication of a condition extending beyond the surface. EMA’s role is to determine what is damaged, why the condition likely developed, whether it affects structural performance, what additional investigation is justified and what should be repaired.