Structural Engineering Expert Witness in Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh Design & Engineering Services provides independent forensic structural engineering and expert-witness consulting for attorneys, insurance companies, businesses, property owners, contractors, and other parties involved in residential and commercial disputes.
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Firas Abdelahad, P.E., evaluates physical evidence, construction documents, structural calculations, applicable codes and standards, and observed site conditions to develop clear, technically supported engineering opinions within the agreed scope of services.
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Request a Conflict Check
Request Professional Qualifications
20+ Years of Engineering Experience
Licensed Professional Engineer in Multiple States
Active NCEES Record
Independent, Evidence-Based Opinions
Independent Structural Engineering Opinions
Expert-witness engineering requires more than identifying a structural deficiency. The available evidence must be evaluated methodically to determine what occurred, why it occurred, and whether the available information supports a technically defensible conclusion.
PittDES approaches each engagement independently. Our role is to evaluate the engineering issues within the agreed scope, identify the relevant facts and limitations, and communicate our opinions clearly. Our opinions are not developed to support a predetermined outcome or the position of the retaining party.
The appropriate investigation depends on the disputed conditions, available evidence, applicable requirements, and questions presented by the retaining client or counsel.
Construction Defects and Improper Work
Evaluation of allegedly deficient construction, incomplete repairs, improper alterations, installation deficiencies, and work that may not be consistent with available drawings, specifications, applicable requirements, or accepted engineering practice.
Framing, Beam, and Load-Path Deficiencies
Evaluation of load-bearing wall alterations, improperly sized or installed beams, missing posts, inadequate connections, interrupted load paths, deficient framing repairs, and related structural concerns.
Fire, Storm, Impact, and Property Damage
Assessment of structural conditions following fire, wind, snow, water, vehicle impact, tree impact, construction activity, or other reported damaging events.
Foundation and Retaining-Wall Failures
Assessment of foundation cracking, bowing, leaning, settlement, displacement, retaining-wall movement, reinforcement deficiencies, drainage-related conditions, and other factors affecting foundation performance.
Building-Envelope and Water-Intrusion Issues
Evaluation of façade assemblies, exterior wall systems, moisture intrusion, waterproofing failures, and the relationship between water exposure, material deterioration, and structural performance.
Engineering and Code-Related Document Review
Review of engineering reports, calculations, drawings, permits, inspection records, repair proposals, construction photographs, testing information, and applicable code provisions or technical standards.
Expert-Witness and Consulting Services
Services are tailored to the engineering questions and agreed scope of each engagement. Not every service listed below is included in every matter.
Preliminary Technical Review and Scope Assessment
Review of initial case information to identify the engineering issues, available evidence, potential limitations, anticipated work, and appropriate next steps.
Site Investigation and Documentation
Visual assessment and documentation of accessible conditions relevant to the engineering issues. Site work may include measurements, photographs, condition mapping, and other nondestructive observations appropriate to the scope.
Written Engineering Opinions
Preparation of written reports or other agreed deliverables documenting the information reviewed, observations, analyses, opinions, assumptions, and limitations.
Document and Evidence Review
Evaluation of drawings, calculations, reports, photographs, contracts, permits, inspection records, testing data, correspondence, and other relevant technical information.
Engineering Analysis and Causation Evaluation
Engineering analysis of the observed conditions and available evidence to evaluate structural performance, contributing factors, potential causes, and consistency with applicable engineering documents, codes, standards, or accepted practice.
Deposition, Mediation, Arbitration, and Trial Support
Technical consultation, deposition preparation, mediation or arbitration support, and testimony when specifically included in the engagement.
A Disciplined and Independent Engineering Approach
Each assignment is evaluated according to its particular facts. Depending on the scope, the engineering process may include:
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Defining the technical questions to be evaluated
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Reviewing available documents and physical evidence
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Observing and documenting relevant site conditions
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Identifying the applicable codes, standards, drawings, or accepted practices
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Performing engineering calculations or other technical analyses when required
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Distinguishing confirmed facts from assumptions or incomplete information
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Considering reasonable alternative explanations
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Identifying limitations that affect the reliability or extent of the opinions
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Developing independent opinions supported by the available evidence
Conclusions are limited to the engineering issues, information, and conditions included in the agreed scope of services.
Firas Abdelahad, P.E.
Principal Engineer and Owner
Firas Abdelahad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Structural Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Structural Engineering. He has more than 20 years of professional experience involving structural engineering, design, consulting, fabrication, construction, façades, foundation evaluation, rehabilitation, and assessment of existing buildings.
His experience includes working with owners, attorneys, architects, contractors, fabricators, consultants, and other project stakeholders during design, construction, investigation, and dispute-related matters.
Firas is a licensed Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Florida, and Texas and maintains an active NCEES record.
Professional qualifications and a curriculum vitae are available upon request for conflict-free potential engagements.
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What to Expect
Conflict Check and Initial Information
Provide the names of the parties and firms involved, the property or project location, a general description of the dispute, relevant deadlines, and the requested engineering service.
Do not send privileged, confidential, or extensive case materials until PittDES confirms that the conflict check has been completed and provides instructions for document transmission.
Scope and Retainer
PittDES reviews the preliminary information and determines whether the matter falls within our qualifications, availability, and professional services. The proposed scope, rates, retainer requirements, anticipated deliverables, and applicable limitations are documented before work begins.
Investigation and Analysis
After the engagement agreement and retainer requirements are completed, PittDES reviews the available evidence, performs the agreed investigation, and completes the engineering analysis appropriate to the defined scope.
​Opinions and Agreed Deliverables
Engineering findings and opinions are communicated through consultation, a written report, calculations, deposition support, testimony, or another deliverable specifically identified in the agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work for both plaintiffs and defendants?
Yes. PittDES provides independent engineering services for plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys, insurance companies, businesses, contractors, and property owners. The engineering opinions remain independent regardless of which party retains the firm.
What types of cases do you accept?
Potential matters may involve construction defects, structural failures, foundation movement, retaining walls, deficient framing or repairs, property damage, building-envelope conditions, water intrusion, and disputes involving structural engineering documents or construction work.
Acceptance depends on the engineering issues, available information, potential conflicts, geographic location, deadlines, and required expertise.
Can you review reports and drawings prepared by others?
Yes. When included in the agreed scope, PittDES can review engineering reports, structural calculations, construction drawings, repair documents, inspection records, photographs, testing data, permits, and other relevant technical information.
Is a site inspection always required?
Not necessarily. The need for a site inspection depends on the engineering questions, condition of the available evidence, accessibility of the property, and intended use of the opinions. Some matters can begin with a preliminary document review, while others require a site investigation before opinions can be developed.
Can you prepare an expert report?
Yes. When included in the engagement, PittDES can prepare a written engineering report describing the information reviewed, observed conditions, analyses, opinions, assumptions, and limitations appropriate to the matter.
Do you provide deposition and courtroom testimony?
Yes. PittDES is available for deposition preparation, deposition testimony, mediation, arbitration, and courtroom testimony when those services are included in the engagement.
Where do you provide expert-witness services?
PittDES principally provides structural expert-witness and forensic engineering services throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Matters in other jurisdictions are considered individually and remain subject to applicable professional licensing requirements.
Discuss a Potential Expert-Witness Engagement
Contact PittDES to request a conflict check and preliminary discussion regarding the structural engineering issues, available information, deadlines, and anticipated scope of services.
Please provide the names of the involved parties and firms, the property or project location, a brief description of the matter, and any known scheduling or court deadlines.
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Please do not send privileged or confidential documents until PittDES confirms completion of the conflict check and provides instructions for secure document transmission.