Kandou Structural Engineering and Testing

Grounding the work in sound fundamentals and utilizing advanced analytical methods and performance-based tools, Kandou creates structural solutions that balance safety, ease of permitting, sustainability, and budget. The practice works closely with architects and owners to realize bold architectural concepts without compromising constructability or safety.

• Residential and Commercial Structural Design

  Tailored and rigorous structural design services for residential projects, including hillside homes, as well as complex commercial structures with multiple stakeholders.

• Permitting and Documentation Support

  Providing clear permitting strategies and straightforward documentation to streamline project approvals.

• Constructability and Sequencing Analysis

  Evaluating structural systems to ensure awareness of construction sequencing and ease of building.

Leveraging command of advanced analysis methods and practical experience with wood, masonry, concrete, steel, and composite materials, the practice delivers holistic, affordable seismic designs. This targeted level of evaluation avoids unnecessary overdesign while fully satisfying the safety and performance demands of owners, investors, and regulators.

• Seismic Risk Assessments

  Preparing ASTM-based Seismic Risk Assessment (SRA) reports, including PML reports from Level 0 to Level 3, to support real estate transactions, equity investments, and portfolio strategies.

• Mandatory and Voluntary Retrofit Design

  Providing ASCE 41 seismic evaluations (Tiers 1 through 3) alongside compliant or voluntary retrofit designs for property owners and facility managers.

• Institutional Risk Advisory

  Assisting lenders, insurers, and real estate investors with seismic risk policy standards development and independent third-party peer reviews.

Utilizing a strong foundation in full-scale testing and experimental mechanics, the practice coordinates shake-table testing of building systems and nonstructural components. By pairing physical laboratory tests with advanced computational analysis, it maximizes the value of testing programs to deliver defensible, compliant results.

• Shake-table Testing Support

  Planning and execution support for experimental programs, drawing on extensive background in full-scale simulation facilities.

• Product Certification and Compliance

  Assisting manufacturers in securing ICC-ES seismic certifications and California HCAI (formerly OSHPD) OPM approvals.

Conducting independent, objective investigations of structural failures, construction defects, and earthquake damage. The practice translates complex structural behaviors and technical findings into clear, credible reports tailored for legal, insurance, and professional stakeholders.

• Litigation and Dispute Resolution Support

  Providing expert witness services, forensic analysis, and peer reviews for attorneys, law firms, contractors, and design professionals in litigation, arbitration, and mediation.

• Cause-and-Origin Evaluations

  Delivering independent investigations of damage claims for insurance providers and property owners following seismic events or structural failures.

Providing constructive, practical structural peer reviews focused on facilitating the goals of the engineer of record. The practice brings deep knowledge across construction materials, risk assessment, and analysis automation to offer valuable, non-disruptive feedback.

• Performance-Based and High-Rise Peer Review

  Reviewing advanced performance-based designs, finite element modeling of seismic isolators, and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) material applications.

• Owner Representation and Code Advisory

  Serving as an owner's representative, providing second opinions and technical advisory services to help design teams and public agencies interpret building codes and performance guidelines.

Supporting resilience and engineering innovation at a broader scale through portfolio planning, code development, and digital tools. The practice helps organizations implement consistent, scalable strategies to manage structural and seismic risk.

• Campus and Portfolio Resilience Planning

  Assisting large campuses and property portfolios in planning for seismic risk and business continuity.

• Policy and Code Development

  Contributing to seismic policies, risk standards, and building code developments for institutional stakeholders, banks, and insurance entities.

• Custom Software and Automation Tools

  Designing tailored software solutions to accelerate seismic risk and resilience evaluations while increasing consistency.