The basic function of a building is to provide structurally sound and environmentally controlled spaces to house and protect occupants and contents. If this basic function is not achieved, some aspect of the building has likely failed to meet its intended purpose. Exponent's architects, engineers, and scientists have a broad range of expertise with failures in the built environment and provide clients with in-depth investigations of individual components, as well as evaluations of these components' interdependence with the entire building system and ambient weather conditions. Failures of basic building functions can range from defects in single components, such as windows, to extensive deficiencies in an entire exterior wall system. The source of these deficiencies can include inadequate design, improper execution of the work, and/or defective materials. Building deficiencies such as water infiltration, excessive building movement, or premature component failures have become more common as buildings have become more complex. Also contributing to building deficiencies are the problems associated with new materials and systems, changing design/construction team relationships, and the ever-present time and cost constraints.

An emerging area of concern is "sick buildings" in which the indoor air is contaminated by the materials of construction or as a result of deterioration of those materials. With its team of certified industrial hygienists, medical doctors specializing in epidemiology, architects, engineers, and material scientists, Exponent is uniquely qualified to comprehensively address "sick building" problems, whether real or perceived.

Exponent's experience with the performance of building façades encompasses building types from low-rise to high-rise and from residential to industrial. Façade types include wood, brick, and stone veneer; reinforced brick panels, pre-cast concrete, glass fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC), light-gauge metal, aluminum, and steel curtainwalls; exterior insulation finish systems (EIFS); and natural stone cladding, such as marble and granite.

Exponent has performed comprehensive and multidisciplinary programs investigating and testing both exterior and interior building components. Standard, specialized, or custom-designed inspection, laboratory testing, and analysis programs complement our expertise.

Component and Material Deficiencies
• Cohesion failure • Concrete mix analyses • Corrosion • Fabrication • Freeze-thaw action	• Galvanic action • Lack of bond/adhesion • Limited or restrained movement • Microbiological attack • Moisture penetration

Failures of roof systems occur more frequently than failures of any other aspect of building enclosures. Exponent has extensive experience investigating roof failures on both flat and sloped surfaces. Our experience includes the design and evaluation of built-up roofs, single-ply membranes, and sloped roofs using clay tile, metal, wood, and asphalt shingles. Our experience with single-ply membranes includes EPDM, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), modified bitumen, fluid-applied membranes, and a variety of insulation systems. In addition, our expertise with roof systems includes knowledge of material performance and the interaction between the roof and other building systems.

Exponent uses both laboratory and field testing to determine the performance of building systems and components. Such testing can be used to determine the quantity of air and water infiltration. Testing has also been used to measure the thermal performance of building components.

Exponent's architects, engineers, and scientists also have extensive backgrounds in the areas of wood research, design, and construction. We have experience investigating failures of virtually all aspects of wood construction. A thorough understanding of material behavior, familiarity with the technology of its manufacturer and construction, and first-hand experience in the investigation of a wide range of failure modes allow us to effectively analyze virtually any wood cladding or structure problem.