The Wailea Beach Villas, located on Maui, Hawaii, are comprised of 98 two- and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 1,900 to 3,100 sf. Approximately half of the units are located in a six-story penthouse building, and the other half are distributed among six, two-story villas.
The Wailea Beach Villas Association of Apartment Owners (AOAO) retained Erickson Structural to conduct a forensic investigation and to provide opinions regarding the cause(s) of the observed structural distress in and around the condominium buildings. The confirmed and reported structural distress included cracking in the post-tensioned concrete slabs, deterioration of roof sheathing, defective retaining walls, cracked concrete walls, defective masonry walls, and water infiltration. Erickson Structural also investigated the relationship between observed architectural systems distress, such as cracked exterior and interior finishes, and the potential underlying structural cause(s). A legal matter involving the original design team and contractor surfaced, involving the construction defect and design errors. The AOAO also retained Erickson Structural as an expert witness for assistance in the legal proceedings, including the development of cost-effective remediation designs. Erickson Structural provided these services in collaboration with a full project team, including an architect, geotechnical engineer, building envelope consultant and other professionals.
As part of the investigation, Erickson Structural conducted detailed on-site observations, designed and conducted investigative testing, reviewed original design and construction documents, interviewed facility personnel and analyzed original structural designs.
