Understanding seismic risks and the potential for future losses due to earthquake occurrences are important to lenders, insurers and equity owners involved in real estate building deals. Probable Maximum Loss (PML) assessments identify building elements, soil types, expected lateral loads, and proximity to earthquake centers that contribute to a building’s potential risk. When building performance issues are identified, VERTEX can determine potential next steps for the mitigation or repair of a physical deficiency that will improve the seismic performance of the building so it will be acceptable to the User.

Seismic Risk Assessment

VERTEX offers various levels of Probable Maximum Loss (PML) assessment services to estimate earthquake-related losses as a percent of building replacement costs, as based on the ASTM E2026 and E2557 standards. By determining Scenario Expected Loss (SEL) and Scenario Upper Loss (SUL), and identifying building conditions that contribute to loss ratios and risk, we are better able to help our clients make informed business decisions. Additionally, VERTEX identifies how modifying, mitigating or removing such conditions can reduce that risk. We perform PML assessments with experienced, in-house structural engineers.

Seismic Retrofitting

VERTEX designs and modifies existing structures to make them more resistant to seismic activity, ground motion, or soil failure due to earthquakes. Similarly, VERTEX retrofits for other natural hazards such as tropical cyclones, tornadoes and downbursts. Seismic retrofitting is primarily concerned with structural improvements, though VERTEX also provides retrofitting services for non-structural elements such as drainage and infrastructure.

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Key Personnel

Senior Structural Engineer

Ian Robertson, PE, SE

Ian Robertson is a Senior Structural Engineer at VERTEX in Southern California. He is both a licensed Civil and Structural Engineer in California with 30 years of seismic risk evaluation and seismic risk reduction experience. Evaluation, retrofit and repair design projects include both old and new buildings, even an underwater evaluation of a concrete municipal reservoir. Design experience includes steel structures in corrosive environments, wafer fabrication buildings and office buildings.

News

VERTEX Offers Basic Consultant Methamphetamine-affected Property Refresher Training

April 4, 2018

VERTEX’s Thomas Koch, CIH, MEPM, Vice President of Industrial Hygiene/EHS Services will be leading a Basic Consultant Methamphetamine-affected Property Refresher Training on May 1st in our Denver office. This 8-hour training course will cover topics about meth-affected property as well as an overview of related statutes and regulations. We will also discuss assessments, sampling procedures, updated industrial…

2018 State of the Construction Industry

March 30, 2018

William J. McConnell PE, JD, MSCE, CDT, Chief Executive Officer of VERTEX, Presents his Annual Assessment of the Construction Industry S P O I L E R A L E R T The US economy has expanded, albeit slowly, for the past 8+ years. The construction industry, which over-corrected during the Great Recession, has rebounded…

VERTEX's Brendan Phelan Presenting at BACE Claims Conference

March 28, 2018

VERTEX’s Brendan Phelan will be presenting at the BACE Claims Conference along with Linda Smith, Esq. of Morrison Mahoney. The topic of the presentation will be “The Complex Nature of Microbial Claims Management.” This section of the conference will provide continuing credits for adjusters in the following states: NH, FL, TX, OK & NC. When: Wednesday, March…

VERTEX Exhibiting at The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute

March 8, 2018

VERTEX’s Kevin Maxwell and Dan Mondo will be attending and exhibiting at the 11th Annual Florida Bar Construction Law Institute in Orlando, Florida on March 9th and 10th. The purpose of the Institute is to gather leading, experienced and establish construction law practitioners, contractors and other industry professionals for a two-day seminar focused on in-depth, leading…

VERTEX Sponsors 4th Annual Risk Control Event at Coors Field

March 7, 2018

VERTEX is proud to be the drink sponsor at the 4th Annual Risk Control for Architects, Engineers and Environmental Professionals event at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on April 11th. This year’s topic will be Trends and Strategies for Improved Performance and Profitability. Presentations will be given by legal, insurance and risk control professionals in connection with…

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Blog

Ladder Safety Training Video

April 11, 2018

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), over 500,000 people are treated each year for ladder related falls. Whether you use a ladder out in the field, in your workplace or at home, safety should always be your number one priority. At VERTEX, safety is part of our culture. We recently hosted…

Puerto Rico Building Project

October 25, 2017

What started as a desire for a board-formed concrete aesthetic cleared the path to utilize a cast-in-place concrete structural system for a new hotel resort in Puerto Rico. VERTEX is performing structural design services for the new resort, which includes approximately 50 villa-style guest-room buildings, a banquet hall, 2 restaurants, and other hotel amenity buildings. …

The 2017 Hurricane Season - How it Compares

September 6, 2017

It is obvious that we are in the midst of a very active and dangerous hurricane season. The development of consecutive storms: Harvey, Irma, Jose, Katia, has a lot of people asking questions. Many are also struck by the intensity of the 2017 hurricane season. Harvey had record breaking rainfall with 51.88″ recorded. That’s now…

The State of the Economy - Where Are We Headed?

June 2, 2017

Over the first two quarters of 2017, we have witnessed some interesting trends. Year to date, the NASDAQ is up by 15.36% and the S&P500 is up by 8.81%. The NASDAQ growth has largely been fueled by high tech companies such as Apple and Amazon. Despite the robust equities market, the US gross domestic product…

Structural Inspections Get Help from Rope Access

May 10, 2017

Structural inspections benefit from rope access as an alternative to traditional inspection methods in terms of cost effectiveness and convenience. The advantages of rope access are especially apparent to those in charge of commercial buildings and infrastructure system components. Cost Efficient Rope access requires less equipment, personnel, time, scheduling, and logistics than traditional structural inspections….

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