Erik B. WetzlerP.E., S.E.

Erik B. Wetzler, P.E., S.E., is a structural engineer and forensic consultant with more than 20 years of experience investigating large and complex property losses, construction defects and failures, and complex structural and infrastructure matters. His work has included major fires and explosions, hurricanes, earthquakes, collapses, construction and design deficiencies, and building-envelope failures throughout the United States and internationally.

Erik’s experience spans industrial and manufacturing facilities, high-rise and historic buildings, military installations, airports and transportation infrastructure, education and detention facilities, hotels, multi-family developments, and large commercial and retail portfolios. His assignments range from focused investigations of individual structural and construction failures to major catastrophe responses involving dozens of facilities and millions of square feet of property.

On large and complex assignments, Erik frequently serves as the lead structural engineer while coordinating the broader technical investigation and the architectural, building-envelope, mechanical, electrical, and other specialized expertise required by the loss. His work includes evaluating causation and extent of damage, structural condition and repairability, construction defects, building-code requirements, and appropriate scopes of repair. His experience encompasses steel, concrete, masonry, wood, foundations, and building-envelope systems.

Erik has performed assignments throughout the United States and internationally, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Puerto Rico, Dubai, and New Zealand. He provides expert consulting and litigation support involving structural engineering, construction defects, property damage, and causation and has testified by deposition as an expert witness. Erik also regularly presents and teaches on forensic engineering, structural damage, earthquake claims, and property-loss topics for insurance-industry audiences in the United States and London market and is a member of the Loss Executives Association.

Areas of Services

Civil and Structural Failure Analysis, Construction, Construction Defects/Construction Accidents, Exterior Cladding Damage/Evaluation, Fire/Explosion Damage/Evaluation, Foundation Damage/Evaluation, Institutional, Commercial and Industrial Structures, Major Loss Investigation, Multi-Residential Complex Fire and Explosion, Multi-Story Construction (Steel/Concrete/Wood), Soil Retaining Structure Damage/Evaluation, Steel Structures, Stone/Masonry Construction, Structural Analysis and Rehabilitation, Structural Drawings, Structural Failure, Structural Steel, Vibration Damage/Evaluation, Water Damage/Evaluation, Wind/Hail/Storm Surge Damage/Evaluation, Wood Structures and Framing

Expert Witness Services

Forensic Engineering, Technical Leadership, Engineering Management, Structural Engineering, Business Development

Education & Certification

Master of Engineering, Structural Engineering
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bachelor of Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bachelor of Science, Natural Resources and Environment
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan