Distressed Building Investigations

Our forensic investigation team looks at why your building or structure is failing. You may have cracks appearing in your walls and ceiling, doors and windows jamming, floors that now have a slope and paths and driveways with large cracks and uneven surfaces that wern't there before. We will investigate the possible causes of the damage and possible solutions to halt the damage.

We offer a preliminary site investigation and verbal advice in the Melbourne area for $660 inclusive of GST.  Contact Dr Dominic Lopes here or phone to discuss.

USL Group can provide a more detailed investigation including site evaluation, soil sampling, testing and a detailed written report including photographs and how to fix the problem. 

We also offer forensic investigation and detailed reports for:

  • Commercial Properties
  • Body Corporates
  • Local council investigation of residential complaints regarding cracked pavements, driveways and house
  • Independent reports for insurance claims and court cases
  • Any trees that may be causing damage

Please contact Dr Dominic Lopes to discuss and obtain a quote via the Contact Us page or phone Dominic on 0418 349 078.

 

Geotechnical Training Services

USL Group conducts geotechnical training services in the field or in the client's laboratory.

Bookings can be arranged by email.

The fee is negotiable on a minimum of a 1/2 day basis.

Training will be conducted by Dominic Lopes.

Training notes can be provided.

D. Lopes — Brief C.V. 2016

Experience: 

Professional Geological and Geotechnical Experience (40 years)

Non professional Geological and Geotechnical Experience (10 years)

  • Foundation Engineering.
  • Slope Stability Investigations.
  • Civil Works and stabilization of slopes.
  • Timber Piling.
  • Steel screw Piling.
  • Underpinning.
  • Geotechnical Research.
  • 20 years part-time Geomechanics lecturer at Bendigo Institute of Technology, Homesglen, Swinburne TAFE & Swinburne University of Technology.

 

Memberships: 
  • Past corporate Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (1973-2012).
  • Founding member and past Chair of the Foundation and Footings Society (Vic.) (1990-2011).
  • Founding member and past Chair of the Foundation and Footings Society (Aus) (2006-2011)
  • Founding member and past Chair of Housing Engineering, Design & Research Association (HEDRA) (2007-2016)
  • Past Affiliate of the Institute of Building Surveyors (1979 - 1999)
  • Member of the Australian Geomechanics Society (1977- present)
  • Australian Standards Committee member from 1992-2011 for AS 2870
  • Registered Buildings Practitioner - Civil Engineer, Victorian Building Authority.

 

Qualifications: 
  • 1971 — Qualified in Applied Geology at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
  • 2000 — Received Master of Engineering by Research at Swinburne University of Technology.
  • 2016 — Phd at Swinburne University submitted.
  • 2017 --  Admitted to  Phd  Nov 2017

     

 

Published Papers: 

2016       Co-author — Australian Journal of Environmental Management, Soil Moisture Change and Land use in Victoria, Australia. (Submitted Dec. 2015, accepted for publication April 2016)

2015       Co-author — 9th Australian and New Zealand Conference on Geomechancis. - -"Thornthwaite Moisture Index as a guide to changes in land use"

2010       Co-author — Australian Geomechanics Society journal paper "Changes of Thornthwaite Total Moisture Change in Victoria from 1948-2007 and the Effect on Seasonal Foundation Movements"

2007       Institution of Engineers, Australia, Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol 3 No 1-2007 "A modified shrink/swell test to calculate the instability indices of clays"

2006        Australian Geomechanics Society Journal, Vol 14. "Characterisation of Victorian sites using a sign post shrinkage test with reference to geological & climate settings".

2004       "Case Study of an Investigation of a Damaged House in Brisbane", and "The Effect of Thornthwaite Moisture Index Changes on Ground Movements in Expansive Soils in Victoria, Australia."

2003       Conference on Problematic Soils - Notingham, United Kingdom - "The Effect of Thornthwaite Moisture Index Changes on Ground Movements in Expansive Soils in Victoria, Australia".

2001       Co-author — 6th Australian Masonry Converence, Adelaide. Paper titled "Matching Wall Articulation Methods to Expected Ground Movements".

1999       Co-author — 8th Australian and New Zealand Conference on Expansive Soils — Hobart. Paper titled "A Soil Index Test for the Classification of Building Sites for Light STructures on Expansive Soils"

1996       Co-author — 7th Australian and New Zealand Conference on Expansive Soils — Adelaide. Paper titled "Soil Index Method to Predict Ground Movements"

 

 

Lectures & Presentations: 

2010                    Co-presenter at Australian Geomechanics Society seminar "Changes of Thornthwaite Total Moisture Change in Victoria from 1948-2007 and the Effect on Seasonal Foundation Movements".

2007-2016         Quarterly Building Seminars for Housing Engineering, Design & Research Association (HEDRA).

2006-2008          Foundation & Footings Society (Aus) Annual Geotechnical seminars.

1996-2006          Foundation & Footings Society (Vic.) Annual Geotechnical seminars.

1995                     Swinburne Uiversity of Technology Seminar Series - "Soil Index Methods to Predict Ground Movements".

1994                     Swinburne University of Technology Seminar Series. Paper title -- "Characteristics of Expansive Soils and the Prediction of their Performance."

1993                     Australian Geomechanics Society Seminar, title -- "The Use of Geology in Site Classifications" 

1988-1994          Building courses for the Housing Industry Association (Vic.) & Master Builders Association (Vic).

1977 -1990         Sessional lecturer in Geomechanics to Building Surveyors at Swinburne & Homesglen T.A.F.E.

1991 - 1997        Sessional lecturer in Geomechanics to final year Engineering students Swinburne University of Technology.