Issa M. Issa, Ph.D., P.E.

Expert QuestionS & AnswerS

What’s the most common mistake made early in a pavement systems project that creates bigger problems down the road?

One of the most common mistakes is making decisions and/or prioritizing maintenance and rehabilitation plan before really understanding the existing pavement condition.

It’s easy to jump straight into repairs or resurfacing, but if you haven’t identified what’s actually causing the distress—drainage, weak base or subgrade, traffic loading, or simply aging—you may end up treating the symptoms instead of the problem.

A good condition assessment early can save money and avoid rework.

Your work spans structural design, pavement engineering, and materials testing — what do pavement failures reveal about what went wrong beneath the surface?

Pavement failures are often a clear indication of what is happening beneath the surface. While surface material issues can occur, major failures are often related to the underlying layers. Repeated failures, especially after repairs, can point to inadequate base support, weak subgrade, or poor drainage.

Understanding why it failed is often more important than deciding how to repair it.

What’s the most common mistake parties make early in a building damage assessment matter that complicates the investigation later?

One of the most common mistakes is making repairs or removing damaged materials before the conditions are properly documented. Once materials are removed or altered, important evidence about the cause, extent, and duration of the damage can be lost. Good documentation early in the process makes the investigation much more reliable later.

What’s the most surprising root cause you’ve found behind a construction failure that initially looked like a straightforward issue?

The most surprising root causes are often the ones that seem too obvious at first. I once investigated newly placed concrete that was not achieving the specified compressive strength. Since the concrete came from a well-known producer, the material itself was not the first suspect. After eliminating other potential causes, the issue was ultimately traced back to defective aggregate used in the concrete mixture. Sometimes the simplest cause is the one you find after ruling everything else out.

What do you wish more people understood about the work you do in building consulting?

I wish more people understood that building consulting is an area I have been involved in for a long time. Although much of my earlier work focused on the design and construction of concrete structures, my experience has given me a strong understanding of structural systems involving various building materials. That background helps me look beyond the visible damage and understand how the building was designed, constructed, and how its different components interact.

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