Clinton T. Standish, P.E.
Senior Consultant
Get to know the expert
Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
After 13 years in structural engineering, what’s a recurring finding in your investigations that most people in the industry don’t expect?
Most structural failures are not the result of singular error. Rather, they are typically the result of a combination of actions and decisions made by numerous parties. For example, a small design error may be compounded by a change order in construction, which is later exacerbated by a modification to the building, which is left unattended by deferred building maintenance, and the failure is ultimately triggered by a weather event. The underlying cause of the damage often goes back years.
You’ve both trained others in your field and testified as an expert witness — what’s the biggest challenge in communicating complex property loss consulting findings to a non-technical audience like a jury?
Forgoing the use of jargon, technical terms, and acronyms. When possible, use plain language that you would encounter outside of an engineering textbook or academic setting. If it cant be avoided, start from the beginning by defining the terms, and built the description of their impact upon the case, using analogies and examples that a layperson would encounter in their everyday lives. Try to use diagrams and exhibits were possible to illustrate the scenario.
What’s the most surprising discovery you’ve made in your structural and building envelope failures work that no one saw coming?
Structural failures are often the result of building envelope failures which were either undetected or left unattended. Moisture-related damage – decay of wood framing, corrosion of steel, cracking and spalling of concrete, are often the result of failures in the building envelope. Thus, determining the cause of a structural failure often requires not just expertise in traditional engineering fields, but also an understanding the design and installation of the building envelope.
Background
Mr. Clinton Standish is a professional engineer with more than 14 years of experience in forensic engineering, with a specialization in structural and building envelope failures. In his career as a forensic engineer, he has evaluated over a thousand structures for damage associated with severe weather, impacts, explosions, fire, overloading, water intrusion, soil movement, construction defects, and lack of maintenance. He has extensive experience with the investigation and installation requirements of steep and low slope roof systems, liquid applied waterproofing, along with a broad spectrum of building cladding materials. He has a deep understanding of residential and commercial building code requirements and is trained and familiar with a variety of non-destructive building investigation techniques. In his role as a forensic engineer, he has investigated many forms of construction defects and has experience with both deposition and trial testimony in construction defect cases.
Mr. Standish is experienced with cradle-to-grave management of building rehabilitation and capital improvement projects, including initial investigation of the property, prioritization of repairs, rehab design, bidding, construction administration, and performance of quality assurance observations. He is experienced with the installation and design of steep and low-slope roof systems, structural balcony repairs, and residential structural modifications, along with various waterproofing systems for terraces, balconies, plaza decks, and parking garages. He has overseen and performed ASTM test procedures involved with the commissioning of the building envelope.
In addition, Mr. Standish has developed several new multi-family residential infill properties, with development costs between 1 and 2 million dollars per property. In this capacity, he has experience with land acquisition, demolition of existing structures, coordination of professional design services, budgeting, construction financing, project management, and administration.
Mr. Standish began his career working for a materials testing firm, where he gained an understanding of soils properties, along with various aggregates and concrete. He became experienced with field and laboratory testing of concrete samples, as well as the common requirements in construction specifications.
Education and Certifications
- Civil Engineering, B.S.: The Ohio State University (2011)
- Professional Engineer: Colorado
- Certified Residential Building Inspector: International Code Council
- Certified Level 1 Thermographer: Infrared Training Center
- National Standard Residential Building Contractor (ICC F13): International Code Council
- Aerial Boom and Scissor Lift Operator Certification: United Rentals
Publications
- “Unveiling the Past: Expert Insights on Property Damage and Construction Timelines” National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters Annual Convention (2026)
- “Chimney Fires: Causes and Evaluation” Nationwide Insurance (2015)