Author Archives: Jerry Prugar

What Can Happen to Unbraced Wood Truss Web Members? Part II

Posted by in Case Studies, Wood | January 27, 2020

So, what happens when the web members of a wood truss are not braced laterally as specified by the truss manufacturer? When a wood truss is designed and constructed by a truss manufacturer, the manufacturer commonly provides drawings that show… Read More →

Behold, I Make All Things New

Posted by in Commemoration/Celebration | December 30, 2019

“And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” Rev 21:5 KJV The following are the words of C. H. Spurgeon on January 1, 1885 “This is the first day of a new year, and… Read More →

Merry Christmas (2019)

Posted by in Uncategorized | December 16, 2019

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?Oh were you there when they crucified my Lord?Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, trembleWere you there when they crucified my Lord? Pondering these words I am dumbfounded as to why… Read More →

Creasing: Is It from Wind or Hand Lifting?

Posted by in Shingles, Simple Forensic Methods, Wind Damage | December 02, 2019

Multiple lines of creases in the height of a tab often raise suspicion that the damage has been due to hand lifting, that is, intentional damage.  But, that is not true.  There is more to consider.  If the multiple lines… Read More →

Happy Thanksgiving 2019

Posted by in Uncategorized | November 19, 2019

Thank you for your friendship, your kindness, and your remembering us for forensic structural engineering services throughout 2019. …. And together let us: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His lovingkindness endures forever. “ … Because: “Every beneficial… Read More →

Breaking Like a KitKat Bar

Posted by in Case Studies, Soil Issues | November 05, 2019

Remember the 1990’s KitKat commercial where the chocolate bar was snapped in two? If you don’t, you can watch it here on YouTube. That’s what this barn in the featured photo appears to be doing in one of the sidewalls.… Read More →

The Scariest Scenario: To Be Counted Among the MANY (Re-visited 2019)

Posted by in Commemoration/Celebration | October 21, 2019

While attending a funeral Mass this month, the topic of this previous post came to mind and I thought it appropriate to revisit it. What could be the scariest story that I could relate to you on this Halloween Week?… Read More →

What the Heck? (Volume 3)

Posted by in The Unusual | October 07, 2019

“What the Heck?” is a series of articles that discuss things I have experienced that are troubling to me. For example, I drive by a building on Leavitt Road regularly (see featured photograph). In fact, I looked forward to checking… Read More →