Our Services

Structural Design

The firm provides structural engineering services for a variety of clients including architects, government agencies, institutions, specialty contractors, industry, and other engineering firms.  Design projects have included hospitals, schools, churches, office buildings, deep water docks, and industrial facilities.

Analysis

The firm analyzes existing structures for their suitability to support additional loads whether from increased gravity loadings or wind.  These projects vary in size from the homeowner wishing to convert the attic space to living space to the warehouse owner wishing to add overhead cranes. The firm maintains a computer model of one venue for the purpose of providing a check for the structural capacity of the dome roof to support the high loads imparted by sound and lighting equipment for performance artists. 

Damage Assessment

Barter & Associates has conducted damage assessments for numerous hurricanes starting with Hurricane Andrew. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, the firm conducted a survey of over 1800 structures including 1400 residential inspections for the City of Gulf Shores, Alabama. In addition, the firm has performed over 400 inspections for insurance companies for various disasters, both natural and manmade. The engineers with the firm are trained and certified in disaster inspections.   

Specialty Structures

The firm has on-going relationships with several companies requiring specialized structural engineering. The firm has designed tank foundations per API 620, 625, and 650 in multiple locations throughout the country. Other specialized design work includes wind and seismic analysis of equipment, design of high mast light pole foundations, and special purpose industrial structures, as well as docks, piers, and relieving platforms.

Litigation Support

Principals within the firm have provided litigation support on numerous cases over the past 36 years.  Both plaintiff and defendant positions have been supported.  The vast majority of the cases involve substandard construction or substandard design.  While the firm does not actively market this service, attorneys seek out the principals for an honest analysis that can be relied on in court.  

Historic Renovation and Restoration

The firm has worked on numerous projects that involve the preservation or salvation of a historic structure. These projects include the Montgomery Presbyterian Church, the Selma YMCA, Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, and the re-installation of the steeple on Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile after 100 years since the original was destroyed.   Historic adaptive reuse projects launched the firm in 1982 with the repurposing of the McGowan-Lyons Building in Mobile and have continued in part due to the firm’s interest in historic preservation. 

Special Inspections

The firm has managed special inspection programs for its projects ranging in value from under $1M to over $150M. The firm retains all of the specialized inspectors and material testing firms necessary to provide the owner with a complete and comprehensive inspection program. With this process managed by a qualified structural engineering firm the owner is assured that all of the code sections requiring special inspections are complied with.