This month we highlight Matthew Smith, one of our experienced chartered structural engineering expert witnesses. Matthew has an extensive range of experience having worked across many construction sectors from aviation and industrial, to residential and conservation.

With a passion for historic structures, Matthew is a supporting member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and a member of The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Matthew has been fortunate to work on many prestigious historic buildings, including numerous ecclesiastical buildings, portions of the Westminster estate and the Palace of Westminster, and the National Gallery and the Imperial War Museum in London. During his career, Matthew has developed significant knowledge of building pathology and material defect investigation.

Matthew also has significant experience in the design of complex steel frames and working to support fabricators and contractors during the construction stages. He gained on-site experience in the erection of multistorey steel frames in Canary Wharf, and complex stadia framing at the Twickenham Rugby Stadium south stand development.

Matthew’s experience in the design and delivery of multistorey reinforced concrete framed buildings means that he can advise on the impact and commonly encountered issues with construction within complex inner-city sites.

As an expert witness, Matthew has worked on disputes involving defects of steel framed structures; the assessment of steelwork design variations impacting costs and delay claims for a large energy infrastructure development in Asia; technical issues relating to the vertical extension of a concrete framed apartment building in London; and issues relating to the assessment and refurbishment of a landmark 1970’s reinforced concrete framed hotel building in Qatar.