Enrique R. Matta, P.E.

A graduate of Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Mr. Matta has over 20 years of engineering experience in the areas of roofing, construction, quality control, and failure analysis. He has extensive experience with commercial, industrial, and residential construction projects. He also holds an Associate of Science degree in Surveying Technology from The Pennsylvania State University.

Mr. Matta is experienced in the utilization and implementation of building codes, life safety codes, American Society Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) standards. He is currently the principal for ERM Consulting, an engineering services firm that specializes in providing technical assistance and solving problems for building owners, contractors, and insurance companies in south Florida.
Mr. Matta provides forensic engineering services including legal deposition and trial testimony. He has performed these services more than 50 times in support of his technical findings. Forensic evaluations to determine cause, origin, and/or duration of damage to buildings/structures and components of buildings/structures have included:

  • Claimed wind, hail, and/or lightning damage of roofs.
  • Water damage to cabinetry and interior finishes.
  • Structural analysis of roof, ceiling, and flooring collapses.
  • Tile flooring delaminations and damage.
  • Foundation and vibration claims.
  • Pool evaluations.
  • Coating assessments.

Mr. Matta provides wind pressure analysis, roof fastener calculations, and drainage studies to roofing contractors for their permitting requirements. He has also completed 40 year building recertifications.

EDUCATION

  • B.S. – Civil Engineering, Drexel University, 1991
  • A.S. – Surveying Technology, The Pennsylvania State University, 1982
  • Registered Professional Engineer – Florida No. 53780 (2/99) and California No. C55863 (7/96)
  • Wind Loads for Buildings and Other Structures – Implementation of ASCE 7
  • Roofing Materials: Asphalt Shingles
  • Roofing Materials: Flexible Membranes
  • Building Pathology: Roofs
  • Building Pathology: Material Pathology
  • Building Pathology: Foundations
  • Building Pathology: Parapets & Decks
  • Building Pathology: Site Drainage Problems
  • Florida Wind Mitigation Retrofit Requirements for Existing Buildings
  • Historic Preservation: Roofing for Historic Buildings

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

  • 2005 – Present       ERM Consulting P.A.
  • 2001 – 2006             Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.
  • 2001 – 2001             PEICO, Inc.
  • 1999 – 2001             PSI, Inc.
  • 1998 – 1999             URS Greiner Corporation
  • 1994 – 1998             California Department of Water Resources
  • 1992 – 1994             California Military Department

DETAILED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

ERM CONSULTING P.A.                                                                                                          2005 – Present Principal

  • Performs forensic evaluations of buildings and structures to evaluate cause and origin of distressed conditions. Evaluations typically include inspections, documentation, and
    engineering reports.
  • Provides design details and calculations for roofing and building components in accordance with State Building Codes and National Engineering Standards.
  • Drainage studies to determine required size of roof drainage components for compliance with local Building Codes.
  • Hurricane mitigation inspections to evaluate roof to wall connections.
  • Roof consulting services to advise and to assist clients with roof system evaluation, new roof system selection, bid solicitation, and quality control.

RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC.                                                                                     2001 – 2006 Consultant

Investigates and analyzes failures and accidents that occur during construction projects. Inspects and evaluates shallow and deep foundation failures, structural deficiencies and failures (including high wind damage), water penetration problems, and building and site improvement maintenance issues. Evaluates construction compliance with building codes, safety codes, and contract specifications.

PEICO, INC.                                                                                                                                                  2001 Field Engineer

Responsible for enforcement of project documents and building codes during construction. Projects consisted of commercial, residential, and mid-rise structures. Performed failure analysis for residential homes.

PSI, INC.                                                                                                                                           1999 – 2000
Project Engineer

Responsible for preparing engineering reports and proposals; consulting with engineers, architects, and clients; and managing projects. Accountable for all construction materials testing and inspection services. Performed technical construction site inspections for post-tensioned tendons, reinforcing steel, shallow and deep foundation, truss engineering, and shoring. Additionally, developed and implemented protocols for field tests of field applied sprayed fire-resistive materials. Projects included Broward County, Florida school buildings and the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center Expansion Project.

URS GREINER                                                                                                                                    1998 – 1999
Senior Bridge Engineer

Responsible for quality assurance for all structural aspects of the FDOT’s 30 million Bascule Bridge Replacement Project in Boynton Beach, Florida. Inspected all reinforcing steel, forms, structural steel and concrete for compliance with project documents. Wrote daily reports to detail progress and make periodic payments. Performed concrete field tests and density tests for on-site materials.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES                                                       1994 – 1998
Division of Safety of Dams, Office Engineer

Act as liaison to the Chief of the Field Engineering Branch. Responded to information requests from and effectively communicated with Department personnel, contractors, legal professionals, and the general public. Prepared periodic reports covering programs and engineering/administrative status of approximately 1200 dams and reservoirs. Analyzed and made recommendations on the budget and cost control of the Field Engineering Branch. Periodically performed field maintenance and construction inspections. Supervised control and coordination of allocation of vehicles/equipment
for 70 Division employees.

Division of Engineering, Construction Engineer

Monitored contractor’s daily activities for conformance to contract documents for three water pumping plants, seven storage tanks, 102 miles of mortar-lined steel pipeline, four miles of new road, structural steel, masonry, coatings, and architectural details. Exercised independent judgment daily while inspecting construction methods, materials, and equipment. Estimated monthly pay quantities based upon plan pay lines, field measurements, and submittals. Analyzed design alternatives. Scheduled, reviewed and performed soil and concrete field tests.

CALIFORNIA MILITARY DEPARTMENT                                                                                      1992 –1994
Junior Civil Engineer

Under limited supervision designed, estimated, inspected, and administered small rehabilitation projects for the Facilities Engineering Division at Camp Roberts Army National Guard Base. Projects included building upgrades, gas and waterline installation, site drainage improvements, roof replacements, road stripping, signage, and pavement repair/replacement. Applied the Pavement Maintenance Management System (PAVER). The FAA and the U.S. Air Force have sponsored this system.