STRAND Forensic Engineering
Leading provider of Forensic Structural and Geotechnical Engineering services
Proven Experience - Location Information System
Mapping patterns of ground movement and soil conditions across Victoria
Unbiased, Practical Advice
When design or construction quality is in question, we provide clear, independent guidance - even if the best path forward requires an unconventional approach.
Expertise Across All Footing Types
From conventional slabs to elevated stump systems, we assess structural issues across all footing types with confidence and precision.
Structural Life Assessments
We evaluate the condition and remaining service life of residential structures - helping clients make informed decisions about repair, retention, or rebuild.
Site History Analysis
Every structure has a story. By reviewing previous site use, changes over time, and development history, we uncover the context behind structural movement.
OUR SERVICES
Strand Forensic Engineering specializes in forensic investigations for residential structures, with a strong focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of structural damage.
Forensic Site Inspections
Thorough on-site assessments to identify structural issues.
Foundation & Structural Damage Investigation
Diagnosing the causes of foundation failures and structural defects.
Specialized Soil Testing
Including Conditioned Core Shrinkage Test (Iccs) and Soil Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC).
Structural Integrity Assessment
Evaluating the safety and performance of structures.
Expert Review Reports
Providing independent assessments for legal or technical disputes.
Independent Opinions
Offering unbiased evaluations of structural concerns.
Expert Witness Services
Supporting legal cases with technical expertise.
Court Assistance
Providing expert witness services and technical advisory support throughout litigation.
OUR VALUES
The principles that guide our work and define our approach
Knowledge
Backed by comprehensive research, we ensure our solutions are grounded in science and evidence.
Expertise
With decades of experience, we bring deep industry knowledge to every investigation.
Accuracy
Our assessments are precise, to the point, and reliable.
Practicality
We deliver cost-effective and economical solutions without compromising on quality.
Clarity
We ensure our findings are easy to understand and discuss, making the complex simple.
Local Expertise
All our work is conducted within Australia, supporting local professionals and keeping expertise and investment within the country.
OUR COMMITMENT
Dedicated to delivering excellence through independent, research-backed solutions.
At Strand Forensic Engineering, we are committed to providing independent, unbiased assessments that help our clients make informed decisions. Through rigorous forensic investigations and research-backed solutions, we assist in resolving structural failures efficiently and effectively.
Our collaborations with Swinburne University of Technology ensure our findings are at the forefront of industry advancements. This academic partnership strengthens our ability to deliver innovative solutions that address complex engineering challenges.
We prioritize transparency, accuracy, and thoroughness in all our work. Our reports provide clear explanations of technical findings, ensuring clients understand both the issues at hand and the recommended solutions.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Meet the experts behind Strand Forensic Engineering's success and innovation.
Robert van Heusden (Rob)
Director
B.E., FIEAust, CPEng
Rob has been a leader in structural and geotechnical engineering since founding VHC Consulting Engineers in 1984. With more than 50 years of experience in residential structural design across Australia, he has completed over 70,000 site investigations and 65,000 structural designs.
Renowned for his calm and methodical approach, Rob is able to see the clear picture in even the most complex situations. This ability has defined his career, from guiding clients through design challenges to analysing the causes of structural failures.
In 2013, he shifted his focus to forensic engineering, specialising in the investigation of structural damage and the development of practical remediation solutions. Since 2021, Rob has been pursuing a PhD at Swinburne University of Technology, researching the assessment of constructed fill on site classification and the development of cost-effective foundation design solutions.
Dr. Aruna Karunarathne (Arun)
Associate Director
PhD, MScEng, BScEng, MIEAust, CP Eng
Aruna is a Forensic Engineer and Researcher with over 15 years of combined industry and academic experience. He specialises in expansive soils, foundation movements, laboratory testing, field instrumentation, and site characterisation.
Throughout his career, Aruna has been a key investigator in comprehensive studies on expansive soil behaviour and innovative footing systems, with a focus on improving methods for estimating ground movement by accounting for key influencing factors. He led his PhD research and explored the effects of climate variability on ground movement and structural performance. This work has contributed to advanced testing methods, practical design improvements, and industry-wide discussions on performance standards.
Alongside his academic work, Aruna applies this expertise in the residential sector, delivering cost-effective, innovative, and robust designs for builders and homeowners. With a rare combination of research, forensic investigation, and hands-on structural design, he is among the few engineers in Australia with such deep understanding of the challenges of building on expansive soils.
OUR STORY
A journey of innovation, expertise, and dedication to solving structural challenges across Victoria
1984 - The Foundation
VHC Consulting Engineers
The story of Strand Forensic Engineering dates back to 1984 when Rob van Heusden, the company's director, founded VHC Consulting Engineers. The goal was to provide site investigations and structural designs for residential properties across Victoria. Over the years, Rob completed more than 70,000 site investigation reports and over 65,000 footing and structural designs.
2013 - Forensic Focus
Damage Assessment & Solutions
In 2013, Rob expanded his focus to address structural damage in residential properties, offering expertise in damage assessment and providing solutions for appropriate remediation. This work laid the foundation for the Forensic division within VHC Consulting Engineers.
2017 - Research Partnership
Innovation & Academic Excellence
In 2017, Dr. Aruna Karunarathne joined VHC, bringing valuable knowledge in expansive soils and specialized testing. Together, Rob and Aruna developed innovative tools to assist in site classification and structural designs for challenging sites, ultimately improving the accuracy of design techniques and reporting.
As their research and investigations progressed, Rob and Aruna collaborated with Swinburne University of Technology to add academic credibility to their findings. This collaboration led Rob to pursue a PhD at Swinburne, while Aruna later became a postdoctoral research fellow, making significant contributions to studies on expansive soils and effective structural solutions.
2020 - Strand is Born
Dedicated Forensic Solutions
As housing development in Victoria grew, so did the prevalence of structural damages. In response, Rob founded Strand Forensic Engineering in 2020, with a mission to help builders and homeowners identify the root causes of these issues and provide cost-effective remedial solutions. Aruna, who had already been working alongside Rob at VHC, joined him as a co-director at Strand Forensic Engineering.
With decades of experience working on numerous damaged property cases and researching innovative site-characterization techniques, Rob and Aruna developed valuable tools to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of forensic inspections.
Testing Innovation
Industry-Leading Methods
Aruna also worked closely with Dr. Dominic Lopes to develop a new test method for quantifying the shrink-swell behavior of expansive soils. This method addresses several drawbacks in the expansive soil tests specified in the Australian Standard, offering a more accurate and reliable approach to site classification.
Their collaboration has resulted in several well-regarded research publications, and the test is now widely accepted across the industry. Strand Forensic Engineering is actively involved in providing these new testing services and further developing a robust database of results, which continues to refine tools for estimating ground movement and overcoming limitations in existing testing methods.
Today - Our Mission
Supporting Those in Need
In late 2024, Rob transitioned out of VHC Consulting Engineers to fully dedicate his efforts to Strand Forensic Engineering and its forensic investigations. Strand Forensic Engineering's core mission has always been to support people facing the enormous stress and uncertainty caused by distressed homes.
With this in mind, Strand Forensic Engineering is expanding its presence online, not just to reach a wider audience, but to offer essential support to those grappling with structural damage complexities. The new website serves as a valuable resource, providing access to years of accumulated knowledge, including published papers, presentations, and other information.
Strand Forensic Engineering is committed to assisting homeowners, builders, and legal professionals who are experiencing the pressures and frustrations of residential structural issues. Our priority is to provide expert guidance and innovative solutions that bring clarity, peace of mind, and cost-effective resolutions to these challenging situations. We understand the impact of these problems, and we are here to help those in need with the care and expertise they deserve.