Staff photo for Concrete Science Inc.

ABOUT US

Founded in January 1995, Concrete Science was established with a steadfast commitment to integrating decades of experience in construction, repair, and forensic engineering into a firm dedicated to client-focused, high-quality services.

Over the past 30 years, our firm has experienced significant growth, expanding its clientele across the nation. The demand for our forensic engineering expertise has risen exponentially, earning the trust of numerous property owners and a diverse range of professionals, including architects, structural engineers, contractors, public works officials, insurance claim adjusters, and legal professionals involved in litigation matters.

Our seasoned team of forensic engineers has successfully addressed numerous complex challenges related to concrete structures. Leveraging advanced non-destructive testing methodologies alongside our state-of-the-art, in-house petrographic and chemical analysis capabilities, we offer clients a distinct advantage—comprehensive, precise, and expertly executed investigations conducted under one roof.

As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide clear, definitive answers to critical questions: Why did the failure occur? How did it happen? And can it be repaired in a cost-effective manner?

Whether you require expert forensic investigation, experienced based repair solution, state-of-the art non-destructive testing, or specialized concrete analysis, our team is ready to provide the insight and solutions you need.

Contact us today to discover how our expertise can support your project's success.

Meet the Team

  • Principal Engineer

    Mr. Kakade has over 40 years of experience in construction, investigation, and rehabilitation of concrete and masonry structures. He utilizes his decades of experience to investigate distresses in residential, industrial & commercial structures. He has also performed condition assessment of swimming pools, parking garages, water and sewage treatment plants, tunnels, bridges and other unique concrete structures. 

    He utilizes his education in both material science and structural engineering to identify causes of defects such as cracking, delamination, reinforcement corrosion, water leaks, fire related distress, soil & sulfates, discoloration, concrete moisture related flooring distresses, alkali-silica reactivity (ASR), and other design, material, and construction related defects.

    Mr. Kakade has taught a Concrete Technology course to Engineers, Architects, and Contractors through UC Berkeley and UC Davis Engineering Extensions. He combines his theoretical knowledge with his immense practical experience to design practical and cost-effective engineering repair solutions.

    Mr. Kakade has been President & Chairman of many national technical associations. He has earned numerous awards, such as:

    • Fellow of ACI (American Concrete Institute)

    • Fellow of ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute)

    • Fellow of ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers)

    • Fellow of ICI (Indian Concrete Institute)

    • 20-Year Service Award from ASTM

    • Lifetime Membership Achievement Award by Northern CA Chapter of ICRI

    As an expert, Mr. Kakade has testified in numerous Arbitrations, Mediations, and Superior Courts.

  • Principal Petrographer and Geologist

    Kate has a bachelor’s degree in Geology and has over 20 years of work experience in forensic investigation of various kinds of building materials, including but not limited to: concrete, grout, stucco, mortar, masonry, stone, aggregates, tiles, and coatings. She has been trained to perform petrographic analysis per ASTM standards to determine causation of failures in building components.  Ms. Morel has performed forensic laboratory testing on aggregates, concrete, stucco, and asphalt concrete.

    Kate has earned national awards for her work on:

    • Pentagon Concrete Analysis after 9/11

    • Homicide Materials Investigation

    Kate is a member of:

    • Society of Concrete Petrographers

    • American Institute for Professional Geologists (AIPG)

    • Voting Member, American Society of Testing Material ASTM C 09.65-Petrography, ASTM C 09.20-Aggregate.

    • American Concrete Institute Committee 201-Durability and Committee 221-Aggregate.

    • Geological Society of America (GSA)

  • Principal Engineer

    Hemant’s experience spans over 50 years. A Master’s degree in Mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic  Institute coupled with an MBA from Houston Baptist University has given Mr. Limaye a solid background both in engineering and management.  As a consultant to Federal Highway Administration, he provided training to engineers in various State Departments in construction materials and nondestructive testing.

    Hemant has developed, designed and applied different kinds of sensor based systems to test and measure vibrations, displacements and internal defects in concrete structures. He is a renowned expert in the field of nondestructive testing using complex test methods such as impact echo, pulse velocity, pulse-echo, impulse response, ground penetrating radar and other specialized test methods to detect honeycomb, voids, delamination, and load capacity. Mr. Limaye has performed condition assessment of numerous concrete structures, designed repairs, and performed quality assurance services.

    Hemant has published dozens of articles in scholarly journals. A few of his notable projects include: California State Capitol Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Seattle Kingdom, Los Angeles and Chicago subway tunnels, Denver International Airport, and various water and waste water treatment plants across California.

  • Structural Engineer

    Professional Summary: With over 25 years of expertise in structural engineering, Parag Kulkarni specializes in structural analysis & design, field investigation, and repair design for concrete and steel structures. His comprehensive experience spans residential, commercial, and institutional projects and the re-purposing of existing properties. Parag excels in diagnosing and resolving structural challenges, leveraging his vast experience to identify and address various structural and material defects.

    Areas of Expertise:

    • Structural Analysis & Assessment: Conducting detailed evaluations and nondestructive testing to identify and resolve structural deficiencies.

    • Repair Design: Creating cost-effective and practical engineering solutions for damaged or deteriorating structures.

    Educational Background:

    • Bachelor of Engineering, University of Mumbai

    • Partial fulfillment towards M.S. in Structural Engineering, Clemson University, 2006-2007

    Professional Affiliations:

    • American Concrete Institute

    • Structural Engineers Associations of California (SEAONC)

  • Associate

    Professional Summary:

    Marshal has over a decade of experience in hands-on maintenance, troubleshooting, and diagnostics. He has participated in numerous concrete condition investigations and structural inspections. His background includes military service in U.S. Air Force Rescue and professional experience in facility maintenance, where he developed a disciplined and analytical approach to assessing complex problems and resolving technical issues.

    He plays a key role in assisting with investigative and inspection work, supporting engineers in evaluating concrete structures and gathering critical data for analysis. His responsibilities include conducting thorough site assessments, documenting structural conditions, and performing field and laboratory tests. His hands-on expertise in field operations and technical inspections makes him a valuable asset in structural evaluations and forensic investigations.

    Educational Background:

    • California State University East Bay, Bachelor’s in Science

      • Business Administration, Marketing Management Concentration

    • Construction Craft Training Center

      • Industrial Electrician

    Professional Affiliations

    • American Concrete Institute (ACI) Member

      • Completed certificate course, Concrete Fundamentals