Walter Bell
Atlanta, GA 30357-4088
Office: 404-549-5433
I deliver specialized, science-based forensic failure analysis, engineering-grade analytical testing, and consulting for high-stakes floor covering and coating system failures in commercial and industrial facilities.
We operate a highly scientific forensic practice, utilizing engineering-grade methodologies, cutting-edge technology, and industry best practices to uncover the root causes of complex material, chemical, and structural breakdowns of flooring installed on cementitious and gypsum subfloor systems. This advanced testing provides reliable data to support unbiased, informed, scientific conclusions and opinions to deliver comprehensive science-based reports.
Evaluations are anchored to measurable quantitative metrics, standards compliance, and peer-reviewed science. My leadership holds voting member status across critical national standards development bodies.
- Adhesives
- Concrete/Cement
- Construction
- Flooring
- Materials
- Paint & Coatings
- Polymers
- Tile
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: • Certified Concrete Coating Inspector | SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
• Certified Concrete Slab Moisture Testing Technician | International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI)
• Concrete Flatwork Technician | American Concrete Institute
• Construction Quality Management Contractors Certificate (CQM-C) | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Forensics@NIST Workshop Certificate | National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• Healthcare Construction Certificate | American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: ASTM International Technical Committees involvement that includes being appointed the Task Group Chair and Technical Contact for over a dozen industry standards in revision or under development in four different committees.
• C09 Concrete
• C11 Gypsum
• D01 Coatings
• D11 Rubber (Hardness)
• D22 Air Quality (Meteorology)
• E06 Building Performance (Vapor Retarders)
• E30 Forensic Science
• E36 Accreditation & Certification
• E58 Forensic Engineering
• F06 Resilient Flooring
International Accreditors for Continuing Education & Training (IACET) Standards Development Committee (SDC): Was appointed to join an elite group of 24 professionals from six countries to serve on this ANSI-accredited standards body.
Other trade organizations:
• American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
• American Society of Health Care Engineering (ASHE)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• Association for Learning Environments - Georgia (GA4LE)
• Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLE)
• Georgia Association of School Facility Administrators (GASFA)
• International Risk Management Institute (IRMI)
• Structural Engineers Association of GA (SEAOG)
• World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) - Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: ADVANCED ANALYTICAL IN-FIELD TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES:
▪ CONCRETE SUBSURFACE SCANNING: Advanced ground penetrating radar (GPR) is used to locate embeddings in concrete slabs and measure slab thickness. This is critical for many forensic evaluations and testing protocols.
▪ TENSILE STRENGTH ANALYSIS OF COATINGS, UNDERLAYMENTS, AND CONCRETE SLABS: Digitally-controlled electromechanical tensile testing instrument is used to determine the tensile bond strength of terrazzo, coatings, underlayments, and toppings bonded to concrete; and the near-surface tensile strength of concrete slabs.
▪ CONCRETE MOISTURE DYNAMICS: Advanced quantitative diagnostic assessments including internal concrete relative humidity testing (utilizing GPR to calculate proper testing depth) and other methodologies.
▪ CONCRETE SURFACE pH MEASUREMENTS: Quantitative digital analysis using electronic pH meters calibrated daily using NIST-traceable buffer solutions providing accurate on-site analysis of concrete slab surface pH levels.
▪ FLOOR TILE & PLANK DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENTS: High-accuracy carbon fiber and stainless steel digital calipers are used to evaluate dimensional stability and conformity to manufacturer specs.
▪ VERTICAL SURFACE DEVIATION MEASUREMENTS: High-accuracy digital indicator gauges used in the measurement of vertical surface deviations in floor coverings and coatings that include blistering, bubbling, cupping, curling, doming, lifting, lippage, peaking, and vertical offsets.
▪ CONCRETE COATINGS DRY FILM THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS: Precision electronic ultrasonic gauging use to nondestructively measure the thickness of polymer coatings on concrete.
▪ FLOORING MATERIALS HARDNESS MEASUREMENT: Laboratory-grade hardness testing is conducted using world-leading German engineered digital durometers for Shore A and Shore D hardness of floor covering and concrete coatings.
▪ SUBFLOOR FLATNESS MEASUREMENTS: High-accuracy analysis is conducted using electronic altimeters, German-engineered electronic levels, and high-accuracy laser levels.
▪ FORENSIC GRADE PHOTO DOCUMENTATION: High-resolution visual evidence captured using professional cameras and optics. This ensures that site conditions, even macro defects, are documented with the photographic clarity required for comprehensive forensic image analysis. - Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: I operate a highly technical, data-driven forensic practice with uncontested scientific findings.
My scientific based forensic reports, advanced engineering-grade instrumentation data, and strict adherence to national consensus standards have proved so definitive that no report has ever been formally challenged in court or arbitration.
My scientific assessments regularly compel opposing parties to settle complex, multi-million dollar commercial flooring and coating claims prior to deposition or trial testimony. We deliver ironclad data that resolves disputes before they reach the courtroom. - Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: I operate a highly technical, data-driven forensic practice with uncontested scientific findings.
My scientific based forensic reports, advanced engineering-grade instrumentation data, and strict adherence to national consensus standards have proved so definitive that no report has ever been formally challenged in court or arbitration.
My scientific assessments regularly compel opposing parties to settle complex, multi-million dollar commercial flooring and coating claims prior to deposition or trial testimony. We deliver ironclad data that resolves disputes before they reach the courtroom.
Available Upon Request