Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Structural Engineering Solutions in Austin, Chicago, Dallas & San Antonio
Datum Engineers has built a distinguished legacy over 80 years of dedicated structural engineering excellence. Our firm combines deep technical expertise with a passion for architectural design, delivering fiscally responsible solutions for complex projects across museums, convention centers, historic preservation sites, and research institutions. With offices in Austin, Chicago, Dallas, and San Antonio, we serve an international clientele spanning from Seattle to Europe, consistently prioritizing innovation and sustainability. Our team of 80 professionals, with an average tenure of 20 years, brings unparalleled experience to challenges ranging from forensic diagnostics to Building Information Modeling (BIM). We maintain strategic HUB Alliance partnerships to enhance minority participation while contributing to community development through pro bono efforts and resource sharing.Our forensic engineering division leverages 86 years of accumulated knowledge to resolve structural failures and provide expert litigation support. Recognized for award-winning work on landmarks like the Texas State Capitol and Perot Museum, we pioneered specialized guides for museum design and parking structure maintenance. Sustainability remains central to our practice, integrating eco-conscious materials and energy-efficient systems across projects. Our fast-track delivery methodology accelerates construction timelines without compromising quality, supported by advanced BIM capabilities that optimize spatial relationships and lifecycle management. This combination of historical wisdom, technical innovation, and community commitment defines our approach to structural engineering.
Services
Structural Engineering
Forensic Diagnostics
Historic Preservation
Building Information Modeling
Sustainable Design
Parking Structures
Convention Centers
Research Institutions
Fast-Track Delivery
Expansive Clay Mitigation
Details
- Year established: 1937
Highlights and features
- We offer 80 years of structural engineering experience across 40+ U.S. states and international markets
- Our team includes 80 professionals with 20+ year average tenure in specialized engineering disciplines
- We pioneered forensic diagnostics methodologies applied to landmark projects like Eagle Stadium
- Our BIM experts optimize building lifecycles from design through facility management
- We maintain strategic HUB Alliance partnerships for enhanced project collaboration
Services
Structural Engineering
Our structural engineering services combine 80 years of technical expertise with architectural passion to deliver fiscally responsible solutions. We handle complex projects ranging from museums to research institutions, prioritizing safety, sustainability, and design excellence. Our team applies advanced methodologies to ensure structural integrity across diverse construction types and environmental conditions.
Forensic Diagnostics
With 86 years of accumulated knowledge, our forensic engineering division investigates structural failures and distress conditions. We provide litigation support, repair recommendations, and expert witness testimony for parking garages, historic buildings, and commercial structures. Our engineers apply specialized diagnostic tools to determine root causes and develop remediation strategies.
Building Information Modeling
Our BIM services create comprehensive digital representations of building systems to optimize design and lifecycle management. This technology enables spatial analysis, cost estimation, and facility operations planning while improving coordination between architectural, mechanical, and structural components throughout project development stages.
Historic Preservation
We specialize in preserving culturally significant buildings using traditional materials and construction methods while meeting modern safety standards. Our work includes Texas State Capitol restoration and Alamo Mission stabilization, balancing historical accuracy with structural reinforcement requirements for long-term preservation.
Sustainable Design
Our sustainable approach integrates eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems across all project phases. We employ life-cycle analysis to minimize environmental impact while maintaining structural performance, working closely with design teams to achieve LEED certification and other sustainability benchmarks without compromising engineering integrity.
People
Michael L. Brack
President
Leading structural engineer with extensive forensic investigation experience, overseeing complex projects and strategic direction for Datum's engineering practice.
Dave Thomas
Principal, Project Manager
Senior structural engineer managing high-profile projects with expertise in integrating technical solutions and client-focused project delivery systems.
Robert Fry
Senior Structural Engineer
Experienced engineer specializing in structural diagnostics and repair solutions for commercial buildings and infrastructure projects.
Galen Schroeder
Senior Structural Engineer
Specializes in advanced structural analysis techniques applied to complex building systems and forensic engineering investigations.
Ray Urban
Principal
Recognized expert in structural engineering with significant contributions to major building projects across Texas and national markets.
Questions
What structural engineering specialties does Datum handle?
We specialize in museums, convention centers, historic preservation, research labs, parking structures, and forensic diagnostics with 80 years of accumulated expertise.
Do you offer BIM services for construction projects?
Yes, our BIM experts implement advanced modeling that optimizes spatial relationships and supports cost management throughout building lifecycles.
Can you handle forensic engineering investigations?
Our 86-year engineering history enables forensic analysis of structural failures, including litigation support and repair recommendations for complex issues.
Do you work on sustainable building projects?
Sustainability drives our practice through integrated team approaches using eco-conscious materials and energy-efficient systems in all project phases.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We operate from Austin, Chicago, Dallas, and San Antonio offices with completed projects across 40+ U.S. states, Mexico, and Europe.
