Expertise

Services
Markets
Clients from markets and industries across the built world rely on our interdisciplinary team of engineers, architects, and materials scientists to develop an all-around understanding of their needs, provide expert consultation on available options, and develop solutions that deliver lasting value.
Laboratories
Our extensive in-house laboratory and testing capabilities are second to none. With laboratories in our Austin and Cleveland offices as well as a 70,000-square-foot state-of-the-art testing and applied research facility at our Northbrook, Illinois, headquarters, we have the advanced testing and forensic capabilities to solve virtually any problem related to structures, construction materials, or manufactured components.

People

We strive to make a positive difference in the world by consistently setting the standard in every key aspect of our business, starting with the extraordinary people we employ. Connect directly with an expert on our team.

Sustainable Solutions
WJE is committed to sustainability in construction, applying a long-term lens to materials selection, performance testing, systems integration, repair design, and conservation.

Projects
- - SEARCH FOR
    WJE PROJECTS
    Our team has investigated, tested, and innovated on more than 175,000 projects involving almost every type of construction material, structural system, and manufactured component. We take a hands-on, empirical, and investigative approach to every assignment. Although materials, technologies, and structures change, our basic philosophy doesn’t. Founder Jack Janney’s advice to “ask the structure” continues to guide our project work today.
Knowledge
- - Articles
    We’re passionate about our work and believe it is our responsibility to share our experiences and lessons learned for the enrichment of our clients and the advancement of our industry. We hope you learn something new that helps you better understand and address a challenge you face in your own work.
  - Webinars
    We regularly host webinars on interesting topics and challenges related to the built world. We encourage you to search through our library for subjects of interest to you. Watch, listen, and share with others.
  - Videos
    Experience our capabilities, project work, laboratories, and company culture as told by our staff and clients in this selection of videos.
  - Presentations
    Our professionals are leaders in key industry organizations and technical committees and regularly contribute to the ongoing dialogue of the built world at conferences and other educational forums. Check back soon to see where our experts will be speaking next.
  - Websites
    Learn the “what” and “why” and “when” of facade and seismic ordinances in various cities throughout the United States, as well as our recent efforts with sustainable (low carbon) concrete.
    
    SustainableConcrete.com
    
    FacadeOrdinance.com
    
    SeismicOrdinances.com
Careers
- - Careers at WJE
    A career at WJE means working alongside industry gurus to solve the most significant, interesting, and challenging problems of the built world. Whether you'd bring years of experience to our team or you're just out of school, a career at WJE may be the right choice for you.
  - Job Openings
  - Benefits
  - FAQ
Offices
- - OFFICES
    With hundreds of professionals in North America and Europe, WJE can respond quickly to assignments around the world. No matter where you are, we can help.
    AMERICAS
    
    Atlanta
    
    Austin
    
    Boston
    
    Chicago
    
    Cleveland
    
    Dallas
    
    Denver
    
    Detroit
    
    Doylestown
    
    Honolulu
    
    Houston
    
    Indianapolis
    
    Los Angeles
    
    Milwaukee
    
    Minneapolis
    
    New Haven
    
    New York
    
    Northbrook (Global HQ)
    
    Philadelphia
    
    Pittsburgh
    
    Portland
    
    Princeton
    
    Raleigh
    
    San Antonio
    
    San Diego
    
    San Francisco
    
    Seattle
    
    South Florida
    
    Washington, DC
    
    EUROPE
    
    London

EXPERTISE // PEOPLE

Christopher C. Buente

Senior Associate

Experience

Since joining WJE in 2009, Christopher Buente has been involved in numerous projects involving the investigation, analysis, and repair of a variety of structures. His projects include parking garages, warehouses, residential structures, and retail stores. Mr. Buente has specific experience in the structural analysis of existing structures, as well as repair and rehabilitation of existing structures. He specifically has used computer modeling of structures to calculate member forces and stresses under a variety of loading conditions.

Mr. Buente is also experienced in the development of repair drawings for concrete and steel structures, as well as construction period services for waterproofing, concrete slab repairs, and curtain wall fabrication and installation.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Failure/Damage Investigations

Schiffer Publishing Warehouse - Atglen, PA: Collapse investigation of cold-formed steel-storage rack system
Dulles Airport Hangar Collapse - Dulles, VA: Investigation of aircraft hangar collapse

Repair and Rehabilitation

Cherry Hill Towers - Cherry Hill, NJ: Design of repairs to strengthen existing concrete parking garage
Admiralty Condominiums - Monmouth Beach, NJ: Concrete parking garage waffle slab and waterproofing investigation, repair design, and construction documents
Fashion Center - Paramus, NJ: Repair design and construction period services for deteriorated steel structure
Major Retail Store - Altoona, PA: Investigation, analysis, repair design, and construction period services for failed wood joist members
Metropolitan Opera - New York City, NY: Design of travertine repairs and preparation of construction documents
Stevens Institute - Hoboken, NJ: Repair design, construction documents, and construction period services for masonry wall failures
Artist Lake - Middle Island, NY: Investigation and construction period services for failed wood trusses
Executive House - Philadelphia, PA: Construction period services for concrete parking garage repairs

Structural Analysis/Computer Applications

Hartz Warehouse Collapse - Newark, NJ: Evaluation of extent of damage and code upgrade redesign
Major Retail Store - Uniondale, NY: Analysis of existing concrete slab to determine structural capacity
Greenwich Township Water Treatment Plant - Greenwich Township, NJ: Analysis of existing concrete water storage tank
Numerous Stores for Major Retailer - Various Locations: Inspection and analysis of open-web steel joists
Einstein Hospital - East Norriton, PA: Structural analysis and computer modeling of composite slabs
Geisinger Hospital - Danville, PA: Structural analysis and computer modeling of concrete slab
Springfield High School - Springfield, PA: Computer analysis of open-web steel joist

Nondestructive Evaluation

Geisinger Hospital - Danville, PA: Assessment of slab reinforcing using ground penetrating radar

Windows and Curtain Walls

Princeton Pike - Lawrenceville, NJ: Mock-up testing and construction period services for curtain wall fabrication and installation

Professional Affiliations

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Registrations

Professional Engineer in PA

Education

Lehigh University
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 2008
Master of Engineering, Structural Engineering, 2009

WJE Princeton
5 Vaughn Drive
Suite 100
Princeton, NJ 08540
Tel: (609) 799-7799
cbuente@wje.com

Practice Areas

Repair and Rehabilitation
Failure/Damage Investigations
Structural Analysis/Computer Applications
Nondestructive Evaluation
Windows and Curtain Walls

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates is committed to helping our clients solve, repair, and avoid problems in the built world. Supported by unparalleled laboratory and field testing capabilities, our team of engineers, architects, and materials scientists brings an enthusiasm for problem solving and a hands-on technical approach to every challenge.

Ask the Structure and Solutions for the Built World are trademarks of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

© COPYRIGHT WISS, JANNEY, ELSTNER ASSOCIATES, INC., NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Engineering

Architecture

Laboratory

Field

Forensics

Design

Buildings

Construction

Energy

Industrial

Infrastructure

Insurance

Testing and Research

SustainableConcrete.com

FacadeOrdinance.com

SeismicOrdinances.com

AMERICAS

EUROPE