Experience to understand the problem. Judgement to guide the next step.
Cornell Engineers helps people understand structural problems and make informed decisions about their buildings.
Established in 2003 and based in Brisbane, we bring practical structural engineering experience to investigations, inspections, reports and selected design projects. Our work helps property owners, builders, insurers, loss adjusters and legal advisers understand what is happening, why it matters and what to do next.
A building problem can be unsettling. You may be looking at unfamiliar cracks, dealing with damage or weighing up conflicting advice. Our role is to investigate carefully, explain our findings clearly and help you find a practical way forward.
A practice built on understanding buildings
Since opening our doors, we have worked with homeowners, builders, building designers, architects, insurance companies and government bodies. That experience connects structural design with what happens on site and how buildings perform over time.
Today, our focus is on work where careful investigation and experienced engineering judgement make a meaningful difference: structural damage, cracking and movement, drainage-related concerns, insurance assessments and practical advice for existing buildings.
We also undertake selected structural design and construction support assignments where our experience suits the project. We consider each enquiry individually so the work we accept receives the attention it needs.
The people behind the advice
Matt Cornell — Director and Structural Engineer
Matt Cornell leads Cornell Engineers. A civil engineering graduate of James Cook University, Matt brings more than three decades of engineering experience to the practice and is a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ No. 06598).
His work includes structural investigations, damage assessments, engineering reports and practical advice for property owners and industry professionals. He takes a direct, plain-English approach to explaining technical issues so clients can understand the findings and use the advice.
Sayla Williams — Structural Engineer, RPEQ
Sayla Williams is a structural engineer with Cornell Engineers and a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland. Her registration marks an important professional milestone and strengthens the registered engineering expertise within our practice.
What matters in our work
Independent judgement
Our engineering opinions follow the evidence. We consider the available information, explain the basis for our conclusions and identify uncertainty where it remains. That independence matters whether we are advising a homeowner, assessing an insurance matter or providing an opinion in a dispute.
Clear explanations
You should understand the advice you receive. We explain what we observed, what it means and how it affects your next decision. Where further investigation is needed, we explain what it is intended to resolve.
Practical recommendations
Useful engineering advice connects findings with action. Depending on the issue, that may mean monitoring, further investigation, maintenance, repair or structural design. Our recommendations consider the building, the site conditions and the purpose of the assessment.
A considered scope from the start
We take time to understand the question you need answered. Before work begins, we agree on the scope, deliverables and fees so you know what our involvement will cover.
Sharing what we learn
We believe better understanding leads to better decisions about buildings. Through our articles and videos, we explain common structural concerns, share observations from engineering practice and help people recognise when professional advice may be useful.
It is an extension of how we work with clients: make the technical understandable and give people useful information.
Tell us what you need to understand
If you need help with a structural concern, damage assessment or a decision about an existing building, send us the property address, a short description of the issue and any relevant photographs, drawings or reports.
We will review your enquiry, confirm whether we can assist and outline the next step.