Forensic structural engineering an overview

Abstract

Forensic Structural Engineering is a field of engineering which involves the study of structure and determining the causes of failure of structure. Forensic structural engineering is evolving in India into a designated field of professional practice of determining the causes of structural failures and identifying the parties responsible. The practice involves engineering investigations, rendering opinions and giving expert testimony in judicial proceedings if required. Whether they occur during construction or during their service lives, failures of constructed facilities are almost always followed by engineering investigations and resolution of claims. As the findings inevitably create claims of damage and often result in disputes and legal entanglements, the forensic structural engineer operates in an adversarial environment and therefore needs not only to be able to perform the necessary investigations but also to have an understanding of the basic concepts of the practice of forensic engineering. This paper is an overview of the professional practice of forensic structural engineering and includes discussions of: Definition of Forensic Engineering, Causes of Structural Failure, origins and causes of failures, types of cases of failures, Goals of Structural Failure Investigations, importance of codes and standards, Methodology for Forensic Investigations, brief outline of the process of forensic investigation, with references to detailed publications and selected reference literature.