Case Studies on Failure Investigations in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering

Failures of structures occur in all parts of the world as the result of design errors, construction defects, abuse or misuse, ageing and deterioration of the structure, lack of maintenance, as well as environmental effects such as wind, flood, snow, earthquake and, of course, human errors. They can result in catastrophic human costs as well as heavy financial losses to all involved, including local economic growth deceleration, expensive delays and repairs, as well as other repercussions, such as legal actions to responsible parties.

’Welcome’ effects of these unfortunate events include a better understanding of the origins and causes of structural failures, their corresponding lessons learnt, and a more effective mitigation of their occurrence through changes in codes, standards, guidelines, and practice.

In several countries the investigation process of the causes of failures, responsibilities, and resolution of the consequent claims have created an active, demanding, and specialised field of professional practice - often referred to as Forensic Structural Engineering - with well-defined technical and legal procedures.

This bulletin is the result of the work lead by the Task Group 5.1 ’Forensic Structural Engineering’. It provides understanding of the origins, causes, and consequences of failures, their forensic investigations, and the lessons learnt from them. The aim of the bulletin is not only to describe different examples but, mainly, to use emblematic case studies to show procedures that can be used when dealing with structural failures. In addition to obtaining a deeper insight into the technical causes for structural failure, the reader would be duly informed about the different countries’ legal issues related to the investigation process.

The bulletin is aimed at young, mid-career and experienced structural engineers who want to acquire a better understanding of failure mechanisms towards improving their design, inspection, construction, administrative, and other project-related practices to avoid pitfalls that may lead to failures. It also aims at those wanting to acquire a working knowledge of the challenging professional practice of forensic structural engineering.