Forensic engineering in structural engineering involves the investigation of structures that have failed or are performing below expectations. The primary goal is to determine the causes of failure, whether due to design flaws, construction errors, material defects, environmental conditions, or maintenance issues.
Key activities include:
- Site inspections and documentation of damage
- Reviewing design drawings, construction records, and codes
- Performing structural analyses to simulate failure scenarios
- Recommending repair strategies or design improvements
Structural forensic engineers may be called upon after events like building collapses, structural deformations, fire damage, or natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes). Their work supports litigation, safety assessments, and future prevention.
