Forensic Structural Engineering

This course partially consists of theory on structural damage, failure mechanisms, investigation methods and instruments, and legal aspects. The other part consists of cases to illustrate these aspects.

Theory:

• Structural damage: what is damage? Various types of failure mechanisms. Performance criteria and codes. How often does failure occur? What are technical causes? What are human and organisational causes?

• Legal aspects: liability, Insurance, Court, expert witnesses

• Delft Method for Forensic Investigations: steps of investigations, life cycle, Tree House of Failures, Ring of Trustworthiness

• Instruments for investigation: for example microscopy

• Damage in foundations and retaining structures: e.g. deterioration of timber piles, unequal settlements, failures related to deep excavations and retaining structures

Cases with for example the following types of damage:

• Damage in concrete: e.g. temporary structures, reinforcement in ridges

• Damage in steel: e.g. connections and instability

• Damage in timber: e.g. connections

• Damage in finishing structures: e.g. leakage and connections

• Damage in foundations: e.g. deterioration of timber piles, unequal settlements, building pits