Page 14 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

PREFACE xiii

are not actively practicing in this field.) Although not written specifically as such,
given the logical progression and organization of the topics, as well as the case studies
included, it is expected that this second edition of the book will continue to stimulate
the teaching of forensic structural engineering and will be embraced as the text in aca-
demic and continuing education courses.
No single author would have the wide-ranging expertise and credibility to write on
all the topics that were necessary for this comprehensive reference book; therefore
contributing authors were invited to prepare the individual chapters. The authors are
not only experienced practitioners and competent writers but, in most cases, are also
nationally and internationally recognized experts in their respective fields. Even
though I assembled the team of contributing authors, gave them the outlines of their
chapters, reviewed and edited their manuscripts, and in some cases discussed with
them some controversial issues, I am not in agreement with every word that is in the
book. However, I recognize the contributing authors’ expertise, and I respect their
opinions even when they do not mesh with mine.
I am grateful to the contributing authors for accepting my invitation to participate
in the preparation of this book and I thank them for their effort and cooperation.
Without their contributions there would be no book.
I also owe thanks to the McGraw-Hill team of production supervisor, copyeditor,
illustrator, typesetter, and others whose work I much appreciate, but particularly to
Larry Hager, Senior Editor of Civil Engineering and Construction in the Professional
Book Division, for his valuable assistance and continuing cooperation in producing
both the first edition and this second edition of the book.

Robert T. Ratay, Ph.D., P.E.
Consulting Engineer, Manhasset, New York
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University, New York