Page 197 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

THE FIRST STEPS AFTER A FAILURE 5.29

(b)
FIGURE 5.20 (Continued)

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION

After the initial information has been gathered, a preliminary evaluation of the data should
be conducted.
• Develop failure scenarios and mechanisms. Every effort should be made to identify as
many possible causes and potential contributing factors as is possible. At this point the
emphasis should be on including theories, however unlikely they may seem. The input of
all consultants and staff members should be considered. Later phases of the investigation
will be directed toward excluding unlikely possibilities.
• Perform preliminary structural analyses. The purpose of initial analyses is often to test
the viability of existing hypotheses, or to identify additional potential failure mecha-
nisms. Preliminary structural analyses are often directed toward studying the sensitivity
of the structure to various forces and/or variations in construction.