Page 23 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

1.4 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

Design Documents 1.20
Contracts 1.20
Submittals 1.20
Contractor Claims and Credit Documents 1.20
Logs 1.21
Schedules 1.23
APPROVAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS 1.24
REVIEW OF PROJECT HISTORY 1.24
ASSESSMENT OF POST-CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONS 1.25
REFERENCE SOURCES 1.26

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the sequence of events of a project from its design concept through
the final design and construction stage. It is intended to state and refresh the structural engi-
neer’s role and responsibilities in the design and construction process toward the common
goal between the owner and the design professional: a quality project designed for its
intended use and constructed within the client’s budget and time restraints.
The structural engineer must bring into the forensic arena his or her academic training,
practical knowledge, and experience (including successes and disappointments), and then
transform his or her role to that of a detective or investigative reporter for a successful case
analysis. Every piece of evidence in the case, including calculations, drawings, construc-
tion materials, and products should be documented for review as part of the information-
gathering process for analysis prior to formulating an opinion. When applicable, the
forensic engineer should visit the site of the distressed area, visually examine the failures,
photograph and document the components of the failure, and request certain tests to be per-
formed, if and when applicable, before rendering an opinion.
At times, a written report may be requested by the client. Refer to the National Practice
Guidelines for the Preparation of Structural Engineering Reports. 13
More often than not, the forensic engineer will be retained as an expert witness. When
confronted during litigation by opposing attorneys and/or opposing experts in court he or
she must demonstrate complete understanding of the forensic process, as well as the design
and construction process, and possess the confidence and ability to formulate and deliver
professional opinions that are ethically, and morally and technically correct.
To accomplish this mission, one must be totally familiar with the entire spectrum of
events leading to building a structure from its inception to final use.
14
The Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE) has identified the role of the
Structural Engineer (SE) and that of the Forensic Engineer (FE) with subtle but poignant
distinctions as follows:
Structural Engineer (SE) “An engineer with specialized knowledge, training and experience in
the sciences and mathematics relating to analyzing and designing of force-resisting systems for
buildings and other structures.”
Forensic Engineer (FE) “A structural engineer who, through training, education experience and
knowledge is recognized by their peers to possess specialized information on a given structural sub-
ject matter and who is experienced and versed in the ethical practice of forensic engineering and is
generally knowledgeable with the dispute resolution processes.”

A design is a product of one’s idea or vision, which is then, in-terms of buildings or
structures, transformed into a scientific or artistic pattern from which details are derived for
the construction of a project to meet the needs of an owner or the community.