Page 32 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

DESIGN-CONSTRUCTION PROCESS 1.13

It should be noted that peer reviews and value analysis reviews present opinions of out-
side professionals and their recommendations may or may not be accepted by the project
design professional. If the recommendations are accepted and implemented in the project,
then the project design professional is solely responsible for the work and to the client.

PEER REVIEW

At the 1983 Structural Failures Conference in California suggestions were made by the partici-
pants to find means to reduce structural distress in major buildings and to prevent catastrophic
failures. Thus, the advent of a peer review was conceived initially to be a voluntary process
which would be performed by an independent structural consultant and the timing of the review
would be upon completion of the contract documents, but prior to bidding or construction.
The review is intended to verify the design load criteria, local building code compliance,
and that no major errors are apparent with respect to concept in the design, the load path or
in pertinent calculations.
Recently, it has been found that the peer review process could be more beneficial to the
project if the process were started during the design development phase. It should be noted
that the concept of a peer review is not a substitute to value analysis.
It is important to note that the reviewing engineer is not responsible for the structural
design and does not supplant the duties of the engineer of record (SER).
The City of New York, the City of Boston, and the State of Connecticut presently require
peer reviews of large and special structures. Other states most probably have similar require-
ments and should be investigated as the need arises from the project investigation.

INSPECTION AND TESTING

Although the terms “inspection” and “testing” are used synonymously in the construction
field, they have distinct roles in the building world.
Inspections during construction are required to be performed directly by a registered
professional engineer or by an engineer under the supervision of a registered professional
engineer.
Inspection during construction is presently a requirement of IBC (International Building
Code). Certain major populated cities such as New York City and the states of Florida and
California advocate special inspection requirements that are generally “hands on” and may
be accompanied with mechanical and/or electronic aids.
The definition of inspection varies with project location and local building department
requirements which are in effect at the time of construction. The following is a partial list
of authorities that require inspection of structural components during construction.

Authority Inspection nomenclature
International Building Code Special inspections
State of Florida Threshold inspection
Administrative Building Code, New York City Controlled inspection

Project specifications should list at least the minimum requirements for inspection and test-
ing of the subgrade, concrete, steel, masonry, and timber structures that are discussed below.