Page 492 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

MASONRY STRUCTURES 13.37

Qualifications of a Masonry Investigator
The forensic engineer should be familiar with the literature on masonry. More than one-half
of the ASTM standards relating to masonry are revised, and several are added every 10
years or so. On average, an authoritative paper on some aspect of masonry is published in
English every day. To keep up with this dynamic process is a full-time effort for an expe-
rienced structural engineer.
Nevertheless, there are many so-called masonry experts. They are a mixed bag of former
bricklayers, association executives, and manufacturers’ representatives; has-been masonry
contractors; born-again architects, sometimes academicians; testing laboratory technicians;
ceramists, chemists, and petrographers. Some claim expertise in several materials including
masonry.
Bricklaying experience is certainly helpful, as is previous employment by a building
products trade association; but neither prepares one to opine on the cause of displaced
masonry. A doctorate in ceramics and experience in refractories do not qualify one to inves-
tigate a durability failure of face brick masonry. One may know a lot about chemistry and
very little about the effects of corroded steel. Many very talented structural engineers know
almost nothing about masonry.
A licensed, experienced structural engineer who is thoroughly familiar with all aspects
of masonry materials, design, construction, and maintenance should conduct masonry fail-
ure investigations. The masonry forensic engineer should be familiar with building codes,
material specifications, test methods, construction and maintenance specifications, con-
tracts, and costs, not only for masonry per se but also for building materials and systems
related to masonry directly or indirectly, including anchors, ties, reinforcement, expansion
and control joints, insulation, flashing, and supporting structural systems in concrete, steel,
or wood. Teaching experience and research experience are very beneficial.

Consulting and Investigating Services

The investigator of masonry failures should be an engineer who has a working relationship
with an experienced team of experts in the related disciplines of

Architecture Soil mechanics and geotechnology
Structural mechanics and design in Pavement design
concrete, steel, and timber Statistical analysis
Petrography Literature searches
Chemistry Experiment design in engineering
Electrochemistry of corrosion Research
Computer science Engineering secretarial and drafting
Meteorology and climatology services
Heat transfer Materials and structural testing in
Construction management and cost laboratory and in situ on building
It is important that each person in related disciplines have prior work experience with
the masonry failure investigator, be familiar with masonry-related problems, and have a
record of accomplishment in joint efforts with the forensic engineer. Although several other
persons may assist the forensic engineer, that engineer alone should assume sole responsi-
bility for the investigation. On occasion, a client may wish to retain more than one forensic
engineer; if they are to cooperate, one should assume primary responsibility.