The Forensic Structural Expert/Witness: Do You Have What It Takes?
Ever more structural failures make the news throughout the world. With the proliferation of failures, Forensic Structural Engineering is becoming a field of professional practice of expert consultants/witnesses in both the investigation and litigation of failures. This presentation provides an overview of the qualifications, roles, ethics, and scope of work of expert consultants/witnesses retained after failures of structures in the United States. Some examples from real cases will be used to illustrate the life of a forensic expert.
The typical process of forensic investigation of a failure, hence the activities of the expert consultant investigating the case, includes developing an investigation strategy, gathering facts and performing engineerin analyses.
An engineer’s success in this field is the result of the combination of many components in his or her background such as a good education in engineering; years of hands-on experience; comprehension of legal implications; good communication skills and a knack for problem solving.
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Cette conférence se tiendra en anglais.
Conférencier pour cet événement
Robert Ratay received his BS, MS and PhD degrees from the University of Massachusetts. His four decades of professional experience in structural engineering is divided equally between full-time design practice and combined teaching and consulting. He is currently a visiting professor at Columbia University, New York. His practice is focused on the investigation and analysis of structural failures.
He is the author of several publications and books on forensic engineering and temporary structures.