Structural failures usually cause so much destruction that it is pretty tough to find the reason behind it. But an experienced forensic structural engineer can determine the cause by his tactics in an investigation.
Forensic structural engineers determine the origin and cause of structural failures due to fire, explosion, wind, etc. As this is the era of technology, more developments in buildings are quite normal. But the structures of these buildings are often weak and not according to the plan of the architectures, so structure failures often occur in these buildings and responsibilities of the forensic structural engineers come with it.
Qualification of a forensic structural engineer
A forensic structural engineer needs a lot of qualifications to succeed in this field. They need a good academic education in this field, years of experience, research work in design and construction, the process of the construction of the buildings, etc. they need a high level of intellectual and intelligence to be a forensic structural engineer. A forensic structural engineer needs to know the tactics of the investigation and the twists of law in case they have to give testimony in the court or investigate a witness.
How they work
The structural engineers investigate the failed structure with the latest techniques and types of machinery to find out the cause of the failure. They progress in a pre-planned way so that they can put together the whole picture of the incident and determine the reason behind it. If there is any witness, they investigate them and give testimony in the court if required. They analyze the existing disaster thoroughly so that they can reduce the next destruction of the structural level to the minimum level. The purpose of the forensic structural engineers is not only to investigate and provide the necessary support in the field of structural failure but also to take a lesson from the previous investigations and take enough precaution to reduce the next destruction level as much as possible.
Other services in this sector
Forensic structural engineering provides not only one service but several services in this one sector. The engineers analyze failures of all commercial, residential and industrial structures and provide facilities to repair them. They provide assistance to earn LEED points by providing eco-friendly repair to the buildings. They also provide studies in lighting so that any structural damage caused by lightning can be determined and repaired by them. They also provide structural condition assessments, moisture management, etc.
Professional practice
In recent years, forensic structural engineering has become one of the most demanding jobs for the unplanned and insecure structure of the buildings. The structural failures are occurring more rapidly nowadays than ever and require forensic structural engineers to investigate and repair the buildings. For this rapid uprising in structural destruction, several countries and their governments are opening more opportunities for forensic structural engineers to reduce this rate.
Final words
Any structural failure can cause a disaster and massive destructive consequence. A good of construction can prevent this disaster. But if the structural failure has occurred, it is the forensic structural engineers who provide the required repairs.