Forensic Engineering Applied to Construction

The nature of construction involves the integration of many disciplines and trades with essential coordination of their various contributions to the finished product. Buildings are often most vulnerable to failure during the construction phase when accidents causing collapse or personal injury are all too frequent. Inevitably the complexities of the construction process result in disagreements between the various parties involved including owners, architects, contractors, engineers and material suppliers. Many of these disputes fall under the general heading of Standards of Care and encompass such items as punctuality, competency and quality of work.

Effective dispute resolution requires impartial and concise technical evaluations of the merits of a particular case. Aspects including assessing the engineering facts, interpreting them and apportioning fault can only be addressed effectively by a forensic engineer experienced in the investigation and analysis of similar problems. As only a very small proportion of cases ends up in court, the work product of the forensic engineer must be of value in the promotion of settlement. However, for those disputes which do go to trial it is necessary for the engineer to be able to present evidence in a positive and articulate manner.

A credible forensic engineer should deserve a reputation for objective and unbiased presentation of both background material and the results of both investigation and analysis, whether for plaintiff or defendant. Nowhere are these attributes more effective than in construction related cases where many people believe they possess at least a modicum of experience but where almost all cases prevail as a result of exhaustive examination, accurate analysis and expert opinion.