Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook - Hardcover

Ratay, Robert

9780070526679: Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0070526672 ISBN 13: 9780070526679

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2000

Begin a lucrative career as a forensic structural engineer Looking into the causes of structural deficiencies and failures of buildings, bridges, and other constructed facilities, rendering opinions, and testifying in judicial proceedings, has become a field of professional practice all its own. Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook, edited by Robert T. Ratay, tells you how to become proficient in this area, providing you with procedures, lists of what to watch out for, how to deal with clients, and more. In this only comprehensive guide to the subject, well-known experts explain everything you need to know, from design and construction codes, standards and regulations and technical and legal steps, to engineering analysis of structural defects and failures in steel, concrete, timber and masonry structures, stone and precast cladding, foundations and retaining walls, and temporary structures.

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From the Back Cover:

The investigation of structural/construction failures is a segment of engineering that has come into its own. Yet no book has delivered day-to-day, practical guidance on how to practice forensic engineering until now. Contributed by leading experts in the field, and edited by Robert T. Ratay, Ph.D., P.E., noted structural engineering educator and consultant, this definitive handbook is a comprehensive treatment of the subject of forensic structural engineering and expert witnessing. Page after page, it supplies all the information you need to launch, expand, and enhance a career in forensic structural engineering. From exploring the possible origins of errors, through investigating and analyzing failures, to working with the legal profession for assigning responsibilities, the Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook thoroughly covers every important topic in the field. Look inside for expert guidance on: the design-construction process; entering the forensic structural engineering profession; conducting failure investigations; design and construction codes, standards, regulations, and practices; standard of care; nature and consequences of loads and hazards; critical characteristics of, and common faults and failures in, steel, concrete, masonry, timber, and temporary structures, building cladding, foundations and retaining walls, and more; working with attorneys, rendering opinions, and giving testimony in judicial proceedings; assisting in resolution of claims; and client relations and professional development. Whether you're a structural, geotechnical, civil, or construction engineer, contractor, attorney, insurance or other professional, this sourcebook is where a successful career in forensic engineering begins.

About the Author:

Robert T. Ratay, Ph.D., P.E., is a highly regarded structural engineer and former university professor with an extensive background in both design and failure analysis. His nearly four decades of professional experience is divided almost equally between structural engineering practice, and combined teaching and consulting. Ratay worked with such prominent firms as Le Messurier Associates, Severud Associates, and HNTB. He was a Professor and Chairman of the Civil Engineering Department, then Dean of the School of Engineering at Pratt Institute, and a Professor at Polytechnic University (formerly Brooklyn Polytech). His current practice in forensic structural engineering is directed toward the investigation of structural and construction failures, providing expert consultant services to architects, engineers, contractors, owners, attorneys, insurance companies, and government agencies. Dr. Ratay is a Fellow of ASCE, has chaired several of its technical committees, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of its Structural Engineering Institute. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the authoritative Handbook of Temporary Structures in Construction published by McGraw-Hill.

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