Learning from construction failures: applied forensic engineering

In the developed world the design and construction of all aspects of the built environment are regulated by rules and procedures which help prevent failures. When compared to the volume of construction undertaken, the number of failures of buildings and other structures is thankfully small. However, this reality is not reflected on a global basis. Failures do occur, some making headline news, and for a variety of reasons. As such information about failures is vital to make construction even safer.

The historical setting : Forensic engineering, the perspective from N. America / Kenneth L. Carper -- Learning from history / Lawrance Hurst -- Some lessons from the past / Poul Beckmann -- Applications of principles : Propping up Pisa / John Burland -- Applying lessons from failures to management and design / Jonathan G.M. Wood -- Learning from failures / J.C. Chapman -- Insurance and legal perspectives : Risk management from the lawyer's point of view / Diana Holtham -- Risk management from the lawyer's point of view, comments on US practice / Robert A. Rubin and Dana Wordes -- The technical investigation of failure, a marine industry perspective / J.S. Carlton and J.R. Maguire -- The role of risk assessment in failure investigations / S.B. Tietz -- Examples and case studies : Failures and vulnerabilities of reservoir control structures / Jack Lewin -- Diverse engineering failures / Alexander Kennaway -- Reinforced aircrete slabs / Satish Desai -- Lessons learned from the Oklahoma City Bombing / W. Gene Corley -- Failures of masts and towers / Brian W. Smith -- Precast concrete cladding and structural integrity / J.N.J.A. Vambersky and R. Sagel.