Case Studies – an Indispensable Source of Experience and Knowledge

Abstract

Owing to the peculiarities of the design environment that structural engineers have to face – an environment where prototypes are designed and erected without intensive and purposeful development and testing – case studies of failures and/or near misses are an indispensable source of experience and knowledge and form the basis for enhancing and updating the set of technical rules and regulations. By discussing actual and historic case studies, the development of the tools and methods of forensic engineering as well as of the findings from these for the design, erection, supervision, inspection and maintenance of civil engineering structures will be addressed. The interface problems, when different parties are involved, are highlighted, and the necessity of establishing a good and reliable co-ordination mechanism is carved out. Because of the increasing fragmentation of the design process, in combination with the use of complex software tools and inevitable pressure of time, often a comprehensive design review process is the last line of defence to avoid incidents due to minor lapses or serious misjudgements.