Learning from Construction Failures

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. This book has been written by a number of distinguished international experts, and considers numerous facets of what has become termed by many forensic engineering. It covers the spectrum of this discipline with chapters on: risk assessment and management; aspects of the law and construction insurance; limiting the incidence of failures; how failures have been investigated; and remedial works carried out. Numerous case studies and examples from across the world cover not only modern buildings, structures and elements, but some buildings that can truly be described as historic. The spread and depth of topics covered is remarkable and illustrates the importance of this subject in modern engineering and design.