ISSMGE Bulletin – Volume 7 Issue 1-2 January-March 2013

MESSAGE FROM TC302

FORENSIC GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

Chair: Dr. V.V.S. RAO

Forensic analysis in geotechnical engineering involves scientific and legalistic investigations and deductions to detect the causes as well as the process of distress in a structure, which are attributed to geotechnical origin. Such a critical analysis will provide answers to “what went wrong, when, where, why, how, and by whom”. It also gives strong inputs to improve future designs and also assists in identifying the qualifications and expertise required for the staff. As forensic analysis is basically a back analysis based on failure observations, the normally adopted standard procedures of testing, analysis, design and construction are not adequate for the forensic analysis in majority of cases. The forensic geotechnical engineer (who is different than the expert witness) should be able to justify his conclusions in a court of law. Hence he has to be not only fully knowledge in his field of specialization including his communication skills, but should also be familiar with legal procedures.

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