Beyond Failure: Forensic Case Studies for Civil Engineers

by Norbert J. Delatte

Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
ISBN: 0784409730

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Book Description

"Beyond Failure" presents the circumstances of important failures that have had wide-reaching impacts on civil engineering practice. Each case study narrates the known facts of the situation: design and construction, the failure, subsequent investigation or analysis, and, where appropriate, additional issues such as technical concerns, ethical considerations, professional practice issues, and long-term effects. The case studies are organized around eight common topics of undergraduate engineering courses, and each case study has teaching points and a reading list, so this book is useful to engineering faculty and their students. With more than 40 full cases, this book will also appeal to practicing engineers with an interest in forensic investigations or the analysis of historic failures.

About the Author

Norbert J. Delatte, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., is an associate professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of Cleveland State University and the editor of ASCE's Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice.

Customer Reviews

A valuable book for every student or graduate of Civil Engineering. It puts the "touch" on the small details that create a real tragedy. Well organized topics. Definitely a good work of Mr. Norbert J. Delatte.

Without a doubt, should be a required subject in schools.

I do not give 5 stars only because of the poor quality of the photographs.

Not only is this book an excellent study for Civil Engineers, all Engineers would benefit from reading this book to see how to express technical details in a very clear and concise fashion. In addition lessons learned are very valuable in the fact that at certain points the warnings were there but a person or persons were so adamant that the obvious signs were either overlooked or ignored. Ramming a project through is all well and good if you have the right team in place with all the What Ifs fully discussed and explored. A very valuable tool for any reader and particularly useful for accredited and non accredited Civil Engineers. As a professional Electrical,Mechanical and Civil Engineer I found this book refreshing, absorbing and instructive.