Forensic engineering

Cost-benefit analysis as a strategic tool in Project Management

In the construction sector, characterized by high technical complexity, a dense regulatory network, and significant economic investments, projects and completed works do not always proceed as expected. Construction defects, functional failures, premature deterioration, and, in more severe cases, structural collapses or safety issues require a thorough analysis of the causes. In this context, forensic engineering is positioned as a technical and scientific discipline that applies engineering principles to investigate, understand, and explain adverse events or anomalies in civil, infrastructural, and plant works.

Forensic engineering does not merely reconstruct responsibilities in the legal field but represents a fundamental support for prevention, risk management, and the continuous improvement of design and construction practices. Through analytical methodologies, experimental tests, and advanced digital tools, it allows for identifying the causes of a problem, establishing correlations between design errors, execution defects, maintenance deficiencies, or environmental factors, and proposing effective technical solutions.

Investigation methodologies and tools

Forensic engineering combines traditional methods and innovative technologies to ensure accuracy and reliability:

On-site investigations: inspections, visual surveys, endoscopies, tests, and core drilling.
Non-destructive testing (NDT): ultrasound, thermography, flat jack tests, ground-penetrating radar (GPR).
Laboratory analysis: chemical-physical tests on material samples to verify resistance, composition, and durability.
Numerical modeling FEM (Finite Element Method): advanced simulations to evaluate structural behavior under complex loads.
Digital instrumentation: IoT sensors, dynamic monitoring, 3D laser scanners, and drones for high-precision data acquisition.
Building Information Modeling (BIM): digital reconstruction of the work to analyze discrepancies and simulate degradation scenarios.

Applications of forensic engineering

Forensic engineering finds application in various areas of the construction sector:

1. Structural investigations

Analysis of collapses, subsidence, or abnormal deformations of buildings and infrastructure.
Verification of material resistance and the adequacy of adopted design solutions.
Numerical modeling to simulate static and dynamic loads, including seismic events.

2. Building pathologies and material degradation

Study of corrosion, carbonation, and reinforcement degradation phenomena in reinforced concrete.
Analysis of cracking and degradation processes in stone, ceramic, or composite materials.
Identification of defects in waterproofing or insulation systems.

3. Plant failures

Investigations into malfunctions of electrical, thermal, or plumbing systems.
Analysis of the causes of fires, short circuits, or energy inefficiencies.
Verification of compliance of systems with technical and regulatory standards.

4. Safety and prevention

Post-event evaluations following fires, explosions, floods, or extreme weather events.
Analysis of adapted safety measures and verification of their effectiveness.
Support in defining improvement plans and risk mitigation strategies.

5. Legal support and litigation

Preparation of technical reports for civil and criminal cases.
Estimation of economic damages resulting from defects or failures.
Collaboration with courts, insurance companies, and law firms to provide objective and scientific evidence.

Integration with project management and sustainability

Forensic engineering should not be understood as a discipline to be activated exclusively in case of failures or disputes, but as an integrated component of project management processes and building sustainability systems:

During the design phase, data from previous forensic investigations contribute to preventing errors and choosing more resilient solutions.
During execution, forensic monitoring allows for verifying the quality of materials and construction techniques.
In the management of the work, periodic investigations become tools for predictive maintenance, with economic and environmental benefits.

Benefits of forensic engineering

The application of forensic engineering generates concrete advantages both in problem resolution and as a prevention tool:

1. Technical and legal clarity

Objective identification of the causes of a failure or defect.
Provision of documented and verifiable evidence for legal or insurance proceedings.

2. Prevention of future events

The analyses conducted allow for developing guidelines to improve design, construction, and maintenance.
Sharing evidence for regulatory updates.

3. Economic optimization

Reduction of costs related to disputes and untargeted repairs.
Better planning of preventive maintenance activities.

4. Protection of safety and sustainability

Greater protection of users and communities through risk reduction.
Extension of the lifespan of works, with consequent reduction of environmental impact.

Forensic engineering represents a discipline of high strategic value in the construction field. It allows not only for reconstructing damaging events and attributing responsibilities but, above all, for transforming criticalities into opportunities for improvement, enriching the sector’s technical and regulatory knowledge base.

Through advanced scientific tools and an interdisciplinary approach, forensic engineering ensures concrete solutions for resolving failures and defects, safeguarding safety, optimizing costs, and long-term sustainability.

In a sector where the quality and reliability of works have direct impacts on the economy, society, and environment, forensic engineering becomes an essential element to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability.