Structural failure analysis is the process of investigating the causes of structural failures, including collapses, significant deformations, or other problems, to identify the root causes and prevent future occurrences. It's a crucial field related to structural engineering that helps engineers learn from past mistakes, improve designs, and potentially mitigate against legal and insurance issues.
While structures are designed to withstand a certain amount of fatigue and loading, failures can occur for a number of reasons, including deliberate property damage. Although structural design and construction regulations can prevent certain types of structural damage, a structural analysis will help pinpoint the exact reasons for a failure. This type of forensic engineering analysis is particularly important where there are costs incurred or even loss of life.
A finite element method can help to break down more complex problems into smaller, more manageable chunks, while existing case studies can also be examined for similarities, depending on the type of failure.
Structures should be designed using materials, such as reinforced concrete, and methods that are aligned with codes and standards, although these may differ according to use and location. For example, in the United States there are no set federal building codes as building codes are primarily established and enforced at the state and local levels.
Key Aspects of Structural Failure Analysis
The key aspects of structural failure analysis are similar to those used in all failure investigations:
- Identifying Root Causes: This will determine why a structure failed – whether it was due to material defects, design flaws, construction errors, environmental factors, or a combination of several causes together.
- Forensic Investigation: This involves a more in-depth examination of the site, materials, and construction methods, to work out the chain of events that led to the failure.
- Improving Designs and Practices: It is important to learn from any failures, as lessons learned from failure analysis can lead to better design approaches, construction techniques, structural integrity management, and maintenance strategies.
- Legal and Insurance Implications: Of course, a failure could lead to legal proceedings, insurance claims, and liability assessments. A structural failure analysis will play an important role in these should they arise.
Common Causes of Structural Failure
Although structures can fail for a variety of reasons, here are some of the more common causes:
- Design Flaws: Poor material selection, errors in calculations or the inadequate consideration of loads can all be a cause of structural failure.
- Construction Defects: Poor workmanship and deviations from the design can lead to potential problems with a structure.
- Material Failures: Defects such as cracks or corrosion can weaken a structure over time and cause it to fail.
- Environmental Factors: Extreme weather conditions, earthquakes, and floods are all examples of environmental factors that can lead to a failure.
- Human Error: Human mistakes from the planning and design phases right through to construction and inspection can all be a cause of failure.
Structural Failure Analysis at TWI
Whatever the nature of the structural failure, we have the capability and experience to respond quickly and carry out a conclusive investigation into what went wrong.
There are often many possible reasons behind a structural failure, meaning that the cause and mechanisms of failure can only be determined with the right combination of analytical equipment and experienced engineers. As such, we can assemble a team of engineers tailored precisely to the nature of the material, application and service conditions, to identify the cause and recommend appropriate steps to minimise the risk of a reoccurrence.
Structural failure analysis is not only a vital process for ensuring the safety and reliability of structures, but also promotes continuous improvement in engineering practices, and mitigates against future potential risks.