What do we do after a structure fails? Often, we go to court. Courts cannot make bereaved families, or those injured, whole. They cannot repair damaged structures. But they can go some way to making right some of the harms suffered.

Forensic engineers, or building pathologists, are often called on to offer expert witness testimony in these cases. James Cohen has studied many building failures. With Arup, he wrote a report that analysed the complex causes of a multiple fatality tower crane collapse in New York.

Reports like this can help engineers, policymakers, and regulators, understand and learn from failures. But, Cohen says, building pathologist’s insights are often hidden, rather than shared.  He calls on forensic engineers to act as truth tellers, not just advocates for their client’s interests. He says we should share insights not just from failures, but on near misses. And, he thinks more contracts should be structured so that parties share an interest in a project’s success or failure.

Guest

James Cohen