Repair Recommendations after a Forensic Investigation

Improper structural repairs can lead to future failures and building code requirements can impact the repair scope. It is important for a Forensic Engineer to be able to provide clear and practical recommendations for repairs, even if not responsible for the final design. One case study includes a failure analysis of an improperly repaired wood roof truss, which failed under moderate snow loading. A review of available weather data, on-site observations, and an analysis of the as-built repaired condition was performed. It was determined the design intent of the repairs was incorrect and repairs should not have been attempted due to the extent of previous damage. Furthermore, the repairs that were attempted imposed additional loads to the truss members which they were not designed to withstand. This paper will provide general guidance to determine the cause of a failure and an approach to provide repair recommendations, with supporting case studies. This includes an accurate determination as to the extent of damage and application of relevant building codes, including the International Existing Building Code (IEBC).