Editor’s Note

In my previous editor’s note (March/April issue), I reported on the International Conference on Forensic Engineering held in Mumbai, India, December 6–9, 2007, and the planned establishment of a new Forensic Engineering Council of India. At this writing, I am in the Republic of Ireland attending a Forensic Engineering Colloquium hosted by the University of Limerick. These events follow a successful International Symposium on Forensic Engineering in Taipei, Taiwan (January 2007).

The Fourth International Conference on Forensic Engineering organized by the U.K.-based Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and cosponsored by ASCE is planned for December 3–6, 2008, in London. Previous ICE conferences were held in 1999, 2002, and 2005. A Forensic Engineering Conference is also planned in Spain in December 2008. The ASCE Technical Council on Forensic Engineering (ASCE/TCFE) will host the Fifth International Forensic Engineering Congress in Washington, D.C., in November 2009. ASCE/TCFE congresses have been held every three years, beginning in 1997.

It is truly gratifying to see the growing international influence of the forensic engineering community. I have attended nearly all these events, as well as earlier ones in the Czech Republic (hosted by the Czech Chamber of Forensic Engineers) and Italy. At every forum, discussion has focused on the critical role of forensic engineering in contributing to improved design and construction practices throughout the world. The opportunities for international collaboration have never been more available, and our combined efforts promise to affect the safety and quality of the global built environment. This Journal will continue to serve as a forum for publicizing planned international forensic engineering activities.

Last year a call for papers was announced in preparation for a Special Topic Issue, Assessment and Evaluation of Existing Structures by Means of In Situ Load Testing and Structural Monitoring. The response has been outstanding, attracting many high-quality manuscripts. Guest Editor Gustavo Tumialan has been assisting me with solicitation and review management for the submitted manuscripts. Reviews have been completed on a sufficient number of manuscripts, such that our first special topic issue on this subject will be published in July/August.

However, we continue to seek manuscripts on this topic. Several manuscripts are still working their way through the review process, and we are aware of others still in preparation. We plan to collect these manuscripts as they become ready for publication as future special topic issues or special topic sections. The sustainability of the infrastructure depends on effective monitoring of already-constructed works. Forensic engineers possess the tools and the skills for competent performance of this important work.

Should you wish to discuss a potential case history manuscript involving in situ load testing, monitoring of existing facilities, or any other relevant topic, please feel free to contact me by mail: Kenneth L. Carper, School of Architecture and Construction Management, College of Engineering and Architecture, P.O. Box 642220, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164–2220; by phone: (509) 335-1229; by Fax: (509) 335-6132; or by e-mail: [email protected]