Forensic Engineering

The broad experience that PZ&W engineers have gained in the design, erection and maintenance of a wide range of structures has enabled the company to offer a comprehensive forensic engineering service to Clients particularly in respect of tower and antenna problems.

Failures can be the result of one or more factors such as:

• material defects
• poor design
• misuse
• external damage
• poor installation
• vandalism

The objective of any investigation is to understand the causation of a problem or failure. This should be carried out by a competent structural engineer backed by the appropriate resources. The first step is to gather facts, initially from site but following this from measurement, testing and analysis. Only then can hypotheses be considered and either reinforced or refuted with the facts gathered thus leading to a conclusion.

Our engineers have been called in to investigate the cause of failures of structures and ancillary equipment both in the UK and overseas. Services range from an initial site visit and survey through detailed reports involving metallurgical studies to the design and implementation of remedial works. Should the investigation lead to litigation in the courts, then PZ&W can provide competent expert witnesses.