Review of Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook, Second Edition, by Robert T. Ratay, Editor

The first edition of the Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook, published in 2000, has been updated and expanded to reflect changes in codes and standards, new investigative tools and techniques, and the evolving role of the expert witness in dispute resolution. If your practice includes forensic engineering, this revised volume deserves a prominent place in your library. The Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook is a multiauthored text that assembles contributions by 26 leading authorities in the field. The contributions are skillfully organized and well coordinated by the editor, Robert Ratay, who is both a respected academician and a practitioner of forensic structural engineering. The comprehensive nature of the book is seen in its five major section titles: • The design and construction process; • Engineering response to failures; • Causes of failures; • Material specific forensic analysis; and • Professional practice and legal aspects. While this book will definitely appeal to engineers who are entering the field of forensic practice, it will also be useful to