The objective of this two-hour presentation is to assist licensed structural design professionals, architects, and general contractors in understanding the most common causes of structural failures and construction defects, The course also addresses various aspects of the forensic structural engineering process with respect to the following;

1. Structural engineering design errors,
2. Defective construction,
3. Material deficiencies,
4. Excessive loadings,
5. Deterioration and degradation “Acts of God”,
6. Documenting the failure,
7. Preservation of evidence as relates to the chain of custody,
8. Conducting investigation and research,
9. Field protocols and tests,
10. Determining causation and responsibility,
11. Learning from structural failures.

Case Studies: This course will cover the following forensic investigation case studies;

1. An LAX jet bridge failure,
2. A commercial roof failure due to improper loading of photovoltaic systems,
3. A Masonry Block/CMU retaining wall failure,
4. A residential roof failure due to improper loading of photovoltaic systems,
5. And many more.

Date: Wednesday April 9, 2025 .  2 - 4 pm ET

Credits: 2 PDH Units

Learning Objectives

At the successful conclusion of this Webinar, you’ll be able to identify and discuss:

• Exploring common sources of deficiencies and failures in a structure,
• Common legal issues related to structural failures,
• Forensic engineering process, including investigation, research, and determination of causality,
• Building’s general structural engineering issues

Special Webinar Instructions After payment, please visit this webinar page, click “Start Course” and fill out the Webinar Registration Form.  You’ll receive email notification and details on how to join the webinar.  You will then be able to access the webinar slides, test your system and receive webinar reminders.  After completing the webinar requirements, your certificate of completion will be saved and available for download in your profile. We value your feedback! Please rate this webinar after completion.

Group Discounts Available

Instructor’s Bio: As an arbitrator, structural and civil engineer, educator, and expert forensic consultant with over four decades of experience, Casey Hemmatyar has provided extensive expert services to defense and plaintiff attorneys on numerous construction litigation matters throughout the United States and Canada. The U.S. government, law firms, and insurance carriers at both the state and federal levels have retained him as an expert engineer in approximately 200 litigation matters involving single and class-action legal cases, working with both plaintiff and defendant sides. A partial list of litigation cases is available upon request. His understanding of core engineering and legal concepts has enabled him to effectively assist a wide range of clients. He brings diverse experience in structural and civil engineering design, as well as forensic engineering, investigation, and evaluation. He also conducts research, has assisted in the development of building codes and standards, and has supervised the construction of domestic and international projects. His experience encompasses special structures, new buildings, as well as modifications, alterations, seismic and hurricane retrofits, and upgrades to existing structures. He has provided failure analysis, expert consultation, structural forensic investigation, and damage assessment services for numerous litigation and insurance-related matters. He actively presents continuing education lectures to audiences of licensed engineers, architects, and general contractors on topics of structural and forensic engineering throughout North America. Mr. Hemmatyar has been the principal structural engineer on projects for clients such as NASA and several other high-profile agencies. Currently, he directs PSFEG and has served as Director for SEAOSC from 2011 to 2013. His work encompasses a diverse range of structures, including hospitals, educational institutions (including schools and universities), telecommunications centers, aviation facilities, government buildings, laboratories, as well as commercial, industrial, and residential structures. He is versed in the structural design of concrete, steel, timber/wood, masonry, aluminum, glass, light-gage steel, and other construction materials. His work experience encompasses performance-based design, seismic hazard evaluation, and mitigation methods, as well as the preparation of reports evaluating essential structures, including hospitals and emergency facilities. He has been interviewed by public media, including the History Channel (in a documentary episode titled “Collapse of Ancient Structures”) and Reuters (following the Mexico City school collapse).