Geotechnical Engineering is a branch of Civil Engineering that deals with the behavior of earthen materials and how they interact with man-made elements such as foundations, and infrastructure.
The practice of forensic geotechnical engineering is the application of geotechnical engineering to answer questions pertaining to a conflict in the legal system.
Geotechnical engineers must apply science and engineering within the rules
and practice of the legal system In order for their work to be effective in representing reality.
Forensic Geotechnical Engineering involves analysis of a project, site conditions, or construction from a geotechnical standpoint. Analyses of failures connected with geotechnical and geological origin to improve professional practice, codes of analysis and design as well as practice. These analyses are performed to check the calculations and engineering assumptions during and/or after the construction of a project to provide quality assurance or address issues that arise during or after construction.
Common issues that may arise that a forensic geotechnical analysis can help with include:
For more readings on forensic geotechnical engineering:
Chapter Forensic Geotechnical Engineering Theory and Practice