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Forensic Structural Engineering – CSI for Engineers

Presentation/Lecture
DUMMY Hörsaal

The Forensic Structural Engineering course in the Master's degree programme in Engineering and Construction takes place every Thursday in the large lecture hall in the main building of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. It offers insights into fascinating cases of damage and investigations – a kind of CSI for engineers.

As part of the event in the Master's degree programme in Ing•Bau: Preservation and Construction Work in Structural Engineering (MSc), renowned speakers from Germany and abroad will present their work alongside Prof. Seidl and Prof. Gleich.

The lectures are not only technically exciting, but also a rare opportunity to get to know recognised experts in the field of damage investigations. Although participation is reserved for Master's students, we strongly recommend that Bachelor's students attend as well. As it is not certain whether the speakers will be available again next year, you should not miss this opportunity!

In addition to the lectures, further events take place on Thursdays (approx. fortnightly) between 10:15 – 11:45 am under the direction of Prof. Gleich or Prof. Seidl in House 1 (Room 1/1.12).

Target audience: University members Lecturers Employees Students

11/04/2024, 10.15 am – 10.45 am

Short Event

Prof. Gleich / Prof. Seidl with a short event on organisational matters for students on the Master's degree course Ing•Bau. Participation in these additional events is essential for all those who wish to take an examination in this module.

Location: House 1
Room: 1.12

11/04/2024, 12.15 pm – 1.45 pm

Optical Building Forensics

Prof. Dr. Andreas Rapp (Leibniz Universität Hannover) on the topic of optical building forensics – basics and application examples

18/04/2024, 12.15 pm – 1.45 pm

Forensic Engineering

Prof. Dr. Robert Hertle (TU Munich) on the topic of forensic engineering

25/04/2024, 12.15 pm – 1.45 pm

Collapse of Tower-Like Structures

Dr. Andreas Harling (Constructure GmbH, Dortmund) on the subject of collapses of tower-like structures

02/05/2024, 12.15 pm – 1.45 pm

CROSS

BEng MSc CEng MIStructE Paul Livesey (CROSS-UK, London) on the subject of CROSS

30/05/2024, 12.15 pm – 1.45 pm

Assessment of Structural Damage

Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Plaetschke (P.J. Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Neuenhagen) on the subject of appraisal of building damage for insurance companies

06/06/2024, 12.15 pm – 1.45 pm

Basics of the Court Expert Activity

Dr. Katrin Seidel (presiding judge at Kiel Regional Court) on topics including the basics of court expert work, rules of conduct for experts in court and the rights and obligations of experts

13/06/2024, 12.15 pm – 1.45 pm

Expert Factual Findings

Wolfgang Grossam (presiding judge at Hamburg Regional Court) on topics including expert fact-finding, the hallmarks of good written expert reports and good presentations in court, and tips for conducting on-site appointments

20/06/2024, 10.15 am – 2.15 pm

Damage to an Industrial Chimney

10:15 a.m.: Dipl.-Ing. Holger Lesczinski (Breddermann + Partner, Bochum) on the topic of Severe damage to an industrial chimney – Targeted calculation analyses to determine the causes of damage and remaining load-bearing reserves

12:15 a.m.: Dipl.-Ing. Martin Breddermann (Breddermann + Partner, Bochum) on the topic of analysing atypical crack patterns on an industrial chimney - theoretical background and practical investigations

27/06/2024, 12.15 pm – 1.45 pm

Collapse of the Champlain Towers

Ph.D. P.E. Matthew Fadden (Wiss Janney Elstner Associates Inc. USA, Fort Lauderdale) on the Collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium building in Surfside, Miami, Florida

Contact

Professor for Solid Construction
Head of Construction Laboratory for Structural Engineering (BKI)