Learning from Collapse: Forensic Lessons from the Field

In this session, forensic structural engineer Peter Marxhausen, M.S., P.E., F.SEI, draws from his 30-year career of investigating building collapses to present ten real-world case studies. Each case study will highlight technical insights, legal implications, and preventable errors. Anchored by a detailed structural failure of an unoccupied alpine cabin that collapsed under snow loads despite being properly designed, the presentation explores broader themes of design assumptions, construction-phase vulnerabilities, inspection gaps, improper maintenance, and communication breakdowns. Attendees will examine how structural engineers are viewed by attorneys, insurers, and courts in determining liability. These conversations often involve questions of whether to sue an engineer and what basis. With each case, the audience will reflect on how their role as engineer, advisor, or expert can better anticipate, mitigate, or defend against failure. While structural collapses captivate public curiosity, the underlying driver for many professionals is simpler: avoid causing damage, avoid becoming a defendant, and avoid being sued.

Speaker:

Peter Marxhausen, M.S., P.E., F.SEI, is a forensic structural engineer, expert witness, and Senior Instructor at the University of Colorado Denver. He is the Director of Forensic Engineering at dux Forensics, LLC, where he leads complex investigations into building collapses, structural failures, and construction defects across the Rocky Mountain region. Over the past two decades, Peter has designed repairs for thousands of structures and provided expert testimony in dozens of legal matters, including high-profile collapse cases. He is a Fellow of the Structural Engineering Institute, recipient of the ACEC President’s Award, and an active leader within SEAC and other professional societies.

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Webinar Cancellation

By NCSEA: If a webinar is canceled by NCSEA, all registered attendees will be notified via email. NCSEA will issue a full refund if the event cannot be rescheduled. If the event is rescheduled and a registrant can not attend on the rescheduled date, NCSEA will offer a credit in the amount of the purchase price.

By Registrant/Attendee: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the webinar (or the first webinar in the case of a series or bundle) and in writing via email (ncsea@ncsea.com) with the subject line “NCSEA Webinar Cancellation” and include the following in the body of the email: Title of Webinar, Order/Invoice Number, Name of Registrant, and Reason for Cancellation. No telephone refund requests will be accepted.

If the request has been approved, NCSEA can do one of the following:

• Refund the amount back to the original order payment method (a $25 cancellation processing fee will be assessed)

• Issue a full credit on the purchaser’s account that can be used towards a future webinar/event.

If you are unable to attend the webinar and the cancellation deadline has passed, a recording will be available (in most cases) in the Education Portal after the webinar has concluded.
Refunds are not granted due to attendee technology issues. It is your responsibility as the webinar attendee to test your computer setup prior to the start of the webinar.

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