ABSTRACT
Examples from Life-Cycle and Forensic Engineering show that many problems related to performance of structures, can be avoided if deeper assessments are performed with regards to the conditions during the life-time of a structure. Experience has shown that structural performance depends on more factors than may be apparent in the conceptual phase of a project. Such specific factors should be included in particular design considerations which are not always well reflected in codes and standards. This paper relates to basic considerations with respect to the general context the structure of typical projects is expected to perform. The paper discusses aspects related to foundations, environment conditions, excavations, type of traffic, road and site configuration, occupancy in buildings, seismic performance and others, using examples from the author’s experience and some others known to the engineering community.
