Abstract

Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. Its strong winds and rainfall intensity were responsible for significant damages to the infrastructure and to all types of construction in Puerto Rico. The hurricane and its effects have been intensively studied over the past three years. These studies include estimates of the gust speeds that the hurricane produced. These estimates appear to be lower than those expected for a hurricane of Maria’s category. The present study sets out to contribute to these estimates by analyzing the failures of elements of the transportation infrastructure, obtaining as a result that the gust speeds required to produce the analyzed failures were significantly higher than those of previous studies. This findings suggests that a review of the estimated gust speeds for Hurricane María is pertinent, which would make it possible to better interpret its effects. In turn, this could have an impact on the definition of relevant design speeds for Puerto Rico to design resilient systems under a future update of the building codes of the island.

Abstract

Structural failures are among the most complex challenges in engineering and construction, often resulting in significant safety, financial, and legal consequences. While the visible damage may be apparent, determining the underlying cause and establishing accountability requires far more than a technical inspection. It demands a structured forensic investigation that integrates engineering analysis with contractual interpretation and evidentiary principles.

This article explores the essential stages of forensic investigation from a techno-legal perspective, highlighting how technical evidence, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), root cause analysis, contemporaneous project records, and contractual obligations collectively contribute to establishing causation and liability. It emphasizes that while engineering identifies the mechanism of failure, a comprehensive techno-legal approach transforms technical findings into credible evidence capable of supporting dispute resolution, arbitration, litigation, and informed decision-making.

By bridging the disciplines of engineering and law, forensic investigations not only determine why structures fail but also promote accountability, enhance risk management, and contribute to safer and more resilient infrastructure.