Author(s)

F. Palmisano, A. Vitone

Abstract

The partial collapse of the so-called ‘Palazzo Edilizia’, which occurred in Salerno (Italy) on the night of June 15, 2007, is a meaningful case since it has revealed that ‘hidden’ structural defects can be the cause of ruinous and apparently unpredictable failures. The paper presents the investigations carried out by the technical consultants of the Criminal Investigate Magistrate. The purpose of the investigations was not only to determine the causes of such unexpected failure but also to give the Investigate Magistrate sufficient data in order to identify the parties responsible.

Keywords

masonry, buildings, failures, assessment, forensic engineering