Andrei Petrov

Structural engineer and building forensics expert who investigates why structures fail. Spent 10 years at Thornton Tomasetti before opening his own forensic engineering practice in Boston. Has investigated over 200 structural failures — collapsed parking garages, cracked high-rises, bridges with hidden fatigue damage. Born in Bucharest, studied civil engineering at MIT. His investigation of a condo collapse in Florida was cited in the subsequent legislation requiring structural recertification. Writes about structural engineering, building safety, why concrete deteriorates, the hidden crisis of aging infrastructure, and what the engineering profession gets wrong about risk communication. Known for his 'Anatomy of a Collapse' series that walks non-engineers through famous structural failures using diagrams anyone can understand. Thinks every building owner should know the age of their concrete. Plays chess by mail and restores vintage structural engineering textbooks.