Robert T. Ratay, Ph.D., P.E., is a highly regarded structural engineer and former university professor with an extensive background in both design and failure analysis. His nearly four decades of professional experience is divided almost equally between structural engineering practice, and combined teaching and consulting. Ratay worked with such prominent firms as Le Messurier Associates, Severud Associates, and HNTB. He was a Professor and Chairman of the Civil Engineering Department, then Dean of the School of Engineering at Pratt Institute, and a Professor at Polytechnic University (formerly Brooklyn Polytech). His current practice in forensic structural engineering is directed toward the investigation of structural and construction failures, providing expert consultant services to architects, engineers, contractors, owners, attorneys, insurance companies, and government agencies. Dr. Ratay is a Fellow of ASCE, has chaired several of its technical committees, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of its Structural Engineering Institute. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the authoritative Handbook of Temporary Structures in Construction published by McGraw-Hill.
