Sensemaking perspective on infrastructure risk-related mental model development of windstorm loss prevention engineers. (15th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agnisarman, Sruthy; Madathil, Kapil Chalil; Khasawneh, Amro; Ponathil, Amal; Lopes, Snowil; Piratla, Kalyan; Gajjar, Dhaval
• Is Part Of: Journal of building engineering. Volume 52(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07-15
• Subjects: Loss prevention survey -- Sensemaking -- Qualitative research -- Interview; SA Situation Awareness -- SME Subject Matter Expert; Building -- Periodicals; 690.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104314
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-7102

Abstract

Abstract: Insurance loss prevention surveys, specifically windstorm loss prevention surveys, involve the process of investigating the potential damage to a building or structure as the result of extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes or tornados. Traditionally, the loss prevention survey process is subjective, depending on the skills of the engineer conducting it. This study investigated the sensemaking process of risk engineers while conducting a loss prevention survey with special focus on the factors influencing it. The data frame theory of sensemaking was used as the framework for this study. A total of 15–20 h of interview data were collected from windstorm risk engineers, and the data were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. The themes emerging from the data explained the sensemaking process of risk engineers, their process of making sense of contradictory information, the importance of the level of their experience, the internal and external biases influencing the inspection process, the difficulty in developing mental models and potential technology interventions. Recently, human in the loop systems such as drones have been used to improve the efficiency of windstorm loss prevention survey. The results from this study provide recommendations to guide the design of such systems to support the sensemaking process and situation awareness (SA) of the visual windstorm loss prevention survey. Highlights: Windstorm loss prevention survey involves identifying wind vulnerabilities of a building. Qualitative research exploring this process identified issues faced by risk engineers. Novice engineers find predicting the future state of an infrastructure system challenging. Developed a checklist to support this inspection process. Proposed recommendations to design interventions for risk engineers.