scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis And Daubert Challenges To Prosthetic Fastener Failure

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger L. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Failure ◽  
Bolted Joint ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
The Past ◽  
Lower Case ◽  
Or Methodology ◽  
Legal Competence ◽  
Forensic Engineering

It Has Become Relatively Commonplace In Those Cases Where Trial Appears To Be Eminent That A Daubert Challenge Of An Expert Occurs. Once One Expert Is Challenged, It Is Not Unusual That All Experts On Both Sides Of The Docket Are Challenged. In The Past, Case Value Appeared To Be The Motivating Issue When Considering A Challenge Of An Experts Qualifications And/Or Methodology. The Challenge Is Now Being Utilized More Frequently In All Courts And At Lower Case Value Levels. If An Expert Testifies Frequently The Probability Of The Expert Being Restricted And/Or Struck Increases. Once Challenged, The Expert Is Dependent On His Client To Advise Him Of The Challenge As Well As The Grounds For The Challenge, To Assist In The Preparation Of An Affidavit And To Prepare For Testimony Before The Court. The Expert, Of Course, Is Totally Dependent Upon The Legal Competence Of His Client And The Fairness Of The Court. This Article Is Intended To Document The Forensic Analyses Of A Mechanical Failure Of A Bolted Joint In A Foot Prostheses. Although The Failure Was Relatively Fundamental From An Engineering Perspective, Multiple Daubert Challenges Of Both Qualifications And Methodology Complicated The Case.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis of a Failed ROPS

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Cowley
Keyword(s):  
Energy Absorption ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Center Of Gravity ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Liquid Manure ◽  
The Past ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Protective Structures ◽  
Current Standards

Agricultural, commercial, and some lawn and garden tractors have been known to tip and roll over. Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) are designed to assure seat-belted occupants can survive in a zone of clearance within the structure, during and following a roll-over event. Within the laboratory testing parameters established in the current standards, energy absorption is based on tractor mass alone, apart from any other forces that may be acting on the tractor. Current standards allow tractor manufacturers to determine the “reference mass” used for ROPS testing. Most manufacturers fail to include the mass of any attached implements. When implements remain attached to the tractor throughout the roll-over event, ROPS should still be designed to protect operators. In the past, tractors were mainly employed in soil-engaging or surface-grooming exercises. The center of gravity (CG) of these attached implements was relatively low. Today, however, tractors may tow larger, taller, and heavier implements with high CG on multiple axles, such as large liquid manure tank spreaders. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the physical issues associated with tractors towing high CG implements, such as geometrically tall, articulated steerable axle spreaders operating in sloped terrain that cause an ROPS to fail.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of A Contractor/Subcontractor Dispute

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
George R. Barbour
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Building Codes ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Market Forces ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
The Past ◽  
General Contractors ◽  
Forensic Engineering

Construction Defects And The Resulting Disputes Between Contractors And Their Various Subcontrac-Tors Are Not A Recent Concept. However, With The Proliferation Of Specialized Licensing Requirements, Building Codes, Regulations, And National Standards, Threshold Requirements For The Built Environment Are Now Significantly Better Defined Than In The Past. Market Forces Have Led Most General Contractors To Contract Out Most Of The Actual Work In Lieu Of Self-Performing. As A Result, Construction Dispute Claims Have Become More Common And Complex. The Forensic Engineer Must Consider Not Only The Technical Aspects Of A Claim But The Contractual And Regulatory Requirements As Well, When Tasked With Distributing Culpability Between The Various Parties. The Purpose Of This Article Is To Examine The Component Of The Dispute Between The Contractor And Subcontractor With Specific Focus On The Regulatory And Contractual Requirements.

scholarly journals Cautionary Aspects of Applied Probabilistics

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Annis
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
The Past ◽  
Statistical Assumptions ◽  
Probability Densities ◽  
Statistical Results ◽  
Computing Capacity

Abstract The idea of probabilistic engineering analysis — replacing fixed values for important parameters with their probability densities — seems almost self-evident. With the arrival of increasingly inexpensive computing capacity the past decade has witnessed a great proliferation of such analysis. Regrettably, however, much of this is unwittingly constructed on untenable statistical premises. Engineers, sure of their subsequent logic, can arrive at grossly erroneous conclusions, not always because their engineering is flawed, but because they relied on statistical assumptions that do not hold in their situation, or overlooked statistical results that do.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Alleged Property Damage From Construction Vibrations

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.S. Sax Saxena ◽  
Saxena Anu
Keyword(s):  
Case History ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Pile Driving ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Eye Examination ◽  
Florida Panhandle ◽  
Subsurface Treatment

The Influence Of Construction And Pile Driving Vibrations On Surrounding Buildings, Including Hospitals And Eye Examination Facilities, Sensitive Devices Such As Computers And Surgical Microscopes Or Electronic Machines, And People In The Urban Environment Is A Significant Consideration In Obtaining Project Approvals From Appropriate Agencies And Authorities. Implementation Of Construction Projects In Areas Adjacent To Existing Buildings (Aged, Historical, Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Medical Services, Or Electronic Services) Creates Additional Difficulties. Specialized Case History Is Presented Where Damage To Sensitive Structures From A Variety Of Vibratory Construction Methods Ranging From Pile Driving, Highway Construction, Rock Excavation And/Or Blasting, Was Considered. Twenty Homeowners From A Residential Subdivision In The Florida Panhandle, Claimed Damage Including Cracking To Their Properties During Construction Of Various Portions Of City Storm Water Treatment/Enhancement Project. It Was Also Alleged That During Excavation And Construction Of Drainage Structures, Especially Four Subsurface Treatment Vaults That Required Installation And Extraction Of Sheet Piles Using Vibratory Hammer, Stability Of The Nearby Residential Structures Was Endangered And Resulted In Movement/Cracking. Forensic Engineering Analysis Was Effectively Utilized To Identify, Investigate, And Remediate The Concerns As Well As Assist In Litigation And In Some Cases Avoidance. This Technical Paper Presents Some Legal Issues Related To Litigation, Mediation, And Resolution Involving Jurisprudence System And Introduces A Case History That Includes All Elements Of Forensic Engineering.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Lightning Strikes And Surge Related Losses

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis E. Falany
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Electronic Circuits ◽  
Lightning Strikes ◽  
Structure Damage ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Living Organisms

Lightning Is A Powerful And Dangerous Natural Force. It Is Capable Of Inflicting Significant Damage To Our Environment And Causing Injury Or Death In Living Organisms. Electrical And Electronic Circuits Are Particularly Susceptible To Lightning, Both From Direct Strikes And From Lightning Induced Electrical Surges. Fires Often Result From Lightning Strikes. Injury And Death Can Result From Both Direct Strikes, Lightning Induced Electrical Surges, And Indirectly From Structure Damage And Fires. The Insurance In-Dustry Offers Coverage For Lighting Related Losses And A Forensic Engineer Is Often Consulted To Assist In Adjusting The Claim.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis of Dynamic Forces Created by Pedestrians Impacting Plate Glass at Different Speeds

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kravitz
Keyword(s):  
Impact Load ◽  
Building Code ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Glass Panel ◽  
Impact Speed ◽  
Dynamic Forces ◽  
Exit Door ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Pedestrian Impact ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the effect of a pedestrian inadvertently impacting a glass panel adjacent to a glass exit door. The glass panel was full length and unmarked, violating the local building code and building commissioner directives. The defense argued that the old building code, to which the college building was constructed, was “grandfathered” and there was no violation. Initial witness and plaintiff statements indicated that the plaintiff was running when he struck the panel, which shattered and caused the plaintiff to incur injuries. The plaintiff testified later, in deposition, that he was walking when he struck the glass. The court needed to establish liability percentage, which is common in civil cases, and it was necessary to determine at what pedestrian impact speed the glass panel would break. The analysis used Timoshenko’s theory of vibration plates, Roark’s stress strain formulas, ergonomics, and human factors to estimate the impact load and stresses on the glass panel that caused failure.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document