scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Codes Causative Of Building Envelope Failures

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Jillson
Keyword(s):  
Building Envelope ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
General Contractor ◽  
Forensic Engineering

Moisture Intrusion And Accumulation In The Building Envelope Causes Conditions Of Deterioration Including Development Of Mold Which Form The Basis Of Numerous Lawsuits. The Causes Of Intrusion Of Moisture/Water Into The Envelope Relate To Materials And Construction Methods Which In Turn May Relate To One Or Multiple Subcontractors Or Suppliers On A Project. Any Of The Contractors, Subcontractors, Suppliers Or Product Manufacturers May And Commonly Are Parties In Complex Litigations Involving Damage In The Building Envelope. The Involved Parties Commonly Include The General Contractor, Architect, Engineers, Masonry Subcontractors, Hvac Subcontractor, Window Manufacturer, Window Vendor, Framer/Window Installer, Roofer, Siding Subcontractor, Insulation Subcontractor Etc.

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 A Concrete Pumping Accident

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Construction Safety ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Engineering Approach ◽  
General Contractor ◽  
Concrete Pumping ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Concrete Pump ◽  
Employer Responsibility

This Paper Describes The Writer Forensic Engineering Approach In Analyzing Concrete Pump Lessor, Pump Operator, General Contractor, And Subcontractor Roles And Responsibilities In An Accident Where A Concrete Finisher Was Using A Concrete Pump In An Unsafe Matter. The Paper Also Includes A Discussion Of The Applicability Of Osha Regulations Regarding Employer Responsibility For Construction Safety At Multi-Employer Jobsites.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Failure Of An Oil Pipeline

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William R. Broz
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Weld Repair ◽  
Butt Weld ◽  
Oil Pipeline ◽  
Weld Joints ◽  
General Contractor ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Engineering Investigation ◽  
Surrounding Soil

A Below-Grade, Nps 12 Pipeline Serving A Major Commercial Marine Terminal Failed At A Flanged Joint, Causing A Major Leak And Contamination Of The Surrounding Soil. The Gasket At The Failed Joint Showed Evidence Of Localized, Radial Through-Leakage. At The Terminal, The Initial Excavation Of Contaminated Soil Caused Minor Damage To Several Non-Leaking Segments Of Pipe And The Author Was First Tasked To Oversee The Related Inspection, Weld Repair And Corrosion Protection Work. The Author Subsequently Performed A Forensic Pipe Stress Analysis Of The Affected Portion Of The Fuel Oil System Per The Governing Pressure Piping Code. The Results Indicated That The Leaking Joint Failed With Respect To The Code Criterion Of Equivalent Pressure. Further Investigation Revealed That The System As Originally Designed Was Entirely Of Butt Weld Construction With No Flanged Joints, And Would Have Complied With All Code Requirements. The Investigation Determined That The General Contractor Had Made An Unauthorized Substitution Of Flanged Joints For Butt Weld Joints, Without Informing The Owner Or Design Engineer Of Record.

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.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis of a Shopping Mall Explosion

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry R. Tindal
Keyword(s):  
Shopping Mall ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Forensic Engineering

On May 7, 2009 a catastrophic explosion occurred at a shopping mall located just outside of Washington, D.C. As a result of the explosion, several persons, including multiple firefighters, were injured, and a large portion of the mall was destroyed. This paper examines the cause of the explosion.

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