scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Multi-Vehicle Impact Sequence

Author(s):  
Jerry S. Ogden

Forensic Engineers Are Often Called Upon To Reconstruct The Speeds, Severity Levels And Sequence Of Multiple-Vehicle Co-Linear Collisions, Such As Those That Occur In Heavy Traffic Or Resulting From Quick Stops In Response To Traffic Control Devices. Witnesses May Provide Accounts Of The Accident Sequence That Are Incomplete, Inaccurate, Self-Serving Or Simply Events That They Are Not In A Position To See, But May Reconstruct In Their Memories As Occurring, Making The Reliance Upon Witness Or Driver Statements Often Suspect. This Paper Provides A Straight Forward And Proven Methodology Of Determining The Sequence And Speeds Of A Multiple-Vehicle Collision Event Based Upon The Analysis Of Reproducible Collision Data, Scientific Principles And Reliable Analysis Techniques.

Author(s):  
Jerry S. Ogden

The Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Bicycle-Vehicle Incidents Presents Its Own Unique Set Of Challenges. Often, The Forensic Engineer Is Faced With A Limited Data Set For Determining Vehicle Impact Speed From The Physical Evidence Produced By A Bicycle Collision With An Automobile, Which May Not Be Of Issue For A Vehicle-To-Vehicle Collision At Similar Speeds. This Paper Analyzes A Collision Between A Light Duty Pickup Pulling A Tandem Axle Utility Trailer And A Bicycle Ridden By A Minor Child. There Were Allegations That The Pickup Was Traveling At A High Speed Above The Speed Limit, As Well As Passing Another Vehicle At The Time Of The Incident. In Order To Accurately And Dependably Determine The Speed Of The Ford F350 Pickup Involved In This Incident Event, This Forensic Engineer Elected To Recreate The Vehicle Locked Wheel Skidding Evidence That Was Produced During The Incident Event And Photographically Recorded By Police Investigators. The Dynamic Skid Testing Technique, Test Equipment, And General Test Procedures Used To Accurately Determine Vehicle Speeds For This Incident Event, And How It Can Be Applied To Similar Collision Events Are Discussed In This Paper


Author(s):  
D.S. Sax Saxena ◽  
Saxena Anu

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.


Author(s):  
Curtis E. Falany

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.


Author(s):  
Michael Kravitz

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.


Author(s):  
Jerry R. Tindal

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.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document