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 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 Investigation of Water Leakage Issues into Buildings, Recreating the Leaks Vs. Determining the Cause

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kami Farahmandpour
Keyword(s):  
Case History ◽  
Forensic Investigation ◽  
Water Leakage ◽  
Building Envelopes ◽  
Complex Investigation ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Complex Lines ◽  
Contractual Obligations ◽  
Engineering Investigation

Forensic investigations of water leakage through building envelopes often involve complex investigation techniques and testing. In many cases, forensic investigators perform testing under controlled conditions to recreate the leaks and to determine whether design and/or construction defects resulted in leaks. However, construction-related litigation involves complex lines of contractual responsibility and multiple parties. As such, allocating responsibility to various parties requires an increased level of scrutiny. This paper provides an overview of typical construc-tion defect cases and how the lines of contractual obligations can impact the scope of investigation by a forensic engineer. As a case history, a forensic engineering investigation of water leakage reported in a recently constructed building will be reviewed. The plaintiffs’ experts performed testing to recreate the leaks, and adequately proved that the designs or construction methods of the exterior walls were defective. However, they were unable to prove causation attributed to one prime contractor who did not settle prior to trial. At trial, the defendant’s expert demonstrated other potential paths of water leakage that were not attributed to the defendant, raising sufficient doubts about the liability of the sole defendant at trial.

scholarly journals A Simulation Model of Construction Projects Executed in Random Conditions with the Overlapping Construction Works

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5795
Author(s):  
Sławomir Biruk ◽  
Łukasz Rzepecki
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Technological Process ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Simulation Studies ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Construction Works

Reducing the duration of construction works requires additional organizational measures, such as selecting construction methods that assure a shorter realization time, engaging additional resources, working overtime, or allowing construction works to be performed simultaneously in the same working units. The simultaneous work of crews may affect the quality of works and the efficiency of construction processes. This article presents a simulation model aimed at assessing the impact of the overlap period on the extension of the working time of the crews and the reduction of a repetitive project’s duration in random conditions. The purpose of simulation studies is to provide construction managers with guidelines when deciding on the dates of starting the sequential technological process lines realized by specialized working crews, for sustainable scheduling and organization of construction projects.

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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