scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis in The Collision Of Two Tractor-Trailer Trucks

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Arnoult
Keyword(s):  
Accident Reconstruction ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Fatal Accident ◽  
Fracture Surfaces ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Leaf Springs ◽  
Forensic Engineering

After A Fatal Accident Involving Two Tractor-Trailer Trucks, One Of Which (Vehicle #1) Overturned And dumped Its Load In Front Of An Oncoming Tractor-Trailer (Vehicle #2), It Was Discovered That Two Of The Leaf springs Of The Overturned Trailer Were Broken. Forensic Engineering Metallurgical Examination Of The fracture Surfaces Of The Broken Springs And Other Axle Evidence, In Conjunction With Accident Reconstruction results, Played A Key Role In Determining The Overall Sequence Of Events In The Accident.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Pedestrian Vision Ambulation And Vigilance

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mervyn F. Strauss ◽  
Lee William E.
Keyword(s):  
Good Health ◽  
The Other ◽  
Accident Reconstruction ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Injured Person ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Human Skills ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Good Vision

The Accident Reconstruction Engineer Is Frequently Called Upon To Analyze And Provide An Opinion On The Probable Cause Of Same Level Trips And Falls. The Incident Usually Involves A Raised Object Or Stub Toe In All Types Of Environments, Both Indoors And Outdoors. The Person May Be Walking Or Even Running Along, Going About Their Own Business, When They Trip And Fall Over Some Type Of Object Raised Above A Walking Surface. The Individual Many Times Is In Good Health, Without Any Apparent Impediment To Their Ability To Walk Or Ambulate And With Good Vision. A Question Asked By One Side Or The Other In This Type Of Litigation Is, Why Did You Trip Over That Object, Post, Walk Joint, Or Whatever, That Was In Front Of You? The Object That You Tripped Over Was Obvious. If You Had Just Kept A Proper Lookout, You Could Have Avoided It. In Some Cases, It Is Not Unusual To Discover That The Injured Person Had Walked Through The Area Sometime Before The Incident. Furthermore, The Person May Actually Be Relatively Familiar With The Locale, Having Walked Across The Spot On Many Occasions. This Paper Addresses The Complex Set Of Events And Human Skills Involving Pedestrian Tripping And Falling Over Raised Objects On A Foreseeable Pedestrian1 Walking Surface. In Addition To Raised Objects, Depressions Or Holes In The Walking Surface May Trigger A Fall Event.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Use Of Computer Animations And Graphics

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Ziernicki ◽  
Danaher David A.
Keyword(s):  
3D Modeling ◽  
Accident Reconstruction ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Computer Animations ◽  
Modeling Simulation ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Solid Foundation ◽  
Investigation Process ◽  
Video Matching

During An Accident Reconstruction Investigation, Many Complicated Issues Arise That Must Be Presented To A Judge Or Jury. Although The Reconstructionist May Understand The Issues And Can Explain Them Orally, The Audience May Not Completely Understand. The Use Of Computer Animations And Graphics Can Take Those Complicated Issues And Present Them In A Clear And Understandable Way. The Graphics And Animations That Are Developed From The Engineering Analysis Are A Visual Representation Of The Forensic Engineers Opinion. Psychological Studies Show That People Are Only 15% Likely To Remember Orally-Communicated Information, But 95% Likely To Remember Orally-Communicated Information In Conjunction With Visually-Communicated Information. Visual Tools, Such As Photo Matching, Evidence Matching, Photogrammetry, Video Matching, 3d Modeling, Simulation, And Animation, Can Be Implemented During The Accident Investigation Process To Identify Evidence And Demonstrate A Thorough Analysis For Later Use In Court. For Example, Roof Crush Analysis Graphics, As Seen In Figure 1, Not Only Visually Illustrates The Deformation Of The Roofs Structure, But The Graphics Also Have A Solid Foundation Based On Accurate Measurements Of The Physical Evidence.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis And Testing For Speed Reduction In Transient Braking

2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene A. Castaneda
Keyword(s):  
Field Testing ◽  
Accident Reconstruction ◽  
Quasi Steady State ◽  
Transient Phase ◽  
Brake Pedal ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Speed Reduction ◽  
Elapsed Time ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Wheel Brake

The Speed From Skids Equation Is Derived From The Work-Energy Theorem And Is Often Employed In Accident Reconstruction To Determine A Vehicles Speed At The Onset Of Visible Locked-Wheel Braking Application. The Conventional Use Of This Equation In The Field Of Accident Reconstruction, However, Does Not Yield A Vehicles True Speed At The Onset Of Braking. In Maximum Application Of The Brake Pedal, A Vehicle Initially Undergoes A Transient Brake Phase Prior To Arriving At The Quasi-Steady-State Locked-Wheel Brake Phase. There Is A Reduction Of Speed That Occurs During The Transient Phase Of Braking That Is Generally Not Accounted For In The Reconstruction Of Vehicular Collisions. Accounting For This Reduction In Speed, A Forensic Engineer Can Estimate A Vehicles Speed At The Onset Of Braking And Further Employ The Relative Elapsed Time In Collision Avoidance Calculations. This Study Will Explore A Method To Estimate The Speed Reduction Occurring During The Transient Braking Based On Field Testing.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Responsibility For Failure Of Temporary Wall Bracing

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Huff
Keyword(s):  
Concrete Surface ◽  
Strong Wind ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Roof Structure ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Interior Wall ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Under Construction

A Concrete Sub-Contractor Was Injured When A Tall Standing Wood Stud-Framed Wall Fell During A Strong Wind Storm. The Accident Happened On A Friday Afternoon As Concrete Workers Waited For The Opportunity To Finish A Morning Concrete Pour For A New Restaurant That Was Under Construction. Realizing That The Wind Was Going To Topple The Interior Wall On The Newly Placed Concrete, Efforts Were Made To Keep The Wall From Falling. The Wall Could Not Be Steadied And It Fell, Allegedly Injuring A Concrete Worker. The Framing Sub-Contractor Had Used Typical 2x6 Lumber To Make Temporary Braces To Steady The Walls Plumb And True As The Framing And Standing Of Walls Progressed Toward The Completion Of The Roof Structure. To Avoid Damage To An Exposed Decorative Concrete Surface In The Dining Area, The Main Interior Wall Was Braced To The Kitchen Side Where The Concrete Sub-Contractor Was Placing Concrete That Day. The Framing Sub-Contractor Was Named As A Defendant In The Lawsuit That Followed. The Attorney For The Framing Sub-Contractor Secured The Services Of The Fe On Behalf Of The Framing Sub-Contractor. Depositions Revealed That Bracing For The Standing Stud-Framed Interior Wall Was Not In Place At The Time Of The Accident. This Paper Pieces Together The Sequence Of Events And Reviews The Roles And Contractual Responsibilities Of Both The General Contractor And The Sub-Contractor As Related To Project Scheduling, Project Management, Jobsite Coordination, And Overall Jobsite Safety. Acceleration Of The Project Schedule And Coordination Issues With Overlapping Jobsite Activities Were Identified As Contributing Factors Preceding The Collapse Of The Wall. The Case Was Settled Out-Of-Court For Nuisance Value One (1) Day Before Trial Was Scheduled To Begin.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Pedestrian Trauma Using Biomedical And Accident Reconstruction Engineering Methods

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. Liptai ◽  
Lamb Rowland D.
Keyword(s):  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Fracture Pattern ◽  
Accident Reconstruction ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Spider Web ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Kinematic Study ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
The Right

This Study Examines The Theory And Methods Of Forensic Engineering Analysis Applied To Pedestrian Trauma And Fatality. Optimally Approached With The Collective Analysis Of Both The Accident Reconstruction Engineer And Biomedical Engineer, The Accident Reconstruction Engineer Translates The Physical Evidence Related To The Vehicle And Scene While The Biomedical Engineer Interprets The Physical Evidence Related To The Human Body In The Biological Tissues. With Both Disciplines, A Collaborative Understanding Can Be Gained Using The Vehicular And Human Tissue Physical Evidence Available. The Case Presented Involves A Pedestrian Verses An Automobile. The Collision Between A Pedestrian And Automobile Resulted In The Death Of The Pedestrian. Physical Evidence On The Vehicle Included: A Dent In The Front Right Fender; A Spider Web Glass Fracture Pattern On The Windshield In The Lower Right Comer; And A Dent In The Right A-Pillar. This Study Will Also Demonstrate What Can Be Learned From The Absence Of Classic Physical Evidence On The Vehicle And On The Pedestrian As Well As The Determination Of When A Kinematic Study Is Appropriate For Pedestrian Verses Automobile Investigation.

scholarly journals Unique Methods of Visual Presentation With Respect to Accident Reconstruction

1986 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank H. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Aerial Photography ◽  
Visual Presentation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Accident Reconstruction ◽  
Engineering Communication ◽  
Automobile Accident ◽  
Direct Form ◽  
Forensic Engineering

Obviously, communication is one of the most important aspects of forensic engineering. Communication is certainly important between both the engineer and the lawyer as well as the engineer and the jury. Of course, communication involves not only sending a message to someone but also making sure that the message is understood by the person receiving it. Speaking and sending letters are two methods of sending a message. However, perhaps a more direct form of communication is visual. The old adage 'a picture is worth a thousand words' has been proven many, many times. Therefore, this discussion deals with two very specific methods of achieving communication through visual presentation. First of all, understand that these two methods are directed primarily toward accident reconstruction. For purposes of illustration, an automobile accident will be used as an example; however, these methods can be applied to other types of accidents as well. The first method, one involving aerial photography, is currently under development. The other method, which is primarily graphic, is already developed and available through several graphic companies or individuals.

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.

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