Franck Forensic Engineering Fundamentals

1. Auflage 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4398-7840-8
Verlag: Taylor & Francis
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 488 Seiten

Forensic engineers often specialize in a particular area such as structures, fires, or accident reconstruction. However, the nature of the work often requires broad knowledge in the interrelated areas of physics, chemistry, biomechanics, and engineering. Covering cases as varied as assessment of workplace accidents to the investigation of Halliburton in the BP oil spill, Forensic Engineering Fundamentals is a comprehensive introduction to the many diverse facets of the field that forensic engineers must be familiar with in their practice.

Topics include

- The role of the forensic engineer

- Structures, structural distress, and the importance of standards and codes

- The failure of appliances—the cause of many water- or fire-related losses

- Slips, trips, and falls of pedestrians and the accessibility of walking surfaces

- Industrial incidents involving loss of equipment, injury and loss of life, as well as OSHA and MSHA regulations

- Standard accident reconstruction involving vehicles

- Electrical incidents and lightning and the effect of electrical energy on the human body

- Analysis of fires with an emphasis on thermodynamics, testing, and simulation

- Carbon monoxide incidents and common fire suppression and warning systems, as well as the various NFPA codes

- Probability and uncertainty, with some basic calculations available to the forensic engineer

- Applicable standards and protocols that have developed over the years to protect life and property

Offering readers real-world experience drawn from the authors’ 25 years of experience, this volume assists newcomers to the field in understanding the engineering basics underlying the cases they will encounter in their practice. It also serves as a reliable reference for those confronted with issues outside their area of expertise.

Zielgruppe

Forensic engineering students and professionals; civil, mechanical, environmental, and industrial engineers; and legal professionals.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Franck, Harold

Franck, Darren

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Bauingenieurwesen Bauingenieurwesen
• Rechtswissenschaften Strafrecht Kriminologie, Strafverfolgung
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltverschmutzung, Umweltkriminalität, Umweltrecht
• Technische Wissenschaften Maschinenbau | Werkstoffkunde Maschinenbau
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Betriebswirtschaft Bereichsspezifisches Management Arbeitsplatz, Arbeitsschutz, Gefahrstoffschutz

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction

Structural Distress

Substandard Design and Construction

Some Structural Basics

Structures: Mechanics and Force Systems

Newton’s Laws and Equilibrium

Work and Energy: Conservation Principles

Properties of Areas

Structures

Mechanics or Strength of Materials

Allowable Stress and Strength Design Methods

Chimney Damage

Truss Analysis

Example: Truss Failure

Dynamic Loading

Wind Damage

Snow, Hail, and Rain

Stresses on Cylindrical Pressure Vessels

Load Analysis on Pilings

Strain

Foundations

Blasting and Earth Movement

Introduction to Soil Behavior

Techniques of Subsurface Investigations

Landslides

Identification of Rocks

Supporting Capacity of Earth Formations

Stability of Natural Slopes

Atterberg Limits

Subsidence

Earthquakes

Foundations

Blasting Damage

Heavy Equipment Vibrations

Wave Pressure

Mold and Environmental Problems

Airborne Particles

Mold

Radon

Gases

Ventilation

Building Materials

Asbestos

Electromagnetics

Vibrations and Sound

Temperature

Ergonomics and Illumination

Water-Related Losses

Fluid Statics and Dynamics

Open Channel Flow

Hydrology and Water Runoff

Groundwater

Plumbing and Fittings

Water Hammer

Soils and the Water Table

Appliances and Equipment Failures

Kitchen and Household Appliances

HVAC Systems

Pumps, Generators, and Motors

Boilers

Dissolution of Aluminum

Welding Failures

Cars

Interpreting Electrical Activity

Component Fracture Mechanics

Gouge Spacing

Broken Pole Analysis

Slips and Falls

Walkway Safety

Standard of Care

American Disabilities Act

Testing of Slip Resistance of Walking Surfaces

Force Required to Pull a Dolly

Biomechanics of Falls

Sight Distance for Pedestrians

Pedestrians and Trains

Departure Sight Distance Calculations

Moving Vehicle Sight Distance Calculations

Calculation of Train Speed

Human Injuries and the Strength of Human Tissue

Bone Fractures

Transverse Fracture of Long Bones

Head Injury

Head Injury Criterion

Compilation of Studies Involving Occupant Kinematics and Vehicle Impacts

Biomechanics of Injury

Vehicular Collisions with Pedestrians or Bicyclists

Internal Organ Injuries

Knee Injuries

Injuries of the Hand, Wrist, and Elbow

Teeth Injuries

Lower Leg Injuries

Shoulder Injuries

Hip Injuries

Industrial and Construction Accidents

Equipment Losses

Injuries and Death

Accident Reconstruction

Introduction

Basic Principles of Physics

Introduction to Energy Methods
Momentum Methods

Electrical Incidents and Lightning

Electrical Distribution Systems

Some Basic Equations

Switch Failure

Current in a Bus Bar

Current in a Solid Wire Conductor

Testing of Transistors and Electrical Components

Lightning

Impulse Voltages

Electrocutions

Low-Voltage Electrocutions

Swimming Pool Electrocutions

Animal Testing

Medium-Voltage Electrocutions

High-Voltage Electrocutions

Human Conductivity

Response of Human Tissue to Electrical Stimulation

Electrical Modeling of the Human Body

Fires

Thermodynamic Principles

Systems and Processes

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

Enthalpy

Combustion

Hydrocarbons

Explosive Limits

Flash Points

Transfer of Heat

First Law of Thermodynamics

Second Law of Thermodynamics: Entropy

Heat Flow

Explosive Characteristics

Flow of Gas through a Pipe

Thermal Conductivity, Convectivity, and Radiation

Gas Can Burn

Live Burns

House Fires

Car Fires

Miscellaneous Losses

Carbon Monoxide

Chains and Hooks

Examination of Vehicle Lightbulbs and Filaments

Defeating Locks

Vehicle Computer Interrogation

Engine Wear

Fire Suppression Systems

Probability, Sensitivity, and Uncertainty

Sensitivity and Uncertainty

Probability and Statistics

Standards

Protocol for Forensic Investigations

Standard Guide for Forensic Engineering Inspections and Investigations

ASTM Standards

FMV Standards

SAE Standards

Relevant Construction Standards

NFPA Standards

International Standards

Appendix A: Values of Fundamental Constants (MKS Units)

Appendix B: Acronyms

Appendix C: Conversion Factors

Bibliography