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Sources of Stress and Service Failure Mechanisms
Published in Colin R. Gagg, Forensic Engineering, 2020
Finding a pre-existing crack in any structure is an example of the weakest link for forensic or fracture mechanics analysis. In most practical cases, it is generally unknown whether or not the component in question actually contains a crack in it. Therefore, the options are as follows: Estimate a size, based on microscopic examinations of representative samples of material. Alternatively, specify the largest flaw that can be tolerated, and manufacture with appropriately defect-free materials.A popular route is to conduct a proof test (pressure vessel applications being a good example). Here, under controlled conditions, a structure (or component) will be subjected to a load significantly higher than that of its design service load. If the material fracture toughness is known, it then becomes possible to deduce the longest length of a crack that could be tolerated in the component or structure, without instigating failure during the course of proof testing.Use a non-destructive test technique to attempt to detect cracks in the structure. Examples of such forensic engineering tools are described in Chapter 4: Analytical Methods, and include ultrasound, to detect echoes off crack surfaces; X-ray techniques; and inspection with optical microscopy. If a crack is detected, most of these tools will allow an estimate of crack length. If not, it must be assumed for design and (failure) analysis purposes, that the structure contains cracks that are just too short to be detected by the chosen method.
Ethics in Forensic (Legal) Consulting
Published in Kenneth K. Humphreys, What Every Engineer Should Know About Ethics, 1999
The primary ethical dilemma for engineers in forensic practice stems from the fact that clients are often an advocate for one party in the dispute, but the forensic engineer is required to be objective, impartial, and dispassionate. Not all of the individuals who have entered this field are up to the challenge. And of course, as in any profession, the actions of a few unqualified, disreputable, or even misguided, individuals can reflect on the perceived ethical standards of an entire profession.
Application of the Classical Scientific Method to Accident Reconstruction
Published in Randall Noon, Introduction to Forensic Engineering, 2020
Forensic engineering itself is the application of engineering science and methodology to answer questions of fact related to legal proceedings. Typically, forensic engineers are called upon to reconstruct accident events and failures, and to reveal their findings to a court of law or an arbitration board for consideration in its deliberations.
Understanding Failed Software Projects through Forensic Analysis
Published in Journal of Computer Information Systems, 2022
William H. Money, Stephen H. Kaisler, Stephen J. Cohen
Forensic analysis requires four essential tasks: (1) observe: gather as much of the relevant data about the project possible within reasonable time constraints; (2) measure: analyze the data to determine where problems arose and the impact of decisions contributing to failure, (3) plan an incremental approach allowing for feedback to drive adaptations over time and then (4) act on that plan. Throughout these tasks, the recovery team needs to provide continuous reporting on why a project is failing or in failure mode and formulating what can be done about it. The details of the final task, act, depend on a commitment by an organization’s executive management that either the project is recoverable and actions will be taken to recover it or the project will be abandoned. The analysis in this paper focus on the first three items and recognizes that action involves additional decision criteria and evaluation.
A Bayesian hindcasting method of levee failures applied to the Breitenhagen slope failure
Published in Georisk: Assessment and Management of Risk for Engineered Systems and Geohazards, 2021
J. J. Kool, W. Kanning, C. Jommi, S. N. Jonkman
Forensic analysis provides a systematic procedure of analysis for the investigation of failures. The procedure of forensic analysis roughly consists of three stages: (1) collecting and reviewing of evidence, (2) utilising calculative models for a back analysis (hindcasting) to identify the cause, and (3) reporting the findings (Carper 2000). In previous work, it appeared that hindcasting using a deterministic sensitivity analysis identifies several possible causes of failure (Zhang, Tang, and Zhang 2010; Kool et al. 2019). However, the deterministic sensitivity approach of hindcasting did not provide an explicit insight into the likelihood of various failure scenarios.