bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of The Negative Effect Of Hot Water Distribution Systems On Heater Operation
Authors: Saltzberg Edward W.
Published: August 2021

Our Office Had Two Condominium Litigation Cases That Had A Number Of Construction Defects. One Was A Luxury Complex And One Was A Moderately Priced Project. However, There Were Two Common Allegations In Both Cases. These Allegations Were That The Occupants Complained That They Did Not Have Sufficient Hot Water And That The Water Heater Was Not Able To Provide A Sufficient Quantity Of Hot Water. We Prepared Calculations On Both Of The Water Heater Systems To Determine If They Were Undersized. The Calculations Determined That The Water Heater Assembly Of Both Installations Were Liberally Sized And Should Have Been Able To Maintain Design Temperature All The Time, Even At Peak Use. To Ensure That The Water Heaters Were Both Operating Correctly, We Had The Water Heater Manufacturer Come Out And Service The Heaters On Both Systems. Both Systems Were Operating Properly.
Forensic Engineering Structural Failure Review By Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Yaxley Wilbur T. , William C. Bracken
Published: August 2021

A Florida Engineer Was Charged By The Florida Board Of Professional Engineers With Incompetence And Negligence Because Of His Design, And His Fabrication Of The Metal Roof Trusses For A Hanger/Home In Florida. The Engineer Personally Designed, Supervised Fabrication, And Specified The Field Modifications Required Due To Conflicts Of The Bearing Height, And Truss Damage During Shipment Of The Trusses To The Jobsite. A Complaint Was Filed By The Homeowner And Investigated By The Boards Consulting Engineer. The Consultant Investigated And Alleged That The Modified Heel Connection On The House Truss Was Grossly Inadequate To Transfer The Code Mandated Loads For This Home. No Failure Has Occurred Since The Home Has Not Been Subjected To Full Code Mandated Wind Loads. The Following Analysis Follows The Investigation, And Formal Hearing Before An Administrative Law Judge In Florida. An After The Fact, Finite Element Analysis Was Performed By W. Bracken To Verify The Consultants Allegations. This Analysis By Bracken Was Performed After The Conclusion Of The Case Against The Engineer Of Record.
Forensic Engineering Update - Automotive Electronics
Authors: DeWitt William E.
Published: August 2021

Automotive Electronics Technology Has Come A Long Way In A Very Short Time. Other Than Radios And Tape Players, The Only Standard Electronic Systems Available On Cars In The Early 1970s Were Voltage Regulators And Rectifier Diodes For Alternators. By 1974, Automotive Electronic Systems Included Fuel Injection, Electronic Ignition, Cruise Control, Traction Control, And Air Bag Sensors. Today, These Systems Are Considered Reliable And Cost Effective, And Modern Automotive Electronics Has Enabled Car Makers To Solve Very Complex Problems. The Future For Automotive Electronics Seems Almost Unlimited. This Paper Will Examine The History Of Automotive Electronics, Review Current Applications, And Present Future Trends And Emerging Technologies. It Will Also Assess University Education In Automotive Electronics And Summarize The Work Of The Nhtsa 5218 Working Group On Event Data Recorders. Finally, The Paper Will Consider The Impact Of Automotive Electronics On Forensic Engineering.
Forensic Analysis Of Low Speed Vehicle Collisions
Authors: DOnofrio John A.
Published: August 2021

A Low Speed Collision Is Defined, For The Purpose Of This Paper, As A Collision Between Two Vehicles That Produces No Permanent Damage To The Body Of The Vehicle Except To The Bumper System. The Vehicles Are Equipped With Energy Absorbing Bumpers That Are Rated To A Particular Speed. The Collisions Are, For All Intents And Purposes, In-Line In Nature (Collinear) And Without Post-Impact Rotation. This Definition, While Quite Specific, Covers A Large Number Of Collisions. They Are The Typical Stop Sign, Waiting In Traffic, Parking Lot Type Crash. In The Following Sections I Will Examine How These Vehicles Interact And Respond To Such Collisions By Applying Newtons Laws And The Data From Vehicle Crash Tests. Presented Is Methodology For Reconstructing The Pre-Impact And Post-Impact Speed Of Such Collisions Using The Following Protocol: 1. Compute The Kinetic Energy Dissipated In The Collision From The Characteristics Of The Vehicles And Their Bumpers As Revealed In Crash Tests. 2. Use Conservation Of Energy And Damage Relationships To Determine The Pre-Collision Kinetic Energy And Closing Speed Of The Two-Vehicle System. 3. Use Conservation Of Linear Momentum To Calculate The Post-Collision Speed And Delta-V Of The Two Vehicles. This Method Uses The Strict Application Of Newtons Laws And Treats Both Vehicles As A System.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of The Four-Way-Stop Intersection Illusion
Authors: Parsonson Peter S.
Published: August 2021

Right-Angle Crashes At Two-Way-Stop-Controlled Intersections Are Sometimes Caused By The Stopped Driver Entering The Conflict Area Under The Mistaken Impression That The Intersection Has Four-Way-Stop Control. The Cause Of The Illusion Is Often A Device Installed By The Engineer In An Attempt To Improve Safety, Such As A Flashing Intersection Control Beacon, Or Is A Normal Operational Feature Such As Curb Parking. Nine Such Cues, And Suggested Countermeasures, Are Explained Herein. It Is The Design Driver, Rather Than The Average One, Who Errs In This Way. This Is A Human-Factors Problem That Engineers And Psychologists Should Tackle Jointly.
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Leakage At Flanged Windows In Stucco
Authors: Jillson Geoffrey
Published: August 2021

Water Intrusion And Accumulation In The Exterior Envelope Of Wood Frame Structures With Stucco Siding And Flanged Windows Has Been Recognized As A Major Cause Of Damage Characterized By Deterioration Of Sheathing And Framing. Invasive Inspections Of Hundreds Of Wood Framed Structures Constructed In This Manner Have Clearly Shown That The Overwhelming Cause Of Deterioration Has Resulted From Chronic Water Entry Into The Envelope At Window And Door Locations. Substantial Deterioration Has Been Observed In Sheathing And Framing As Early As The Third Season Following Construction With Extensive Deterioration Observed In Many Structures By The Fifth Or Sixth Year Following Construction Manifesting Primarily At Window And Door Penetration Areas In The Envelope. This Study Was Undertaken To Quantitatively Ascertain The Causes Of The Water Entry At Flanged Windows In Stucco Siding Installations And Compare With Water Entry At Wood Windows In Stucco Siding Utilizing Astm E1105-00 Field Determination Of Water Penetration Of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, And Curtain Walls, By Uniform Or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference. Effects Of Sealing/Caulking Of The Perimeter Of The Window At The Stucco/Window Intersection Were Also Studied And Quantified Using The Test Apparatus. This Paper Provides A Description Of The Common Construction Conditions And Presents The Quantitative Results Of The Study Of Causes Of Leakage At Flanged Windows In Stucco And The Effect On Leakage Of Sealing/Caulking Of Perimeter Joint.
Forensic Engineering Investigations Of Guards Handrails And Stairs
Authors: Cooper Norman L.
Published: August 2021

There Are More Accidental Deaths From Falls In The United States Than From Fire, Drowning, And Air Travel Combined. The Following Summarizes Forensic Engineering Investigations (In Several Of The United States) Of Guards, Handrails, And Stairs, Most Following Falls Resulting In Injury Or Death. The Fundamental Issue Is Whether The Guards, Handrails, And Stairs Complied With The Applicable Building Code. Liability, Advocacy, And Unsafe Structure Requirements Are Discussed. Many Example Cases Are Cited Involving Code Noncompliance Including: Guards: Omission, Strength, Gap, Height, And Ladder Effect; Handrails: Omission, Height, Grip, Length, Strength, Return, And Continuity; Stairs: Omission, Obstruction, Strength, Riser Height, Tread Length, Uniformity, Tread Slope, Riser Gap, And Lighting. Case Outcomes Are Discussed And Recommendations Made.
Forensic Investigation Of Moisture Intrusion Into Tilt-Wall Structures
Authors: Coltharp William M.
Published: August 2021

The Author Was Retained By Attorneys Who Had Been Engaged By A Window Installer To Defend The Installer Against A Lawsuit For Damages To An Office Building, Which Had Been Damaged By Water Intrusion. Because The Facts Strongly Indicated That At Least Some (But Not All) Of The Windows Installed By The Client Did Indeed Leak, And Since It Was Reasonable To Believe That This Moisture Had Caused Some, But Not All Of The Damage To The Building, The Defense Strategy Devised Was As Follows: 1. Attempt To Quantify The Number Of Windows In The Building That Leak. 2. Attempt To Quantify All Other Sources Of Moisture Intrusion Into The Building. 3. Attempt To Quantify The Actual Cost Of The Damage Due To Water In The Building. 4. Attempt To Quantify The Cost To Eliminate The Sources Of Moisture To Repair The Building. 5. Devise A Rational Approach To The Apportionment Of These Costs Among The Sources Of Leaks Including Those Attributed To The Client. 6. Examine The Specific Causes Of The Window Leaks To Determine If They Are Due To Improper Installation, Poor Materials, Or Poor Design Since The Client Might Only Be Responsible For Improper Installation.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Pedestrian Vision Ambulation And Vigilance
Authors: Strauss Mervyn F. , William E. Lee
Published: August 2021

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.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Latent Water Damage To Buildings - How Could Anything So Small Cause So Much Damage?
Authors: Halyard Paul J.
Published: August 2021

During The Design And Construction Of An Air Conditioning Project, Considerable Attention Is Given To Sensible And Latent Loads, Psychrometrics, Equipment Size And Configuration, Ductwork And Diffuser Location, Filtration, Duct Sizing, Air Distribution And Noise. Condensate Drains And Condensate Disposal Is Often Left To The Discretion Of The Installer. Many Installers Do Not Handle This Responsibility Properly. Damage Due To Incorrect Condensate Disposal Can Be Extremely Expensive And Sometimes Even Exceeds The Original Cost Of The Entire Project By A Factor Of 10 To 100 Times. In Summary, Some Of The Greatest Potential Project Liability Is Being Left To The Discretion Of Installers Who Are Not Qualified To Manage It.
The Forensic Engineering Use Of Precise Gps Measurements In Small Craft Casualty Cases
Authors: Cartner John A.
Published: August 2021

Often In The Understanding Of The Events Leading To Casualties In Small Craft, It Is Useful To Know Both The Reconstructed Path Of The Centroid Of The Craft In The x-Y Plane As Well As Its Rotational Behavior Around The Z Axis. Precise Global Positioning System Measurements Can Provide Such Information. This Paper Describes The Use Of Such Measurements, And The Inferences Drawn From Them, In A Case Where The Craft Was Available For Empirical Testing Under Various Velocity Regimes While Planning And In Its Maximum-Turn Maneuvering Regime
Forensic Geo-Technical Engineering Case History
Authors: Saxena D.S. Sax
Published: August 2021

The Specialty That Deals With Investigation Of Failures And Performance Problems In The Geotechnical Environment Is Known As Forensic Geotechnical Engineering. It Involves Scientific And Jurisprudence Related Investigations And Evaluation To Analyze The Causes Of Structural Distress That Originate From Geodomain. Forensics In The Geo-Domain Encompass An Extensive Array Of Topics With Specific Emphasis In Geotechnical Related Fields. Mostly, They Apply To Failures After They Occur. Such Analysis And The Evaluation Of Selected Remedial Measures, Along With Their Effectiveness And Economy, Are Normally Subjected To Judicial Scrutiny. A Case History Is Presented Where Forensic Engineering Was Effectively Utilized To Identify, Investigate, And Remediate The Problem As Well As Assist In Litigation.
Forensic Engineering Analysis And Daubert Challenges To Prosthetic Fastener Failure
Authors: Owens Roger L.
Published: August 2021

It Has Become Relatively Commonplace In Those Cases Where Trial Appears To Be Eminent That A Daubert Challenge Of An Expert Occurs. Once One Expert Is Challenged, It Is Not Unusual That All Experts On Both Sides Of The Docket Are Challenged. In The Past, Case Value Appeared To Be The Motivating Issue When Considering A Challenge Of An Experts Qualifications And/Or Methodology. The Challenge Is Now Being Utilized More Frequently In All Courts And At Lower Case Value Levels. If An Expert Testifies Frequently The Probability Of The Expert Being Restricted And/Or Struck Increases. Once Challenged, The Expert Is Dependent On His Client To Advise Him Of The Challenge As Well As The Grounds For The Challenge, To Assist In The Preparation Of An Affidavit And To Prepare For Testimony Before The Court. The Expert, Of Course, Is Totally Dependent Upon The Legal Competence Of His Client And The Fairness Of The Court. This Article Is Intended To Document The Forensic Analyses Of A Mechanical Failure Of A Bolted Joint In A Foot Prostheses. Although The Failure Was Relatively Fundamental From An Engineering Perspective, Multiple Daubert Challenges Of Both Qualifications And Methodology Complicated The Case.
Forensic Engineering Use Of Fault Tree Analysis
Authors: Johnson Frank H. , William E. DeWitt
Published: August 2021

Analytical Tools, Like Fault Tree Analysis, Have A Proven Track Record In The Aviation And Nuclear Industries. A Positive Tree Is Used To Insure That A Complex Engineered System Operates Correctly. A Negative Tree (Or Fault Tree) Is Used To Investigate Failures Of Complex Engineered Systems. Boeings Use Of Fault Tree Analysis To Investigate The Apollo Launch Pad Fire In 1967 Brought National Attention To The Technique. The 2002 Edition Of Nfpa 921, Guide For Fire And Explosion Investigations, Contains A New Chapter Entitled Failure Analysis And Analytical Tools. That Chapter Addresses Fault Tree Analysis With Respect To Fire And Explosion Investigation. This Paper Will Review The Fundamentals Of Fault Tree Analysis, List Recent Peer Reviewed Papers About The Forensic Engineering Use Of Fault Tree Analysis, Present A Relevant Forensic Engineering Case Study, And Conclude With The Results Of A Recent University Study On The Subject.
Forensic Biomedical Engineering Experimentation And Modeling
Authors: Liptai Laura L.
Published: August 2021

Biomedical Engineering Applies Engineering Principles To Biological Systems, Holistically Utilizing Knowledge In Engineering, Biology And Medicine. The Cross-Disciplinary Field Integrates Engineering (E.G. External Force Applied) With Biomedical Sciences (E.G. Tissue Tolerance) And Clinical Input From Health Care Providers (E.G. Medical Diagnosis). Written For Those Familiar With Forensics, This Introduces Biomedical Engineering By Explaining How Medicine And Engineering Are Integrated. Scientific Methodological Approaches For The Analysis Of Trauma Causation And The Specific Applications To Forensics Are Outlined. Common Interactions Or Relationships With Other Forensic And Medical Disciplines Illustrate How Biomedical Engineering Uniquely Contributes To Forensics. The Section On Design And Proper Use Of Experimentation Outlines Applications Of Standardized Automotive Crash Tests. In Situations Where The Scale Of The Analysis Does Not Allow For Customized Full Scale Testing And When The Use Of Crash Test Databases Is Not Appropriate, The Proper Design Of Engineering Subsystem Experimentation Is Introduced. Lastly, An Alternative Method For Force Quantification In Trauma Causation Analysis, Computerized Mathematical Modeling, Is Illustrated.
Forensic Engineering Case Analysis In Biomedical Engineering
Authors: Lee William E.
Published: August 2021

Biomedical Engineering, Through The Subdiscipline Of Biomechanics, Plays A Significant Role In The Forensic Aspects Of Injury Situations Such As Injuries Resulting From Vehicle Collisions, Fall Events, And Other Forms Of Blunt Trauma. As Such, Biomechanics Often Addresses The Middle Ground Of The Continuity: Event Reconstruction (Engineering/Physics) Through The Medical Treatment Regarding The Incident In Question. In Other Words, Biomechanics Bridges The Gap Between The Engineers/Physicists And The Health Care Providers. A General Methodology Is Presented That Addresses The Full Spectrum Of Activities Necessary To Conduct A Biomechanical Injury Event Analysis. Such An Analysis Is Very Multidisciplinary In Nature; While Grounded In Biomechanics, The Analysis Also Draws From Both Basic Medical And Clinical Science, And Physics And Engineering Science. Two Case Examples Are Presented, A Cervical Injury Due To A Falling Object And Lumbar Injury Due To A Low Velocity Rear-End Impact, That Illustrate How The Analysis Proceeds. It Is Stressed That Any Such Analysis Should Be Incident-Specific And Individual- Specific.
Forensic Engineers And The New Federal Rules Regarding Electronically Stored Information (ESI)
Authors: Cosgrove John D.
Published: August 2021

The New Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure (Frcp) Became Mandatory Starting 12/01/2006. These Modified Rules Were A Response To The Need To Address The Evolving Predominance Of Electronically Stored Information (Esi) In Most All Legal Proceedings. Current Estimates Are That Over 90% Of Documentary Records In Legal Proceedings Were Created And Maintained As Some Form Of Esi. It Also Follows That Authenticating The Factual Record Must Employ Computer-Assisted Means. Furthermore, These Computer-Assisted Means Must Also Be Subjected To Court-Accepted Means Of Validation. To An Engineer, This Can Be Thought Of As Calibrating Your Toolsets In Order To Trust The Interpretation That The Toolset Gives The User About The Underlying Data. In The Case Of Esi, The Physical Media Which Store The Various Forms Of Esi Absolutely Require The Use Of These Toolsets To View The Contents Of The Document. In The Past It Was Possible To Directly Interpret The Coding Of Holes Punched In A Card Or Tape. This Is No Longer True!
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Distressed Residential Foundations From Plumbing Leaks
Authors: Nobe Toshi
Published: August 2021

The Distress To A Home Caused By A Plumbing Leak Under A Residential Foundation In Expansive Soils Can Be A Great Risk To Homeowners And Insurance Companies. It Was Estimated That Annual Damages In 1983 Due To Shrinking And Swelling Soils Averaged $9 Billion Nationwide, Causing Staggering Economic Loss.1 A Property Claim Resulting From A Purported Underground Plumbing Leak Affecting Moisture Content In Expansive Soils May Involve A Number Of Interested Parties Including: Homeowners, An Insurance Agent, An Insurance Claims Adjuster, A Plumbing Contractor, A Forensic Engineering Investigator, A Public Adjuster, A Foundation Contractor, A Foundation Design Engineer, And Attorneys... This Paper Describes A Step-By-Step Protocol For A Typical Residential Foundation Investigation That May Involve A Potential Legal Challenge As The Result Of The Investigatory Findings As Schematically Shown In Figures 1 And 2. This Paper Discusses The Areas Of Contention Based On Current Technology Involving Expansive Soil Foundations. Expansive Soils Are Clay Soils That Swell Volumetrically When The Soils Are Exposed To Moist Conditions.3 Clay Soil Shrinks When It Dries; Those Soils That Shrink And Swell To Extremes Are Known As Expansive Soils.
Forensic Engineering Evaluation Of Physical Evidence In Accident Reconstruction
Authors: Ziernicki Richard M. , David A. Danaher
Published: August 2021

Physical Evidence Deposited By Vehicles As A Result Of An Accident May Not Always Be Fully Documented By The Investigating Law Enforcement Officers By Means Of Measurements. Many Times, The Investigating Officers Are Able To Document The Location Of The Vehicles At Rest, But Can Only Measure And Locate Some Of The Related Tire Marks And/Or Gouges That May Be Present On The Roadway As A Result Of The Collision. The Officers May Further Supplement Their Investigation By Photographing The Scene Of The Accident. The Photographs Often Depict The Position And Geometry Of Other Physical Evidence Relative To The Roadway Or Other Geographic Features. However, The Forensic Engineer May Require More Detailed Information Regarding The Physical Evidence Than Is Shown In The Photographs Or Measured By The Officers, And Must Therefore Take Further Steps To Extract It. Depending On The Evaluation Required In The Case, The Forensic Engineer Would Need To Further Analyze The Accident By An Inspection Of The Accident Site And/Or Vehicles. After Collecting The Available Information From The Measurements Made By The Officers, The Photographs Taken At The Scene, And The Inspections By The Forensic Engineer, The Data Must Then Be Compiled In A Comprehensive Form To Further Evaluate The Dynamics Of The Accident. This Paper Discusses Three Methods (Camera Matching, Photogrammetry, And Rectification) Of Collecting The Physical Evidence From Several Sources And The Procedure Of Producing A Comprehensive Forensic Map Of The Evidence Relative To The Roadway And The Dynamic Motion Of The Vehicle.
Forensic Engineering Risk Assessment Of Machine Accidents Caused By Employers
Authors: Cocchiola Thomas J. , Paul R. Stephens
Published: August 2021

New Jersey Court Rulings From 2003 To The Present Permit An Injured Worker To File A Claim Directly Against His Or Her Employer Separate From Workers Compensation Claims, Under Limited Circumstances. However, An Injured Worker Must Demonstrate That The Employer Created Conditions That Resulted In A Substantial Certainty Of Injury. Therefore, There Is A Need For Well-Founded Forensic Engineering Evaluations And Opinions To Determine Whether Employer Conduct Created A Substantial Certainty Of Injury In The Workplace. This Paper Discusses Established Methodology To Evaluate The Risk Of Injury From Employer Created Hazards Based On Actual Case Experiences Of The Authors.
Forensic Engineering - Highway Construction Work Zone Accidents
Authors: Hintersteiner Robert T.
Published: August 2021

This Paper Will Discuss Highway Construction Work Zone Accidents, And How Not Adhering To Generally Accepted Engineering Principles And Practices In The Field Contributes To Their Occurrence. Highway Construction Work Zone Accidents Have Increased Over The Years Due To Higher Speeds On Our Highways And The Lack Of Adequate Advance Warning Signs Before The Start Of The Construction Zone. Higher Speeds Require Increased Distances In The Placement Of Advance Warning Signs To Inform Motorists That They Are Entering A Construction Work Zone Area. Problems Occur Where Lanes Merge And Vehicles Have To Move Into An Adjacent Lane. This Causes Traffic To Suddenly Slow Down, Or Even Stop, Thereby Causing Traffic To Back Up Even Before The Advance Warning Signs. This Situation Can Lead To Rear End Collisions.
Forensic Engineering Overview Of Effect Of Weather Resistive Barriers On Building Envelope Deterioration
Authors: Jillson Geoffrey
Published: August 2021

Since Adoption And Widespread Implementation Of The Model Energy Code Promulgated By The Department Of Energy And Incorporated Into Most State Building Codes, There Has Been Widespread Experience With Deterioration Of Building Envelopes, Particularly Wood Frame Building Envelopes. Requirements For Weather Resistive Barriers (Wrbs) Have Been Added To The Major National Codes For Nearly All Applications With Multiple Significant Changes In Successive Recent Editions Of The Major Building Codes. Moisture/Water Related Problems Have Manifested In Other Types Of Construction, Including Masonry, Resultant To Recent Requirements Of Building Codes And Unanticipated Adverse Effects Caused By Lack Of Testing And Integration Between The Building Code Provisions And Energy Codes... This Paper Provides A Summary Of Actual Field Observations Of Effects Of And Performance Of Groups Of Weather Resistive Barriers (Wrbs) And Vapor Retarders Based Upon Invasive Investigation Of Building Envelopes Extending Over A Period Of 15 Years And Provides General Guidance To The Major Codes Intended To Provide A Basis For The Expert To Obtain Further Foundational Materials And Knowledge Needed In These Types Of Cases.
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Pyrites Expansive Forces And Impact On Long-Term Building Failure
Authors: Carr Paul G.
Published: August 2021

There Is A Dearth Of Information Available In The Literature And Published Engineering Texts Addressing The Impacts Of Pyrite Expansion In Buildings (Mitchell And Soga 2005). The Texts Have Largely Been Silent, And The Intersection Of Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering And Foundation Design Has Been Lacking, With The Exception Of Limited Investigations Related To Highway Engineering. Typically Pyrite Has Been Associated With Shale Materials When Used As Fill. Granite, As Well As Other Rocks And Soil Can Also Contain Sufficient Pyrite To Initiate The Destructive Forces Associated With Pyrite Oxidation. In This Case Study Paper, The Insidious And Destructive Forces Of Pyrite Expansion Are Presented. The Long-Term Implications And Strategies For Remediation Are Considered.
Forensic Engineering Practice Effects From Computer-Resident Evidence
Authors: Cosgrove John D.
Published: August 2021

Forensic Engineering (Fe) Practice Is Affected By The Increased Involvement Of Computer Technology And Computer-Resident Evidence (80+% And Rising). This Has A Significant Impact On Most Forensic Engineering Practice Specialties. Specific Recommendations And Guidelines Are Provided To Assist The Forensic Engineer In Adapting His Or Her Practice To This Technology.
Forensic Architects Investigation Of Golf Course Safety
Authors: Johnstone Michael S.
Published: August 2021

This Paper Demonstrates The Generally Accepted Guidelines For Safety Planning For Errant Golf Shots In The Golf Course Design Process. Two Contemporary Cases Will Be Described.
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Electrical Power Line Contacts
Authors: Shepherd Brad
Published: August 2021

Overhead Electrical Power Lines Are Installed On Almost All Major Roadways And Many Other Public And Private Rights-Of-Way. They Are Not Insulated From Contact (With Few Exceptions). When Installed And Maintained In Accordance With The National Electrical Safety Code (Nesc), They Are Safe As Long As They Are Not Approached (Within Certain Limits) Or Touched By Unskilled Hands. However, Contacts Do Occur And The Result Is Always Serious Injury Or Death. These Incidents Usually Result In Litigation. The Determination Of Why And How The Contact Was Made And Its Preventability Are The Purview Of The Forensic Electrical Engineer. This Paper Will Discuss The Common Methods And Investigative Techniques Employed By Forensic Engineers, Including: 1) Analysis Of Electrical Systems And Evaluation Of Applicable Codes, Standards And Standard Industry Practices. 2) Evaluation Of Actions And Behavior Of The Injured Party(S). 3) Electrical Phenomena And Engineering Analysis. 4) Documentary Evidence And Testing. 5) Presentation Of Findings And Conclusions To Attorneys And To The Court.
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Lawnmower Seat Switch Malfunction
Authors: Shiver Christopher B.
Published: August 2021

Examination Of A Commercial Riding Mower Found Intermittent Function Of Seat Interlock Switch In That Powered Rotation Of Blades And Drive Wheels Would Occasionally Occur When Operator Left Seat. Testing Confirmed That This Magneto Shorting Seat Switch Would Occasionally Show Open Or High Resistance Across Contacts When Plunger Was Released By Seat. Evidence Of Opposing Expert Alleged Switch Plunger Binding Due To Galling Was Not Revealed During Testing. The Mower Design Resulted In Leaking Battery Acid Contaminating The Seat Switch Terminals. Extensive Switch Testing And Analysis (Including Dynamic x-Ray Viewing, Sem Imaging And Energy Dispersion, And Chemical Sampling) Revealed Sulfuric Acid Contamination And Corrosion Of Switch Internal Contacts That Inhibited Consistent Electrical Continuity. Concluded Was That Mower Design And Maintenance, Rather Than Off The Shelf Switch Design Flaw Was Cause Of Accident, Which Affected The Civil Trial Outcome.
The Forensic Engineer In Videotaped Depositions
Authors: Leshner Michael D.
Published: August 2021

Video Has Become Pervasive In Our Culture, And The Courtroom Is No Exception. In Recent Years, The Trend Toward Video Recording Of Expert Depositions Has Been Growing. Forensic Engineers Are Often Videotaped At Deposition Because Their Testimony Is Expected To Be A Pivotal Factor At Trial. Jurors Are Accustomed To Receiving Information From A Video Screen, And Are Often More Attentive Than When A Transcript Is Being Read. Videotape Conveys Information One Cannot Get From A Written Transcript, Such As Appearance, Body Language, Tone, And Confidence. Video Depositions Also Provide Greater Accuracy And Trustworthiness Than A Stenographic Deposition Because The Viewer Can Employ More Of His Senses In Interpreting The Information From The Deposition.
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Roof Failure In Rollovers
Authors: Batzer Stephen A.
Published: August 2021

During Automotive Rollover, The Preservation Of The Occupant Survival Space Is A Critical Aspect Of Crashworthiness. This Paper Examines The Forensic Aspects Of Roof Performance To Include Forensic Indicators, Failure Mechanisms, Occupant Injury, And Legal Aspects. The Level Of Expected Impact Force And Current State Of Technology Are Reviewed. The Easonable Alternative Designis Discussed Along With Case Studies.
A Great Fall! A Forensic Engineering Allegory
Authors: Yaxley Wilbur T.
Published: August 2021

We all have been surprised and, often, amused by the endless and innovative reasons for starting a lawsuit. Today, we will take a light-hearted look at an old and familiar accident. None of the witnesses are living. The only evidence we have is one, twenty-seven-word accident report. Let us fantasize how this case might look in court. I will read the accident report so we may all reacquaint ourselves with this old, well-known accident. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the kings horses and all the kings men couldnt put Humpty Dumpty together again. We are all familiar with this story, I am sure.
Malpractice Prevention for Engineers and Architects
Authors: Zemsky Calvin L.
Published: August 2021

Based on our past experience, we will present what problems an engineering design firm should be cognizant of to avoid a litigation problem. In these days of tight money, engineering firms are being sued more and more frequently by contractors and owners alike. Our firm has performed forensic engineering studies on several professional liability cases involving engineering and/or architectural/ engineering firms during the past several years. We will discuss the background of one of these cases, and answer the fundamental questions that every good forensic engineer must answer in the preparation of his case; what happened, where did it happen, when did it happen, why did it happen, how did it happen, who caused it to happen, and how much did it cost? Today, we will review the facts of a particular case concerning a design engineering firm. This case concerns the design of a high-voltage electrical transmission line.
Analysis of Low Speed Vehicle Impact Damage
Authors: Reekers Lester R.
Published: August 2021

Disputes resulting from low-velocity vehicular collisions have increased dramatically in number during the recent decade. According to the California State Insurance Department, staged auto accidents have risen at an average annual rate of 38% since 1986. Hard figures are not available, but most experts say 10% to 15% of all claim dollars paid out on car insurance result from some form of fakery. According to the Insurance Information Institute, that works out to between $5.4 billion and $8.1 billion of the $54 billion in claims paid last year. An Insurance Research Council study shows that in 1989 insurers paid 55.7 injury claims in California for every 100 auto property damage claims, and 57% of those making bodily injury claims were represented by an attorney. Litigators frequently utilize the assistance of the forensic engineering expert to resolve the legal issues involved in these disputes. Available reference materials for the analysis may be minimal, consisting only of c
Design Defects in Heavy Construction Equipment
Authors: Coloney Wayne H.
Published: August 2021

Accidents involving heavy construction equipment are frequently attributed to operator error
Voltage Spike Failure of Building Wire Insulation as Fire Cause
Authors: Armstrong Robert W.
Published: August 2021

The role of the forensic engineer is to interpret technical information within his/her area of expertise and present interpretations and conclusions to the client, to opposing counsel, and, if necessary, to the court. The ultimate goal is discovery of the true cause of the event which prompted the litigation. This paper presents an analysis of one mode of failure of building wire insulation found in residential, commercial and industrial electrical systems. Also presented are sources of documentation related to this failure mechanism.
Forensic Mining Engineering
Authors: Caffrey John E.
Published: August 2021

A High School constructed in the late 70s was suffering structural deterioration. The buildings site was on an area where coal had been deep and surfaced mined. The architect/engineer who designed the facility and was the School Boards technical adviser attributed the deterioration to mysterious forces which he eventually defined as subsidence and/or blasting. The School Board hired the author after a wall failed during a wind storm. The author uses the litigation events as a vehicle to discuss aspects of a Mining Engineers forensic work.
Expansive Soils: The Effect Of Changing Soil Moisture Content On Residential and Light Commercial Structures
Authors: Byrn James E.
Published: August 2021

The problems discussed in this paper are those that result from soil movement beneath residential and light commercial structures built upon expansive soils. The following areas of interest are discussed: 1. Business implication for forensic engineers, 2. Characteristics of expansive soils, 3. Common causes of changes in soil moisture content, 4. The effect that changing soil moisture content has on foundations and structures, 5. Common post-construction repair techniques. A case study of an investigation of a home damaged by expanding soils is also presented
Amusement Rides and Water Slides
Authors: Halyard Paul J.
Published: August 2021

Amusement parks have increased in popularity around the world, with attendance escalating to more than 15 million people each year. In addition to the United States, Japan and European countries are currently developing parks, featuring amusement rides and water slides. Today, I will discuss the design and maintenance criteria of amusement park rides and waterpark slides, as well as the protection by the authority with local jurisdiction of the public from construction to operation. I will also cite typical cases which reinforce the need for requirements and standards,
Glowing Electrical Connections
Authors: Brugger Richard D.
Published: August 2021

The writer discusses an electrical phenomenon which can cause fires and is reported in the literature. Nevertheless it tends to be overlooked by investigators because it is more subtle than other phenomenon, may take a long time to develop into a working fire, and is not as well documented as other electrical ignition phenomenon. This article discusses the glowing electrical connection as a hot point in the circuit and some of its interesting characteristics.
Investigation of Sprinkler System Failures
Authors: Berrin Elliot R.
Published: August 2021

The writer discusses the performance of automatic sprinkler systems, and their occasional failure to extinguish or control a fire when there is no obvious reason. Obvious reasons would include a shut water supply valve, a broken water main, an empty water tank, or any other water supply failure. This paper goes beyond the obvious.
The Forensic Engineers Relationship to Manufacturers in Product Cases
Authors: Ziernicki Richard M.
Published: August 2021

Accidents are the third largest cause of death in America, taking 140,000 lives per year. Construction accidents kill about 1000 workers every year. There were nearly 640,000 construction injuries in 1989. Accidents related to highway and heavy construction account for a third of all construction fatalities according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA inspectors handled 45,000 investigations in 1990, about half of them in the construction industry. Automotive accidents take 44,000 lives a year. The direct and indirect cost of all automotive accidents is approximately $60 billion dollars per year. Many of the product accidents will result in civil law suits. Many will result in litigation against the designer and manufacturer.
Collecting and Documenting Data From a Complex Failure
Authors: Zickel Lewis L.
Published: August 2021

On Saturday morning, May 18, 1991, the building custodians entered a synagogue to prepare the sanctuary for Sabbath services. They discovered plaster debris lying over the entire Be ma area. A 12 foot by 14 foot section of the lower level of a two-level ceiling had broken loose from the steel suspension system and had fallen to the floor approximately 35 feet below. The collapse occurred after the services the night before the discovery, between approximately 8
Whats Wrong With Expert Testimony? What Should Be Done About It?
Authors: Draper Stephen E.
Published: August 2021

The use of expert testimony in American litigation has always been controversial. This paper first presents a synopsis of the complaints against expert testimony. Then the rules for expert testimony established by the Federal Rules of Evidence are presented to provide the foundation for a critical examination of the existing expert system. The paper reviews and scrutinizes a number of proposals to modify the present system as they relate to the Federal Rules. The paper concludes with a recommendation that integrates elements of these proposals with techniques used in European courts of law.
Ethical Considerations
Authors: Yaxley Wilbur T.
Published: August 2021

We should expect in our careers to be confronted with ethical choices of good vs. bad. However, these choices are often subtle in their approach and the personal repercussions vs. the overall good will be different if it is on a personal level. Some situations are easy to determine which ethical decision must be made. Obviously, illegal situations would be an easy determination. Illegally dumping large quantities of hazardous waste in places easily discoverable by authorities would immediately cause each of us to cry foul and notify proper authorities. Signing and sealing a document very remote from your education and training, e.g. making application for an environmentally sensitive land use if ones education, training and expertise is in electronics, is obviously unethical and illegal. This would be a very easy decision to make and very few professionals (if any) would perform this illegal service.
THE SANCTIFIED AND THE NON-SANCTIFIED: WHY INTRINSIC MUSLIM CONSUMERS OFTEN DIGRESS THE HALAL CONSUMPTION ETHICS?
Authors: Nassè Dr. Théophile Bindeouè
Published: August 2021

West African researchers have investigated consumption and religious beliefs to explain the weight of religion on individuals’ consumption behavior. However, studies that investigated intrinsic religious beliefs and consumption in the context are not common. The purpose of this research is to explore how intrinsic religious beliefs shape the Muslim consumer behavior in the sector of beverages. The approach is a quantitative one and based on a post-positivist stance. The results show that Muslims intrinsic religiosity has some sensitive effects on consumer behavior in a multi-religious environment tinted by extreme poverty, and a strong cultural heritage of consumption. Thus, the intrinsic religious beliefs effects on consumer behavior are sometimes characterized by some non-tolerant and violent attitude from the part of some consumers.
Keywords: Intrinsic Religiosity, Consumer Behavior, Islamic Ethics, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Marketing.
The Tobacco Epidemic in Youth and Adolescents in the United States
Authors:   Amarillo High School, Saralaya Rohit
Published: August 2021

There are 1.1 billion smokers in the world. An estimated 37 million tobacco users are youth aged 13-15 years, of which 13 million use smokeless tobacco. Tobacco use in youth is hence labeled as a “pediatric epidemic”. 90% of smokers start smoking and get addicted before the age of 25. Tobacco kills more than 8 million people globally each year, which accounts for 1 in 10 deaths worldwide. By 2030, 80% of these deaths will be in low and middle income countries (WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2011).
PENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR IPA DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN JIGSAW PADA SMP NEGERI 1 CIKEMBAR TAHUN PELAJARAN 2019/2020
Authors: SUJARWANTO AGUS
Published: August 2021

Metode pembelajaran tipe Jigsaw, merupakan pemecahan yang diajurkan untuk meningkatkan aktivitas, hasil belajar siswa pada pembelajaran IPA. Untuk membuktikan  model ini dapat meningkatkan aktivitas, hasil belajar siswa, maka dilaksanakan PTK dengan melaksanakan proses pembelajaran tipe Jigsaw, yang dilaksanakan pada siswa di kelas IXb SMP Negeri 1 Cikembar. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dalam 2 siklus. Siklus pertama membahas tentang kemagnetan, terdiri dari (1) Membuat perencanaan yaitu membuat (RPP-1, pedoman wawancara, soal ulangan, penilaian KBM guru), (2) (KBM guru dikelas), (3) observasi (penilaian oleh kolaborator selama KBM) dan (4) Refleksi (membahas kelemahan dan kelebihan selama KBM antara guru dan kolaborator). Data dari test formatif, hasil wawancara siswa dan penilaian pengamat. Siklus kedua dilaksanakan seperti siklus pertama dengan materi yang berbeda yaitu tentang sudut inklinasi. Dari data hasil penelitian diperoleh kenaikan hasil belajar dari PBM siklus 1 yaitu rata-rata kelas 77,75. Hasil tersebut ada kenaikan nilai rata-rata dibandingkan dengan pra siklus dengan perolehan nilai rata-ratanya sebesar 73,63. Begitu pula nilai rata-rata yang diperoleh siklus ke 2, ada kenaikan nilai rata-rata dari siklus pertama menjadi 82,75. Sedangkan proses KBM siklus pertama mendapat persentase skor total 86,67% kategori baik, meningkat di siklus 2 menjadi 98,33% kategori sangat baik. Berdasarkan data yang diperoleh dari hasil penelitian ini, membuktikan bahwa  penggunaan model Jigsaw mampu meningkatkan aktivitas dan hasil belajar siswa. Oleh karena itu, disarankan Model Pembelajaran Jigsaw dapat dijadikan solusi untuk meningkatkan aktivitas dan hasil belajar dalam PBM, terutama pada pelajaran IPA.
THE CRISIS OF 2008 AND THE RISE OF
THE SLOVENIAN CONSOLIDATION STATE
Authors: Hočevar Marko
Published: August 2021

Abstract. The purpose of the article is to explain the creation of the Slovenian debt state and its transformation
into a consolidation state after the crisis of 2008. When
the crisis struck Slovenia in 2009, the banking system
was near collapse. Through the recapitalisations of the
banking system the public debt began to grow. After a
couple of years and under the structural pressures of rating agencies and pressures from the EU, the Slovenian
state had to adopt austerity measures to consolidate its
public finances, while limiting the scope of democracy.
The main finding of the article is that the crisis of 2008
fundamentally changed the Slovenian state.
Keywords: capitalist state, consolidation state, debt,
Slovenia, democracy
POLITIKA IRONIJE NA SPLETNIH DRUŽBENIH
OMREŽJIH: ORIS MEDIJSKO-TROLOVSKEGA
DISPOZITIVA
Authors: Slukan Nejc
Published: August 2021

Povzetek. Namen članka je postaviti teoretsko podlago
za analizo ironičnih komunikacijskih praks na spletnih
družbenih omrežjih. Posebej se bomo posvetili praksam
trolanja. V članku ne definiramo ironije le kot retorične
figure, temveč tudi kot govorno dejanje, ki rekonfigurira razmerje med elementi komunikacijske situacije.
Najprej bomo kritično ovrednotili sodobne različice teorij tehnoloških zmožnosti, nato pa skozi prikaz komunikacijskih pogojev na nekaterih spletnih družbenih
omrežjih pokazali, kako je mogoče določene njihove
zmožnosti opisati kot del dispozitiva, ki ga delovno
imenujemo medijsko-trolovski dispozitiv in ki posameznike spodbuja k trolovskim oblikam izražanja. Naša
zaključna ugotovitev je, da zmožnosti spletnih družbenih omrežij spodbujajo trolovske oblike izražanja.
Ključni pojmi: ironija, trolanje, dispozitiv, zmožnosti,
spletna družbena omrežja
EVENTIZACIJA IN KOMODIFIKACIJA POLITIKE
NA INSTAGRAMU
Authors: Crnović Deja
Published: August 2021

Povzetek. Politika 21. stoletja je zaradi mediatizacije,
eventizacije in vdiranja tržne logike v politično polje
vedno bolj personalizirana. V ospredju niso politike,
temveč osebe, ki delujejo v političnem polju. Politiki in
političarke so s svojim delovanjem blizu zvezdnikom
in zvezdnicam, saj privid kompetence bolj kot v političnem delovanju črpajo v svoji zasebnosti oziroma osebnih vrednotah. Dosegajo ga z uprizarjanjem določenega spola in razreda, s pomočjo česar se v populistični
maniri približujejo »ljudstvu« oziroma »navadnemu
človeku«. Članek analizira uprizarjanje moškosti in
razreda ter posledično depolitizacijo prek Instagrama
na primeru dveh predsednikov držav, Boruta Pahorja
in Aleksandra Vučića. Čeprav oba predsednika v svojem domačem političnem polju delujeta populistično
in občasno tudi domačijsko, na njunih profilih na
Instagramu prevladuje uprizarjanje kozmopolitske, v
primeru Pahorja pa tudi nove, narcisoidne moškosti.
Medtem ko Vučić daje prednost objavam s tujimi voditelji z mednarodnih srečanj, je pri Pahorju bistveno več
fotografij iz njegove zasebnosti in domačega okolja.
Ključni pojmi: mediatizacija, depolitizacija, eventizacija, Instagram, politika, uprizarjanje, spol, razred