The Guidelines for Failure Investigation by the Task Committee on Guidelines for Failure Investigations of the Technical Council on Forensic Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers provides an overview to the functions and responsibilities of the successful failure investigation. The Guidelines covers all aspects of the investigative process from the planning stage, the development of a failure hypothesis, and the preparation of a concise report, to the engineer's role as an expert witness. To help explain this process, two investigations in specific engineering disciplines, geotechical and structural, are developed in detail. With this complete coverage, the Guidelines not only provides an introduction to the investigative process for the initiate forensic engineer, but also supplies the veteran investigator with references and guidance.

Prepared by the Committee on Forensic Investigation of the Forensic Engineering DivisionForensic engineering involves a wide range of services, from the investigation of failures and performance problems to participation in the legal proceedings that often follow. The planning and implementation of a successful investigation involves a series of interrelated tasks and steps that need to be carried out by the forensic engineer and an interdisciplinary investigation team. Guidelines for Failure Investigation, Second Edition, outlines five fundamental steps in a failure investigation and will assist forensic engineers in tailoring their investigations to their particular failure scenarios. This book emphasizes failures and investigations related to structural and geotechnical systems, building envelopes, and construction practices; however, the investigative process outlined may also be appropriate for conducting other types of failure investigations. Topics include: Investigation planning and coordination, Data collection, Development of testing protocol, Data analysis and interpretation, and Presentation of opinions and conclusions. This technial report will be valuable to practicing engineers and students needing an introduction to the investigative process. It also serves as a reference guide for veteran investigators.

This book outlines the fundamental steps that will assist forensic engineers in tailoring their forensic investigations of failures and performance problems associated with structures and building systems.

Learning the proper steps for organizing a failure investigation ensures success. Failure investigations cross company functional boundaries and are an integral component of any design or manufacturing business operation. Well-organized and professionally conducted investigations are essential for solving manufacturing problems and assisting in redesigns. This book outlines a proven systematic approach to failure investigation. It explains the relationship between various failure sources (corrosion, for example) and the organization and conduct of the investigation. It provides a learning platform for engineers from all disciplines: materials, design, manufacturing, quality, and management. The examples in this book focus on the definition of and requirements for a professionally performed failure analysis of a physical object or structure. However, many of the concepts have much greater utility than for investigating the failure of physical objects. For example, the book provides guidance in areas such as learning how to define objectives, negotiating the scope of investigation, examining the physical evidence, and applying general problem-solving techniques.

Sponsored by the Forensic Engineering Practice Committee of the Technical Council on Forensic Engineering of ASCE. This report provides the fundamentals of developing a practice that includes forensic engineering. Within the broad field of civil engineering, forensic engineering involves the investigation of performance, difficulties, or failures of buildings, structures, pipelines, foundations, airplanes, manufacturing equipment, vehicles, bridges, flood control facilities, and other engineered products. This report covers five general topics important to the practice of forensic engineering. "Qualifications" addresses commonly accepted education and experience requirements for forensic engineers. Various aspects of federal and state law are cited with an expanded section on admissibility. and disqualifications are discussed. "Investigations" shows the typical aspects of physically carrying out a forensic investigation, such as the handling of evidence for subsequent courtroom presentation. "Ethics" fulfills a professional charge to promulgate guidelines for ethical behavior of the forensic engineer. "Legal" gives a brief overview of the court system as it applies to the construction industry, including the role of the forensic engineer as an expert witness. "Business" describes the nontechnical management side of forensic engineering practices; the marketing of forensic engineering services within an acceptable ethical scheme is encouraged.

Prepared by the Research Council on Performance of Structures of ASCE. This report contains guidelines for conducting an investigation into the causes of a structural failure or collapse.Ø Topics include: members of the investigative team and their responsibilities, recommended procedure for site visits, accumulation and recording of data, reporting procedures, and checklists of preparation and materials needed for each step. Common structural types are described, together with the most common causes of distress and failure for each material and construction method. Causes of failure are discussed according to type of project, type of structure, or type of material, connection or foundation.

These guidelines form a comprehensive overview of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and examines why FMEA has become a powerful and respected analytical technique for effectively managing and reducing risks. Readers learn how to use FMEA throughout the life cycles of their product to improve customer satisfaction and assure safety and regulatory compliance. They will obtain sound advice on selecting a study team, setting up and conducting a study, and analyzing the results. Other topics include Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis, Risk Management Planning, Advanced Quality Planning, Product Quality Control Plans, and Dynamic Control Plans.