1st Edition

Forensic Engineering Investigation

By Randall K. Noon Copyright 2001
    484 Pages 70 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Forensic Engineering Investigation is a compendium of the investigative methodologies used by engineers and scientific investigators to evaluate some of the more common types of failures and catastrophic events. In essence, the book provides analyses and methods for determining how an entity was damaged and when that damage may have legal consequences. The material covers 21 common types of failures, catastrophic events, and losses that forensic engineers routinely assess. The range of topics include wind and blasting damage to structures, vehicular accidents, fires, explosions, hail damage to roofs and exteriors, lighting damage, and industrial guarding accidents.

    Additionally, the book offers an extensive discussion of the scientific method as it applies to forensic science and provides tips on organizing and writing an investigative report. The book also supplies the applicable codes and standards that regulate the profession, discusses the role of the forensic engineer in court proceedings, and addresses the role management plays in industrial safety.

    Each chapter is self-contained, highly specific, and succinct. Even more important, the analysis in each chapter is tailored to the answering of questions usually posed in the particular circumstances under discussion. The author does not skimp on the mathematical and scientific underpinnings of the subject matter. In that sense, Forensic Engineering Investigation contains the "good stuff" that is typically omitted in less challenging texts.

    Introduction
    Wind damage to residential structures
    Lightning damage to well pumps
    Evaluating blasting damage to structures
    Building collapse due to roof leakage
    Putting machines and people together
    Determining the point of origin of fire
    Electrical shorting
    Explosions
    Determining the point of origin of an explosion
    Arson and incendiary fires
    Simple skids
    Simple and vehicular falls
    Vehicle performance
    Momentum methods
    Energy methods
    Curves and turns
    Visual perception and motorcycle accidents
    Interpreting light filament damage
    Automotive fires
    Hail damage
    Blaming brick freeze-thaw deterioration on hail
    Management's role in accidents

    Biography

    Randall K. Noon

    "…highly readable and topical introduction to the "real world" of 'the application of engineering principles and methodologies to answer questions in fact'…books stands on its own merits…wide array of topics in succinct fashion…standard engineering algebraic formulas fully interpreted and often illustrated by a schematic drawing or photograph to assist reader…Mr. Noon is a master teacher and often blends formulas with lessons learned from his personal experience, which must be extensive…wealth of 'good stuff'…"
    - Wayne C. Lusvardi, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California