Beyond failure : forensic case studies for civil engineers / Norbert J. Delatte, Jr.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Delatte, Norbert J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Forensic engineering--Case studies.

Forensic engineering.

System failures (Engineering)--Case studies.

System failures (Engineering).

Civil engineering--Case studies.

Civil engineering.

Structural failures--Investigation--Case studies.

Structural failures.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (424 p.)

Place of Publication:

Reston, VA : ASCE Press, c2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Engineering failures get a lot of attention—inciting morbid curiosity and fueling concern over the condition of our infrastructure. But every engineering loss is the start of a forensic investigation into how, why, and what can be done to prevent future failures. As with scientific failures, engineering failures can be very instructive in teaching us what does not work. Beyond Failure presents the circumstances of important failures that have had far-reaching impacts on civil engineering practice. Each case study narrates the known facts: design and construction, the failure, subsequent investigation or analysis, and, where appropriate, additional issues such as technical concerns, ethical considerations, professional practice issues, and long-term effects. The case studies are organized around eight common topics of undergraduate engineering courses and include teaching points and a reading list, so this book is useful to engineering faculty and students. With more than 40 full cases, including the Silver Bridge collapse in Point Pleasant, WV; the levee breaches in New Orleans, LA; and the Challenger space shuttle explosion, this book will also appeal to practicing engineers with an interest in forensic investigations or the analysis of historic failures.

Contents:

Why Case Studies?; Statics and Dynamics; Mechanics of Materials; Structural Analysis; Reinforced Concrete Structures; Steel Structures; Soil Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering, and Foundations; Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics; Construction Materials; Management, Ethics, and Professional Issues; Notes to the Professor; The ASCE Code of Ethics; Some Cases on Video and DVD; References; Index; Back Matter

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Print version record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [391]-402) and index.

ISBN:

0-7844-7228-9

OCLC:

871833843