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Tag Archive: forensic engineering

What You May Not Know About Using a Concrete Test Hammer
September 24, 2020 3:42 pm Leave a Comment
When assessing potential problems in concrete structures, consider a non-destructive test using the concrete test hammer, AKA “rebound hammer,” before investing a lot of time and money needlessly replacing or destructively testing the concrete structure. The use of rebound hammer tests should be considered before you or your client decide to drill multiple core samples. Large areas of the concrete structure suspected of having potential strength problems can be tested quickly with a rebound hammer. Analysis of those results can narrow down specific areas for more rigorous testing. (more…)
What’s Behind That CE Mark Part Three, Machine Guard Requirements
September 1, 2020 10:16 am Leave a Comment
In the first blog in this series, we discussed the story behind the CE mark, the Machinery Directive, and the associated requirements regarding the design, production, and sale of machinery bearing the mark. The second blog discussed a cornerstone of safer machine design, the risk assessment. This installment will discuss another crucial piece of the safety puzzle, machine guard design. (more…)
Working on the Waves While Working the Waves…
August 3, 2020 9:27 am Leave a Comment
The rumors of my pending retirement have been greatly exaggerated…..

Ever since I heard about The Great Loop I have wanted to cruise it (www.greatloop.org). To successfully complete the Loop, one needs to have 3 things: adequate equipment, adequate time, and adequate health. I had the first and third. To secure the second, I had floated the idea of a two-year sabbatical. A year to complete any existing cases and a year to execute The Great Loop.

With the arrival of COVID-19, our firm went to remote work. (more…)
The CE Mark and What Should It Mean to You? Part Two
July 20, 2020 2:58 pm Leave a Comment
In the previous blog (Part One) we discussed the backstory behind the two stylized letters CE and what it means to the design of machinery bearing the mark. We outlined some of the requirements of the “Machinery Directive” (MD) which include what are known as “Essential Health and Safety Requirements.” The Essential Health and Safety Requirements incorporate an iterative risk reduction process during design that takes into account (more…)
The CE Mark and What Should It Mean to You? Part One
June 16, 2020 11:03 am Leave a Comment
Two little letters, CE. Perhaps you have seen those two letters on a machine nameplate or some other equipment. What is the meaning behind those two stylized letters and how does it drive the design of safer machinery? Let’s take a closer look. (more…)
Shedding Some Light on Fluorescent Light Fixture Fires
May 28, 2020 3:06 pm Leave a Comment
Lighting systems in buildings and other structures have undergone changes over the years. Many of these changes have occurred as manufacturers have developed more efficient lighting methods. Lighting loads can represent the largest category of electrical load in many buildings, thus improved lighting efficiency may significantly lower your power bill and can lengthen time between lamp changes. (more…)
Crane Incident Handbook
April 28, 2020 3:15 am Leave a Comment
Cranes are powerful lifting devices that we see everyday in construction areas, shipping terminals, and industrial sites. They are so common that we often pass by them with little thought. Cranes, however, can sometimes become involved in incidents that injure people or damage equipment. (more…)
Failure to Maintain Tow Hook Latch Results in Bystander Death
March 27, 2020 12:02 pm Leave a Comment
An unfortunate and tragic case that we investigated involved a commercial “rollback” recovery truck that was being used to transport a four-wheel drive diesel pickup. The diesel pickup was not in running order with its’ engine in the bed of the truck. Consequently, a commercial towing company was hired by the truck owner to transport the truck. In the process of loading the truck onto the rollback, the truck came uncoupled from the winch and cable system. The truck then rolled down the inclined bed of the rollback, running over and killing a bystander. (more…)
Distributed Control Systems…Data is the Key
March 12, 2020 10:08 am Leave a Comment
Wouldn’t it be great to have a built-in camera to let you see exactly what went wrong before an incident? In many manufacturing instances there is, chemical plants especially. The computer system that operates the plant is called a Distributed Control System (DCS) and it has the capacity to monitor thousands of process variables (flow rates, temperatures, pressures, levels, valve positions, pumps on/off) simultaneously. (more…)
Waste Gas Treatment Equipment Failure: Design & Installation Defects Cause Fire
February 12, 2020 2:57 pm Leave a Comment
The thirty-thousand-foot view of manufacturing is raw material in, alter in an appropriate fashion, finished product out, by-product out. Since the finished product keeps a business in business, it gets the most attention. What about by-products or waste streams? (more…)

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