| School of Engineering and Technology, (SET) | ||||
| CE72.62 : Forensic Engineering Structural Evaluation and Retrofitting of Structures 3(2-3) | ||||
| Course objectives: | ||||
The objective of this course is to acquaint students with various aspects of forensic engineering especially in the structural engineering. This course would provide them with basics for the investigation of failures in order to diagnose the causes of failures and to understand some legal aspects. Furthermore, it would provide lessons learned from failures to prevent the same mistakes, and to prepare them for the practice of forensic structural engineering. The various testing methods for concrete and structural evaluation as well as strengthening techniques are also included. Many failure case studies will be introduced and discussed. Use of available computer software tools to analyze problems is preferred. |
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| Learning Outcomes: | ||||
On the completion of this course, the students will be able to:
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| Pre-requisite(s): | ||||
None. |
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| Course Outline: | ||||
I. Introduction to failure and forensic engineering
1. Definition of failure
2. Causes of failures in constructed facilitites
3. Role of expert witness
4. Forensic engineering technique
II. Failures in civil engineering
1. Technical, structural and nonstructural failures
2. Natural hazards and unusual loads: effects on the built environment
3. Failure mechanisms in cementitious materials / timbers / metals
III. Guidelines for failure investigation
1. Planning stage, the development of a failure hypothesis, and the preparation of a concise report.
2. The engineer's role as an expert witness.
III. Strength evaluation of existing concrete buildings
1. Preliminary and Detailed investigation (review of existing information and condition survey and evaluation of structural concrete, NDE)
2. Methods of material evaluation
3. Assessment of loading conditions and selection of evaluation method
4. Structural evaluation
IV. Methods for assessing properties of concrete (methods for flaw detection, condition assessment, and strength)
1. Visual inspection
2. Stress-wave propagation methods
3. Infrared thermography
4. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR)
5. Electrical and magnetic methods for reinforcement
6. Surface hardness test and coring
V. Causes, evaluation and repair of cracks in concrete structures
1. Causes of cracking
2. Control of cracking
3. Evaluation of cracking
4. Methods of crack repair
VI. Non-destructive testing in steel structures
1. Liquid penetrant inspection
2. Ultrasonic testing
VII. Concrete repair guide
1. Concrete removal, preparation and repair techniques
2. Repair materials
3. Protective systems
4. Strengthening techniques
VIII. Strengthening and stabilization
1. Techniques consideration
2. Beam shear capacity strengthening
3. Shear transfer strengthening
4. Stress reduction techniques
5. Column strengthening
6. Flexural strengthening
7. Connection stabilization and strengthening
8. Design and construction of externally bonded FRP systems
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| Laboratory Sessions: | ||||
Computer modeling
NDT
Structural testing or Failure case test Project Work |
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| Learning Resources: | ||||
| Textbook: | ||||
No designated textbook, but class notes and handouts will be provided. |
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| Reference Books: | ||||
1. G. L. Lewis (2003):
Guidelines for Forensic Engineering Practice, prepared by Forensic Engineering Practice Committee, Technical Council on Forensic Engineering, ASCE.
2. Robin Shepherd and J. David Frost (1995):
Failures in Civil Engineering: Structural, Foundation and Geoenvironmental Case Studies, Educational Committee of the Technical Council on Forensic Engineering, ASCE
3. J. Feld, and K.L.Carper (1997):
Construction failures, 2nd edition, J. Wiley and Sons, Inc.
4. B. Hull, and V. John (1988):
Non-Destructive Testing, Macmillan Education Ltd.
5. J. H. Bungey, and S. G. Millard (1996):
Testing of concrete in structures, Blackie Academic & Professional.
6. P. E. Mix (1987):
Introduction to Nondestructive Testing, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
7. P. H. Emmons (1993):
Concrete repair and maintenance illustrated, R.S. Means Company Inc.
8. Jr. Delatte, and J. Norbert (2009):
Beyond Failure: Forensic Case Studies for Civil Engineers, ASCE Press.
9. Edited by L C Hollaway and J G Teng (2011):
Strengthening and Rehabilitation of Civil Infrastructures Using Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites, Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering, 1st edition.
10. American Concrete Institute and International Concrete Repair Institute (2013):
Concrete Repair Manual, 4th Edition, two volumes.
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| Journals and Magazines: | ||||
1. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, American Society of Civil Engineering
2. Journal of Structural Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineering
3. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, American Society of Civil Engineering
4. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineering
5. Cement and Concrete Research, Elsevier
6. Engineering Failure Analysis Journal, Elsevier
7. Case Studies in Engineering Failure Analysis Journal, Elsevier
Others:
1. Guidelines for Failure Investigation, Task Committee on Guidelines for Failure Investigation of the Technical Council on Forensic engineering, ASCE, 1989.
2. ACI Manual of concrete practice 2017, American Concrete Institute, 2017.
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| Time Distribution and Study Load: | ||||
· Lectures: 30 hours
· Lab sessions: 45 hours
· Project: 15 hours
· Field Trip: 1 day
· Self Study: 120 hours
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| Teaching and Learning Methods: | ||||
Lecture, Lab, Discussion, Problem-based learning, Case-study learning, Group Project, Field trip and self study
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| Evaluation Scheme: | ||||
The final grade will be computed according to the following weight distribution: Participation (10%), Mid-Semester Exam (30%); Assignments and Projects (20%); Final Exam (40%). Open book examination is used for both mid-semester and final exams.
To get grade A, students should be able to understand all aspects of forensic engineering excellently and correctly, to demonstrate the ability to identify, analyze, and synthesize failures systematically and excellently, to evaluate existing structures correctly and excellently, to communicate excellently in terms of writing and presenting, and to use tools and techniques for failure investigation and strengthening excellently.
To get grade B, students should be able to understand various aspects of forensic engineering well, to demonstrate the ability to identify, analyze, and synthesize failures systematically and well, to evaluate existing structures correctly and well, to communicate well in terms of writing and presenting, and to use tools and techniques for failure investigation and strengthening well.
To get grade C, students should be able to understand some aspects of forensic engineering fair, to demonstrate the ability to identify, analyze, and synthesize failures fairly, to evaluate existing structures fairly, to communicate fairly in terms of writing and presenting, and to use tools and techniques for failure investigation and strengthening appropriately.
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| Instructor(s): | ||||
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