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INSTRUCTORS:
Frank Griffin, P.E., F.ASCE
Timothy Coleman, Ph.D
F. Dirk Carvajal, P.E., M.ASCE
Quentin S. Ragan
R. Panneer Selvam
Vahid Barzegar, Ph.D
Course Length: 1 hour
Purpose and Background
These presentations were recorded at the 2024 Forensic Engineering Congress.
Weather or Not – Weather Research for Hail and Wind Damage Claims (26 minutes)
This presentation explores the role of weather research in forensic investigations and property damage claims related to hail, wind, and severe storms. It highlights the increasing involvement of forensic meteorologists in insurance claims and litigation, emphasizing the importance of accurate weather data. The discussion covers key weather data sources, including government records and third-party reports, along with their limitations in court. Legal precedents, such as Daubert challenges, are reviewed to demonstrate the necessity of reliable methodologies. The session underscores the need for forensic engineers to stay within their expertise, focusing on structural damage assessments while collaborating effectively with meteorologists when necessary.
Determining Tornado Velocity for Tornado Force Coefficients for a Thin-Cylinder Structure and Comparison to ASCE 7 (21 minutes)
This presentation examines the impact of tornado wind forces on thin-cylinder structures, such as wind turbines and water towers, using computational fluid dynamics modeling. It compares tornado force coefficients with those provided in ASCE 7, highlighting the complexities of tornado wind behavior versus straight-line winds. The study explores how tornadoes create highly variable wind loads, affecting structural stability differently than conventional wind events. By analyzing computational models, the research identifies velocity correction factors and differences in drag and lift forces on cylindrical structures. The findings suggest that tornado force coefficients may be higher than ASCE 7 values, emphasizing the need for improved design considerations for such structures in tornado-prone regions.
Post-Fire Structural Investigation & Remediation of a Parking Garage (19 minutes)
This presentation examines the assessment and repair of parking garages following fire damage, focusing on concrete performance under high temperatures. It discusses how fire exposure affects the strength and durability of concrete, reinforcement, and post-tensioned systems, emphasizing the importance of visual inspections and material testing. Key investigative techniques, such as petrography, core sampling, and load testing, are reviewed to determine structural viability. The session also explores remediation strategies, including concrete repair methods and reinforcement restoration, ensuring compliance with safety codes. Finally, it highlights the decision-making process for repair versus replacement, balancing cost, feasibility, and long-term structural performance.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of these sessions, you will be able to:
- Describe the role of forensic meteorology in structural damage assessments and explain the limitations of various weather data sources, including government records and third-party reports.
- Analyze the impact of hail and wind events on buildings and identify key forensic engineering methods used to assess storm-related structural damage.
- Explain the methodology used in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to assess tornado force coefficients and describe how these coefficients relate to ASCE 7 design provisions.
- Identify key structural assessment methods used to evaluate fire-damaged concrete in parking garages and explain the impact of high temperatures on concrete strength and reinforcement integrity.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are assessed and achieved through passing a 10 multiple choice question post-test with at least a 70%.
Who Should Attend?
- Architects
- Construction Engineers
- Forensic engineers
- Geotechnical engineers
- Structural engineers
- Transportation engineers
How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
This course is worth 0.1 CEU/1 PDH. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.
How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?
1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]