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NOVEMBER 11 2009 MEETING TECHNICAL PROGRAM Detective Engineering: Causes of Distress in Concrete Speaker: Dr. David W. Fowler, Ph.D., P.E., with University of Texas, Austin , Austin TX, Tel. 512-232-2575 Dr. Fowler has earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Architectural Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has been a professor at The University of Texas at Austin since 1964, where he teaches courses in concrete repair, concrete materials, and forensic engineering. PRESENTATION SUMMARYTo an audience of about 105 at the HESS Club, Dr. Fowler gave a slide presentation titled, "Forensic Engineering: Causes of Distress in Concrete".
Qualifications required for a Forensic Engineer included:
Dr Fowler then discussed the meaning of Failure, indicating that, in structural terms, failure means "not performing as intended." Failure, therefore, does not require damage, death, or similar severe consequences. It can include such things as:
A series of famous failures was then discussed, which included:
Dr. Fowler then addressed the approach to a Forensic Engineering problem as requiring use of the "Scientific Method". This essentially involves:
In this regard, Dr. Fowler pointed out that sometime one must make the best conclusion possible, and that a definite causation may not be found. In other words, the answer may be "yes, no, or maybe." Dr. Fowler also gave many case histories on concrete failures with causes ranging from shrinkage cracks to Alkali-Silica Reactions(ASR). In one case he found that the ASR expanded and shoved a concrete pavement 5 feet. He reiterated that rebar does not keep concrete from cracking, it keeps the cracks from getting wider. To download a copy of Dr. Fowler's slide presentation, click here To read a summary of Dr. Fowlers previous presentation to the FPA click: November 2008 |
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