Construction Guardrail Failures - Expert Webinar [VIDEO]

In this article, structural engineer, Mark Duckett provides an introduction to building guardrail failures from the perspective of a structural engineer.

In this article, Structural Engineer, Mark Duckett, P.E., S.I., discusses the topic of construction guardrail failures. Through video, he introduces a properly designed and constructed guardrail, and performs testing on that system to demonstrate the inherent and robust safety of a properly engineered system.

In this webinar video, structural engineer Mark Duckett, P.E., S.I., provides an overview of wind dynamics, focusing on the way wind interacts with buildings and various structures and products. He discusses the design methodologies employed by structural engineers to ensure that systems are safe and resilient against expected wind forces.

Using case examples, Mark demonstrates the broad range of investigations where wind engineering is relevant and provides tips for recognizing wind damage.

Fall-through hazards (i.e. holes) are among the myriad of safety concerns commonly found on construction sites. Contained within OSHA’s Fall Protection regulations, a ‘hole’ is defined as a gap or open space in a floor, roof, horizontal walking-working surface, or similar surface that is at least 2 inches (5 cm) in its least dimension.

In this article, Civil Engineer & Construction Safety Expert, David Gardner shares the steps that should be taken on a construction site to prevent falls and other injuries related to holes.

How can you determine if the property damage in your case (or claim) was caused by vibrations originating from a nearby construction project?

Damages are often expensive, conditions prior to construction activity are not always documented, and the science behind ground vibrations is esoteric.

In this webinar video, Structural Engineer Anthony Volonnino unravels the assessment of construction vibration claims into three main variables: the source of the vibration energy, the distance between the source and the structure, and the nature of observed distress. By reviewing causation in two forensic cases, attendees will learn scientific and engineering principles that can be applied to their own casework.

Failed structure investigations take many forms: from conventional examples such as buildings and bridges to the less obvious such as traffic signs, tents, trees, and chairs. From a lay perspective, the unifying theme is that something became unstable or collapsed; but from an engineering perspective there was a system failure that caused the structure to not support the loads it was exposed to, and perhaps was intended to support. Structures can fail in different ways and do not always collapse; this article focuses on structures that collapse.

Structural Engineer Anthony Volonnino P.E. sets the stage for looking at the world from the perspective of a structural engineer. For lawyers and insurance professionals, the article attempts to provide a framework for understanding causation, notice, standard of care, and ultimately liability in a broad range of cases where buildings, products, and natural systems fail or collapse.