View Important Policies and System Requirements for this course
INSTRUCTORS:
Benjamin Cornelius, P.E., S.E., P.Eng.
Sami S. Matar, P.E.
Aaron Freidenberg, Ph.D., P.E.
Damian Moser, P.E.
Dr. Alex Sixie Cao
Course Length: 1.5 hour
These presentations were recorded at the 2024 Forensic Engineering Congress.
Purpose and Background
Averting Disaster – Investigating and Repairing Column Failures at a High-Rise Building Under Construction (24 minutes)
This presentation examines a critical failure scenario in a 43-story high-rise under construction, where multiple columns exhibited significant material deficiencies, risking catastrophic collapse. It delves into the emergency response, including extensive shoring operations and forensic investigations that identified the causes of column movement and low-strength concrete. Learners will learn about the testing methods employed, such as ultrasonic pulse velocity and concrete core sampling, and the innovative repair solutions, including full-height column jacketing. The session highlights lessons learned and recommendations for improving construction practices and inspection protocols to avert similar disasters in the future.
Load and Capacity Considerations for Stringers in Shoring Towers (15 minutes)
This presentation explores the critical role of shoring towers and stringers in supporting wet concrete loads during construction. Using real-world case studies, it highlights the consequences of underestimating stringer capacities, including buckling and structural collapse. Learners will gain insights into finite element analysis (FEA), lab testing, and full-scale field evaluations used to diagnose failures. The session underscores the importance of proper design, alignment, and installation practices, offering actionable recommendations to enhance the safety and reliability of temporary work.
Subgrade Column Corrosion in Midrise Steel Building (23 minutes)
This case study investigates the sudden settlement and structural failure of a mid-rise steel building due to severe subgrade column corrosion. It explores how design flaws, inadequate coatings, and exposure to de-icing salts accelerated the deterioration of critical columns hidden by precast covers. Learners will learn about the broader implications of corrosion on aging structures and strategies to mitigate risks, including enhanced inspection access, improved protective measures, and updated maintenance practices. The presentation serves as a wake-up call for professionals managing older buildings exposed to harsh environmental conditions.
Case Study of a Tall Timber Building Subjected to Ground-Floor Column Loss Scenarios (20 minutes)
This session explores the structural resilience and collapse behavior of tall timber buildings when subjected to column loss scenarios on the ground floor. Through advanced modeling techniques and dynamic simulations, the presentation highlights the critical role of robustness, redundancy, and segmentation in mitigating progressive collapse. Attendees will gain insights into the importance of connection properties, deformation capacity, and alternative load paths in limiting damage propagation. The session also discusses practical design strategies to enhance structural safety and minimize the impact of unforeseen events, offering valuable lessons for engineers and designers focused on sustainable and resilient construction practices.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of these sessions, you will be able to:
- Describe the emergency response, forensic investigation, and repair strategies implemented to address column failures in a high-rise building under construction.
- Identify the structural considerations and failure mechanisms associated with the use of stringers in shoring towers during concrete casting.
- Explain the causes, effects, and prevention strategies for subgrade column corrosion in midrise steel buildings exposed to de-icing salts.
- List the factors influencing progressive collapse behavior and robustness in tall timber buildings when subjected to column loss scenarios.
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 PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
This course is worth 1.5 PDHs. 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]