Category: Architecture, Construction, Engineering, Safety Forensic Engineering Investigation of a Long Span Wooden Truss Failure During Erection TASA ID: 1134 With about one third of the long span wood trusses in place for a 60' by 100' building being constructed as a convenience store, the trusses already erected fell over like dominos injuring three laborers. The three workers sued a number of parties involved in the project including the crane rental company and the manufacturer and supplier of the trusses, claiming that they shared responsibility for the accident and that they should have taken action to prevent the collapse. The author was retained as an expert witness for the crane rental company. Investigation and analysis of available facts established that the crane rental company was not responsible and should have had no liability. Read more
Category: Articles, Construction Consumer Protection & More Successful Construction Projects (We're In It Together) Whitepaper TASA ID: 3352 Owners, consumers, professionals, tradespeople, vendors, and regulators are all involved in the purchase of goods and services. However, how many are actually, accurately aware of their duties and rights for those transactions according to the law? Read more
Category: Articles, Construction, Environment Compliance with EPA's RRP Rule (40 CFR 745) (Renovation, Repair and Painting)...And the Real World Whitepaper TASA ID: 3352 By now, you have probably heard about the rules that tell us how to properly manage lead-based paint under the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and most state, county, and local governments. Read more
Category: Articles, Chemicals / Toxic Substances, Construction Corrosion Mechanisms of Painted Metal Whitepaper TASA ID: 4149 A paint coating imparts two important functions to the underlying substrate: - The aesthetic function gives the substrate a good appearance. - The protective function protects the substrate from mechanical and chemical damage. However, due to routine wear and tear, surface scratches and other defects are generated in the paint film and micro-cracks develop. These micro-cracks eventually lead to macroscopic corrosion damage, which results in the coating losing its aesthetic and protective functions. Corrosion is a ubiquitous and on-going problem. It causes tens of millions of dollars of damage annually in the U.S. alone, and compromises the safety, environmental, and appearance characteristics of the affected structures. Read more
