Chuck Guedelhoefer and Joe Macicak present “Using Full Scale Tests To Prove What Really Happened in a Construction Collapse” at the SEAOI Forensic Forum in Chicago

Chuck and Joe presented a case study of a forensic investigation that used full-scale load tests to refute opinions stated by several other experts and OSHA investigators regarding the cause of a masonry collapse incident that resulted in a fatality. The in situ structural configuration at the time the incident occurred was discussed, along with the critical investigative findings from OSHA and other experts. Details of the design and construction of the test configuration were discussed, including forensic measurements necessary to replicate in situ conditions for testing, and other specific detailing that helped assure the testing results were credible and unassailable.