Page 182 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

THE FIRST STEPS AFTER A FAILURE 5.15

5 14' 6
A
3" topping and W18
3" insulation on 2-span deck
4-3/4" slab with 8'
2" metal deck
W12 (–6")
Collapsed
area
8'
B
W18
4-3/4" slab with
2" metal deck
4-span deck
Framing plan

Buckled ribs

Creased both sides
of intermediate beam

Cut for removal

Bearing area

Puddle welds and blowouts
FIGURE 5.11 Judicious retention of key components by early investigators allowed the authors’ firm to
observe first-hand the as-built conditions of this metal deck that collapsed while concrete was being placed,
and to observe the failure mode.

Field Notes
Field notes are the backbone of a solid documentation program. They may include:

• A log of crucial activities
• Sketches
• Measurements
• Reference to photographs, highlighting what is depicted or indicating the location