×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Playing CSI

Playing CSI

Playing CSI

(OP)
I am involved in a very minor accident investigation where I work and have been offered the opportunity to play CSI. We know that a forklift hit a column, and have tracked down which lift was responsible by the shape of the forks- but the accident went unreported.

As it is, I have a structural engineer coming in Friday to provide guidelines for how to repair the column. However, I am left wanting to know if the machine was turning left or right at the time of impact (for my own sake, and to settle a dispute.) I believe the pictures and evidence suggests a left to right motion. My coworker believes the opposite.

The only difference this will make to the end report will be some degree of certainty whether it was the left or the right fork of the counterbalance lift that impacted the column. It is trivial, but I was wondering if anybody had any input to settle the dispute.

The first picture should show the column including the main area of concern and an additional "glancing blow" that is believed to have occurred at the same time. The second picture is a close up that I hope will help identify the direction of the forks at the time of impact.

Anyhow, I appreciate any suggestions. Please feel free to lie and say it was a left-right impact even if you agree with my coworker...


RE: Playing CSI

Based on the shape of the burrs I'd expect right to left motion.

In true CSI style why not try to recreate the impact. Not at full scale obviously but maybe a blade screwdriver with the tip ground down to approximate the shape of the forks, hammered into a softish piece of aluminum or something.

You could try doing something into play dough but I'm skeptical how well that would work.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?

RE: Playing CSI

(OP)
Oddly enough, we were discussing welding a piece of ¼ plate between two bollards and running into it repeatedly with a lift until we could determine not only the direction of travel, but the speed as well. Fortunately, one of us was smart enough to figure out that might be hard on the equipment.

The idea of softer aluminum actually holds promise. There is some thicker stock in the shop that would work. Sounds like a project for tomorrow, thanks.

RE: Playing CSI

I would agree with the right-to-left motion. The deeper gouge is on the right, so that should be the initial impact, after which, the forklift was diverted to the left, hence the lighter gouge leading away from the initial hit point. This is further collaborated by the way the burrs are pointing above and below the deepest point of the gouge. The points all point to the left, which is similar to the directional impact signs of blood droplets.

TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers

RE: Playing CSI

Also look at the direction of the paint spalling on the lighter gouge section. Paint tends to flake in the direction of the applied force and it looks like it has peeled off towards the left. I think right to left motion also.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources