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Introduction to forensic engineering
Why do products fail and who finds out why? This unit enters...
Why do products fail and who finds out why? This unit enters the complex world of forensic engineering and examines how scientists analyse product failure. From investigating a ladder accident to determining the reasons behind the failures in medical products, you will understand how the ‘truth’ can be established.
After studying this unit you should be able to:
- analyse the cause of failures in polymer products;
- recognise safety-critical polymer components in products;
- describe different failure modes, using conceptual and engineering diagrams, such as fault-tree analysis diagrams;
- distinguish between non-specification features and defects in polymer products. Suggest ways of reducing the effects of defects;
- extract key information from standards, specifications, codes of practice, or technical literature and apply that information to product failures;
- suggest the most appropriate analytical tools to investigate a particular failure of a polymer product;
- recognise stress concentrations in given polymer products. Evaluate the severity of a stress concentration at a designed feature and suggest ways of reducing the effects of such concentrations;
- sketch a fracture or failure surface map from a photograph of a fractured or failed polymer product. In the sketch, identify key features on the surface and suggest ways the crack may have grown;
- use technical information to evaluate and interpret reconstructions. Similarly, use information from experiments in failure analysis;
- construct a flow diagram to show a sequence of events, and relate the sequence to the evidence of failure;
- given the appropriate information, evaluate simple stresses and load paths in multi-component products;
- examine a simple traceability diagram and suggest critical areas for failure investigations;
- summarise concisely the evidence in a failure study. Identify parts of that evidence which are critical to the cause(s) of failure;
- describe where theories of failure suggested by different experts conflict. Prepare a simple statement showing where there is agreement and disagreement.
- Duration: 20 hours
- Published on: Thursday 31st July 2008
- Level: Masters
- Posted under: Engineering
Introduction to forensic engineering
Introduction

Forensic engineering has grown substantially in recent years as consumers have demanded ever-increasing levels of quality. Premature product failure not only deprives the users of that product, but can also lead to personal injury and other detrimental effects. This unit introduces you to a subject of interest to engineers, designers, patent agents and solicitors.
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- Creative-Commons: The Open University is proud to release this free course under a Creative Commons licence. However, any third-party materials featured within it are used with permission and are not ours to give away. These materials are not subject to the Creative Commons licence. See terms and conditions. Full details can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
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