Principles and Practice of Forensic Mechanical Engineering

Principles and Practice of Forensic Mechanical Engineering explains the physical processes and causes of failures that result in physical or bodily damage. It discusses the nature of defects and defines the three types - design defects, manufacturing defects and service defects - with supporting examples of each.

List of contents

1. Introduction. 2. Defects. 3. Peculiar Failures. 4. Machine Accidents. 5. Combustion Explosions. 6. Combustion Venting. 7. Ignition of Mixed Flammable Liquids. 8. Arson. 9. Soot. 10. Steam and Other Boiling Liquid Explosions. 11. Pipe Bursts From Freezing. 12. Vertical Tank Failures. 13. Residential Oil Tank Failures. 14. Control Standards. 15. Conclusions, Opinions and Liability. Afterword.

About the author

Fredric M. Blum has practiced forensic mechanical engineering full-time for more than 46 years and currently works as an independent practitioner. Mr. Blum has investigated thousands of cases on behalf of plaintiffs, defendants, insurance companies and attorneys, written thousands of reports, given deposition testimony numerous times and testified in court more than two hundred times. He received a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University, USA, in 1963 and a master's degree in Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, USA, in 1965. He is also a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator. Early in his career, Mr. Blum was employed for four years as a systems analyst at Auerbach Corp., Philadelphia, USA, and for five years as a systems analyst and Technical Manager at Analytics, Inc., Willow Grove, USA. For four years thereafter, he worked in construction carpentry and founded and operated his own residential design and construction company in Santa Fe, NM. For most of his career as a forensic mechanical engineer, he was affiliated with Paul Zamrowski Associates, West Chester, PA. Mr. Blum has authored several articles on forensic mechanical engineering, including "Oil Burner Fires" (1980), "Kerosene Heater Fires" (1981) and "Soot Contamination from Oil Burners, Gas Appliances & Candles" (2002).

Product details

• Authors: Fredric M. Blum
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 15.10.2025
• EAN: 9781041163671
• ISBN: 978-1-0-4116367-1
• No. of pages: 80
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Mechanical engineering, production engineering; LAW / Forensic Science, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Mechanical, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Fire Science, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Industrial Health & Safety, Forensic Science, Biology, life sciences, Legal aspects of criminology, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics of fluids, Engineering: general, Criminology: legal aspects, Fire protection & safety, Health & safety issues, Health and safety in the workplace, Engineering: Mechanics of fluids, Industrial chemistry and chemical engineering, Ergonomics, Fire protection and safety