Forensic Study for Causes of Fall Using Fault Tree Analysis
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 15, Issue 3
Abstract
A woman fell on a ramp in front of a pub and broke her ankle. She had had some drinks in the pub. Questions have been asked as who was to blame, the woman herself, her shoes, or the ramp. The writer introduces a fault tree model that can be used to solve the problem both qualitatively and quantitatively. The graphical model shows the interrelationships among the possible causes contributing to the fall. The qualitative and quantitative analyses produce the ranking of the minimal cut sets of causes that are most likely to contribute to the fall. Logical assessment and building codes support the qualitative analysis. The quantitative analysis requires the use of probability values. Some of these values are readily available, while others call for adequate judgment. A step-by-step process of solving the problem is presented in this paper.
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References
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Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA). ( 1990). National Building Code/1990, 11th Ed., New York.
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Hadipriono, F. C. ( 1991). “Investigative study of the accident of Jane Doe.” Rep. Presented to William L. Stehle Co., Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio.
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Hadipriono, F. C., and Toh, H. S. ( 1989). “Modified fault tree analysis for structural safety.” J. Civ. Engrg. Sys., 190–199.
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Hadipriono, F. C., and Wang, H. K. (1986). “Analysis of causes of falsework failures in concrete structures.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 112(1), 112–121.
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Ohio Basic Building Code (OBBC). ( 1989). The 1989 Ohio Basic Building Code, Building Officials and Code Administrators, New York.
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Received: Sep 26, 2000
Published online: Aug 1, 2001
Published in print: Aug 2001
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