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INSTRUCTORS: 
Brian Katz, S.E., P.E., M.ASCE
Amanda K. Ramirez, P.E.
Jon Hatlee, P.E.

Course Length: 1 hour

Purpose and Background

These presentations were recorded at the 2024 Forensic Engineering Congress.

Lithium-Ion Battery Failure (19 minutes)

This presentation examines the mechanisms and risks associated with lithium-ion battery failures, focusing on thermal runaway events in confined environments. The session covers methods for estimating explosive overpressure yields, analyzing gas release, and modeling ignition scenarios. By applying simplified frameworks like TNT equivalence and vapor cloud explosion models, the presentation offers practical tools for assessing hazards. This insight helps enhance safety in design and operations, particularly where regulations may be ambiguous.

Sudden Impact: A Case Study of Explosion Damage to Residential Structures (16 minutes)

This case study delves into the effects of explosions on residential structures, focusing on factors such as proximity, intensity, and construction quality. Using real-world examples, the presentation analyzes how wood-framed and slab-on-grade houses respond to blast forces. Key considerations include shielding from surrounding structures, orientation relative to the blast, and specific damage patterns. The discussion underscores lessons learned to improve structural resilience against such events.

Repair Scope Creep: Navigating Pitfalls in Structural Repairs (13 minutes)

This presentation highlights the challenges of managing repair scope creep in structural projects. It explores how unclear code requirements and minor deviations from mandated repairs can significantly expand project scope, leading to cost overruns and delays. Emphasis is placed on distinguishing between repairs required by code and those that are not, using the 2021 International Existing Building Code as a guide. Practical strategies are presented to mitigate these risks and navigate complexities in project planning and execution.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of these sessions, you will be able to:

• Explain the mechanisms of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries and its associated hazards in confined environments.
• Describe strategies to distinguish between mandated and non-mandated repairs using the 2021 International Existing Building Code.
• Define key factors influencing the extent of blast damage to residential structures, including proximity, shielding, and orientation.
• Describe the typical damage patterns observed in wood-framed and slab-on-grade houses subjected to blast forces.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are assessed and achieved through passing a 10 multiple choice question post-test with at least a 70%.

Who Should Attend?

• Architects
• Construction Engineers
• Forensic engineers
• Geotechnical engineers
• Structural engineers
• Transportation engineers

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

This course is worth 0.1 CEU/1 PDH. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]