28.12.2012 Views

A “Toolbox” for Forensic Engineers

A “Toolbox” for Forensic Engineers

A “Toolbox” for Forensic Engineers

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

190 <strong>Forensic</strong> Materials Engineering: Case Studies<br />

Figure 6.15 Section of fitting showing closure strain at threads.<br />

remained unknown at this stage of the investigation. What was clear was that<br />

there was no evidence supporting the proposal that the joint had been overtightened<br />

(and that there<strong>for</strong>e the plumber was to blame).<br />

One additional factor is the internal pressure from the water supply.<br />

Although it had not been measured directly, the specification of the fitting<br />

allowed <strong>for</strong> a pressure of up to 25 m head of water. The pressure will, of<br />

course, impose a hoop stress on the wall of the fitting, but what magnitude<br />

would it be? The pressure can be calculated using the simple equation:<br />

So that<br />

P = rhg = 1000 ¥ 25 ¥ 9.81 Pa or Nm –2<br />

P ~ 0.25 ¥ 10 6 = 0.25 MPa

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!