ABSTRACT
Abstract A course on failure analysis and accident reconstruction for graduate engineers has been developed at the University of Louisville. So far it has been taught three times and each time has been well received by students. The core of the course is a series of case histories selected from the instructor's consulting files. Each student submits a formal written report on each case and collaborates with another student in presenting one case orally to the class. Formal instruction is provided on topics such as fatigue, brittle fracture and stress corrosion cracking which frequently crop up in failure analysis. An attorney who has a degree in engineering teaches product liability law, contract law, civil procedures and rules of evidence. The students study videotapes of a major jury trial to familiarize themselves with courtroom procedures. Keywords: Accident reconstruction, failure analysis, graduate course, product liability
1 Introduction
Several years ago the Chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Louisville asked the writer to develop a graduate course on failure analysis and accident reconstruction. He agreed to do so because he had had many years of experience in these areas. At the outset, however, it was apparent that this was a project with formidable problems. Failure analysis and accident reconstruction are not well defined techniques such that one can teach a student a series of steps applicable to every case which he or she takes on. Rather, each case is different and requires a different plan of attack. Experience and a capacity for creative thinking are of great importance. Also, failures and accidents frequently lead to litigation and a
failure analysis or accident reconstruction must be conducted from the onset with the possibility in mind that it may have to be defended in court.
