Evidence data can come in many forms. One of the most common is the color photograph. Use of color and the analysis of a photograph can be undertaken in different ways. One approach is a spatial analysis of the variation of the objects within the image, which is by far the most common approach. Less … More Photo Analysis, An Intro
Ever need to calculate the precise position of the Sun at a particular time for a particular location? The good news for those of you in the Houston area who don’t need high accuracy is that there is an online webpage making this possible. If you’re not in this category, then contact ACS Engineering & … More Where is the Sun? An Intro to NASA’s NAIF
As discussed in “The Search For Government Efficiency: From Hubris to Helplessness” by George W. Downs and Patrick D. Larkey, simply measuring the success of any particular organization is a challenge in of itself. For example, pages 74-87 discuss in detail the complexities of food inspection. How do you measure the success of the program … More Organizational Failure Measures
A critical report was released April 1985 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration focused on reducing braking distances of heavy vehicles. Among the findings it states, “Complete removal or deactivation of the front brakes, a practice which is common among some trucker users, obviously degrades the [braking] situation…” At issue is a rumored report … More Systemic Failure: The Ghost Report
ACS Engineers, Elizabeth Jensen and Edward Jensen, share insights with a peer reviewed journal article into how to evaluate an operator’s manual based on our experience in engineering & safety!
This month’s (February 2019) Plumbing Engineer magazine featured an article discussing insulation engineering considerations. The general topics covered are the major points that need to be addressed: (a) the basics (b) history of thermal insulation (c) how heat transfer works and (d) applicable codes and standards. This makes it a great reference article. An expert … More “Thermal Insulation for Buildings, Pipe and Mechanical Equipment”, a Complication
A swivel office chair failed while in use causing injury. ACS engineers studied the damage to the chair and found that it had separated between the seat support assembly and the supporting pedestal. Inspection of the insert portion of the seat support assembly showed that the failure occurred on the bottom side of the insert’s … More From the Archives: Chair Failure
A residence in the Gulf Coastal Plain’s Quaternary deposits of sand- and clay-rich soil experienced a variety of structural damages including plasterboard fractures, mortar separation, bulging windows, and foundation fractures. Examination of the upper structure damage, the foundation, and the soil was undertaken. The western portion of the residence was less damaged than the eastern, … More From the Archives: Foundation Damage