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The aim of the paper is to verify the applicability of the T2GO skiddometer for measuring the coefficient of friction for forensic practice in accordance with the legislative framework of the Czech Republic. In the introduction, the article discusses the problem of friction coefficient measurement. The results of the comparison with dynamic measuring devices used in the Czech Republic and the determination of the mutual compliance rate with these devices, based on data obtained within the National Comparative Measurement Action, are presented. The article concludes with an interpretation and discussion of the results. In cases where no sufficient mutual compliance was found, an analysis and reasoning of these results is provided. Last but not least, based on the results, a procedure is proposed for future use of the T2GO skiddometer in practice within the legislative conditions of the Czech Republic.

A review of forensic structural engineering, which is a strategy that follows after bridge failure, is presented in the paper. A detailed statistical analysis, and worldwide systematisation of available bridge failure data for the 1966-2020 period, are given. More than six hundred cases of partial or full collapse of bridges are analysed in detail, and causes that have led to their failure are examined. Failure of each of these bridges was in most cases not caused by a single factor, i.e. the main cause was most often just a trigger in the cause-and-effect sequence of events that contributed to such failure. Consequently, in addition to main causes, the influence of human factor, as a precondition leading to failure, is considered in each of the analysed cases. Types of progressive collapse, being a critical structural failure mechanism, are described in the second part of the paper, with an emphasis on bridges. An overview of the theory of structural robustness is also given. Design guidelines and approaches, aimed at preventing catastrophic failure and creating more robust structures, are presented. Methods for achieving robustness in the design of new bridges and in the strengthening of the existing ones are also described, and practical real-life examples are provided.

While at first it can be thought that the auxiliary elements of facades are merely ornamental with little practical function, this study shows that these components of the building envelope have a high impact on the envelope’s functioning and performance. This is carried out through the analysis of all relevant lawsuits filed in Spain over a 10 year period, a data set in which a surprisingly high number of 1033 cases of defects was found to affect external windowsills, exterior wainscots or cornices (the three auxiliary elements considered) was found. Considering the total number of lawsuits, this is an objectively unprecedented study. An analysis is carried out regarding the interrelations between elements, defects, causes, and types of buildings, with the aim of obtaining a sorted classification of the data. This constitutes a useful tool to prevent future problems arising from either the design, execution, or maintenance of facades. These include various issues resulting from humidities, one of the most frequent envelope defects, which are found to significantly affect the auxiliary elements of facades.

The objectives of this research are: 1) to provide an overview of the analysis of forensic engineering in bridge structures, 2) to obtain an overview of the application of forensic engineering in Indonesia. Analysis of forensic engineering in building structures in Indonesia goes through se veral stages. It starts from the preparatory work, then continues with the process of identifying data needs, identifying problems, and preparing literature studies. If the data is sufficient, then it will be proceeded to the data analysis and discussion process. Based on the research findings, the main cause of the collapse of the Mahakam II Bridge in Tenggarong was the construction failure of the vertical hanging cable (clamp and saddle) connecting the main cable. However, there are a number of other possibilities that cause damage to the connecting device which includes: 1) poor maintenance, 2) fatigue in the construction material of cable hangers, 3) the quality of construction materials for the cable of connecting device, 4) procedural errors in maintenance, 5) the possibility of civil engineering rules deviations in planning, and 6) design errors in determining the type of material/ material of connecting device. Commonly, building damage is caused by several factors including: 1) low quality of materials, 2) planning errors, 3) implementation process errors, and 4) poor supervision.

Os acidentes de trabalho apresentam não só implicações cíveis, trabalhistas e previdenciárias, mas também reflexos na esfera penal. Nesta vertente, pouco ainda é estudado quanto ao enfoque do tema na realização de perícias criminais. Este estudo propõe a construção do conhecimento científico necessário para uma maior eficiência da persecução penal, bem como a necessidade de se investir na capacitação e reciclagem dos profissionais de perícia criminal no tocante às concepções e métodos de investigação destas ocorrências. A principal contribuição desta pesquisa é a discussão de elementos que possibilitem a elaboração de laudo pericial que constitua prova material relevante, em sinergia com a cultura prevencionista nos ambientes de trabalho.

The paper presents complete results of the head-on small overlap crash test of vehicle with driver moving at a speed of approximately 12 m/s against stationary vehicle with post-crash rollover. When a crash does not involve the main crush-zone structures, the occupant compartment is not well protected. The emphasis in the paper was put on determination and presentation of crash parameters for the application in traffic accident analyses and for simulation with the help of software for accident reconstruction. The experimentally measured data from the crash test were analysed and important crash parameters which are necessary for accident reconstruction were obtained. The crash test was specific because of rollover of the impacting vehicle resulting from small overlap. The results have shown that small overlap accident is extremely dangerous for the crew with the possibility of vehicle rollover and occupant head and neck injury. Also in this case, at relative low speed, the driver suffered light neck and head injury in the following days and the longitudinal damage was relatively large. The input parameters for accident reconstruction software as the result of performed crash test were gained.