Playing CSI

[CIFB]

I am involved in a very minor accident investigation where I work and have been offered the opportunity to play CSI. We know that a forklift hit a column, and have tracked down which lift was responsible by the shape of the forks- but the accident went unreported.

As it is, I have a structural engineer coming in Friday to provide guidelines for how to repair the column. However, I am left wanting to know if the machine was turning left or right at the time of impact (for my own sake, and to settle a dispute.) I believe the pictures and evidence suggests a left to right motion. My coworker believes the opposite.

The only difference this will make to the end report will be some degree of certainty whether it was the left or the right fork of the counterbalance lift that impacted the column. It is trivial, but I was wondering if anybody had any input to settle the dispute.

The first picture should show the column including the main area of concern and an additional "glancing blow" that is believed to have occurred at the same time. The second picture is a close up that I hope will help identify the direction of the forks at the time of impact.

Anyhow, I appreciate any suggestions. Please feel free to lie and say it was a left-right impact even if you agree with my coworker...

 

[KENAT]

Based on the shape of the burrs I'd expect right to left motion.

In true CSI style why not try to recreate the impact. Not at full scale obviously but maybe a blade screwdriver with the tip ground down to approximate the shape of the forks, hammered into a softish piece of aluminum or something.

You could try doing something into play dough but I'm skeptical how well that would work.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[CIFB]

Oddly enough, we were discussing welding a piece of ¼ plate between two bollards and running into it repeatedly with a lift until we could determine not only the direction of travel, but the speed as well. Fortunately, one of us was smart enough to figure out that might be hard on the equipment.

The idea of softer aluminum actually holds promise. There is some thicker stock in the shop that would work. Sounds like a project for tomorrow, thanks.

 

[IRstuff]

I would agree with the right-to-left motion. The deeper gouge is on the right, so that should be the initial impact, after which, the forklift was diverted to the left, hence the lighter gouge leading away from the initial hit point. This is further collaborated by the way the burrs are pointing above and below the deepest point of the gouge. The points all point to the left, which is similar to the directional impact signs of blood droplets.

TTFN
faq731-376

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529

 

[Screwman1]

Also look at the direction of the paint spalling on the lighter gouge section. Paint tends to flake in the direction of the applied force and it looks like it has peeled off towards the left. I think right to left motion also.