Book Description

Investigates theoretically the structural integrity of the original Austin Dam in Austin, Pennsylvania and determine the likely cause of its failure in 1911. Using standard engineering practices of the early 1900's, the dam's stability against sliding, overturning, and crushing was calculated. After creating a solid computer model of the dam, a stress analysis was performed using modern finite element analysis methods which were not available at the time of the failure. Construction and analysis of a model incorporating suggested reinforcements to the structure determined if these reinforcements would have been sufficient to prevent the failure.