Failure Analysis Paper

Failure Analysis Project, Part I: Methods and Types of Failure
Writing and Submission Requirements
Length: 1300 words, minimum,Length:(approx.: 600 Methods/700 Case Analysis); (for both parts of the paper)
Format: IEEE manuscript form (columns not necessary); double spaced, pg #s in upper left, title, headings, both labeled and numbered
Submission: Turn text in to E-Learning as an attached document in Word format (.docx). Name the file using your full name and the name of the assignment (e.g.: Emory Smith FA.docx).
Assignment Prompt and Context
Failure Analysis (FA) is both a preventative process and forensic tool in engineering. FA is used during the design and development phase of a product, process, or service to systematically anticipate potential points of failure and correct them before the product is released to the consumer. As a forensic process, FA is used to diagnose actual failures and recommend solutions. For both kinds of FA, “standards” may be employed to guide decisions.
Failure analysis methods are discipline specific, but ALL fields of engineering have methods for preventing and diagnosing failures. Logically, “failure analysis” begins with the assumption that failures happen: computer engineers look for bugs, glitches, failed batching, security holes, invalid naming, input/output errors, etc., while those in more physically-oriented fields look for mechanical, chemical, environmental, and use-related stresses (among other possibilities). All fields of engineering have codes and standards to rely on. All fields of engineering have methods for testing during the development phase and as a forensic activity should a failure occur.
In the first part of the report, you will explain the failure analysis methods in your field of engineering. In the second part of the paper, you will select a particular case of failure. At least one of the types of failure in Part I should be related to the case in Part 2. Failure testing is a critical aspect of engineering, so much so that it has career tracks devoted solely to its practice. Thus, we don’t expect your report to be an exhaustive account of all methods! Instead, this report is an opportunity for you to learn about FA.
Document Design for Part 1
Research and document types of failure as well as failure analysis methods in your field of engineering. Please include the following major subheadings:
1. Common types of failure in [your field of engineering]
o Type of failure
o Cause of failure
2. Failure Analysis Methods
o Preventative methods
§ Non-destructive
§ Destructive
o Forensic Methods
§ Non-destructive
§ Destructive
Figure Requirements
· At least two images or figures must be used in this section paper. You may use more than two figures. Make sure to label and cite figures properly.
o Use the Word “References” menu to insert captions.
Failure Analysis Paper, Part 2: Case Analysis
Assignment Context
Famous cases of engineering failure include the Challenger Shuttle Disaster, the I-35W Mississippi Bridge collapse in Minneapolis, MN, and more recently, the I-85 bridge collapse and fire in Atlanta, GA. Every day, though, engineering failures happen all over the world, both big and small, with damage ranging from minimal to catastrophic. Failures may be due to manufacturing decisions (e.g., using a lower quality material to cut costs), use violations (the consumer uses the item in an incorrect manner, e.g., pushing a machine past capacity), or unexpected environmental conditions (e.g., extreme weather events or unanticipated air flow through a building). FA as a process is at the heart of balancing production and performance in engineering.
In this part of paper, you will report on an engineering failure in your field and make recommendations for how this failure can be prevented in the future. This failure could be a famous or published case of failure (such as named above) or it can be a common type of failure, such as turbine failure, which you examine using published case studies. The emphasis in this paper is on the Recommendations section – this is your opportunity to use your engineering knowledge to recommend a solution to a problem.
The case doesn’t have to be related to the all the types of failure identified in the first part. However, it should exemplify at least one of them.
Document Design Please include the following sections in your paper:
1. Case Description (what happened?)
2. Case Investigation (what did they find? How did they find it?)
3. Recommendations (how will this problem be prevented in the future?)
Case description – the section describes the failure. This includes the context of the failure and why the failure matters.
Case Investigation – this section documents the failure analysis methods used in the case, including the tests that were performed and the outcomes of the tests. This section should include all information necessary to understanding the root cause.

The final paper must have a title, Table of Contents, and References page Recommendations – this section explains the impact of the failure, identifies standards or practices which may have contributed to the failure, and makes recommendations for how to prevent the failure from happening again.
Any of the above sections may have sub-sections. For example, you may use subheadings for each type of test performed. You may also use lists, tables, and diagrams in your paper.
Figure Requirements
· At least two images or figures must be used in this section paper. You may use more than two figures. Label and cite figures properly.
o Use the Word “References” menu to insert captions.
Additional Requirements
· A minimum of 6 high quality sources: academic, trade, and reference texts are acceptable.
o Using low-quality sources will result in a 25% reduction in grade.
· .
o If you do not use a title page, then include your name in the header with the page number.
o Use the Word Style menu to create headings. This will allow you automatically generate a TOC using the References tool.
o Failure to use the Style and References menu will result in a 10% reduction in grade.

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