Length: 600 words, minimum
Format: IEEE manuscript form (columns not necessary); double spaced, pg #s in upper left, title, headings, both labeled and numbered

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 this report, you will explain the failure analysis methods in your field of engineering. 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.

Instructions:

You will research and document types of failure as well as failure analysis methods in your field of engineering. Your report will include the following major subheadings:

Common types of failure in industrial engineering

Type of failure
Cause of failure
Failure Analysis Methods
Preventative methods
Non-destructive
Destructive
Forensic Methods
Non-destructive
Destructive
Other Requirements

At least two images or figures must be used in the paper. You may use more than two figures. Make sure to label and cite figures properly.
Use the Word “References” menu to insert captions.
A minimum of 6 high quality sources: academic, trade, and reference texts are acceptable.
Using low-quality sources will result in a 25% reduction in grade.
The final paper must have a title, Table of Contents, and references page.
If you do not use a title page, then include your name in the header with the page number.
Use the Word Style menu to create headings. This will allow you automatically generate a TOC using the References tool.
Failure to use the Style and References menu will result in a 10% reduction in grade.