Industrial Processes & Controls Expert Witnesses

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Artzat Consulting

Arthur Zatarain, P.E.

Principal

401 Arlington Dr.

Metairie LA 70001
USA

phone: 504-837-3090 (Central time)

Summary
CV/Links
Articles

Equipment, Controls, and Automation.

Accidents - Intellectual Property - Commercial Disputes

Forensic Engineering: Electrical, Electronic Equipment & Control Systems
Design-Build Engineer, Manufacturer, Contractor, Inventor, Corp Executive, and Expert Witness
30+ years in Industrial, Oilfield, and Commercial Environments, both Domestic and International
Extensive hands-on experience with industrial control systems, computerized devices, PLC & DCS, and SCADA (industrial telemetry)
Operations and commercial consulting for mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment
Patent experience including claim construction, patent validity, and infringement
Granted US Patent for computerized nuclear medical treatment device (remote afterloader)
Registered Professional Engineer: Electrical and Control Systems in Alabama, Alaska, California, and Louisiana
Certified in both Systems Integration and Computer Forensics
Master Electrician (TX) and Qualifying Party as Licensed Electrical & Instrumentation Contractor in 4 states
MS in Engineering, University teaching experience, published author
Access to diverse forensic testing facilities and detailed photographic equipment
10+ years Deposition and Trial Experience, Qualified in U.S. Federal Court
Based in Louisiana, service nationwide

• View Mr. Zatarain's Résumé

• References for Artzat Consulting, LLC

• Partial List of Expert Consulting Engagements

1/10/2011 · Control Systems

Don't Gamble With Control Safety And Reliability: Understand The Benefits And Limitations Of Safety Instrumented Systems.

By: Arthur Zatarain, PE

As a wise singer once crooned, you have to "know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em." But Kenny "The Gambler" Rogers merely had to beat long-shot odds to win at his game.

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1/6/2011 · Intellectual Property

Be Smart About Intellectual Property: Understand The Rights, Responsibilities And Pitfalls Of Using Others' Great Ideas

By: Arthur Zatarain, PE

I’m not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV. Yet my engineering career has often involved legal issues, the most interesting of which is intellectual property (IP).

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5/14/2009 · Computer Forensics

Computer Forensics in Non-Computer Investigations

By: Arthur Zatarain, PE

While the information recorded on event data recorders (EDRs), commonly referred to as vehicle black boxes, is tremendously helpful in determining how a traffic accident occurred and in improving safety, it was not until recently that EDR data was legally challenged in Illinois and ultimately accepted

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7/20/2007 · Control Systems

Outwit The Gremlins That Jeopardize Control-System Reliability

By: Arthur Zatarain, PE

In order to maintain complete control-system reliability, you have to be committed. Here are four often-overlooked flaws that can creep into modern automation and control systems while you're not watching

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12/25/2006 · Control Systems

How To Test Redundant And Backup Control

By: Arthur Zatarain, PE

Many of us are inclined to ignore the time honored adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Sometimes our handyman instincts can't leave well enough alone. Yet that same intuition also encourages us to believe, "If it ain't broke, don't test it." This reluctance is especially evident when it comes to testing the redundant and backup features of our critical control systems

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Bison Engineering

Dawn Moore

Office Manager

3423 Rivers Edge Trail

Houston TX 77339
USA

phone: 888-502-4766

fax: 281-359-2591

Summary
CV/Links

Bison is a multi-disciplined engineering firm specializing in failure analysis, forensic engineering and fire sciences with a team of P.E.'s who have performed thousands of forensic assignments including in excess of 1,000 fuel gas investigations.

Legal professionals turn to Bison to scientifically conduct investigations to determine the cause of destructive events. Forensic Engineers provide expert testimony and consultation. Investigations include explosions, fires, carbon monoxide incidents, electrical fires and failures, structural failures, mechanical failures, accident reconstruction, specialized testing, and courtroom presentations:

Fuel Gas Incidents: Fire and Explosion Causation; Propane Explosions, Natural Gas Explosion, Gas Delivery Systems; Carbon Monoxide Testing and Evaluation, Production and Migration Investigations; Plant & Pipeline, Piping Evaluation; Operational Analysis; Appliance Evaluation; Code Compliance; Soil Gas Migration; Vapor Dispersion

Fire Investigation and Explosion Analysis: Cause and Origin, Scene Documentation; Collection of Evidence; Certified Fire Investigator

Electrical Engineering: Electrically Related Fires, Electrical Service and Wiring Failures, Production Facility Service and Controls for Chemical, Petroleum, and Distribution Facilities, Electrical Contacts, Electrocutions; Lightning Strikes

Mechanical Engineering: Equipment Design and Operation; High-Pressure Oilfield Equipment; Pump Design and Operation; HVAC Systems; High and Low-Pressure Seals; Plastic Part Design and Manufacture, Industrial Equipment

Accident Reconstruction: Accident Sequence Reconstruction; Speed, Time and Distance Calculations; Crush Damage; Braking; Steering and Mechanical Analysis, including Tires; Electrical System / Electronic Failures; Mechanical and Fuel Systems; Airbag and Seatbelt Fatalities/Injuries; Staged Vehicle Impact

Failure Analysis: Industrial Equipment, Vehicle Impacts, Airbags and Seat Belts; Elevator Failures; Helmet and other Protective Equipment Failures; Infant Crib Design Inadequacies; Carbon Monoxide Investigations, Crane Failures, etc.

Metallurgical Engineering: Metal Fatigue of Gas Compressor Components; Electrical Contact Evaluations; Cracking of Structural Plastics; Chemical Analysis; Corrosion & Stress Evaluation and Analysis; SEM Analysis; Electron/Optical Microscopy; X-ray Examination

Bison's clients argue their cases with confidence, secure in the knowledge that their claims are based on unbiased, scientific data.

• Bison Engineering Failure Services Overview

• Bison Engineering Failure Analysis Investigations

• Bison Engineering Brochure

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Causey Engineering

Gerald Hietpas

P.E., President

P.O. Box 341057-0018

Austin TX 78734
USA

phone: 512-261-3930

fax: 512-261-3930

Summary
CV/Links
Articles

OUR MISSION: To assist our clients SETTLE their Industrial Cases OUT OF COURT, which significantly reduces the time and cost of extensive litigation.

To provide compelling COURT TESTIMONY, documents and exhibits for the cases that eventually do go to Trial.

Since 1983, 94% of our 565 Industrial Cases have settled OUT OF COURT – as representatives for Insurers, Defense and Plaintiff Attorneys. Our group of Associates has in depth expertise in a broad spectrum of Industries – specializing in Industrial and Construction Safety, and Accident Reconstruction. Available worldwide for plaintiff and defense cases.

COMPANY PROFILE: Causey Engineering has been providing Expert Witness, Forensic Engineering, Investigation, and Litigation Support services NATIONWIDE since 1983. Our experts have hands-on industrial and construction, field and office experience.

Areas of Expertise:

Central Power Plants

Chemical plants

Drilling

Engineering & Design

Equipment & Machinery

Food Manufacturing

Forestry

Industrial Construction

Intellectual Property

Ladders & Scaffolds

Logging

Lumber and Wood Products

Oil & Gas Production

Materials Handling

Natural Gas

Packaging

Paper Products

Patents

Petrochemical

Power Stations

Pulp & Paper

Refineries

Saw Mills

Transportation

Utilities

Warehousing

Expert Witness Services:

Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Claims Analysis

Codes & Regulations

Forensic Analysis

Expert Testimony

Litigation Support

Models & Prototypes

Project Management

OSHA / Safety

Strategic Planning

Expert Profile: GERALD J. HIETPAS, P.E.

Mr. Hietpas is President of Causey Engineering LLC. Mr. Hietpas has particular experience in pulp, paper, lumber and food manufacturing, industrial construction, intellectual property and patent infringement. (See our website for more details)

• Curriculum Vitae: Gerald J. Hietpas, BSME, MBA, PE

• Partial List of Causey Engineering References

• Testimonials from Causey Engineering's Defense & Plaintiff Clients

• Sample of Representative Cases

9/8/2010 · Engineering

A Lawyer's Guide To Hiring A Forensic Industrial Engineer

By: Gerald J. Hietpas, PE

This "how to" article helps you interview and select an Engineering Expert Witness for your industrial cases. An engineer who is an experienced expert is one thing. But one who also has industry experience related to your case is an additional arrow in your quiver to help you prevail.

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Gary E. Kilpatrick and Associates, PA

Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, NSPE

President and Chief Engineering Officer

3397 Cherrybrook Drive

Jamestown NC 27282
USA

phone: 336-841-6354 (Office) 336-803-1639 (Cell)

fax: 339-841-6354

Summary
CV/Links
Articles

Gary E. Kilpatrick and Associates, PA is a Forensics Engineering Firm dedicated to the application of the art, science and methodology of engineering and the scientific method to answer questions of fact in the jurisprudence system pertaining to personal injury and wrongful death. We provide technical competency, forensic evidence collection from the field and from documents, oral and written communications, objective, ethical and professional responsibility.

We are familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence and Daubert and have given sworn expert testimony under oath during judicial proceedings. We are retained by law firms, public defenders and insurance companies on plaintiff, defense, criminal and claimant cases and work nation wide.

Areas of Expertise:

Traffic Accident Reconstruction
Vehicle Crash Data Report Retrieval and Interpretation
Off-Road ATV Accident Reconstruction
Motorcycle Accident Reconstruction
Vehicle Inspections
Industrial Accident Reconstruction
OSHA Safety 29CFR1910
OSHA 29CFR1926
OSHA 29CFR1928
Product Liability Investigations

• View Mr. Kilpatrick's Curriculum Vitae

• Information on Traffic Accident Reconstruction

• Information on Off-Road ATV Accident Reconstruction

• Information on Motorcycle Accidents

• Information on Industrial Accident Reconstruction

• Information on Product Liability Investigations

• Information on General Industry Contract and Consulting Engineering Services

9/10/2011 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Synopsis: The Basic Process Of A Traffic Accident Reconstruction

By: Gary Kilpatrick, PE, NSPE

A Traffic Accident Reconstruction is a process by which an engineer determines from all available information and evidence how and why a traffic accident occurred including but not limited to pre-impact and post impact vehicular velocity vectors, pre-impact and post impact vehicular direction vectors, vehicular change in velocity (Delta-V), momentum vectors, vehicles' point of impact on the roadway, vehicular visibility by a driver, vehicular crash data retrieval reports if assessable, accident factors and causes.

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7/8/2011 · Engineering

Product Design, Product Manufacturing And Product Quality Control Issues

By: Gary Kilpatrick, PE, NSPE

Quality control starts at the point of product conception and is carried all the way through to the final design and manufacture of a product.

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5/24/2011 · Automotive - Vehicular

Automotive Lamp Filament Analysis

By: Gary Kilpatrick, PE, NSPE

Some motor vehicle accidents take place during the night time hours when natural sun light is not present.

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5/6/2010 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

The Physics Of Collision

By: Gary R. Kilpatrick And Associates, PA

When we drive our vehicles down the road, we are driving them at a certain velocity and direction. All vehicles have weight and mass to the order of a few hundred pounds for a motorcycle, a few thousand pounds for a large SUV or luxury car or several tons for a tractor-trailer truck. When our vehicles move at speed down the road, they create energy by virtue of their mass and forward velocity

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InterCity Testing & Consulting Corp.

Dr. James Pugh, P.E.

President & Director

167 Willis Avenue

Mineola NY 11501
USA

phone: (516) 747-8400 or (800)822-1515 (out of NY state)

fax: (516) 746-0111/21

Summary
CV/Links

Company Profile:

For more than 35 years, ITC has provided Forensic Engineering, consulting and expert testimony to thousands of law offices, insurance companies and government agencies. Our qualified team of engineers and scientists, covering hundreds of areas of expertise, are available to assist you in technical evaluations, scientific analysis, testimony and preparation of cases for trial. Additional experts are available when more than one specialty is required. We also provide constant case and project management to help expedite the need to your litigation in a timely manner.

Major Areas of Expertise:

Amusement Parks & Rides
Apparel/Textiles
Automotive Safety & Accident Reconstruction
Biomedical/Biomechanical Injury Analysis
Biomechanics, Boating & Marine Safety
Chemicals & Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering/Structural Failures
Construction Accidents
Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
Firearms & Explosives
Fires & Explosions
Fire Investigations & Explosions
Flammable Fabrics

Helmets/Motorcycle, Bicycle
Sports & Industrial
Machinery Guarding
Medical Devices
Medical Emergency/EMT
Metallurgy & Material Sciences
Parks & Playgrounds
Slips, Trips & Falls
Sports/Recreation/Aquatics
Toxicology/Industrial Hygiene
Transportation & Highway Safety
Vocational Rehabilitation
Warnings & Instructions Analysis

Services provided nationally from our New York Offices.

Visit our website for more than 50 Condensed Expert CV's.

• View Dr. James Pugh's Condensed Curriculum Vitae

• View ITC's Brochure

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Long International, Inc.

Richard J. Long, P.E.

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Corporate Headquarters:
10029 Whistling Elk Drive

Littleton CO 80127
USA

phone: (303) 972-2443

fax: (303) 972-6980

Summary
CV/Links

Florida Office:
8633 Willow Kane Court
Orlando, FL 32825
T: (407) 445-0825
F: (407) 445-0821

Houston Office:
11200 Westheimer, Suite 900
Houston, TX 77042
T: (713) 334-7530
F: (713) 972-1375

Long International provides Expert claims analysis, dispute resolution, and project management services to the Process Plant Engineering and Construction industry worldwide. Our primary focus is on petroleum refining, petrochemical, chemical, oil and gas production, mining/mineral processing, power, cogeneration, and other process plant and industrial projects. We also have extensive experience in hospital, commercial and industrial building, pipeline, wastewater, highway and transit, heavy civil, microchip manufacturing, and airport projects.

Richard Long

Richard J. Long, PE, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Long International has over 36 years of U.S. and international consulting experience involving construction contract disputes analysis and resolution, arbitration/litigation support and expert testimony, project management, engineering / construction management, cost and schedule control, and process engineering.

As an internationally recognized expert in the analysis and resolution of complex construction disputes for over 23 years, Mr. Long has served as the lead expert on over 300 projects having claims ranging in size from $100,000 US to over $1 billion US.

Andrew Avalon, PE, PSP is President of Long International and has over 23 years of engineering, construction management and claims consulting experience. He is an expert in the preparation and evaluation of construction claims, business interruption claims, schedule delay analysis, arbitration/litigation support and dispute resolution. He has prepared more than thirty CPM schedule analyses, written expert witness reports, and supported attorneys in depositions, cross-examinations, mediations and settlement negotiations.

W. Tom Thweatt is a Principal with Long International and has over 35 years of engineering, construction, and management consulting experience. He has extensive experience in major U.S. and international refining, chemical, petrochemical, pipeline, infrastructure and thermal / hydroelectric power generation projects ranging from $40 million to $1.8 billion. He has worked extensively in projects that were executed by multi-national joint ventures on both the owner’s and the contractor’s sides. Mr. Thweatt has served on Joint Venture and Consortium Executive Committees and has participated directly in claims negotiations and settlement agreements in excess of $100 million.

• View Andrew Avalon's Curriculum Vitae

• View Richard J. Long's Curriculum Vitae

• View W. Thom Twheatt's Curriculum Vitae

• View Locations in Georgia, Washington, D.C., California, Europe and Asia

• View Long International's Partial Client List

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Read Consulting, LLC

Thomas Read

Principal

1435 Fulton Rd.

Santa Rosa CA 95403
USA

phone: (707) 544-2374

fax: (707) 544-2370

Summary
CV/Links
Articles

Expert Background: Dr. Thomas L. Read is the Principal and CEO at A. Read Consulting, LLC. He received his PhD. from Stanford University in 1972 and has over 25 years of manufacturing experience in electronics, metallurgy, factory safety, failure analysis, glass fracture, glass failure and bottle failure. As a member of the electronics industry, he has earned process patents and has an extensive background in manufacturing techniques.

In parallel, Dr. Read has spent over twenty five years as a consultant to attorneys and engineers. He has given more than 100 depositions and has appeared in court numerous times.

Company Profile: Read Consulting, LLC is a full service laboratory providing services in the following areas:

Failure Analysis; Factory Safety and Personal Injury (including machine guards and manufacturing safety)

Glass Failure Analysis - Glass Fracture, Glass Failures and Bottle Failure

Metal and Ceramic Failure

Grinding Wheel Failures

Intellectual Property and Patent Disputes

Product Liability and Product Quality

Manufacturing Disagreements (such as Intellectual Property, Failed equipment and Contract Disputes)

Reverse Engineering

• Read Process Expertise Services Available

• Read Consulting Failure Analysis Blog

• View Publications by Thomas Read

• Video of Tempered Glass Failure

11/8/2011 · Failure Analysis

Root Cause Failure Analysis of Tempered Glass Door

By: Dr. Thomas L. Read

Glass Failure Analysis Expert Witness performs a failure analysis of a several tempered glass doors that had "spontaneously" failed at a construction site. The objective of this glass failure analysis is to determine the cause of failure and make recommendations to the contractor.

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8/30/2011 · Failure Analysis

Metal Failure Analysis: Metal Food Contaminant Failure Analysis

By: Dr. Thomas L. Read

Materials failure analysis expert performs a failure analysis to determine the source of a metal piece found in tomato product.

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5/17/2011 · Failure Analysis

Plumbing Failure Analysis: Stress Corrosion Cracking of Yellow Brass

By: Dr. Thomas L. Read

A plumbing failure analysis was performed to determine why a cold water supply line to a bathroom sink had failed after only one year of service.

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4/1/2011 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis of a "Exploding" Beer Bottle: Product Defect, Product Liability

By: Dr. Thomas L. Read

A glass failure expert witness performs a root cause failure analysis on an exploding beer bottle. The object of this root cause failure analysis is to determine the cause of the bottle failure.

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7/7/2009 · Design

White Paper: Reverse Engineering

By: Dr. Thomas L. Read

Before expending the effort necessary to reverse engineer a device or object, it must be definite that the object under study is not covered by one or more patents. This avoids a dispute over patent violations. Once it has been established that no patent coverage exists, one can use multiple techniques to reverse engineer a product. These are summarized below:

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7/7/2009 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis of a Failed Ceramic Water Holding Tank on a Toilet

By: Dr. Thomas L. Read

The cracked tank was first inspected in the "as received" condition. In this condition it was cracked, but it was still whole. Next, the failed tank was separated by pulling it apart. This was done to expose the fracture surfaces of the main crack. This allowed for a complete failure analysis and for a determination of where the crack initiated.

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7/7/2009 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis of a Broken Jam Jar

By: Dr. Thomas L. Read

Glass fractography is the most effective method for determining why a glass object, such as a bottle, failed. This technique consists of examining the fracture surfaces of the failure for artifacts such as Wallner lines and using them to trace the crack back to its origin. Once the origin has been identified, it can be examined in detail with a microscope to determine the cause of the failure.

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1/28/2006 · Failure Analysis

Wine Bottle Failure Analysis

By: Dr. Thomas L. Read

Note: Glass Fractography is the most effective method for determining why a glass object, such as a bottle, failed. This technique consists of examining the fracture surfaces of the failure for artifacts such as Wallner lines and using them to trace the crack back to its origin

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Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.

Curtis Brown

President

Offices Worldwide
Headquarters: 8 Greenway Plaza, Suite 500

Houston TX 77046
USA

phone: 800-580-3228

fax: 713-623-4357

Summary

Headquartered in Houston with over 30 U.S. offices plus London, Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. is a global leader in forensic investigations, forensic engineering, forensic sciences and forensic accounting. Rimkus offers the services of over 300 full-time seasoned professionals with expertise in virtually all technical and business fields. In business for over 25 years, clients include the Domestic and International Insurance Industry, Attorneys, Industrial and Commercial Health, Safety and Risk Managers, and others.

Rimkus takes pride in its professional approach to all assignments. Each assignment is performed under the assumption that litigation will ensue, and appropriate records and evidentiary chains of custody are maintained. Client communications are clear and explanatory to insure that opinions and conclusions are complete and well supported.

Many clients find Rimkus to be their one-stop shopping place for experts. Rimkus offers forensic expert witnesses and forensic consultants in most technical fields, including all areas of Engineering, Construction, Environmental Sciences, Fires and Explosions, Oil and Gas, Forensic Accounting, Business Interruption Claims, Surety, Business Valuations, Business Analysis, Safety and Industrial Hygiene, and Animation. In the forensic engineering arena alone, we offer virtually all disciplines including:

Forensic Mechanical Engineers

Forensic Electrical Engineers

Forensic Civil Engineers

Forensic Structural Engineers

Forensic Chemical Engineers

Forensic Metallurgical Engineers

Forensic Naval Engineers

Complex technical claims often require the use of experts in more than one field to find the right answer. Rimkus brings that to you. Our website features detailed information on our areas of expertise and short CVs of key Rimkus experts in those areas. Give us a try. You'll be glad you did.