Real Experience - Real Answers

Forensic Engineering

Forensic Engineering is the investigation of events involving engineering systems that have performed in an unexpected manner that might result in litigation. Engineering principles are applied during the investigation to substantiate what happened and why did it happen. Much of the work a forensic engineer deals with involves insurance claims / losses. A building falls down, a fire damages part or all of a structure, pipes burst damaging a structure, a vehicle starts on fire, equipment is damaged in transit, etc. Just about anything dealing with property or equipment that results in an insurance claim can result in the need for a forensic investigation to answer the questions what happened and why.
The process follows directly from the principles of a failure analysis, but the record keeping process can be more detailed in the event the findings of the investigation becomes part of a civil lawsuit. Whatever paper you generate or receive – it becomes part of your file.

Need assistance on an insurance loss? Need a defense expert knowledgeable in a particular area of expertise? Need a fire investigator? Or just want an independent expert to review the technical facts of a case? Contact us to start the review process today. Always know, our opinion is independent of who hires us and is based on the facts of the case.

Forensic Engineering – Past Experience

We have worked on a number of insurance related investigations. Representative losses are listed below.
Investigation of Floating Pipe in Solar Thermal Storage Tank (USD $20M)
  • Reviewed potential flow rates and drawings.
  • Generated a fault tree based on initial information.
  • Analyzed buoyancy forces needed to float pipe.
Collapse of Concrete Clinker Storage Tank (Multi-Million USD Loss)
  • Reviewed structural design.
  • Evaluated failure mechanisms.
Investigation of Solar Energy System Collapse (USD $50M+)
  • Structural failure of support structure.
Fires in Hospital Facilities (Several Facilities)
  • Battery backup fires – lithium ion batteries.
Fire in Semi-tractor Garage (USD $1M+ Loss)
  • Fire cause and origin investigation.
  • Arc mapping, video review, facility examination.
Fire in Laundry and Storage Facility (USD $5M+ Loss)
  • Fire cause and origin investigation.
  • Video review, fire scene investigation.
  • Investigate potential issues with fire protection system.
Small Garage Fire (~ $40K)
  • Cause and origin within garage.
  • Product exam to determine fire cause (electrical).
Investigation of Hvac System (USD $1M+ Loss)
  • Performance and installation issues (potato storage).
  • Improper control system design.
  • Improper overall system design (competing controllers, improper sizing).
  • Infant mortality of compressors.
Operating Loss in Fire Tube Boiler System (USD $5M+ in Loss Claims)
  • Six 1000 HP fire tube boiler facility to provide process steam for large facility.
  • Investigation relating to system design, water quality, operations.
  • $70M+ dollar facility which failed 9 months into operations. Claims for $5M+ in renovations and design changes.
Grain Bin Failures (Several Investigations)
  • Assisted in review of opposing expert’s report.
  • Assessed failure mechanism of collapsed structure (bad weld).
  • Assessed reasons for structural failure of structure that failed and fell.
Collapse of Concrete Silo for Coal Storage (USD $20-30M+ Loss)
  • South Korean loss site.
  • Investigated potential for dust explosion.
Fire and Ammonia Release for Ammonia Refrigeration System (USD $5-8M+ Loss)
  • Investigated fire source at refrigeration facility.
  • Ammonia release also.
Propane Boiler Explosion (< USD $500K)
  • Backup fuel supply (dual system for natural gas and propane) of propane led to boiler explosion.
  • Evaluated safety aspects of design (single point failure led to failure).
Explosion in Residential Structure
  • Multi-phase investigation of natural gas system.
Submarine Pipeline Failure ($30M+ Loss)
  • Pipeline used for power plant cooling water inlet and outlet.
  • Investigated reasons why pipeline floated and failed.
  • Rough seas and design calculation assumptions (flow related).
Mining Equipment Collapse ($35M+ Loss)
  • Collapse of a stacker reclaimer used at a steel mill for movement of iron ore pellets.
  • Structural collapse, modified PLC control systems, motor controllers.
  • Failed due to lack of electro-mechanical safety system.
Inadvertent Ignition for Natural Gas Boiler
  • Failure of electronic valve/ignition units.
Inadvertent Sprinkler Discharged (>USD $100K)
  • Investigated failure of sprinkler head.
Frozen Sprinkler System (>USD $300K)
  • Investigated and documented loss associated with frozen sprinkler system.
Turbine Blade Failure Analysis (USD $5M+ Loss – Indonesia)
  • Turbine blade design and materials related issues.
Natural Gas Skid Failure (Personal Injury)
  • System removes “oil” from natural gas prior to entering utility scale natural gas turbine.
  • Safety system failure led to oil release and natural gas release.
  • Single point failure and system design issues.