Mechanical Engineering Expert Witnesses: 26

Florida Office:
Andrew Avalon, PE, PSP
Chairman & CEO
8633 Willow Kane Court
Orlando, FL 32835
aavalon@long-intl.com
T: (407) 445-0825     F: (407) 650-3399

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Long International provides expert engineering and construction claims analysis, expert testimony, project management consulting, and insurance claims analysis services. We focus on projects in the following industries: building and construction; gas, gasification, GTL, LNG, and NGL; industrial and manufacturing; mineral and mineral processing; offshore oil and gas; oil sands; pipelines and utilities; power; refineries, petrochemical, and chemical; transportation; and water, wastewater, dams, and marine. We analyze claims, not limited to, disputed change orders, schedule delay, acceleration, time extensions, liquidated damages, loss of productivity, defective specifications, and deficient project management performance.

Richard J. Long, P.E., P.Eng., Founder of Long International, has over 50 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 35 years, Mr. Long has served as the lead expert on over 300 projects having claims ranging in size from US$100,000 to over US$2 billion. He has presented and published numerous articles on claims analysis, entitlement issues, CPM schedule and damages analyses, cumulative impact claims, and claims prevention.

Rod C. Carter, CCP, PSP is President of Long International and has over 20 years of experience in construction project controls, contract disputes and resolution, negotiations, mediation, arbitration support, and expert testimony on scheduling, loss of productivity, and quantum issues.  He has experience in entitlement, schedule, and damages analyses on over 30 construction disputes ranging in value from US$100,000 to US$7 billion, related to oil and gas, oil refinery, LNG, heavy civil, nuclear, environmental, chemical, power, industrial, commercial, and residential construction projects. Mr. Carter specializes in loss of productivity, cumulative impact, and quantum calculations, and had a lead role in assessing damages on more than a dozen major disputes.  In addition, Mr. Carter has developed cost and schedule risk analysis models using Monte Carlo simulations to address the uncertainty of estimates and claims.

Scott M. Francis, P.E., PSP is a Vice President of Long International and has over 20 years of experience in project management, contract disputes analysis and resolution, CPM schedule preparation, execution, and analysis, productivity analysis, contract administration, design engineering, construction management, and government contracting.  He provides schedule development and assurance services, cost estimating, and claims analysis services on projects for both owners and contractors.  Specific responsibilities include CPM development and reviews, CPM schedule delay and acceleration analyses, change order impact analysis, issue identification, correlation of impacts to schedule activities, and productivity evaluations.

Mechanical Solutions, Inc. (MSI) performs litigation support through its extensive engineering capabilities, and when required, through expert testimony. MSI uses advanced finite element analysis (FEA), rotor dynamics, and torsional analysis tools, and uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze 3-D steady or unsteady fluid flows and heat transfer, enabled by its 230 high speed processor supercomputers.

MSI also uses top-of-the-line testing equipment, including multichannel FFT analyzers (up to 200 simultaneous channels) to accurately read the outputs of various vibration, stress/strain, and pressure sensors, as a function of both time and frequency. As a unique additional test capability, MSI uses motion magnification video cameras to amplify and display scene vibration by 1000x. MSI uses calibrated exciters while equipment remains running, to locate structural, rotor, and acoustic natural frequency resonances as they exist at any particular operating point, without interfering with machinery operation. In addition, MSI performs stress, acoustic, dynamic pressure pulsation, electric current spectrum, and aero/hydraulic performance testing.

Areas of Expertise:

New Equipment Design Computer-aided Analysis Installed Equipment Field Testing and Problem Solution Broken Component (e.g. blades, disks, seals, bearings)  Forensic Analysis Pumps Compressors Fans Turbines

Motors Centrifugal and Positive Displacement (e.g. reciprocating) Configurations Hydraulic Turbine Generators Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines Land-based Gas or Steam Turbine Power Generation Systems Green Energy Power Industry Petrochemical Industry Paper Industry Water Resource Industry

Solving Challenges with Rotating Machinery Vibrations

William D. Marscher, PE, performs expert witnessing and engineering work in the field of Fluid Systems and their Rotating and Reciprocating Machinery, particularly large turbines, generators, compressors, and pumps. His typical work responsibilities include design, analysis, and testing of all types of plant machinery, as well as other types of fluid and mechanical systems. Mr. Marscher has background in various types of turbines (including hydraulic, steam, and gas), as well as various types of pumps, including centrifugal as well as positive displacement (e.g. reciprocating, gear, rotary, and screw).

Mr. Marscher's expert witnessing experience includes 27 cases over the course of his 50+ year career, for which he provided detailed engineering reports in support of the case. This legal support experience includes witnessing in front of tribunals four times, and testifying in Federal Court in four cases. He also has performed depositions 11 times. 

For the past 45 years, Mr. Marscher has been a voting member of the ASTM Fatigue Standards Committee E9, as well as the ASTM Wear & Erosion Standards Committee G2. He is also the past Board of Directors Chairman for the Machinery Failure Prevention Technology Society (MFPT), and has been active in the Vibration Institute. Mr. Marscher is a 23-year member of the Texas A&M Turbine-Pump Users Symposium Advisory Committee (essentially the Board of Directors for the Symposium). For ASME, he was Chair of the Predictive Maintenance committee and was Organizing and Presiding Chair of the 1993 RoCon Rotating Machinery Conference and the 1995 Tribology Conference.

Dr. Edward Bennett is MSI’s VP of Fluids Engineering.  Dr. Bennett graduated from the Naval Academy, following which he was a navy test pilot.  Later he received his PhD in Fluid Dynamics from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Bennett has been a well-known leader in Fluid Dynamics and the Aero/hydrodynamic Design of Turbomachinery for the past thirty plus years.  

In 1995, Dr. Bennett founded ASC Turbo, a design house that combined the CFD software from Advanced Scientific Computing and specialized turbomachinery design software.  During this time, he worked on the development of BladeGen, a 3-dimensional turbomachinery blade geometry kernel, and also performed a key role design work that included the starter turbine and vapor cycle compressor for the F-22 Raptor fighter, several biomechanical cardiac pumps, a LOX rocket turbopump, as well as numerous more “conventional” turbomachinery designs. After this, he served as Director of Turbopumps for Gencorp Aerojet, and authored the hydraulic design methodology that is still in use by that organization.

At MSI, Dr. Bennett oversees fluid dynamic design and analysis of pumps, compressors, and turbines, including various sizes of hydroturbine generators.  This work includes detailed computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis, as well as test rig design, and flow loop/ wind tunnel validation testing.  Recently, he has supported major law firms with expert report writing and detailed two-phase flow unsteady CFD analysis of 100MW and 400 MW hydroturbines in the US and Canada.

Paul A. Boyadjis is Director of Rotating Machinery Analysis for MSI.  Mr. Boyadjis has a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University where he graduated summa cum laude.  He has over 35 years of diverse experience in the analysis and Design of Centrifugal Pumps and Pumping Systems, as well as Centrifugal Compressors. His specialty includes complex 3D solids modeling for stress and vibration analysis using advanced finite element techniques, and he has worked as a lead analytical engineer for major manufacturers. 

Mr. Boyadjis is also an expert at rotordynamics, and field testing. He has enjoyed participating as a Hydraulic Institute Standards Partner for over a decade, and became vice chair of its Vibration Committee, and was named Standards Partner of the Year in 2021.  Paul played a key role in various standards. 

Years ago, Mr. Mr. Boyadjis developed the solids modeling and advanced finite element analysis capabilities at the Government Marine Business unit of Ingersoll-Rand, and wrote many of the structural and vibration analysis procedures for that division. As mergers took place, he then transferred these analytical capabilities to the Research and Development group of Ingersoll-Dresser Pump and later Flowserve.

While with MSI, Mr. Boyadjis has conducted detailed 3D finite element analysis of failed casings and impellers, performing forensic investigations, and when necessary, providing successful design enhancements for industrial and municipal customers. He has directed or participated in many testing and troubleshooting projects, particularly for water and wastewater pumping systems.

View MSI's Consulting Profile.

R. Kevin Smith P.E., D.F.E. has been a specialist in Engineering Forensic Safety and Design for 44 years. He has consulted on over 1,000 matters nationwide. Mr. Smith is a registered professional engineer and holds a BSME and MMAE from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He is board certified forensic engineer through NAFE. He specialties include  Material Handling Equipment Safety, including lift trucks, dock safety, truck loading, conveyors, aerial work platforms, Construction Equipment Safety, Trucking Industry Safety including safe loading procedures and interactions at loading/unloading facilities, and Accident Reconstruction.

He is an active member of the committee that writes the Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks (ASME/ANSI B56.1) for over 40 years. He also serves on the B56.6 committee (rough terrain lift trucks) and the ANSI A92.5 and A92.6 subcommittees (self-propelled elevating work platforms), as well as the A92.20, A92.22, A92.22 series of ANSI standards for MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms).

 Litigation Support - Mr. Smith formerly worked for Triodyne, Inc. for over 15 years as a forensic engineer/principal engineer. As President of R. K. Smith Engineering Inc., for 28 years, he currently has a laboratory for examination and testing, and owns or has access to varied testing equipment and tools.He has testified at depositions and trials on several hundred matters. Mr. Smith has performed hundreds of investigations into product failures involving injury and property damage, and has reconstructed numerous accidents. His expertise is available to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defendant. Mr. Smith also was previously on the Adjunct Math faculty at Prairie State College for 13 years. 

Areas of Expertise:

Forklift Trucks Aerial Work Platform Lifts Product Testing Material Handling / Lifting / Rigging Equipment Accident Reconstruction Machine Guarding Safeguarding Warnings

Agricultural and Construction Equipment Skid Steer Loaders Stability Testing Loading Dock Safety Consumer Products / Testing OSHA Citations Codes & Standards Standard of Care in Design

View R. Kevin Smith's Consulting Profile.

Non-testifying consulting support for counsel on matters involving fall protection and access systems, including BMU, suspended, and permanent access systems (U.S. and International)

Rauch Safety & Engineering provides non-testifying technical consulting to counsel in matters involving fall protection systems, façade access systems (including Building Maintenance Units – BMUs), and permanent access infrastructure.

Engagements are typically initiated prior to expert designation to evaluate the technical validity of a claim, defense, or opposing position. This allows counsel to determine whether a matter is structurally sound before proceeding into formal expert pathways.

Work focuses on system failures, installation alignment, and responsibility across design, manufacturing, and construction, particularly where breakdowns occur between design intent and real-world conditions.

Scope includes analysis of:

• System design and engineering intent 
• Installation and commissioning conditions
• Lifecycle use and maintenance environments
• Alignment with applicable standards (OSHA, ANSI, IWCA)

RSE is engaged to:

• Evaluate case feasibility and technical merit
• Identify system failures, misalignment, and responsibility gaps
• Analyze construction defects and performance issues
• Review and assess opposing expert reports 
• Determine design vs. installation discrepancies 

RSE operates independently of contractors, manufacturers, and installers, providing unbiased technical evaluation grounded in real-world system behavior across the full system lifecycle.

All engagements are strictly non-testifying and available across U.S. and international matters.

Key Services

• Early Case Technical Evaluation (Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Construction Defect & System Performance Analysis (Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Failure Analysis – Fall Protection & Access Systems
• BMU / Façade Access System Review
• Suspended Access & Permanent Access System Evaluation
• Commissioning & Installation Condition Review (Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Lifecycle & Maintenance Condition Assessment (Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• OSHA / ANSI / IWCA Standards Interpretation (as applicable to Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Expert Report Review & Rebuttal Support (Non-testifying, Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Design vs. Installation Discrepancy Analysis (Fall Protection & Access Systems)

Positioning Statement

RSE provides non-testifying consulting support to counsel requiring a clear, technically grounded understanding of fall protection and access systems and their real-world performance, particularly in matters where design, manufacturing, installation, and operational realities intersect.

Areas of Expertise:

Fall Protection Systems Failure Façade Access Systems Failure Building Maintenance Units (BMU) Failure Suspended Access Systems Failure Permanent Access Systems Roof Anchor Systems Failure Lifeline Systems Failure Suspended Platform Failure Construction Safety Failure Building Maintenance Accident Construction Defect Analysis Construction Dispute Support Design vs Installation Discrepancies

System Performance Failure Infrastructure Access System Failures Access System Commissioning Issues Installation vs Design Intent Conflict Contractor Responsibility Analysis OEM Responsibility Analysis OSHA Compliance Review ANSI Standards / IWCA Standards Failure Analysis Construction Systems Mechanical Building Systems Lifecycle System Analysis Commissioning Review Maintenance Conditions

View Rauch Safety and Engineering's Consulting Profile.

Since 1988, Real-World Forensic Engineering, LLC ("RWFE") has provided engineering services to industries and government labs, as well as litigation support to both plaintiff and defense attorneys practicing in many areas.

RWFE Areas of Expertise Include:

Components & Machinery Metallurgy & Corrosion Dynamics of Impact & Collisions Friction Analysis / Slips, Trips and Falls Intellectual Property & Patent Review Accident Reconstruction / Animation Computer Aided Design Education & Training

Electrocution & Switch Malfunction Grounding & Lightning Protection Lightning Impulse Testing Products and Premises Liability & Safety High-Voltage & Current Power Systems Bridge Design and Safety Fire & Explosion Cause and Origin And Much More...

At RWFE, we proudly distinguish ourselves by our Four C's:

CREDENTIALS. COMPETENCE. CREDIBILITY. COMMUNICATION.

Credentials:	B.S., M.S., M.Eng., M.B.A., J.D., and Ph.D. Degrees Licensed Professional Engineers in Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering Tenured University Professors and Professionals NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators (CFEI) Licensed Master Electricians
Competence:	Over 80 Combined Years of Experience in Engineering R&D, Industry, Academia, Consulting, and Expert Witness Litigation Support Over 120 Combined Deposition and Court Testimonies
Credibility:	Internationally Recognized in Our Areas of Expertise More Than $19 Million in Peer-reviewed and Funded Research Grants Over 200 Combined Scientific Publications and Journal Articles
Communication:	Over 20 Different Undergraduate and Graduate-level University Courses Over 30 Invited Short Courses, Talks, and Lectures

Design Evaluation – Accident Investigation – Intellectual Property - Failure Analysis – Fire Cause & Origin – Component Testing - Computer Aided Drafting – Accident Animation - Expert Witness & Litigation Support

www.ExpertEngineering.com

Gary D. Fletcher, PhD,  is the Founder and Principal Consultant at RnDDx Solutions LLC, a consulting firm founded in 2015, focused on Industrial Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering and Research and Product Development.  In his 30 years of experience, he has been co-inventor on 23 patents for devices and methods in blood collection and processing.

Litigation Support - Dr. Fletcher has subject matter expertise in Medical Device Mechanical Engineering and subject matter expertise in Medical Devices for blood and specimen collection and sample processing for in vitro diagnostics, point of care diagnostics, and therapeutics, including glucose monitoring. He serves as an expert witness in patent infringement cases involving medical device and diagnostic biomedical engineering, blood collection, separation, fluidic preparation, glucose monitoring, and cell therapy preparation devices.

Dr. Fletcher offers patent litigation services to law firms and lawyers supporting medical device and diagnostic industry clients, who need physical science and mechanical and biomedical engineering expertise for District Court, PTAB, and ITC patent cases. As an industry consultant, his ideal clients are R&D, product development, and innovation leaders in startup, emerging, and established medical device and diagnostic companies, who face product development and competitive challenges.

Areas of Expertise:

Mechanical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Medical Devices Product Development Clinical Diagnostics Blood Collection Blood  / Cell Separation Needles / Lancets Biospecimens Point of Care Testing Microfluidics

X-Ray Spectroscopy Cell Therapy Intellectual Property / Patent Infringement Microscopy Physics Biomedical Sensing Optics Imaging Mathematics Glucose Monitors Lasers

Dr. Fletcher is an entrepreneurial executive with expanding R&D roles in business, technology, and new product development leadership and execution, building and guiding teams in both Fortune 500 and startup companies. With a PhD in physics from Yale, he has a proven record of leadership in creating innovative new businesses and products in healthcare, medical devices, diagnostics, life, materials, and optical sciences.

Mechanical Engineer - Turbomachinery Expert. Gas turbine engines, steam turbines, jet engines, compressors, pumps, expanders, generators, cogeneration, combustion equipment, diesel engines, and reciprocating compressors. 

Failure analysis, stress analysis, mechanical design, design analysis, troubleshooting, performance analysis, durability assessment. Access to metallurgical laboratory. Experienced Expert witness. 

Please see our Service List at https://sbkushnick.com/servicelist.pdf for a concise description.

Thomas W. Caldwell, PE, has over 40 years of experience in Materials Research and Development, Process and Product Development, and Manufacturing Operations in the Precision Cast and Machined Products industry.

Mr. Caldwell has designed and manufactured components for consumer and industrial products, including safety-critical applications such as aircraft landing gear brakes, seat belt lockup devices, windshield wiper, and window lift motor systems. He has experience creating and guiding technology development and manufacturing partnerships in Europe and Asia, licensing and selling intellectual property and creating supply chains in China.

Mr. Caldwell has lectured in the USA, Germany, Switzerland, and India on manufacturing premium quality metal products and manufacturing processes, and was a technical paper peer reviewer for 20 years for the Society of Automotive Engineers. A United States patent holder, he has published peer reviewed research in electrochemistry and materials processing, and has written and spoken numerous times on the subject of Materials Selection.

Litigation Support - Thomas W. Caldwell, PE, is a testifying and consulting expert for both plaintiff and defense counsel. His cases involve product failure for ferrous and non-ferrous alloy products such as hand tools, recreational and exercise equipment, fire fighting apparatus, rotating industrial machinery, construction hardware, piping, and lighting fixtures. Mr. Caldwell utilizes destructive and non-destructive methods for insuring product integrity.

Areas of Expertise:

Design Engineering Materials Failure Analysis Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Metallurgy Power Tools Products Liability Design Defects

Manufacturing Defects Fitness for Use Equipment Operation and Maintenance Accident Reconstruction Material Selection Manufacturing Process Design and Scale Up Safety Component Product Quality Control Safety Component Quality Systems Management

View Thomas A. Caldwell's Consulting Profile.

Bransford Pickett, PE, DFE, BSc, MScBA, has over 25 years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer. SEFS expertise includes design and review of material handling equipment, material handling management, and ship board systems. SEFS offers litigation support services for Accident Investigation and Reconstruction covering failure analysis, process simulation, regulatory compliance, equipment reliability, and personal injury / safety. His materials handling and engineering services are offered to attorneys, insurance and end user companies nationally and internationally.

Mr. Pickett is a member on the American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30 committee on Safety Codes and Standards for cranes and rigging as well as a member of several subcommittees. He is also a member of American Society of Mechanical Engineers P30 Committee- Planning for the Use of Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Cableways and Lifting Accessories. ASME BTH Standards Committee.

Mr. Pickett is a Professional Engineer, and holds a BSE from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a MScBA in Finance from San Diego State University, as well as a board certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer. He has qualified as an expert witness in the State of New York Supreme Court and the State of California Supreme Court.

Accident Investigation:

• Man baskets, Forklifts, Scissors Lifts, Aerial Lifts, Rigging Gear, Hydraulic Jacks, and Hydraulic / pneumatic Lift Systems, Automotive Lift Systems, Conveyors, Pallet and Packages Conveyors, Pneumatic Systems, Machine tools, Boats, Barges, and Elevators
• Tower, Mobile, Bridge, Truck, Portal, Container, Jib and Floating Barge Cranes, and Derricks
• Operator training compliance to National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, NCCCO, requirements for tower crane, mobile crane, overhead crane, articulating crane operator training and certification, signal person, and rigger certification
• Compliance covers applicable national and international standards that include the ABS, ASTM, ASM, ASME, ANSI, WSTDA, ALI, etc. and DIN, EN, FEM to list a few. National regulations include state and federal OSHA requirements as well as DOE, military specifications and standards

View Bransford Pickett's Consulting Profile.

Kristopher J. Seluga, PE, is a Mechanical Engineering, Accident Reconstruction, Biomechanics, and Safety Expert with over 20 years of experience. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Mechanical Engineering department at MIT where he worked on the development of novel three-dimensional printing technologies.

Mr. Seluga is also a licensed Professional Engineer in New York and Connecticut, and has served as a member of the ANSI engineering committee for the Z130.1 and Z135 standards for golf cars and PTV’s. His research interests and peer reviewed publications span the topics of Motor Vehicle Dynamics, Product Safety, and Biomechanics.

Litigation Support - Mr. Seluga has been working as a forensic engineer at Technology Associates since 2001. He has investigated 100s of accidents for both plaintiffs and defendants. Mr. Seluga has been qualified to testify as an expert in state and federal court and is experienced in testifying in depositions and trials. He has successfully defeated Daubert / Frye challenges and can prepare and explain compelling exhibits at trial.

Areas of Expertise:

Motor Vehicle Accident Reconstruction Mechanical Engineering Premises Liability Biomechanics Product Design and Safety

Product Liability Falls Safety - Warnings / Visibility Simulation and Animation

Dan W. Wall, BSME, specializes in the fields of Accident Reconstruction, Biomechanics and Motor Vehicle Injury Causation, Human Factors, and Injury Prevention in Motor Vehicle Design. Mr. Wall is fully accredited with ACTAR (Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction), ACTAR No. 1140.

Dan Wall has conducted scientific and engineering analysis of motor vehicle collisions since 1987 for both plaintiff and the defense in civil and criminal cases. A qualified expert witness since 1987, he has offered litigation support services to insurance companies and attorneys in Arizona, California, Colorado, Tennessee and Louisiana and has testified in both Civil and Federal Courts.

Mr. Wall's past cases have involved commercial vehicle design and analysis, insurance investigations, low speed collisions and injury analysis, motorcycle collisions and rider analysis, vehicle handling and dynamics, seat belt analysis and injury mitigation, tire failures and rollover analysis, general accident reconstruction, and roadway analysis. He has conducted human factor analysis including reaction and perception, environmental effects, and general driver behavior. With a large library and the tools needed to do all types of motor vehicle reconstruction investigations, Mr. Wall is an asset to any team.

Dan Wall currently owns and rides a Harley Davidson Ultra Electra Glide Classic motorcycle and has gone through various levels of motorcycle training. He also has extensive experience as a boat operator and Marine Instructor.

For more information, visit www.wallaccidentreconstruction.com

Also view Dan Wall's article in Attorney At Law Magazine at http://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/phoenix/2014/01/17/accident-reconstruction-expert-dan-wall/

Areas of Expertise:

Mechanical Engineering Biomechanics Human Factors Accident Reconstruction Failure Analysis Forensic Investigation Motor Vehicle Design Dynamics and Handling Motorcycles Commercial Vehicles Rollovers Signage

Conspicuity Low Speed Collisions Marine Safety Bicycles Slip and Fall Accidents Pedestrians Accidents Tire Failure Seat Belt Issues Road Defects Off Road Driving Accidents Construction Zones Product Liability

View Dan Wall's Consulting Profile.