SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
- Civil Engineering
- Stress Analysis
- Structural Design
- Fatigue
- Failure Analysis
- Nondestructive Examination
- Field Testing/Instrumentation
- Welding
- Quality Assurance
- Expert Witness
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- Mechanical Engineering
- Fracture Mechanics
- Heat Transfer
- Creep Dynamics
- Vibrations
- Mechanical Testing
- Accident Reconstruction
- Risk Analysis
- Computer Applications
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PROJECT EXPERIENCE – CIVIL ENGINEERING
Buried Piping – Evaluation of defects and/or failures of gas pipelines, petroleum pipelines, water pipelines, and sewer lines fabricated from steel, cast iron, aluminum-bronze, fiberglass, PVC, polyethylene, prestressed concrete and vitrified clay; fracture mechanics design of gas pipelines; risk analysis for geotechnical hazards on a subsea pipeline; risk analysis of weld defects during J-lay of offshore pipeline; internal inspection of pipelines; evaluation of pig data; field testing and instrumentation, development of repair strategy for fiberglass piping.
Structures – Design of reinforced concrete, steel and wood frame structures; evaluation of collapse of cooling tower and roof structures; weld inspection; evaluation of weld defects in airport terminals and nuclear plant structural steel; evaluation of defects in reinforced and prestressed concrete parking structures, evaluation of wind loads on structures; fracture mechanics based fatigue design of offshore structures; evaluation of concrete degradation in marine structures; evaluation of blast damage in reinforced concrete structures; evaluation of construction defects; flaw evaluations for bridges.
Seismic – Evaluation of building damage resulting from Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes, including weld fractures in high-rise buildings; evaluation of seismic loading on structures; risk analysis for hazardous chemical spills in an electronics manufacturing facility; registered disaster service worker (post-earthquake safety assessment).
PROJECT EXPERIENCE – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Failure Analysis – Failure analysis for a wide range of components, including pumps, pressure vessels, machinery, turbines, motor vehicles, electronic components, piping, and medical implants.
Rotating Equipment – Instrumentation and evaluation of vibration in turbine/generators; failure analysis of gas and steam turbines; development of fracture mechanics code for evaluation of defects in steam turbines; fitness-for-service evaluation of inspection indications in turbine rotors; failure analysis of pumps and other machinery; evaluation of creep cracking in turbine steam chest; evaluation of mechanical repairs to turbine casing.
Pressure Vessels/Piping – Piping stress analysis; evaluation of creep and creep/fatigue of high-temperature components; fitness-for service analysis of weld defects, hydrogen blistering and cracking in petrochemical vessels; evaluation of the significance of lamellar tearing and low toughness materials for nuclear power plant supports; development of acceptance criteria for reactor pressure vessels; water hammer analyses.
Materials - Review of materials issues related to zirconium pressure tubes in CANDU reactors; materials selection for tendons of tension leg offshore platform; modeling of degradation in steam generator tubes; development of moisture-induced degradation model for fiberglass reinforced plastic piping; evaluation of corrosion in concrete structures.
Testing and Instrumentation – Fracture mechanics testing; strain gage analysis of buried fiberglass piping; instrumentation of airflow in cold storage facility; vibration measurements in turbine generators; measurement of flow-induced vibrations in boiler tubes; installation and evaluation of long-term (10 year) corrosion fatigue samples on an offshore platform; buckling tests of polyethylene piping; non-destructive testing of structural and piping welds; explosive testing with ammonium perchlorate; heat transfer and airflow in electronics enclosures; testing of lead concentration in valve bodies, and measuring the lead in water; real-time radiography and digital image processing.
Accident Reconstruction – Ford Explorer rollover; track testing of tire failures; failure analysis of vehicle suspension components; analysis of position and velocity prior to accident; aircraft accidents; boating accidents.
Vibration – Instrumentation and evaluation of vibration in turbine generators; evaluation of the effects of vibration in cooling tower fans on the cooling tower structure; development of vibration-based condition monitoring system for helicopter gearboxes; instrumentation of flow-induced vibration of boiler tubes; analysis of dynamic response of structures to blast loading; design of structures to avoid resonance with machinery; evaluation of vibration in piping systems; modeling of vibrations on truck-trailer mounted on rail vehicle.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
- B.S. (Mechanical Engineering), University of California, Davis (1976)
- Registered Civil Engineer, State of California #C30451
- Registered Mechanical Engineer, State of California #M27802
- Certified Welding Inspector, American Welding Society #9712083 (expired)
- Registered Disaster Service Worker, State of California #SA971215 (Post-
Earthquake Safety Assessment)
- Member, American Society of Civil Engineers and American Welding Society
- Charter Member, Structural Engineering Institute (ASCE)
- Former Member, ASCE Fatigue and Fracture Reliability Committee
- NASA Certificate of Recognition for Development of the COMSPEC Computer
Inspection System (1986)
SELECTED REPORTS, PUBLICATIONS, AND INVITED LECTURES
Review of Generator Vibration at the Termoeléctrica de Mexicali Power Plant, with S. Lefton, D. Bosko, and M. Cronin, APTECH Report AES 03125249-2-1 (June 2004).
Evaluation of Cause of Leakage From Sulfuric Acid Tank, APTECH Report AES 00064042-5-1 (August 2000).
Evaluation of Roof Collapse, 100 Porete Avenue, North Arlington, New Jersey, APTECH Report AES 00033931-4-1 (May 2000).
Steam Generator Tube Sleeving Prioritization, with Y. Garud and P. Besuner, APTECH Report AES 98053403-1-2 (August 1999).
Root Cause Evaluation of Piping Fitting Failures at the City of San Diego's Waste Water Pump Station No. 65 Relocation, with S. Paterson and H. Vaillancourt, APTECH Report AES 98013278-4-1 (June 1999).
Analysis of Pipeline and Oil Storage Tank Data, with G. Egan, APTECH Report AES 98073456-5-1 (July 1998).
Investigation of Structural Collapse of Fiberglass Cooling Tower at Barrick Wastewater Treatment Facility Near Carlin Nevada, APTECH Report AES 97073115-4-1 (August 1997).
Weld Quality Audit and Engineering Assessment of the Structural Steel and Critical Weld Details in the San Diego Airport, Concourse F, Terminal 2 Construction Project, with G. Egan, T. Kuntz, S. Paterson, and E. Sullivan, APTECH Report AES 97022975-4-1 (July 1997).
Oman India Pipeline Subsea Reliability Analysis, with G. Esswein et al, Oman Oil Company Document No. 9300-AXX-TN-L-2001 (July 14, 1995).
Review of Materials-Related Issues for Reactor Internals and Horizontal Pressure Tube Design for Candu 3 Reactor Design, with F. Sciacca and C. Shaffer, Science and Engineering Associates Report SEA 93-704-04-A:3 (October 21, 1994).
Piping Evaluation at Perry Nuclear Power Plant, with B. Martel and M. Galasso, APTECH Report AES 94012100-1-2 (October 1994).
Approach to Fracture Control for the Oman-India Gas Pipeline, with M. Cronin, C. Lee, and R. Yee, APTECH Report 9300-AXX-TN-L-1051 (September 1, 1994).
Prioritization of the Susceptibility to PWSCC of Inconel 600 Zones in the Primary System, with A. Curtis, III, C. Harden, R. Cipolla, R. Yee, and M. Cohn, APTECH Report AES 92121825-1-1 (March 1994).
Seismic Evaluation of Komag Facilities, APTECH Report AES 93102058-2-2 (January 1994).
Design and Construction Practices for Severe Weather Conditions, with E. Zebroski and S. Kohan, APTECH Report AES 93051934-1-1 (September 1993).
Life Extension Activities Related to Cooling Water Intake and Discharge Structures, APTECH Report AES 93021867-3-1 (June 1993).
Review of Reports on Rapid Screening Test for Prequalification of Platform Steels, with S. Paterson and R. Cipolla, APTECH Report AES 92101774-3-1 (November 1992).
Fitness-for-Service Evaluation of Flaw Indications in the Oxidizer Nozzles at the ARCO Chemical Plant Channelview, Texas, with K. Ecoffey, APTECH Report AES 92061713-3-1 (July 1992).
Fracture Mechanics Evaluation of Chevron Cracks in Drilling Template Hydralok Sleeves, with R. Cipolla, APTECH Report AES 92051709-3-2 (June 1992).
Structural Analysis of TOS/ACTS Protective Cover Support, with C. Vass, APTECH Report AES 92041673 5 1 (May 1992).
Failure Analysis of 7-2 Boiler Feed Pump at Moss Landing Power Plant, with R. Cargill, REFLEX Engineering Report RFX 9201001 (April 1992).
Fracture Mechanics Analysis of Boiler Water Circulating Pump Casings at Cheswick Power Station, Unit 1, with R. Cipolla, APTECH Report AES 91091534-2-1 (March 1992).
The Significance of Lack of Penetration/Lack of Fusion in ASME Class 3 Welds at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, with G. Egan, P. Besuner, W. Blackstone, S. Miller, R. Cipolla, and A. Curtis III, APTECH Report AES 90091312-1Q-1 (August 1991).
Dresser-Rand Power Turbine for Wichita Falls, with E. Sullivan, APTECH Report AES 91041443-5-1 (May 1991).
Evaluation of Service Suitability of Borg-Warner Bolted Bonnet Check Valve Swing Arms, with E. Sullivan and P. Lindsay, APTECH Report AES 90031209-1Q-1 (April 1991).
Evaluation of Saw Cuts in Coped Beams at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, APTECH Report AES 90051251-1Q-1 (September 1990).
Analysis of Cracked Clip Angles in Drywell Floor Beams at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 2, APTECH Report AES 90051255-1Q-1 (July 1990).
Significance of Over-Drilled Oil Holes on Fatigue Life of the KSV-4-2A Connecting Rod in the Standby Diesel Engines at South Texas Project, with R. Cipolla and P. Besuner, APTECH Report AES 89121166-1Q-1 (March 1990).
On Board Condition Assessment Unit for Helicopter Propulsion Systems, with R. Cargill and D. Frick, Carver-Bach Report (December 1989).
Evaluation of Corrosion Gauges Removed From the Cognac Platform After Ten Years, with P. Deb, APTECH Report AES 8810969-3-1 (June 1989).
Evaluation of Flaw Tolerance of Spherical Isobutylene Storage Vessels, APTECH Report AES 89031027-3-1 (April 1989).
Structural Investigation of the Cooling Tower and Gearbox Failures at Dolet Hills Power Station, APTECH Report AES 8804917-2-1 (May 1988).
Analysis of Leak-Before-Break for Steam Generator Tubes, with R. Cipolla, G. Egan, E. Capener, and L. Nott, APTECH Report AES 8406468-1 (November 1987).
Demonstration of the HEXI High Energy Inspection Technique at Public Service Electric and Gas, Kearny Generating Station, Unit 6, APTECH Report AES 8609705B (October 1986).
Guidelines for the Remaining Useful Life Assessment of Turbine/Generators, with M. Cronin and S. Lefton, APTECH Report AES 8410493-3 (May 1985).
Digital Enhancement of Radiographs Depicting Thermal Sleeve Tack Weld - Trojan Nuclear Power Plant, with P. Hedgecock, APTECH Report AES 8501518-1 (February 1985).
The Significance of Flaws in Steam Generator Tubes, with R. Cipolla, G. Egan, E. Capener, and L. Nott, APTECH Report AES 8406468-1 (February 1985).
Identification of Characteristic Size, Shape, and Orientation of Fatigue Cracks in Tubular Joints, APTECH Report AES 8211354-2 (December 1984).
Compendium of Stress Intensity Factor Solutions Relevant to Tubular Joints, APTECH Report AES 8211354 (December 1984).
Condition Evaluation and Remaining Life Assessment of Cracks in USS Ranger SSTG Steam Chest, with J. Byron, K. Clark, T. Feiereisen, S. Paterson, and R. Proctor, APTECH Report AES 8406466-1 (September 1984).
Investigation of Cryopanel Cooling Tube Leakage in Space Simulation Chamber, with T. Feiereisen, P. Hedgecock, L. McIntosh, L. Nott, S. Paterson, and R. Richman, APTECH Report AES 8312424-1 (April 1984).
Review of Requirements and Guidelines for Evaluation of Component Support Materials Under Unresolved Safety Issue A-12 (RP1757-2), with R. Cipolla, D. Hayes, and G. Egan APTECH Report AES 8008203 (June 1983).
The Significance of Lamellar Tears in Structural Steels - RP 2055-5, APTECH Report AES 8111290 (February 1983).
The Significance of ID Flaws in Once-Through Steam Generator Tubes, with G. Egan, R. Cipolla, and L. Nott, APTECH Report AES 8211353 (January 1983).
Supplementary Materials Study and Fatigue Evaluation of the Tension Legs and Risers of the Gulf TLP, with R. Cargill and L. McIntosh, APTECH Report AES 8111285 (October 1982).
Analysis of 16th Stage Compressor Wheel Failure - RP 1802-2, with R. Richman, R. Cipolla, T. Rettig, R. Cargill, D. Hayes, J. Wittig, and D. Rapperport, APTECH Report AES 81-10-82 (November 1981).
Fracture Analysis of Hydrogen Deflagration in the McGuire Containment Vessel, with G. Egan, APTECH Report AES-81-01-58 (January 1981).
Development of a Methodology to Determine the Probability of Pipeline Failure - Phase I, with W. McNaughton and G. Egan, APTECH Report AES 80-12-42 (December 1980).
Review and Reassessment of the Ames 12 Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel, with G. Egan and R. Cipolla APTECH Report AES 80-07-34 (July 1980).
Fracture Mechanics Analysis of Pipe Whip Support Weldments in the Washington Public Power Nuclear Unit 2, with R. Cipolla, G. Egan, B. Wade, J. Eischen, Failure Analysis Associates Report FAA-78-11-2 (June 1979).
Analysis of Galigher 12x14-Inch Horizontal Pump Shaft Failures - Hooked Sleeve Pump Shaft Configuration, with S. Hopkins, B. Wade, Failure Analysis Associates Report FAA-79-0404 (April 1979).
An Analysis of the Effect of Low Temperature Sensitization on BWR Plant Performance, with G. Egan, Failure Analysis Associates Report (February 1979).
Development, Design, and Installation of In-Situ Corrosion Fatigue Gage, with B. Wade and G. Egan, Failure Analysis Associates Report FAA-79-02-1 (January 1979).
Failure Analysis of Las Minas #3 Turbine Rotor Cracks, with C. Rau, Jr., S. Hopkins, R. Lund, J. Frandsen, Failure Analysis Associates Report FAA-78-11-1 (November 5, 1978).
Failure Analysis of the Oak Creek Unit #3 Low Pressure Disk Burst, with C. Rau, Jr., S. Hopkins, P. Besuner, J. Frandsen, Failure Analysis Associates Report FAA-78-11-3 (November 1978).
Flaw Analysis for Component of Steam Generator and Reactor Coolant Pump Supports, with G. Egan and G. Derbalian, Failure Analysis Associates Report FAA-78-09-4 (October 1978)
Stress Analysis of the SRB-ET Aft Strut Structural Test Load Adapters and Stabilizer Assembly, Wyle Laboratories Report C-401-0005-A (November 1977).
Engineering Analysis Report for the Longitudinal Restraint System, Wyle Laboratories Report (1977).
PUBLICATIONS AND INVITED LECTURES
Ethical Considerations for Expert Witnesses in Forensic Engineering, 3rd Forensic Conference, Technical Council on Forensic Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers, San Diego, CA (October 19-21, 2003).
Weld Size versus Weld Defects - Technical Questions & Answers, Structure, Vol. 8, No. 3, Pp. 50 (April 2001).
Fabrication and Inspection Considerations for the Design of Welded Moment Resisting Frames, Conference on Welded Construction in Seismic Areas, American Welding Society, Maui, Hawaii (October 6-8, 1998).
Requirements for a Digital Records Management System for Radiographs, with A. Wogen and R. Schwarzbach, Nuclear Plant Journal, pp. 67-70 (Nov-Dec 1991).
Advanced Fracture Control Procedures for Deepwater Platforms and Compliant Towers, with P. Marshall, J. Post, and R. Firschmuth, Offshore Technology Conference, OTC-6387, Houston, Texas (May 7-10, 1990).
Component Remaining Life Assessment, Petrochemical Technology Seminar, The Woodlands, Texas (May 2-3, 1989).
Thickness, Weld Profile, and Initial Flaw Considerations for Tubular Joints, 8th Offshore
Mechanics and Arctic Engineering Conference, American Society of Mechanical Engineers,
The Hague, The Netherlands, No. OMAE-89-991 (March 22, 1989).
Initial Flaw Size Estimating Procedures for Fatigue Crack Growth Calculations, Fatigue of
Welded Constructions, The Welding Institute, Brighton, U.K., No. 23 (April 7-9, 1987).
Dimensionless Damage Approach to Fatigue Crack Growth, Fatigue of Welded
Constructions, The Welding Institute, Brighton, U.K., , No. 22 (April 7-9, 1987).
High Energy Inspection of Steam Lines Without Removing the Insulation, Fossil Plant
Inspections Conference, Electric Power Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, No. CS-5320,
pp. 3/97-3/110 (September 9-11, 1986).
Methodology for Assessing the Remaining Life of Critical Power Plant Components, Electric
Power Research Institute Conference on Life Extension and Assessment of Fossil Plants,
Washington, D.C., with S. Lefton, T. Rettig, M. Cohn, S. Tordonato, and K. Clark
(June 2-4, 1986)
Analysis of a Compressor Wheel Failure, ASTM STP 918, Case Histories Involving Fatigue
and Fracture Mechanics, American Society for Testing and Materials, No. 918, pp. 181 210,
with R. Cipolla and R. Richman (1986).
Evaluation of Weld Repair of Dented Members, Behaviour of Offshore Structures, Elsevier
Science, Delft, The Netherlands, pp. 409-417 (1985).
Pressure Vessel Inspection Criteria Based on Fitness-for-Purpose Assessment, International
Conference on Non-Destructive Testing in the Fitness-for-Purpose Assessment of Welded
Construction, London, England, with R. Cipolla (November 20-22, 1984).
On-Line Evaluation of Loads, Crack Growth, and NDE Data for Operational Decision
Making, ASME Pressure Vessel and Piping Conference, San Antonio, Texas, with G. Egan,
June 17-21, 1984.
The New Look in Dredging, Navy Civil Engineer, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 2-4, with D. Grover
(Fall 1983).
Significance of Centerline Lack-of-Penetration Defects in Double Seam-Welded SA-312
Pipe, Joint Meeting of the Pressure Vessels and Piping, Nuclear Engineering, and Solar
Divisions, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Denver, CO, with R. Cipolla,
No. 81-PVP-33 (March 30, 1981).
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