Forensic Investigation of a Barge Collision
Forensic Investigation of a Barge Collision determined that the air compressed system used to control the engine and steering controls had failed
Engineering Expert Witness Projects
Engineering expert witness projects – investigating product liability, structural failures, construction issues, fire/explosions, industrial and other accidents.
We support law firms and major insurance companies in State, Federal & International Courts (on both Plaintiff and Defendant cases) – from simple to complex issues. Our work has included supporting US government agencies including the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Chemical Safety Board (CSB). In addition, we have served as independent engineering experts in International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration.
As an independent forensic engineering firm, we provide unbiased, comprehensive technical results. Our experience covers a broad range of industries, materials, and equipment.
Call Tom O’Donnell to Discuss your Engineering Challenges
Forensic Failure Analysis of Damaged Mining Lift Hook
FEA Results Showing Deflections on Lift Hook We performed a forensic failure analysis on a damaged mining lift hook. As a worker was lifting and moving a cylindrical metal basket loaded with parts, the lift hook bracket assembly that secured the basket to the crane hook had failed. Consequently, the (approximately 1,600 pound) basket loaded …
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Truck 5th Wheel Evaluation and Accident Causation Analysis
Truck 5th Wheel Evaluation and Accident Causation Analysis determining the cause of the separation of a trailer from its tractor.
Coke Oven Battery Evaluation in $560 M International Arbitration
Coke Oven Battery Engineering Evaluation – design / construction forensic investigations in $560 M ICC Arbitration.
Forensic Investigation of a Fifth-Wheel Failure
Forensic investigation on a fifth-wheel failure which caused an accident due to separation of a trailer from its tractor.
Forensic Failure Analysis on Hunting Bow
Failed Hunting Bow Forensic failure analysis on a hunting bow incident that resulted in an injury. The draw weight, like most hunting bows, is adjustable, and typically determined by hooking the bow string on a scale and drawing the bow. During this procedure, the bow had failed. Metallurgical and nondestructive testing was performed on various …
Forensic Investigation – Collapse of the 15th Century Statue of Tullio Lombardo’s Adam
Tullio Lombardo’s Adam is one of the greatest Venetian 15th-century works of art.
Root Cause Forensic Investigation of Forklift Accident
We were asked to perform a root cause forensic investigation of a forklift accident, which resulted in serious injuries. Metallurgical and chemical evaluations were performed on the forklift’s parking brake wire cable. The results determined that the cable had failed in fatigue, which initiated in two locations along its length. Fatigue is the progressive …
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Failure Analysis of Barge Mooring in Pittsburgh
FEA Model of Barge and Mooring O’Donnell Consulting performed failure analysis of a barge mooring that had broken during a flood condition on the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, PA. Engineering and finite element analyses showed that the bow and stern mooring lines were subjected to excessive loads as the river water levels …
$63 M Award in Litigation over a Newly Constructed Collapsed Paper Rack Storage Facility
Longer than two football fields and 80 feet wide, a large steel paper rack storage facility was constructed with 110 foot tall hollow steel columns to hold over 100 million pounds of pallets of paper products. After two months in service, the automated facility collapsed and sparked a fire that burned over three weeks
Forensic Investigation on Coke Oven Battery Construction – $200 M Litigation
Finite element engineering analysis was used to calculate temperatures, deflections, strains, and stresses using time-dependent creep analysis methods to evaluate the long term integrity of coke oven battery roof and heating walls
Forensic Investigation of Premature Weld Cracking in Stainless Steel Exhaust Ductwork
Premature weld cracking had occurred in exhaust ductwork. The cracking occurred in corner weld joints and in stitch welds used to secure the shell to stiffening angles approximately 3 weeks after it was placed in service.
Forensic Failure Analysis – Aircraft Stabilizer Trim Motor Bearings
Investigation of aircraft stabilizer trim motor bearing
Forensic Investigation of a Barge Involved in Collision
We performed an extensive forensic investigation of a barge that had collided with a docked leisure paddle-wheeled ship in Pittsburgh, PA. The accident involved failure of the air compressed system. This system consisted of two 5 HP compressors and two 120 gallon receiving tanks with relief valves to prevent overpressure. This air compressed system controlled …
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Forensic Investigation – $16 Million Award for Collapsed Bauxite Conveyor System
Forensic Investigation – $16 Million award in U.S. District Court over Collapsed Bauxite Conveyor System.
Structural Analysis of Design Errors in Electrostatic Precipitator
For hot-side precipitator designs, ductwork designs included temperatures exceeding 700 F, which allow for “thermal breathing”. When these movements are restrained, large forces are created.
Fire Investigation – Commercial Grain Dryer
Root cause fire investigation of 54 foot commercial grain dryer, used to dry soybeans.
Forensic Investigation of a Failed Steel Tube Chair
Forensic Investigation of an accident involving a failed Steel Tube Chair – using finite-element elastic-plastic large-deflection analysis
Fire/ Explosion Investigation of LPG Dehydration System
We investigated a fire/explosion at a pipeline LPG Dehydration facility. The explosion and fire apparently occurred during a periodic draining operation whereby water was removed from the system by “blowing down” the separator boot using two 2” manual ball valves. The following Codes & Standards are listed as applicable to the project:• ASME B31.4• ASME …
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Root Cause Investigation of Gas Well Pipe Rupture
We performed a root cause investigation of a gas well pipe rupture at a plant north of Pittsburgh. A well tender was initiating a “post-fracking” procedure-blowback operation to release pressure in the capped well. When the main valve was opened, the pipe ruptured due to water hammer. The pipe, set off center, broke loose and …
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Forensic Fire Investigation of Shipboard Compressor
O’Donnell Consulting performed a fire investigation of a Shipboard Compressor System that occurred on the USS Eisenhower. We perform engineering design and analysis – as well as Forensic Engineering Services. Give Us a Call to Discuss Your Engineering Challenges Related Projects – Fire/Explosion Investigation of LPG Dehydration System– Engineering Analysis on Components in U.S. …
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Forensic Investigation of Propane Pump Explosion
We were asked to perform a root cause forensic investigation of a propane pump explosion that had killed one worker and injured three others at a central Ohio factory. The propane pump was being used to charge aerosol cans with propane propellant at high pressure. The accident occurred when gas leaked past the pistons in …
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$98.8 M Award in Litigation over Refinery Engineering Issues
A Plaintiff general mechanical contractor with a prior history with a larger petrochemical company was involved in a capital improvement turnaround project. One part of the turnaround involved the replacement of a reactor head. According to the contractor, the reactor head manufacturer had produced the wrong size, and tried to work with the prime contractor …
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Failure Analysis – Gearboxes Controlling an Earth-Station Antenna
Failure analysis of gearboxes controlling an earth-station antenna – metallurgical testing and engineering analysis.
Forensic Fire Investigation on a Commercial Building
Forensic fire investigation on a commercial building fire. (Fire cause and origin analysis)
