What should be included in a detailed Forensic Engineering failure analysis?
Forensic Engineering is the application of Engineering and Scientific principles to the investigation of failures, accidents, personal injuries, defects, or other non-performance issues. For example, forensic engineering investigations can focus on determining the root cause or contributing factors to an incident. That is, what happened and why it happened. In our experience, serious incidents and failures are more often the result of a number of factors that, when combined, result in a minor incident or catastrophic event. What is a forensic Engineer? Usually a mechanical engineer who specialises in the field of forensic engineering.
Forensic engineering can also be used to investigate compliance with Australian or International, Standards, Codes, and Workplace Health and Safety Regulations. That is, did the design, manufacture, installation or method of work comply with the relevant requirements.
For over 30 years, Gilmore Engineers Pty Ltd forensic engineering consultants have been leaders in forensic mechanical engineering investigation and analysis for Law Firms, Insurance Companies, Manufactures, Major Industries, and Mining Companies. Contact us if you need a mechanical engineering firm to provide forensic and expert witness services.
- Determination of the static and dynamic loads through either obtaining load history data prior to failure, or measurement of actual loads or stresses in the components by testing under typical use scenarios.
- Close inspection of the failure surfaces with macro photography or under a microscope to understand the failure mode and to look for any material or manufacturing defects that may have contributed to the failures.
- Material testing and analysis to check the material structural properties and chemical composition.
- Design calculations or computer simulations of loads applied to the components to predict the stress levels and stress distribution in the components, using the loads derived from item 1) and the material properties from item 3). This would typically be performed with FEA software.
- Review of relevant Australian, or International, Standards, Codes, and Regulations.
- If available, review of any calculations, computer simulations and physical testing, including proof tests, tests to failure and high cycle tests, performed by the manufacturer or designer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is forensic engineering?
Forensic engineering is the application of engineering and scientific principles to investigate failures, accidents, personal injuries, defects, or other non-performance issues, determining the root cause and contributing factors.
2. What does a forensic engineer do?
A forensic engineer investigates why a failure or accident occurred, examining physical evidence, testing materials, and reviewing compliance with relevant Standards, then providing an independent expert opinion or report.
3. Where is Gilmore Engineers’ forensic engineering company based?
Gilmore Engineers is a forensic engineering company based in Brisbane, QLD, providing forensic engineering services to law firms, insurers, loss adjusters and businesses.
4. Do you provide forensic mechanical engineering services across Australia?
Yes. Gilmore Engineers provides forensic mechanical engineering services Australia-wide, including Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, and Queensland mining regions as well as internationally.
5. What is a forensic mechanical engineer?
A forensic mechanical engineer is a mechanical engineer who specialises in investigating mechanical failures and accidents, applying engineering principles to determine cause and provide expert evidence for legal proceedings.
