Forensic Engineering Failure Analysis
Our team has experience in forensic investigations and analyzing the reliability and failure events, helping our clients find the root cause of the event as well as designing appropriate remediations to mitigate and prevent it from occurring again. We specialize in root cause failure analysis to evaluate rotating equipment and other critical components, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Our diverse skill pool allows us to analyse events in depth to help our clients make the most cost-effective and efficient changes required.
- Multi-discipline Reliability Investigation, Mitigation & Remediation
- Working across any cross-discipline technological or organisational problems.
- Process failure and performance analysis
- Unit operation
- Unit optimisation Instrument failure analysis
- Control and tight shut-off valves
- Process control related performance of valves
- Valve cavitation phase separation issues
- Electrical failure analysis
- Transformer failures
- Motors and VSDs (variable speed drives)
- Safety Systems and Components
- Mechanical components and systems
- Compressors
- Pumps
- Turbines
- Vibration and condition monitoring components
- Heat exchangers and furnaces (fired equipment)
- FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis)
What is Forensic Failure Analysis?
Forensic failure analysis is a scientific discipline that applies engineering principles, scientific methods, and analytical techniques to investigate the root cause of failures in various systems, structures, and components. It involves a systematic and meticulous approach to identify the underlying causes of failures, which can be attributed to design flaws, material defects, manufacturing errors, operational issues, or environmental factors. Forensic failure analysis is a critical component of forensic engineering, which aims to provide objective and unbiased conclusions to support litigation, insurance claims, and regulatory compliance.
Investigation Techniques
Forensic engineers employ a range of investigation techniques to gather evidence and analyze failures. These techniques include:
Site investigations: Visual inspections, sampling, and documentation of the failure scene to capture all relevant details.
Laboratory testing: Chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and other specialized tests to examine materials and components at a microscopic level.
Data analysis: Review of operational records, maintenance history, and other relevant data to identify patterns and trends that may have contributed to the failure.
Interviews: Discussions with witnesses, operators, and maintenance personnel to gather firsthand information on the failure event.
Literature review: Research on similar failures, industry standards, and best practices to inform the investigation and provide context.
Analytical Tools and Methods
Forensic engineers utilize various analytical tools and methods to analyze data and evidence. These include:
Finite Element Analysis (FEA): A computational method to simulate stress, deflection, and other structural behaviors to understand how components fail under different conditions.
Material failure analysis: Examination of material properties, defects, and degradation mechanisms to determine how and why materials failed.
Root cause analysis: A systematic approach to identify the underlying causes of failures, ensuring that all potential factors are considered.
Statistical analysis: Application of statistical methods to identify trends and patterns in data, helping to pinpoint the root cause of failures.
Computer-aided design (CAD) analysis: Review of design files and simulations to evaluate design flaws and their contribution to the failure.
Applications of Forensic Engineering
Forensic engineering has a wide range of applications across various industries, including:
Aerospace: Investigation of aircraft and spacecraft failures to ensure safety and reliability.
Automotive: Analysis of vehicle crashes and component failures to improve design and safety standards.
Construction: Examination of building collapses and structural failures to enhance construction practices and materials.
Energy: Investigation of power plant and pipeline failures to ensure the safe and efficient operation of energy infrastructure.
Manufacturing: Analysis of product failures and defects to improve manufacturing processes and product quality.
Benefits of Failure Analysis
Failure analysis provides numerous benefits, including:
Identification of root causes: Understanding the underlying causes of failures to prevent recurrence and improve system reliability.
Improved safety: Elimination of hazards and risks to prevent injuries and fatalities, ensuring a safer environment.
Cost savings: Reduction of maintenance and repair costs by addressing underlying issues and preventing future failures.
Enhanced reliability: Improvement of system and component reliability through design and operational changes, leading to better performance.
Regulatory compliance: Support for litigation, insurance claims, and regulatory compliance by providing objective and unbiased conclusions.
Conclusion
Forensic failure analysis is a critical component of forensic engineering that applies scientific principles and analytical techniques to investigate the root cause of failures. By employing a range of investigation techniques, analytical tools, and methods, forensic engineers can provide objective and unbiased conclusions to support litigation, insurance claims, and regulatory compliance. The benefits of failure analysis are numerous, including improved safety, cost savings, and enhanced reliability.