Structural Engineering Expert Witness

FORENSIC ENGINEERING BACKGROUND:

This expert has personally performed several hundred accident investigations and reconstructions. His investigations take into account compliance with the applicable federal, state and local building codes and regulations, construction safety guidelines (OSHA, Industrial Code -Rule 23, etc…) as well as commonly accepted industry and engineering standards and practices. As part of his investigations, these aforementioned rules, regulations and standards are evaluated in conjunction with his background in human locomotive activity and relevant environmental factors. He is an active member of many committees responsible for the development of nationally accepted regulations and standards. He has performed forensic engineering investigations in both personal injury and labor law matters pertaining to improper elements of egress/ingress (stairs, ramps, doors, etc…), construction accidents, ADA compliance, lead dust exposure, sidewalks, roadways and building code compliance. In addition to this forensic work mentioned above, he has been qualified as an expert witness numerous times in both State and Federal Courts for various types of matters.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

• New York State Professional Engineer
• New Jersey State Professional Engineer
• Maryland State Professional Engineer
• Connecticut State Professional Engineer
• Pennsylvania State Professional Engineer
• Florida State Professional Engineer
• Massachusetts State Professional Engineer

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from Syracuse University, 1990
• Post Graduate Studies in Structural Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology Biomechanics: Analysis of Human Movement from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED:

• New York State Department of Transportation Bridge Inspection Course
• 10 Hour (OSHA) Occupational Safety & Health Training Course (Construction Safety & Health) 8 Hour Night Time Bridge Work Safety (Construction Safety & Health)
  Lead Awareness, Hazard Communication, Confined Space and Fall Protection Training New York City Department of Transportation Certified Lead Supervisor

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & COMMITTEES

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
• Steel Society of Protective Coatings (SSPC)
• American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences (Engineering)
• American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) Committee F13 on Pedestrian/Walkway Safety and Footwear
• Chairman of the Containment and Platform Design Committee (SSPC)
• The Masonry Society (TMS)
• Structural Engineers Association of New York American Society of Safety Engineers
• International Code Council (Building Safety Professional)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers, A120.1 Safety Requirements for Powered Platforms American Society of Biomechanics
• International Society of Biomechanics Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

GENERAL BACKGROUND

A Private Engineering Firm,  New York  January 1998 – Present
President of A Private Engineering, P.C. which is an engineering consulting company. I am personally involved in each and every aspect of all of our projects. A general description of my work experience is indicated below:
Construction Experience – I have personally designed and reviewed all structural designs including, but not limited to, pipe scaffolding systems, suspended scaffolding, work platforms, cable supported structures, fall arrest systems, custom access solutions, shoring, jacking, crane picks, maintenance and protection of traffic, change orders and claim preparation. as well as for general contractors and owners on various types of construction projects. The structural designs I was involved with typically entailed the engineering design of structural steel, reinforced concrete, wire rope cables, timber, and aluminum structures. As part of my role in these projects, I have performed an analysis of both local and global effects of the existing structure due to the loads applied by the temporary construction. I also hold a patent for the design of a unique access solution that was installed on major suspension bridge. I have also designed numerous containment systems used for lead paint removal projects some of which are designed to provide a negative pressure environment to prevent the emission of hazardous lead dust. I have monitored project safety with respect to worker protection and public protection on numerous and various types of Projects. Oversaw the construction phase of work to ensure compliance with the contract documents and all applicable building and safety codes (OSHA, EPA, DEP, MUTCD, Industrial Code Rule 23, New York State Labor Law, NYC/NYS Building Code, AASHTO, FHA, etc…) and general construction safe work practices. Some of the projects I have worked on include the following:

• Williamsburg Bridge
• Henry Hudson Bridge
• Rainbow Bridge
• Tappan Zee Bridge
• Tinsley Bridge (Scotland)
• Whitestone Bridge
• Lincoln Tunnel Helix
• Verrazano Narrows Bridge
• Manhattan Bridge
• Jerome Avenue Line
• Brighton Beach Line
• Throgs Neck Bridge
• George Washington Bridge
• Bayonne Bridge
• Lincoln Tunnel
• Goethals Bridge
• Outerbridge Crossing
• PA Bus Terminal
• Yankee Stadium
• Freedom Tower
• Citifield
• Madison Square Garden
• Indian Point Powerplant
• High Line

Building Engineering/Maintenance Experience – I have personally performed numerous building inspections and prepared repair documents for sidewalks, vaults, retaining walls, structural framing, foundation issues and forensic engineering for Building Owners and Property Managers who own or manage hundreds of buildings in New York City. I have acted as an Owner’s Representative to review alteration plans for Building Code compliance, ensure the work will not adversely affect the building and oversee the contractor’s work to make sure the work is being performed in accordance with said drawings. I have performed hundreds of Local Law 11/Facade inspections which required a detailed inspection of the building’s exterior facades and roofs, preparation of Local Law 11 reports, investigations of leaks, prepare contract drawings and specifications and oversee the construction phase of the work. I have consulted in matters regarding proper building maintenance including, but not limited to, property damage, leaks, stairways, sidewalks, ramps, walkways, parking lots and driveways. I have acted as an Owner’s representative in matters regarding construction work being performed on an adjacent lot to ensure that the Owner’s interests are protected and at that the effects of said construction do not adversely affect their property. I also consult, inspect and design permanently installed window cleaning equipment and all supporting structures (tracks, rails, etc…) in accordance with NYSDOL Advisory Standards, OSHA 1910.66, ASME, ANSI as well as any other rules and regulations that apply. I am experienced with many codes, rules and regulations including, but not limited to, the New York City Building Codes, New York State Building Codes, International Building Codes as well as numerous ANSI Standards and ASTM Standards as well as the good and accepted practice for building design and maintenance.

Expert Witness Testimony – I personally provide expert witness testimony, consultations, research, Department of Building document retrieval and review, site inspections, preparation of reports and attend depositions for personal injury matters, to plaintiff and defense counsels. Areas of expertise include building code compliance, slip and falls, sidewalks, roadways, construction & Labor Law accidents and ADA compliance.

L&L Painting Co., Inc. • 900 South Oyster Bay Road • Hicksville, New York 11801 January 1996 – December 2001
Project manager for L&L Painting Co., Inc., one of the largest paint contractors in the country specializing in the removal of lead based paint from steel and concrete structures. I personally designed all work platforms, scaffolds and fall arrest systems used by company personnel to access work areas. Such structures include pipe scaffolding systems, steel framed platforms and cable supported structures. Responsible for the design of all containment systems used for lead paint removal projects which are designed to provide a negative pressure environment to prevent the emission of hazardous lead dust. I personally monitored project safety with respect to worker protection and public protection. Prepared all engineering related drawings including maintenance and protection of traffic schemes. Managed all projects and coordinated all work with the owners, municipalities as well as the subconsultants. Oversaw the construction phase of work to ensure compliance with the contract documents and the applicable codes, rules and regulations (NYC Building Code, NYS Building Code, AASHTO, FHA, OSHA, Industrial Code Rule 23, NYS Labor Law, EPA, MUTCD, etc..) and general construction practices. Some of the projects I was personally involved with are as follows:
• Williamsburg Bridge: Project involved the painting of the majority of the structure including the two main towers. Designed temporary footbridges and containments, reviewed design calculations of subcontractors and coordinated all work with other contractors.
• George Washington Bridge: Project involved the painting of the two main towers. Prepared maintenance and protection of traffic drawings, reviewed all structural calculations and drawings prepared by subcontractors and oversaw all QA/QC policies, including safe work practice, on this project.
• Outerbridge Crossing: Project involved the painting of the entire main truss structure. Prepared maintenance and protection of traffic drawings, reviewed all structural calculations and drawings prepared by subcontractors and oversaw all QA/QC policies, including safe work practice, on this project.
• Robert Moses Causeway: Project involved the power tool cleaning and painting of the main truss structure and approaches. Designed containment and access and fall protection systems.

Vollmer Associates, LLP • 50 West 23rd Street • New York, New York 10010 May 1989 – January 1996
Project manager/Design Engineer for Vollmer Associates, LLP which is an engineering design/consulting firm specializing in transportation engineering consultation services. The majority of my work involved major highways, roadways, bridges, transit (railroad) projects and structural engineering. Served as project manager and design engineer on most of the projects. I established the design criteria for my projects, performed design calculations for most of the elements of construction, wrote specifications and supervised the work of other design professionals. Involved in the QA/QC process for all of my projects. I coordinated the projects with the owners, municipalities as well as the subconsultants. Oversaw the construction phase of work to ensure compliance with the contract documents. All work was performed in accordance with numerous design guidelines and reference standards including, but not limited to, AISC’s Manual of Steel Construction New York State, Standard Details for Highway Bridges, ADA Accessibility Guidelines, AREA Manual for Railway Engineering, Transit Authority’s Structural Design Guidelines, AASHTO’s Manual for Maintenance Inspection of Bridges, AASHTO’s Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, ACI’s Building Code for Reinforced Concrete Construction, NYC Building Code, Highway Rules, NYS Building Code, BOCA and Uniform Building Code (UBC). Some of the projects I was personally involved with are as follows:

• Metro North Railroad – Bronx Improvements: Project involved the rehabilitation of high level platforms at two commuter rail stations in the Bronx. Designed a vierendehl truss overpass, steel elevator framing, stair structure, new concrete high level platforms, existing platform rehabilitation, parking lot repaving, sidewalks and ADA Compliance.
• New Jersey Transit – High Level Platforms at Twelve Stations: Project involved making twelve stations ADA Compliant. Designed reinforced concrete box culvert underpasses below tracks, precast concrete high level platforms and its substructures, steel and concrete elevator towers, steel sheet piling, sidewalks, timber and steel canopies, retaining walls, concrete stairs and ramps.

• Union Square East – Sidewalk Repair (Compass Management): Project involved the rehabilitation of the sidewalk at street level over the tracks at the Union Square Subway Station. Analyzed existing sidewalk structure to comply with MTA/Transit Authority Standards and NYC Guidelines. I performed a hands-on inspection of the sidewalk and its supporting steel superstructure and prepared the inspection report complete with inspection findings and photographs. Prepared drawings and specifications for the repairs and/or replacement of the defective sidewalk.

• Vertical Bridge Rehabilitation (NYSDOT): Project involved the rehabilitation/replacement and seismic retrofitting of 12 structures located in Bronx and Queens Counties. Designed 2 span continuous thru girder pedestrian overpass and its supplemental cap beams above Long Island Expressway. Replaced all expansion and high steel fixed bearing with blastomeric bearings and replaced existing bridge joints with armored joints with deck.

• 1991-1992 Biennial Bridge Inspection – Kings & Queens Counties: Responsible for the inspection of all concrete arch, rigid frame, bascule and steel stringer bridges, inventorying bridges, load ratings, reporting safety and structural flags. Inspected structural steel, concrete structures, sidewalks and roadway wearing surfaces (asphalt and concrete)

• Times Square Subway Complex: Project involved the design of the expansion and rehabilitation of the existing underground subway station at the Times Square Station in New York City. The sidewalks and roadway were replaced to facilitate the installation of numerous utilities.

New York State Department of Transportation (Region 8) May 1988-Sept. 1988
Construction Inspector for New York State Department of Transportation (Region 8). Ensured Contractors compliance with Contract Documents (specifications and drawings) and performance of work in a safe manner to the public and environment. Responsible for the construction inspection of a posttensioned adjacent box beam overpass spanning over the railroad tracks. Project involved the construction of reinforced concrete structures, asphalt roadway paving, sidewalks and blasting. In addition to my overall quality assurance responsibilities, I personally took concrete slump tests, air entrained tests and soil compaction tests. I supervised the contractor’s safety procedures around the construction site including worker protection and maintenance and protection of traffic.