Structural Engineering Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.1092

New York

Education

1990, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from Syracuse University

Post Graduate Studies in Structural Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology

Professional Licenses

New York State Professional Engineer

New Jersey State Professional Engineer

Maryland State Professional Engineer

Connecticut State Professional Engineer

Pennsylvania State Professional Engineer

Colorado State Professional Engineer

Oregon State Professional Engineer

Certifications

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
New Jersey/EPA Model Lead Paint Supervisor and Contractor for Housing and Public Buildings

Forensic Engineering Background

Expert 1092 has personally performed several hundred accident investigations and reconstructions. His investigations take into account compliance with all applicable federal, state and local building codes and regulations, construction safety guidelines (OSHA, Industrial Code - Rule 23, etc.) as well as all 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 to arrive at an opinion with a reasonable degree of engineering certainty. 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, playground safety, 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.

In his many years of experience, Expert 1092 has worked directly for Owners, Consultants, Contractors and Inspection companies. This gives him the unique ability to analyze these matters from all perspectives when investigating an accident or improper construction means and methods.

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)

General Background

1998-present, An Engineering Firm in New York, President
This firm is an engineering consulting company.  Expert 1092 is personally involved in each and every aspect of all of the projects.  He personally designed and reviewed all structural designs (i. e. - pipe scaffolding systems, work platforms, cable supported structures, buildings, highway bridges, etc.).  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.  Monitor project safety with respect to worker protection and public protection on numerous and various types of Projects.  Prepared all engineering related drawings and specifications including maintenance and protection of traffic schemes.  Oversaw the construction phase of work to ensure compliance with the contract documents and all applicable building codes (BOCA, NYC Building Code, AASHTO, FHA, etc.), federal guidelines (OSHA, EPA, DEC, MUTCD, etc.) and general construction practices. Some of the more specific areas of work we specialize in are as follows:

Structural Engineering:  Structural engineering design of steel, reinforced concrete, wire rope cables, timber, and aluminum structures.  Performed forensic engineering investigations of both local and global building failures.

Lead Abatement and Painting:  Design of lead abatement containments and containment support structures. Prepares site specific health and safety plans, waste management plans, lead exposure control plans and Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plans.

Construction Support: Provide consulting and engineering related services to contractors and Owners regarding structural engineering, maintenance and protection of traffic, preparation of claims, project management, workplace safety and environmental services.

Owner ’s Representative: Represent the Owner’s of various buildings to review 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.
Local Law 11/Facade Restoration Work:  Inspect the building’s exterior facades and roofs, prepare Local Law 11 reports, prepare contract drawings and specifications and oversee the construction phase of the work.

Expert Witness Testimony: Expert 1092 personally provides expert witness testimony, research and 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, playground safety and ADA compliance.

New Jersey Transit - High Level Platforms at Twelve Stations: Project involved making twelve stations ADA Compliant.  Designed reinforced concrete box culvert under passes 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.

5/88-9/88, New York State Department of Transportation, Construction Inspector
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 post tensioned 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 over all 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.

Publications, Lectures and Articles

Available upon request