Materials Metallurgical Fracture Analysis Expert Witness

EXPERIENCE

CONSULTANT 1978 – present

Expert draws upon her extensive education and training in providing Materials, Metallurgical and Fracture consultation, Analysis, Testing, Deposition and Trial Testimony to the forensic and legal communities as part of the investigation and resolution of engineering matters. She has more than thirty years of experience in the development, design and execution of technical research programs and evaluation and testing of metals and other materials in varying environments, including corrosion and exposure to contaminants. She has pioneered developments in the creation and use of predictive modeling software to assess the behavior, integrity, fracture toughness and durability of materials, components and systems under varying environmental and physical load conditions. Much of her work has been used in the improvement of codes and standards for pressure vessels and piping and the development of improved materials testing and evaluation standards. Areas of practice include conducting research and providing information to industry regarding fracture safety assessment methodology for plastics, steel and other alloy components. These services are provided in the areas of assessing integrity and durability of civil, mechanical, and marine structures fabricated from metallic and other materials. This involves the integrated application of mechanical and metallurgical engineering principals to enable safe life extension of existing structures and the economic use of metallic materials in new construction and other applications. Specific work includes developing and using integrated, predictive models of material behavior for the purpose of assessing current status and predicting remaining safe life under known or expected operating and accident event conditions for nuclear pressure vessels, natural gas pipelines, natural gas service lines and other alloy applications, and assessment and life extension of aging aircraft and pipelines.

PRESIDENT 2004 – Present
Phoenix Engineering Associates

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF MECH. ENG 2000 – 2006
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, MECH. ENG. DEPT. 1994 – 2000
University of Maryland

SENIOR MATERIALS ENGINEER 1983 – 1994
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Fatigue & Fracture Branch

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Ph.D. Materials Science, University of Virginia 1989
M.S. Materials Science, University of Virginia 1983
B.S. Materials Engineering, University of New Haven (Connecticut) 1981
B.S. Landscape Horticulture, University of Connecticut 1979

PUBLICATIONS

Available on Full CV

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

ADJUNCT PROF. MECH. ENGINEERING 2000 – 2006
University of Maryland
ASSISTANT PROF. MECH. ENGINEERING. DEPT. 1994 – 2000
University of Maryland
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

National Academy of Sciences ASTM International
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
International Atomic Energy Agency Cooperative Research Programs International Group on Radiation Damage Mechanisms

PROFESSIONAL CODES AND STANDARDS COMMITTEES

Society for Machinery Failure Prevention Technology – Division of the Vibration Institute, Chairman (1995-1999), Secretary (1999 – 2001)

American Society for Testing and Materials, Member Non Ferrous Alloys Committee, B2, Mechanical Testing Committee, E28, and E8 Fracture and Fatigue Testing, Task Group Chairman E08.01 Terminology, E28.07.07 on Dynamic Tear Testing

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Steering Committee RFASP (1997)