The Scientific Method
WHAT SCIENCE IS TODAY . . . Is Technology Tomorrow
With technology advances tomorrow, you can trust an engineer is engaged today – and, with pulleys and levers, nuts and bolts, gears and belts, pumps and valves – engineers, using the scientific method, always arrive at the optimal solution.
Here is my job. To lift people up and bring them home safely.
Since the dawn of time (albeit formally recognized in the early 1800s), mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers lead the innovation revolution allowing our build industry to continue to go higher, faster – better. I remember a story about sky scrapers – it was an engineer, Elisha Otis, who took Archimedes’ idea and created safe, vertical transportation for both people and products. We went from five floors to today’s 163 floors. His scientific break, a simple brake. I remember another story regarding Star Trek – many of the props used in the 1960s original are instruments and tools we use today. I, for one, am waiting for the transporter to replace the elevator (with apologies to Archimedes and Otis).
In the last 200 plus years MEP engineers continue with the leaps and bounds. Yet with new technology comes new risks and perils, new puzzles for engineers to solve, leading to new inventions and improvements – novel ways and means, for a brighter tomorrow.
LESSONS LEARNED
THOMAS BERRY, PE, (20) Tom Berry P.E. | LinkedIn
?In 2020 I was involved in an accident reconstruction case in Bogata, Columbia, associated with a bridge collapse, which prompted expert testimony for a tribunal.?During preparation with the attorney, I was presenting my experience, which was a bit limited in accident reconstruction.?Although there was a bit of a language barrier, the attorney seemed particularly interested in my description of following a scientific method.?This became very powerful in the tribunal when my experience was questioned by the opposing attorneys.?In my opinion, being an expert in the Scientific Method, is more valuable than specific experience.?What is included in the Scientific Method?
?1.???????????????Identify the problem.
2.???????????????Form a hypothesis.
3.???????????????Develop steps to evaluate the hypothesis.
4.???????????????Perform the evaluation.
5.???????????????Analyze the data.
6.???????????????Modify the steps as needed and if required, re-evaluate.
7.???????????????Form a conclusion.
?THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Michael Dowdall, PE, (20) Michael Dowdall | LinkedIn
?As a Forensic Mechanical Engineer much of what I investigate are Building Mechanical System issues. This involves the investigation of Design and Construction defects, and maintenance issues as well as related component failures in the cooling or heating systems. This work includes pipes and accessories, pumps, chillers, boilers, air handlers, heat pumps, and cooling towers, and electrical systems.
My practice is much broader than building HVAC or MEP systems. I have provided Forensic investigation services for large fabrication equipment failures, grain elevator explosions and evaluation of subsequent reconstruction, sand dredge sinking and on board equipment damage, Hot Isostatic Press process failures at 30,000 psig and 3100°F processing powdered metals and post fabrication processing of Ceramic substrates, Stationary Engine failures with connecting rods over 5 feet long, to name a few.
Forensic investigation of Clean room design, construction, operating issues and defects, Dehumidification equipment down to 5% RH, Biosafety laboratories to BSL-3, Autoclave failures under pressure, and Natural gas explosions in occupied buildings. The last two involved loss of life.
You never know what type of investigation will come up when the phone rings. Applying years of experience and the scientific method to get to the cause of the issue is paramount.
THE HEAT IS ON!
Jeffrey Jones, PE, (20) Jeffrey Jones, P.E. | LinkedIn
Temperature and humidity - it permeates all lives and locations. Managing temperature and humidity is one goal for an HVAC/Mechanical engineer and one of the many responsibilities of Jeffrey Jones.
Originally, from the Midwest, gas-fired furnaces were the key to removing the chill from the air. However, when he transferred to TT’s New York office, steam was king and in many instances, the only thermostat for adjusting temperature was the opening of a window. It was during a damage assessment of a high-rise building that had been through a fire in Dubai where Jeff honed his experience in the pumps, piping, fans and equipment needed to keep the inside of a building in the desert cool and coordinated. Because the HVAC systems were not operational during the assessment, the knowledge of the downtown district centralized system of chilled water flowing beneath his feet evoked the feeling of a mirage – it’s a dry heat they say.
South Florida is where Jeff calls home today. While the tropical weather is what attracts most residents to the area, it is unwanted and damaging when it finds a way within the building. Within TT’s renewal and forensics practices, Jeff assists property managers, contractors, and attorneys in the management of the temperature and humidity such to keep occupants and building materials happy and healthy.
LIGHTS / ACTION
ELISA PAONE, PE, (20) Elisa (Signoriello) Paone, PE, CFEI | LinkedIn
?As a Forensic Electrical Engineer, one of my jobs is to investigate electrical failures. My investigations have ranged from large, arc flash events and commercial building and plant fires to minor residential grounding issues. The causes of the events are varied – and it is my job to determine what went wrong. The list of possibilities is unlimited, as every situation is unique. But the goal is to employ scientific methods, generate and test hypotheses and ultimately determine the cause.
Over the years, I’ve studied equipment such as elevator control systems and HVAC systems that were damaged by power surges resulting from utility activities. As a local utility opens and closes breakers on their lines, an electrical surge can affect the incoming electrical service to a building.
Lightning strikes can also generate power surges on an electric system. Sensitive electronics and equipment that utilize such devices are often adversely affected by power surges. These strikes can also affect solar panels and the equipment associated with them. I’ve studied damage to wind turbines, solar panel arrays, and battery storage systems. Our audio/visual equipment, computers, kitchen appliances, power tools, phone and computer chargers, power strips, etc., contain sensitive electronics such as resistors, transistors, diodes. Surge suppressors and power strips can offer some protection from small surges, but no device can offer full protection from a nearby or direct lightning strike.
领英推荐
Sometimes, fires are caused by electrical equipment or electrical construction deficiencies. It can be damaged or faulty wiring and equipment that is the culprit. Other investigations have led to electrical code violations as the cause of electrical fires.
Corrosion at electric contact points or damage to a conductor can result in the generation of enough heat to start a fire. This is also known as resistance heating. It occurs when the effective area for electrical conduction is reduced by a damaged wire, poor installation, a loose connection, or corrosion. The conductor continues to conduct current, and the circuit is functional, but electrical resistance increases at the point of the damage and results in the creation of excessive heat, which can progress to the point of fire.
The investigations that have had the most personal impact on me are those electrical failures that have ignited fires that could have easily been avoided. They involve the misuse of a common, household power strip. When a power strip is damaged, overloaded, poorly made, or misused, extra heat can be generated and result in a fire. These common devices, when not used properly, have caused commercial, residential, and apartment building fires that sometimes kill, sometimes maim, and always significantly inconvenience and impact a business or family financially.
So to sum it all up – electrical failure events require thorough inspection and investigation by qualified, experienced professionals. Not only to determine the cause of a loss, but to learn from the mistakes, update codes and construction practices, and improve manufacturing and safety protocols. The ultimate goal is to keep us all safe!
SHEER FORCE
KYLIE SCHALTZ, PE, (20) Kylie Schalz | LinkedIn
Hurricanes can create some of the most powerful and destructive weather conditions when making landfall. The combination of high-speed winds, storm surge and rainfall can create devastating impacts on the built environment.
The majority of my career as a Forensic Mechanical Engineer has focused on the investigation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems following a catastrophic event. After a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall, we are engaged to investigate the resulting damage to building systems. This scope of work relies upon expertise in MEP systems, historic and current building codes, and the varying impacts to building performance that weather conditions such as wind, storm surge and water can create.
Every hurricane event brings its own set of impacts and challenges. CAT Sandy engulfed New York City with devastating storm surge. CAT Harvey tore through the Texas gulf coast with severe winds, only to stall over Houston, bringing with it record rainfall and flooding. Events such as CAT Laura and CAT Delta brought a unique set of challenges by impacting the Louisiana coast just over a month apart.
Each storm challenges us as engineers to not only investigate the overall damages sustained, but also look beyond the obvious to differentiate what weather conditions in combination with pre-existing construction and design flaws or weaknesses may have contributed to the overall destruction. Asking questions like ‘Why does one building suffer irreparable impacts to the performance of their building systems, while the neighboring buildings only suffer aesthetic damages?’ can create lasting impact in the built environment.
Forensic investigations following a catastrophic event often expose flaws such as insufficient design and construction standards in historic building codes, construction defects such as improper anchoring of rooftop equipment, and lack of maintenance to equipment over time. The sheer force and impact from a hurricane can also show us that while some building codes may seem excessive during the design and construction phases, they can also be the difference between devastation and survival during a catastrophic event.
Events such as hurricanes and tropical storms teach engineers and building officials where there are strengths and weaknesses in the building codes, construction standards, design criteria and maintenance protocols. As storms continue to increase in size and strength, it is our responsibility to use the knowledge gained during forensic investigations to help adapt and strengthen our built environment to develop and maintain buildings to stand tall and operate at peak performance in the face of any storm.
TRUTH AND SCIENCE
Christopher Sheridan, PE, LEED AP, (20) Christopher Sheridan, PE, LEED AP | LinkedIn
I investigate a multitude of MEP issues, resulting from natural disasters such as flooding and hurricanes, to man-made issues such as construction and design defects. Each project is unique; however, my objective is the same: when something goes wrong, I need to know why.
Each project requires different tools and scientific methods to diagnose systems; my job is to apply my knowledge, experience, and diligence to get to the truth. Once my analysis is complete, I must explain the truth behind these complex systems in language that is easily understandable.
Below are some of these diverse MEP issues I have investigated in the past, that require a range of knowledge and expertise.
?ABOUT THORNTON TOMASETTI
Thornton Tomasetti optimizes the design and performance of structures, materials and systems for projects of every size and level of complexity. We are an independent organization of engineers, scientists, architects and other professionals who collaborate from offices worldwide to help you achieve your goals. We are committed to being a sustainable, diverse and enduring organization and the global driver of change and innovation in our industry.
We investigate problems in the built environment and provide evidence-based solutions founded on rigorous science and physics. We assist attorneys, property managers, building owners, contractors, manufacturers and design professionals with a wide range of engineering and architectural issues.
Our multidisciplinary professionals help clients mitigate design and construction issues of all kinds and work to prevent future problems. Decades of experience enable us to quickly generate hypotheses and evaluate them based on physical evidence, interviews and operational data.
Our Insurance practice helps insurance companies and other professionals analyze pre- and post-loss risks, damage and property claims arising from natural or man-made perils. Our professionals represent diverse disciplines, from architecture to experts in structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering. At the heart of our practice is the investigation of damage to structures, infrastructure and equipment which includes cause and origin analyses, engineering assessments for reinstatement of damaged buildings, building code upgrade analyses, and responding to emerging specialized claims such as LEED-certified structures, renewable energy claims, and requirements for buildings to react to changing environmental conditions. In many instances, we provide expert reports and testimony based on our cause and origin investigations.
For additional information:
Amy Phillips, [email protected] or 202.251.3335
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You may delay - but, time will not (Benjamin Franklin)
3 年Thornton Tomasetti Michael Dowdall Kylie Schalz