Case Studies: Expert Witness For Court Cases |
Marine engine bearings failure analysis
DC White have recently been requested to carry out inspections of two large marine diesel bearings by a major fleet operator. The bearings failed prematurely and the fleet operator sought an independent opinion in order to assist in negotiations with the engine manufacturers. The first bearing was a main bearing and the second a crosshead bearing. The first had run for 15,000 hours and the second for [...]
Valves Seals and Gearboxes
Valves Transco experienced leakage problems on large 36" pipeline ball valves at a pressure reduction station. Valve leakage was investigated as part of a proposed legal action against the valve manufacturer. The leakage was found to be due to wear and compression set of the 'O' rings used to seal the valve seats. BP Clair Engineering Assessment of Sub Sea Isolation Valve Actuator Failure. Assisted [...]
Bearing Failures
Subsea Pump Bearing Investigation of failure on offshore sub-sea water winning pump bearings. Failure due to non-conservative design leading to high loads on bearing and an element of misalignment leading to fatigue of bearings. Subsea Pump Bearing Investigation of failure on offshore sub-sea water winning pump bearings. Failure due to non-conservative design leading to high loads on bearing and an [...]
Exploding Wallpaper Stripper – Expert Witness
A water reservoir for a domestic wallpaper stripper exploded causing scalds to the operator. The unit appeared undamaged, so why should a seemingly faultless unit over-pressurize? Investigation into the nature of the unfortunate operator’s injuries showed that it resulted from a combination of cold weather and a failure to read the instructions – the steam pipe was full of ice preventing steam flow, so the operator held the [...]
Ladder collapse – Expert Witness
Engineer Expert Witness For Ladder Collapse This was a mystery with very little evidence, except that someone had injured themselves as they fell out of his attic trapdoor after a portable stepladder failed. The only evidence was a report by an HSE inspector who photographed the offending ladder and noted marks on a wall. By the time DC White were called in, the ladder had been destroyed and [...]
Heat Exchanger failure
Heat Exchanger failure - DC White were called in to investigate a calorifier (heat exchanger) in a cheese factory which had exploded during use. Fortunately there had been no injuries. The calorifier supplied hot water for cleaning dairy equipment but had exploded taking out the wall of the building in which it was sited. The unit had been recently checked and signed off by the licensing authorities. [...]
