Forensic Engineering and Failure Analysis can apply to many mechanical parts such as Barges, Bearing, Boilers, Corrosion, Cranes, Engines, Fasteners, Flanges, Fracture Mechanics, Gears, O-RIngs & Seals, Pressure Vessels, Wire Rope, Welding, and Springs
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Bartlett Engineering performs forensic analyses of equipment failures by applying engineering principles to the available information determine the cause of a failure. Using this information we can create a 3D model to not only confirm the failure theory, but also use that model for illustration.
Bartlett Engineering provides these services to aid industrial clients and for litigation support.
Barges and other marine vessels develop cracks, sink, or otherwise fail for a variety of reasons.
Most machines use bearings. Failed bearings are often particular items of interest regarding the evaluation of a failed mechanical device.
Even though they do not possess moving parts, it is amazing how many ways a boiler can fail and how seemingly trivial actions can have such serious repercussions. Boilers do deteriorate over time, but they can also fail prematurely.
Solving corrosion problems begins with an understanding of the chemical processes at work. Corrosion in liquids that contain water involves the electrochemical concept of half cell reactions. Understanding the reactions present puts you closer to developing a solution.
The first questions in a crane failure is "Was there an excessive load or a weakened component?” Our evaluation of crane failures is greatly helped by our expertise in weldments, bearings, wire ropes, sheaves, hydraulics, fractography, metallurgical testing, and load testing.
The satisfactory operation of a diesel engine depends on proper fueling, correct material and tolerances, and adequate lubrication and cooling.
The most common reason for fastener failure is inadequate tightness of a cyclically loaded bolt. Fractography of bolt fracture surfaces can yield valuable information about the mode of its failure.
The proper operation a flange requires that it be able to "energize" the seal (typically a gasket), and then maintain that seal when pressure is applied.
Fractographic evaluation of a failed component’s fracture surface is an important step in establishing if fatigue was a mode of fracture.
The meshing of a gear tooth begins as a sliding motion on the dedendum, transitions to rolling motion at the pitch circle, and ends as the sliding motion again on the addendum.
An O-ring is a very versatile device which can solve many types of sealing problems, but their use must follow certain guidelines.
The most accepted authority in the design and construction of pressure vessels is the ASME Code. The existence of economical and safe pressure vessels is due primarily to the guidance of the ASME Code.
Wire rope is often referred to as a "machine" because when it bends the individual strands slide relative to each other. For this reason wire ropes on running rigging require lubrication.
There is a saying "welding is the fastest and cheapest way of joining two parts that don't need to be separated."