Explosion and Earthquake Structural Design Expert

Technical Consultant #2143

Civil engineering and marine structures with more than thirty-four years experience in the petroleum and chemical industry.
Blast resistant design; design criteria for earthquake, wind and other extreme loads; evaluation and upgrading of existing structures, machinery support and foundations, concrete chimneys and steel stacks; and structural vibration.

Undisclosed Company, Present

Projects

Supervise the structural design of various residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Evaluate and design structural systems for several residential conservatories (wood, aluminum, steel-framed, and glass-clad buildings).
Design blast-resistant addition to central control building for Tosco Refining Company.
Provide front-end civil engineering support on major capital projects.
Prepare technical specifications (soils, foundations, and structures) for projects.
Provide technical audit (NPQC) of detailed engineering by EPC contractors on more than 30 major projects worldwide.
Perform field engineer services during construction on major projects.

Research, Development, and Toolmaking

Coordinated and managed civil technology research and development program and chair network.
Developed and maintained civil and structural engineering practices and technology tools. Established design criteria for extreme environmental (wind and earthquake), accidental (explosion) loads and developed design procedures.
Participated in petrochemical industry vapor cloud explosions and blast protection research and development.

Technology Applications and Troubleshooting

Designed coke drum foundation repairs and coke drum lift frames to the level coke drums.
Evaluated blast resistance and recommended upgrades to existing plant buildings.
Determined current wind and earthquake loads and assessed risk to existing facilities.
Inspected, structurally appraised, and recommended repairs to vessel supports, inground concrete basins, steel stacks, and concrete chimneys.
Assessed and mitigated wind- and process-induced vibration problems on structures and machinery foundations.
Inspected foundations, evaluated settlement and recommended corrective measures.

Ph.D. Structures, Theoretical - Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Ph.D. Geotechnical Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
M.S. Structures, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
B.S.C.E. Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL