Forensic Failure Analysis

Root Cause Identification and Failure Mechanisms – Can you afford not to know?

Broken or failed components can cause loss of production, injury and even death, all of which result in significant losses for stakeholders. Who is ultimately responsible for failed components? What causes them to fail? How can failures be avoided in the future?

ATTAR’s forensic engineering services are critical to ascertaining liability, whether the fault lies in the materials used, product design, usage or manufacturing methods. Our incident investigations identify both the failure mechanism (the ‘how’) and the root cause (the ‘why’) by incorporating a range of specialised testing methods, including visual and stereographic inspection, microscopic examination, material analysis and mechanical testing. Our analyses also consider contributing factors, as well as compliance with various Occupational Health & Safety, engineering and Australian Standards.

Our forensic engineers have presented evidence in the Supreme, Federal, County, Magistrates and Coroners Courts; emphasis is always placed on the continuity or logical chain of evidence. We use sophisticated testing methodologies to aid in the resolution of insurance and legal cases where liability must be established for losses due to a product failure. In addition, we can ascertain where product improvements are needed, preventing failure recurrences and improving product durability.

ATTAR offers a forensic engineering materials failure analysis service for the Manufacturers, Insurance Companies and the Legal Profession in the following areas:

Building Materials
Concrete, mortar and plaster failures Ceramic failures, including cracked, lifting, worn and slippery tiles, and damaged glass Blisters, porosity and cracks in fibreglass pools
Adhesives and sealants for masonry, tiles and other surface finishes on buildings and pools Corrosion of pipes and structural steel Tiling failures, ceramic or vinyl tiles on the floor or wall Paint system problems, thickness, peeling and durability
	Motor Vehicles
	Evaluation of substitute components Mechanical failure analysis of all components, including suspension, engine components, transmission and braking systems
	Tyre failure, including determination of the cause of blow-outs Our experience covers mechanical failure of components in the suspension, engine, braking, safety restraint systems, and tyre failures on passenger and sports cars, trucks and mining equipment
Engineering Failures
Structural and component failures in cranes, machines and aircraft including determination of mechanism and cause Non-destructive testing failures, explanation and assessment of suitability of inspection Assessment of corrosion mechanisms Determination of compliance with Occupation Health and Safety, WH & S as well as Engineering and other Standards
	Public Liability
	Bottle breakages; assessment of cause Slip accidents; measurement of the slip-resistance of the surface to AS/NZS 3661.1 or AS/NZS 4663 Mechanical Failure of products and equipment such as ladders, chairs, racking systems, motorised scooters and trolley systems Incident investigations involving machines and equipment, determination of contributing factors, including compliance with Occupational Health and Safety and other standards

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ATTAR - Investigative Engineering meeting the needs of Manufacturing, Insurance & Litigation