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Review of Case Materials
Reviews records, documents, testimony, data, and other relevant materials and consults with counsel regarding technical issues related to the matter.
Provide Expert Analysis
Applies specialized knowledge and experience to evaluate the technical or professional issues involved.
Form Expert Opinions
Develops independent, supportable opinions based on the available evidence and relevant standards.
Prepare Expert Reports
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The overall breakage pattern and preserved fracture-surface features may provide evidence about an apparent fracture origin and the course of crack propagation. Fractographic examination can consider features on the fracture surfaces together with edge origins, impact or contact damage, branching, pane geometry, glass type, and remaining fragments. Those observations can help evaluate whether particular fracture mechanisms are consistent with the breakage, but the visible crack pattern should not be interpreted in isolation from loading, thermal conditions, edge quality, installation, and other incident evidence.
Fully tempered glass is heat treated to develop a characteristic compressive stress state at its surfaces and edges, while heat-strengthened glass receives a lower level of heat treatment and annealed glass does not have the same induced stress condition. Fully tempered architectural glass commonly fragments into relatively small particles when broken, but fragmentation should be considered with permanent markings where available, product and fabrication records, surviving specimens, glass thickness and condition, and stress measurement or other laboratory examination when appropriate. Heat-strengthened glass should not be treated as equivalent to fully tempered safety glazing merely because both products have been heat treated.
Glass edges can contain chips, scratches, shelling, fabrication damage, or other irregularities that may act as stress concentrators. Such conditions can develop during cutting and edgework, transportation, handling, installation, later contact with framing components, or service. When the relevant edge and fracture surfaces remain available, their relationship to an apparent fracture origin can provide useful evidence. An edge irregularity should not automatically be identified as the cause, however, without considering its location, severity, glass type, stresses, and the rest of the fracture evidence.
Prepares clear, well-supported expert reports outlining methodology, analysis, findings, and opinions.
Provide Deposition Testimony
Explains findings and opinions under oath and responds to questioning during deposition testimony.
Testify in Court
Presents specialized findings and opinions clearly to judges, juries, arbitrators, or other decision-makers.
Thermal stress develops when temperature differences within a pane create stresses as warmer and cooler regions attempt to expand by different amounts. Solar exposure and shading, framing or masking of the glass edge, coatings or films, interior heating, nearby objects, glass type and thickness, and environmental temperature can all affect the thermal conditions. A thermal-stress investigation can compare the apparent fracture origin and fracture features with edge quality, glazing restraint, pane geometry, exposure orientation, shading, temperature history, and relevant glass properties. A fracture pattern alone should not be treated as proof that thermal stress caused the breakage.
Glass analysis can focus closely on the pane or glass component, including its type, thickness, heat treatment, fracture, edges, surface condition, setting blocks, clearances, gaskets or sealants, and immediate support within the opening. A complete fenestration investigation may additionally evaluate frames, drainage, gaskets, seals, air and water performance, anchorage, and the operation of the complete glazed opening. Building Envelope analysis can extend further into curtain walls, facades, barriers, joints, and interfaces with surrounding construction. The appropriate scope depends on whether the principal technical question concerns the glass itself, the fenestration assembly, or the broader enclosure system.
