Meet Our Founder
Matthew A. Carr, Ph.D., P.E.
Rates and Fees Schedule Available Upon Submission of New Case Inquiry
Information about other consulting engineers available upon request
Forensic Case Experience
- Vapor Compression Heat Pump, Air Conditioner, and Chiller System failures
- Plumbing & Heating System failures, including steam systems
- Fire Sprinkler systems including freeze-related failures and false activations
- Water wells, pumps and plumbing systems degradation and failures
- Wastewater system and pumping station failures
- High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) piping system installation defects
- Gas-fired radiant heater failures and fires
- Fuel gas tubing including CSST installation, failures and resulting gas explosions/fires
- Gas-fired and oil-fired convective heater and forced air furnace failures
- Heating boiler and related system failures
- Failure to maintain heat evaluations
- Boiler and furnace fires and overheating events, heat exchanger ruptures, puff-back/blow-back, and soot emission events
- Gas logs, Fireplace, and Fireplace Insert malfunctions and soot emission events
- Combustion appliance and fireplace venting system/chimney evaluations
- Liquid and Gaseous Fuels Transport, Storage, and Transfer Systems
- Motor Vehicle and Marine Vessel Engine and Related Systems events and failures
- Maritime Vessel auxiliary system failures
- Structural Water Intrusion evaluations
- Building Code and Contract compliance evaluations
- Structural storm, tree impact, and vehicle impact damage evaluations and repair plans
- Structure thermal performance and energy efficiency evaluations
Education
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
M.S.E., Civil – Environmental Engineering, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
M.E.A., Engineering Administration, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
B.S., Ocean Engineering, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
Registrations
P.E., Registered Professional Engineer, State of Maryland
P.E., Registered Professional Engineer, Commonwealth of Virginia
Work Experience
Engineering Consultant 2001 – present
Consulting engineering services in Mechanical and Civil Engineering. Forensic analysis of mechanical and structural system and equipment failures; design, maintenance and control of machinery; boilers, furnaces and related fuel systems; radiant heating systems; chillers and related refrigerants; heat pumps and geothermal systems; HVAC – forced air systems; ducting and zoning; indoor air quality (IAQ); plumbing and related pipes and valves, water well/hydrogeology, soil contamination, supply, waste, venting, water intrusion and freeze-related issues, and storm water systems; automotive and marine power systems including electric generation and propulsion; residential and commercial construction; construction codes and other regulatory requirements (OSHA, MOSHA, et al.); and project management.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering 1998 – 2020
United States Naval Academy
Taught thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, energy conversion, design engineering and project management courses to undergraduate students. Lead author/editor for the course textbook, “Naval Engineering – Propulsion and Auxiliary Systems.” This textbook is for a course taught to approximately 700 students per year and covers the engines used in naval applications: diesel, gas turbine, conventional and nuclear steam; combustion of fuels; auxiliary systems such as HVAC, psychrometrics, refrigerants, vapor compression chillers; lube oil; and desalination; and components such as heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and instruments. Program coordinator for extensive facility modifications and new construction projects in the School of Engineering. Offshore Sail Training Squadron (OSTS) instructor and officer-in-charge (OIC) of “Navy-44” sailboats during small group leadership training.
Senior Design Engineer 1991 – 1998
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
Technical evaluation of existing plant facilities; design of modifications to repair and upgrade a twin reactor nuclear power plant; and ensured compliance with codes, standards, and licensing documents in an exacting regulatory environment. Design engineer in a project matrix organization for various HVAC-related projects; cranes and other load handling systems; various civil-environmental projects including NPDES permit compliance, dredging plans, and constructed wetlands; and nuclear safety-related structural restoration projects including seismic compliance. Management of maintenance activities during plant nuclear refueling outage periods. Significant forensic experience with various root cause analysis techniques involving materiel and human factors failures and near-misses.
County Engineer 1989 – 1991
Charles City County, VA
Facilities management of all County government facilities and capital improvements projects; design oversight and environmental permitting for the first community water treatment facility in Virginia to use reverse osmosis technology; management of water/well and sewer utility systems including a zero-discharge wastewater treatment plant; and contract administration for and monitoring of design, construction, and operation of a state-of-the-art, regional sanitary landfill and its associated leachate and gas management systems. County’s engineering representative for school construction projects, including design review of three schools utilizing water-air heat pump HVAC technology integrated with cooling towers and boilers, and remote energy management systems. Maintenance of all County vehicles and rolling equipment, including vehicle maintenance and fueling facilities.
Nuclear Submarine Officer 1981 – 1988
United States Navy
Engineering officer on two nuclear submarines. Assignments included Main Propulsion Assistant, Damage Control Assistant, Chemistry & Radiological Controls Assistant, and Quality Assurance Officer. Responsibilities included supervision of the operation and maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine including its propulsion, auxiliary, and HVAC & environmental control equipment both during normal operations and during a nuclear reactor refueling overhaul valued in excess of $160 million; and management and training of up to 44 technicians.
1.8k+
Investigations
7
Trial Testimonies
20
Deposition Testimonies
20
Publications and Presentations
23
Years of Forensic Experience