Expert No. 97468 – Engineering Expert – CA(N)
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Expertise Description: Ph.D., C.E.G., R.G., R.C.E., R.S.E. - Experienced in geology and geotechnical engineering. Expertise includes: earth movement, soil settlement, soil heave, soil creep, soil collapse, soil expansion, slope stability, landslides, mudflows, bluff failure, rock fall, stream bank collapse, drainage, erosion, moisture intrusion, slab seepage, crawlspace water, basement water, distress to structures, wall cracks, slab cracks, slab settlement, slab heave, foundation settlement, and foundation cracks. Additional expertise includes: retaining walls, wall collapse, wall cracks, wall settlement, wall lean, pavement, pavement settlement, pavement cracks, pavement separation, swimming pools, spas, pool cracks, pool settlement, pool heave, construction defects, grading (fill compaction and / or settlement), drainage, foundation, retaining walls, geologic hazards, faults, earthquakes, and liquefaction. Ph.D. in Engineering Geology. Civil Engineering and Geosciences (C.E.G.). Registered Geologist (R.G.). Registered Civil Engineer (R.C.E.). Registered Structural Engineer (R.S.E.). Prior expert witness experience. Consultations, depositions, and courtroom testimony.
Areas of Expertise:
| Construction Defects | Failure Analysis | Hydrogeology |
| Drainage | Foundations | Slopes |
| Engineering Geologist | Geologist | Soils Engineering |
| Engineering Geology | Geology | |
| Erosion | Geotechnical Engineering |
Representative Litigation Experience:
- Distressed foundations: residential and commercial buildings
- Earth movement: expansive soil and rock, fill settlement, soil creep
- Water intrusion: basements, crawl spaces, and concrete slabs
- Adverse drainage and erosion: hillsides, creek banks, shorelines
- Slope stability: landslides, rockfalls, bluff failures, cut and fill slopes
- Geologic Hazards: earthquake faults, liquefaction, earthquakes
- Construction defects: grading, drainage, foundations
- Wrongful death: rockfall, tree topple, soil collapse, cave-in
Representative Consulting Services and/or Projects:
- Geotechnical studies for hillside and flatland foundation design recommendations for structures (houses, pools, retaining walls, commercial buildings)
- Geotechnical studies for evaluation of causes and repairs of landslides, bluff failures, rock falls
- Evaluation of cause and mitigation of water intrusion into basements, crawl spaces, and concrete slabs
- Evaluation of stability of deep basement excavations and hillside grading
- Geologic studies of fault locations, earthquake cause ground movement, liquefaction
- Studies of stream and wave erosion and mitigation
- Studies for Home Owners Associations (foundation movement, poor drainage, water intrusion
Licenses & Certifications:
| CA Professional Engineer (Civil) |
| CA Professional Engineer (Geotechnical) |
| CA Professional Geologist |
| CA Certified Engineering Geologist |
| CA Certified Hydrogeologist |
Education:
| Degree | Subject | Institution | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Engineering Geology | Stanford University | |
| M.S. | Soil Mechanics and Foundations | Standford University | |
| B.S. | Environmental Engineering | Humboldt State University | |
| A.B. | Geology | Humboldt State University | |
| B.S. | Mechanical Engineering | UC Berkeley |
Professional Appointment/Association Affiliations:
- Faculty at Humboldt State and San Jose State University (taught geology and soil engineering)
- CalGeo - The California Geotechnical Engineering Association (President)
- AEG - the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (President)
- ASCE - The American Society of Civil Engineers (life member)
- GSA - Geological Society of America
- ASFE - The Geoprofessional Assocation
- IAEG - International Association of Engineering Geologists
- FEWA - Forensic Expert Witness Association
Awards & Honors:
| CalGeo Outstanding Project Awards |
Other Career Highlights:
| Has given numerous talks at professional meetings and universities throughout the US |
| Published over 30 professional papers and abstracts |
