Our Services.

An Overview of Briem Engineering's Services

Briem Engineering provides proficient consulting and technical services. Below is a representative list of our services.

Engineering Services.

An Overview of Briem Engineering's Services

Failure Analysis
We provide technical expertise and equipment to determine the root cause of your material and/or product failure. In addition, we offer ways to prevent or minimize similar failures in the future.

Forensic Engineering
Our staff of engineers and technicians provides consultation and failure analysis for the legal community. Failure analysis is conducted on a variety of materials involving different end products.

Materials Engineering
Briem Engineering is capable of addressing a wide variety of material issues. Materials Engineering runs the gamut from failure analysis to product design review and proposed alternatives.

Materials Testing
Our technicians test metals, plastics, ceramics and masonry materials. Both destructive and non-destructive tests are performed.

Non-Destructive Inspection (NDT)

An Overview of Briem Engineering's NDT Capabilities

Structural Inspection
Our certified NDT technicians and licensed engineers are backed by the resources of a comprehensive testing laboratory. We deliver detailed reports and recommendations pertaining to the inspection of your facility or product.

Tanks, Pipes & Vessels
We will provide a comprehensive inspection of your process equipment and provide the information to take preventative measures, optimize efficiency, avoid failure, increase service life, and reverse corrosion.

Boiler Inspection
Briem Engineering provides both boiler inspections and Useful Life Studies. Non-destructive inspections are routinely performed for preventive and forensic purposes. Useful Life Studies result in many benefits including fewer outages, improved safety and better budgeting..

HVAC Inspection
Our staff will provide a comprehensive inspection of your HVAC equipment and provide recommendations to take preventative measures, optimize efficiency, avoid failure and increase service life.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
We provide the technical expertise and equipment to detect and locate the position of objects and voids beneath the surface of concrete, asphalt and soil. We locate piping, utility lines, rebar and post-tensioning rods.

Failure Analysis

Root Cause and Prevention.

We provide the technical expertise and equipment necessary to determine the root cause of your material and/or product failure. In addition, we offer suggestions on ways to prevent failure in the future.

The root cause of failure is often due to material and fabrication defects, misuse, and/or inadequate design. We will assist you in resolving potentially costly and dangerous failures as quickly as you desire.

Failure Analysis involves a variety of methods including the following:

Failure Mode
Fatigue
Intragranular and Transgranular Brittle Fractures
Stress Corrosion Cracking
Creep and Stress-Rupture
Photomacrography

Material Analysis
Metallographic Examination
Grain Structure
Inclusion
Hardness
Alloy Identification

Chemical Analysis
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy
Optical Emission Spectroscopy (On-site)

Staff Qualifications
Metallurgist and Materials Engineers
Structural Engineers
Analytical Chemists

Examples of Failure Analysis

Determined cause of failure of turbine engine components for manufacturer

Evaluated failure of structural fiberglass used in construction of a waste water containment facility

Determined cause of failure of assembly line lifting hoist for major automotive manufacturer

Assessed bolt fatigue that caused gentry crane collapse

Forensic Engineering

Expert Litigative Experience.

Our staff of engineers and technicians provides consultation and failure analysis for the legal community. Failure analysis is conducted on a variety of materials involving different end products.

Expert experience is provided by Registered Professional Engineers. Forensic Engineering services have been provided on metal and non-metallic failures involving structurals, boilers, pressure vessels, tools, cranes, marine equipment and vehicles.

Forensic Engineering involves a variety of methods for supporting your legal arguments that include the following:

Forensic Methods
Macrophotography
Scale Model Construction
Chemical Analysis
Metallurgical Analysis
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Accident Reconstruction
Failure Analysis

Forensic staff qualifications provide you the confidence and support necessary to win your legal argument:
Staff Qualifications
Registered Professional Engineers
Knowledge of Codes and Standards
Courtroom Experience

Examples of Forensic Analysis

Performed metallurgical failure analysis of vehicular components resulting in determination that accident was not the result of an inherent material defect

Evaluated aircraft landing gear components for manufacturer

Investigated rusted elbow in generator exhaust system that resulted in multimillion dollar jury award

Analysis of highway guardrail resulting in client being dismissed from case

Materials Engineering

Running the gamut.

Our staff of engineers and chemists is capable of addressing a wide variety of material issues. Materials Engineering runs the gamut from failure analysis to product design review and proposed alternatives.

Our state-of-the-art laboratory is equipped to provide answers problems involving metallic and non-metallic materials. Services have been provided across the industry including chemical processing, manufacturing equipment, transportation components, food processing and beverage packaging.

Materials Engineering involves numerous methods for analysis and determining alternatives including the following:

Analysis
Chemical Analysis
Material Analysis
Metallurgical Analysis
Qualitative and Quantitative Element Analysis

Evaluations
Coating Evaluation
Finite Element Stress Analysis
Structural Analysis
Corrosion Evaluations
Strain Gage Testing

Material Engineering qualifications include the following:
Staff Qualifications
Metallurgists and Materials Engineers
Structural Engineers
Analytical Chemists

Examples of Materials Engineering

Conducted corrosion tests and recommended materials of construction for new chemical processing facility

Recommended materials and heat treatment for large, high strength vehicle axles

Developed technique for measuring dimensional variation in precision dies

Recommended plastic coating linings for processing equipment

Materials Testing

Metals, Plastics, Ceramics, and Masonry.

Our staff of engineers and technicians test metals, plastics, ceramics and masonry materials. Both destructive and non-destructive tests are performed.

Destructive tests render the item being tested unacceptable for future use since the item is typically cut and sectioned. Non-destructive tests do not adversely affect the future utility of the part.

Materials Testing determines qualitative and quantitative characteristics of a material.

Mechanical Testing
Brinell Hardness
Micro Hardness
Tensile
Compression
Rockwell Hardness
Hardness (On-site)

Non-Destructive Inspection (NDT)
Magnetic Particle
Electromagnetic
Ultrasonic
Liquid Dye Penetrant
Alloy Identification (On-site)
Eddy Current Testing
Ground Penetrating Radar
Remote Field Testing
Radiography

Staff Qualifications
Metallurgists and Materials Engineers
Structural Engineers
Analytical Chemists
Certified NDT Inspectors
Certified Welding Inspectors

Examples of Materials Testing

Tested strength and integrity of reinforced safety glass in doors

Determined depth of laser hardening in automotive engine pistons

Tested PVC piping for compliance to ASTM specification for underground water service

Evaluated strength and integrity of beverage containers

Structural Inspection

Experts Supported by Hard Data.

Our certified NDT licensed technicians and engineers are backed by the resources of a comprehensive testing laboratory. We deliver detailed reports and recommendations pertaining to the inspection of your facility or product.

We inspect a variety of facilities including structural steel, new buildings and additions, existing structures, seismic upgrades and bridges. Additional inspection experience includes product design and post weather damage.

Our trained staff including professional engineers, AWS certified welding inspectors and certified NDT technicians perform the following tasks:

Non-Destructive Inspection (NDT)
Visual
Ultrasonic
Liquid Dye Penetrant
Magnetic Particle
AWS Code and Weld Compliance
Certified Weld Inspection (CWI)
Radiography
Ground Penetrating Radar

Bolt Inspection
Torque
Mechanical Testing Laboratory
Tensile and Yield Strength
AISC Code Compliance
Hardness (On-site)
Structural Load Calculations

Staff Qualifications
Certified NDT Inspectors
Registered Engineers
Structural Engineers
Certified Welding Inspectors

Examples of Structural Inspection

Inspected structural steel fire damage of industrial building

Performed an inspection and analysis of commercial marina floating dock roof collapse resulting in determination of excessive ice build up as cause of collapse.

Verified load design of stadium bleacher seating

Reviewed structural modification of industrial facilities

Tanks, Pipes, and Vessels

Efficient, Optimized, and Functional.

Our certified NDT technicians and licensed engineers will provide a comprehensive inspection of your processing equipment and provide the information to take preventative measures, optimize efficiency, avoid failure, increase service life and reverse corrosion.

Lifetime and functionality is affected by operating conditions, maintenance, fabrication, installation, shipment and design.

Our trained staff including professional engineers, AWS certified welding inspectors and certified NDT technicians perform the following tasks:

Non-Destructive Inspection (NDT)
Eddy Current
Remote Field Tube Evaluation
Ultrasonic Thickness Test
Articulating Boroscope
Magnetic Particle
Liquid Dye Penetrant
Vacuum Leak
Alloy Identification (On-site)
Corrosion Analysis
Remaining Life Calculations
Coating Analysis

Staff Qualifications
Certified NDT Inspectors
Certified Welding Inspectors
Certified API 510, 570, and 653 Inspectors
Certified Steel Tank Institute (STI) Inspectors
Field inspections are supported by a complete materials testing laboratory and registered professional engineers
Knowledge and experience with applicable codes, standards and regulation including American Petroleum Institute (API) standards 510, 570, and 653

Examples of Tanks, Pipes, and Vessels

Inspected external vessel cooling jacket for corrosion at paint manufacturing facility for production processing

Inspected large flat bottom oil storage tanks for internal and external corrosions

Determined code compliance of steel and alloyed pressure vessels at manufacturing facility

Performed PSM evaluation of piping, tanks and vessels for major chemical manufacturer

Boiler Inspection

Reliable, Durable, and Safe.

Our certified technicians and licensed engineers provide boiler inspections and Useful Life Studies.

Useful Life Studies result in many benefits including documented economic assessments, better maintenance budgeting, improved boiler reliability and safety, and reduced or eliminated production outages.

Our trained staff including professional engineers, AWS certified welding inspectors and ASNT Level II and III NDT technicians perform the following tasks:

Boiler Inspection
Visual
Eddy Current
Remote Field Tube Evaluation
Ultrasonic Thickness Test
Articulating Borescope
Magnetic Particle
Liquid Dye Penetrant
Vacuum Techniques
Useful Life Study
Micro-Video Borescope
Ultrasonic Weld Evaluation
Drum Ligament Evaluation
Water Scale Thickness

Staff Qualifications
Certified NDT Inspectors
Field Inspections are supported by a complete Materials Testing Laboratory
Knowledge and experience with applicable code, standards, and regulation

Examples of Boiler Inspection

Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of an industrial boiler involved in a catastrophic failure

Performed boiler condition and Useful Life Studies for a large hospital

Inspected a large de-aerator for evidence of corrosion, fatigue, cracks, and deficient weldments

Assessed load capacity of several coal-ash handling systems for large industrial boilers

HVAC Inspection

Optimized and Long-lasting

Our staff of certified engineers and technicians will provide a comprehensive inspection of your HVAC equipment and provide recommendations to take preventative measures, optimize efficiency, avoid failure, and increase service life.

Our trained staff perform the following tasks:

Non-Destructive Inspection (NDT)
Eddy Current
Remote Field Testing
Magnetic Particle
Ultrasonic

Staff Qualifications
Certified NDT Inspectors
Registered Engineers
Structural Engineers

Examples of HVAC Inspection

Inspected university's chillers, condensers and tubing for evidence of corrosion, crack and wear

Evaluated heating boilers for large new correctional facility

Assessed corrosive degradation of imported galvanized sheet steel which was a component of HVAC ducting

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Immediate and Cost-effective

We provide the technical expertise and equipment to detect and locate the exact positioning of objects and voids beneath the surface of concrete, asphalt, and soil; including piping, utility lines, rebar, and post-tensioning rods.

In many situations, GPR is used instead of radiography since it is safer, less expensive, requires access to only one side, and provides immediate digital results.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) provides the following advantages over radiography:

Lower Cost
No Radiation Hazard
Real-Time Inspection Results
One-Side Access
Fast Data Collection Speed
Digital Data Storage Medium
Direct Depth Readout
No Film Cost

Staff Qualifications
Certified NDT Inspectors
Registered Engineers
Structural Engineers

Examples of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Located electrical and water lines in foundation of commercial building during rehab process

Identified voids in concrete foundation walls of large home to access composition integrity

Located rebar and post-tension cables on balconies of high-rise apartment building for retrofitting of new handrails

Located rebar and post-tension cables in foundation of parking garage to facilitate second level addition