STAFF
Steve MacInnis, P. Eng. (Vehicle, Mechanical, Civil)
Steve has over 30 years of mechanical and civil engineering experience. His expertise in failure analysis (oilfield, fires, civil, mining equipment) as well as vehicle accident reconstruction (speeds, computer simulations and animations, occupant dynamics, seat belts, etc) is well known in the insurance industry. He has given expert evidence in court numerous times.
Gilles Amirault, P. Eng. (Mechanical, Vehicle)
Gilles graduated from Dalhousie University's co-op mechanical engineering program in 2004. With SAMAC since graduation, he has focused on high speed collision investigations (speeds, vehicle motions, event data recorder analysis, occupant dynamics, seatbelts, etc.). He has also performed low speed collision investigations to investigate impact severities, vehicle and occupant dynamics, collision sequences, vehicle damage matches, and vehicle speeds. Gilles has also been responsible for instrumented mechanical tests (vehicle idle speeds, seatbelt compliance, etc.) as well as for independent mechanical failure analyses.
Taras Semeniuk, M.Sc., P.Eng. (Metallurgical Consultant)
With a unique blend of academic qualifications and hands-on field experience, Taras is an industry recognized expert in metallurgical and materials failure analysis. With over 20 years of experience, he provides the definitive "fingerprint" of a failure. Taras was with SAMAC for 6 years until recently branching out on his own.
Taras is usually an integral part of any multidisciplinary SAMAC team that perform failure analyses and forensic engineering on industrial components, e.g. compressors, pipelines, and mining equipment, as well as on plastic and ceramic commercial failures.
Chris deRosenroll, C.F.I. (Fire Cause and Origin Consultant)
Chis has close to 40 years experience as a fire department professional and consultant. This includes 17 years as a Fire Chief and Fire Marshal, the investigation of hundreds of fires, and testifying over 25 times as a technical authority. He also reviews fire department management issues, building safety standards, and fire safety programs.
Chris works closely with our metallurgical and industrial engineering experts to approach problems with the wide range of training and experience needed to provide our clients with the right answers. He has investigated hundreds of fires and explosions including structural, industrial, aircraft, marine vessel, motor vehicle, heavy equipment, electronic installations, and natural cover.
John Henderson, P. Eng. (Rotating Equipment Consultant)
John has over 30 years of boiler and machinery experience, including equipment design, testing, field troubleshooting, and plant operations and maintenance. He is a recognized industry expert in rotating equipment, with extensive experience in both upstream conventional and oilsands plants and downstream chemical manufacturing plants.
After spending several years with SAMAC, John continues to assist in the analysis of major machinery failures, boiler and pressure vessel equipment, operation and maintenance issues and product liability assessments.
Ron Harder (Civil Engineering Consultant)
Ron graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Calgary in 1975. His experience includes the design, construction and project management of residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. Ron has assisted with numerous failure analyses for SAMAC.
We also utilize other engineering and technical consultants with failure analysis experience.