Bryson M. Brewer, Ph.D., P.E.

Background

Dr. Bryson Brewer is an experienced mechanical engineer and technical consultant specializing in the investigation and analysis of accidents, failures, and other technical issues related to a variety of equipment, products, components, and systems.  He has extensive experience evaluating consumer products and appliance failures, including coffee makers, washing machines, water heaters, gas/electric ranges, refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, dishwashers, power tools, food containers, oven conveyors, pressure cookers, faucets, water filters, outdoor furniture, office chairs, restaurant tables, glass tables/shower doors, pool equipment, vacuum systems, ladders, elevators, exercise/weightlifting equipment, and sportswear.  Dr. Brewer has also analyzed issues involving various mechanical components (steel and plastic pipes, fittings, valves, fasteners, repair couplings, bearings, retainer glands, hoses, and composites), industrial equipment (food manufacturing/processing equipment, hydraulic machinery, cranes, boilers, loading arms, safety bridges, pumps, air/natural gas compressors, and electric motors), and medical devices (insulin pumps, infusion pumps, and oxygen flowmeters).

Dr. Brewer has examined numerous HVAC (condensing units, compressors, air handling units, chillers, evaporator coils, furnaces, controls components, and condensate drain pans/lines), plumbing (underground sewer and DWV piping, polybutylene piping, PVC fittings, PEX piping fittings, press fittings, crimp fittings, expansion tanks, bladder tanks, and water wells), and fire protection system failures (pipe corrosion, CPVC fittings, dry valves and trim components, riser pipe restraints, and sprinkler pendents).  In addition, he has evaluated moisture intrusion, building science, and suspected fungal growth issues in residential and commercial structures that were related to mechanical equipment design/installation, ventilation, building envelope deficiencies, and water leaks.

Dr. Brewer has investigated incidents involving utility poles, grain silo dedusting systems, oil/gas pipelines and associated facilities, and heavy equipment (aerial lifts, forklifts, excavators, tractors, sweepers, bulldozers, asphalt trucks, and garbage trucks).  He has also investigated fires and explosions involving gas-fired burners, grills, window air conditioners, commercial ironing equipment, restaurant ventilation equipment, industrial driers, and gas plumbing leaks.

Dr. Brewer is proficient in numerous three-dimensional scanning, photogrammetry, and modeling technologies for the purposes of non-destructive documentation, engineering analysis, photo-matching, prototyping, reverse engineering, and 3D printing.  He has used these tools in investigations involving accident scenes, large-scale vehicles and equipment, commercial/residential buildings, and small components/devices.

Dr. Brewer earned a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University with a research focus on the design, characterization, and implementation of microfluidic systems for use in biomedical applications. Dr. Brewer has also contributed to the development of a miniature insulin delivery pump employing an ion-selective membrane, as well as served as a teaching assistant for mechanical engineering laboratory classes focused on engineering measurement techniques and the use of experimental methods in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics to analyze energy conversion systems. In addition, he has authored or co-authored over a dozen journal and conference papers and is a licensed professional mechanical engineer in multiple states.