Background
Dr. Sangjoon “Jay” Sohn is a forensic engineer with technical expertise in mechanical engineering and materials engineering. Applying his experience in the industrial sector as a design engineer and in the consulting sector as a technical expert, Dr. Sohn utilizes his training and experience to conduct investigations relating to failure root cause analysis in the energy, power, petrochemical, oil and gas, and heavy industry sectors. He has played a pivotal role in large-scale, high-profile international projects throughout his career, both as a design engineer and a forensic technical expert. His expertise includes review of a wide range of rotating machinery failures, such as steam and gas turbines for power generation. Dr. Sohn has world-class expertise in investigating mechanical component failures, using engineering stress analysis based on finite element analysis (FEA) and metallurgical analysis based on fractography and mechanical testing. Dr. Sohn is a licensed professional engineer in the US and holds a doctorate in Materials Science & Engineering.
As Director of Global Energy Services for Rimkus, Dr. Sohn utilizes his extensive experience and expertise to lead teams of experts in providing answers to high-stake questions for clients in the litigation, insurance, and industrial sectors. Core services include failure root cause analysis, loss prevention, accident investigation, and litigation support.
Dr. Sohn has demonstrated the ability to build strong business relationships in the APAC region with a particular focus on the South Korean market. Being a native of South Korea, he provides a full and complete bilingual consulting service in English and Korean. His leadership roles and in-depth experience working with multinational firms and global manufacturing companies enable Dr. Sohn to navigate and resolve large-scale complex technical investigations in multiple jurisdictions (Americas, APAC, and EMEA).
Dr. Sohn provides litigation support and expert testimony in the US (state and federal courts) and Asia, as well as for international arbitration tribunals.
His expertise ranges from Energy and Power (gas and steam power, combined cycle and cogeneration power plants, coal supercritical power plants, nuclear, hydrogen, LNG plants, and pipelines); through Petrochemical (refineries and chemical plants), Oil and Gas (onshore/offshore drilling and production, subsea production, and FPSO/FLNG), and Heavy Industry (machinery design, high-pressure/high-temperature pressure vessels, manufacturing processes, turbomachinery, metallurgical and material plants, heavy equipment, cranes, marine, and aerospace). Sample engagements are described below.
Education and Certifications
- Materials Science & Engineering, Ph.D.: University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN (2007)
- Mechanical Engineering, M.S.: Chung-Ang University, South Korea (1999)
- Mechanical Engineering, B.S.: Chung-Ang University, South Korea (1997)
- Licensed Professional Engineer: California and Washington
- Organization: Reviewer of JFAP (Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention); Member of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers); Member of ASM International (formerly known as the American Society for Metals); Member of ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials)
Publications
- “A Study of Indentation Creep Using the Finite Element Method,” Sangjoon Sohn, Doctoral Dissertation, The University of Tennessee, 12/01/2017.
- “Merging ASME and API Design Methods for Subsea Equipment Up To 25000 PSI Working Pressure,” Koceruk, P. Pathak, C. Melacon, S. Sohn, Offshore Technology Conference, 2012.
- “Measurement of power-law creep parameters by instrumented indentation methods,” Caijun Su, Erik G. Herbert, Sangjoon Sohn, James A. LaManna, Warren C. Oliver, George M. Pharr, Journal of Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 2013.