Associate Consultant
David Woods
Failure Analysis and Pipe Testing expert - David Woods
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David Woods is a physicist by education who has spent over 40 years in physical and mechanical testing of materials, products and systems. He specialized in the testing of plastic piping products at Hauser Laboratories, Microbac Laboratories, and Jana Labs before founding Woods Scientific in 2011. He has been a member and officer of ASTM F17 on Plastic Piping Systems since 1987, and was the immediate past-Chairman of Subcommittee F17.62 on Sewers.
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- Extensive experience in fiberglass, and composites in addition to plastic pipes of many materials.
- Expertise in materials such as Polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), crosslinked polyethylene (PEX), corrugated polyethylene (corrugated HDPE), and polyethylene of raised temperature (PE-RT).
- Well known as an expert witness and specialist with extensive litigation experience.
- Well versed in failure analysis aspects
- Expert Witness in Failure Analysis
- Able to tackle technically challenging and demanding projects
- Experience leading and managing teams in an organized and efficient manner
- Holds the ASTM Award of Merit from the Society and technical awards on ASTM F17
Experience
Private Practice
2011 – Present
Boulder, Colorado
Provided complex problem solving, failure analysis, standards project management, marketing technical support, litigation support, and expert testimony regarding plastic and composite piping systems, components, and materials
Senior Project Leader, Jana Laboratories
2006 – 2011
Aurora, Ontario, Canada
Senior Scientist and Director, Hauser Laboratories,
1987 – 2006
Boulder, Colorado
Supervisor, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.
1973 – 1986
Granville, Ohio
Private Practice
2011 – Present
Boulder, Colorado
Provided complex problem solving, failure analysis, standards project management, marketing technical support, litigation support, and expert testimony regarding plastic and composite piping systems, components, and materials
- Applications included gas, water sewer, drainage, heating, plumbing, geothermal, fire sprinklers, tanks, vessels, and irrigation
- Experienced with all plastic piping failure modes and mechanisms including rapid crack propagation (RCP), Slow Crack Growth (SCG), environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR), fatigue, manufacturing defects, and material problems
Senior Project Leader, Jana Laboratories
2006 – 2011
Aurora, Ontario, Canada
- Managed complex and technically challenging projects, including product and material development support projects, standards and test methods development, failure analysis, and projects involving technical investigation of matters under litigation
- Introduced a material for gas distribution piping to gas utilities in nationwide presentations
Senior Scientist and Director, Hauser Laboratories,
1987 – 2006
Boulder, Colorado
- Managed complex and technically challenging projects within the laboratory
- Projects included Green Performance™ certification program for Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe, Fusible PVC Pipe, Florida DOT qualification of AASHTO M294 pipe, failure analysis, and expert testimony in litigated matters
- Directed >20-person team of engineers, chemists, and technical specialists
- Laboratory performed $2 million annually in services, including testing of products and materials, failure analysis, expert testimony, and industrial problem solving
- Acted as functional general manager while Director
- Responsibilities included sales, marketing, business development, technical management, personnel management, strategic planning, budgeting, facilities, accreditations, and quality systems management
- Gained special technical expertise in plastic piping systems, polymer performance, physical/mechanical testing, and test method development
- Performed design, specification, and materials selection, material property and system performance tests, failure analysis and expert testimony, chemical analysis and deformulation, development of tests and equipment, industrial problem solving, and third-party quality assurance
- Responsible for strategic planning, financial performance, training and management of personnel, technical quality, and management of key projects
- Responsible for testing and failure analysis of plastic and composite pipe systems and components, materials testing, analysis, and development, accelerated environmental exposure and evaluation, and program development and project management for specialty materials and applications
- Managed the laboratory’s quality assurance program
- Coordinated accreditation activities
Supervisor, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.
1973 – 1986
Granville, Ohio
- Managed 14 scientists, engineers, and technicians developing test equipment and procedures for Quality and Process Control, with over 800 test methods covering many plants and thousands of products
- Managed the corporate Calibrations Laboratory
- Supported manufacturing in design of experiments, statistical process control, sampling, lab automation, non-destructive testing, on-line gaging, and other technical areas
- Audited plant laboratories, conducted specialized training programs, and published and controlled test methods
- Responsible for developing performance criteria and specifications for new products and applications, testing and acceptance/rejection of new modified products, product characterization for specification compliance, and product literature and technical support to marketing
- Product areas included thermal insulation (cellular plastics, mineral fiber, calcium silicate), commercial and residential air-handling systems (duct board, duct liner, duct wrap, flexible duct, duct system design), and plastic and composite material for projects including the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and the Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal