Michael S. Murphy

Experience

Michael Murphy has experience in a variety of structural investigations, including failure evaluations, analyses, condition assessments, due diligence (prepurchase) surveys, and structural health monitoring. Dr. Murphy has investigated problems with steel, reinforced concrete (both traditional and prestressed/post-tensioned) and timber structures, including buildings, bridges, wastewater treatment structures, power plant cooling towers, utility poles, and underground pipes. His projects have involved evaluation for cause of leaks, damage, or distress; analysis of structural demand and capacity; assessment to determine recommended repairs and maintenance, including estimating repair costs; and design of repairs or rehabilitation.

Prior to his career in forensic engineering, Dr. Murphy conducted graduate research and experimental testing to assess the effectiveness of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) for use as externally bonded shear strengthening of concrete bridge girders.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

 

Failure/Damage Investigations

• Midwest Hardwoods - Park Falls, WI: Investigation into extent of structural fire damage
• Hurricane Harvey Recovery Efforts - Rockport, TX: Assessment of multiple airport hangar structures with hurricane-related damage and evaluation of their concrete foundations for reuse in reconstruction of hangars
• Walnut Towers - Mankato, MN: Investigation and analysis of precast concrete plank distress and deflections
• Restaurant Chain - St. Cloud, MN: Investigation of cladding failure
• Freight Company Facility - Olathe, KS: Investigation and analysis of precast wall panel failure
• Thumper Pond Waterpark - Ottertail, MN: Structural analysis to assist in evaluating cause of roof collapse
• Miami-Dade College - Miami, FL: Investigation into cause of precast concrete parking garage collapse

 

Structural Analysis/Evaluation

• Marathon Oil Tower - Houston, TX: Evaluation of existing shear capacity of conventionally reinforced and post-tensioned concrete beams
• Large Apartment Complex - Grand Forks, ND: Structural evaluation of precast concrete framing
• Government Agency - Arlington, VA: Structural analysis of a reinforced concrete green roof structure for capability to support landing of various military helicopters*

 

Condition Assessment

• RiverCentre Ramp - Saint Paul, MN: Condition assessment and repair recommendations for parking structure
• Stinson-Kennedy Parking Garage - Minneapolis, MN: Routine assessments of post-tensioned concrete parking garage for city ordinance certification compliance and repair recommendations
• Lyndale Avenue Bridge Over Hennepin Avenue - Minneapolis, MN: Condition assessment and conceptual repair recommendations
• Penn Avenue Bridge Over Minnehaha Creek - Minneapolis, MN: Condition assessment and conceptual repair recommendations
• Port of Houston - Houston, TX: Condition assessment of concrete wharf structures
• Intermountain Power Plant - Delta, UT: Inspection and evaluation of corrosion damage to reinforced concrete cooling towers and development of repairs*
• Medical Research Center - Bethesda, MD: Evaluation of reinforced concrete parking garage, development of proposed repairs, prediction of service life, and cost estimating for recommended repairs and maintenance*

 *Indicates with previous firm

Registrations

Professional Engineer in MD, MN, and SD

Education

University of Missouri–Rolla
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 2006

Missouri University of Science and Technology
Master of Science, Civil Engineering, 2009
Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering, 2010