Pablo Robalino M.Sc., P.Eng., PMP

Senior Associate, Civil/Structural & Building Science
Direct: 647-738-5343

Our Associates perform on-site investigations to determine origin and cause of complex losses. Their process: examine and collect evidence, take on-site photos, interview witnesses, conduct testing in our lab and analyze data to produce technical reports that are clear and concise.

 

EXPERT SUMMARY

Pablo J. Robalino is a structural forensic engineer specialist and project manager, and a Senior Associate at 30 Forensic Engineering. Pablo has more than 20 years of work experience in engineering consulting within forensic engineering, mining, nuclear, oil and gas, cement, institutional, and other industries. As a forensic engineer, Pablo has investigated structural failures and damage to buildings and non -building structures as a result of inadequate design specifications or construction procedures, overloading or use changes, explosions in industrial facilities, fires, impacts to buildings or bridge structures, dynamic demands, deterioration of concrete and steel structures, foundation deficiencies, and soil -foundation interaction issues. Pablo has authored numerous expert reports for clients in the legal and insurance industries. Pablo has performed the detailed structural analysis and design of numerous structures. He has participated in the execution of all project phases, including engineering, procurement, and construction, along with multiple stakeholders and in a multidisciplinary environment.

SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

  • Civil and structural engineering
  • Project management
  • Analysis, design, and assessment of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structures and foundations
  • Analysis, design, and assessment of steel structures, connections, and structural components
  • Analysis, design, and assessment of timber structures
  • Code compliance and condition assessment of building and non-building structures
  • Investigation of building, property, and construction failures
  • Experience in small and major engineering procurement and construction management (EPCM) projects, greenfield, and brownfield
  • Finite element analysis and modelling (STAAD.Pro, RISA-3D, Sap 2000, S-FRAME)

academic background

 

Certificate in Engineering Leadership, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Expected Completion in 2024

Master of Science in Civil Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA, 2006

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Quito, Ecuador, 1999

Additional Courses

  • Concrete and Masonry Structures, American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE-AWICMPKG (23 PDHs), Expert On-Demand Webinar Package, 2020
  • Structural Design and Construction of Steel Bridges, 2020 NASCC: The Virtual Steel Conference, NASCC and AISC (5 PDHs), 2020
  • Advanced S-FRAME Analysis and Dynamic Analysis of Structures, S-FRAME courses, 2019
  • Structures Under Blast and Impact, CIV1190H (Audited graduate course, one semester), Civil Engineering Department at the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, 2018
  • Concrete Design Handbook 4th Edition National Seminar Series, Cement Association of Canada. Overview of changes to the CSA A23.3-14 standard and the advancements in the 4th Edition of the Concrete Design Handbook (7.5 hrs), Toronto, ON, 2017
  • Expert Witness, The Advocates’ Society. Participated as an expert witness volunteer for the Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program: Advanced Do A Trial, Toronto, ON, 2017
  • Managing Project Risk, The Project Management Conference, Informa Exhibitions, PAL1100a (7 PDUs), MTCC, Toronto, ON, 2017
  • Diagnosing Defects in Aging Concrete Structures and Developing Effective Repair Solutions EPIC 07-1203-2331 (17hs), Toronto, ON, 2016
  • The Project Management Conference, Informa Exhibitions, MTCC, Toronto, ON, 2016
  • The Theory and Practice of Performance-Based Design (Nonlinear Analysis), Computers and Structures Inc., Toronto, ON, 2016
  • The Concrete Repair Code, ACI 562.16, 2016
  • Project Management – PMP Bootcamp, PM Training (35 PDUs), 2014
  • Structural-Vibration Analysis: Design and Troubleshooting, American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE-81952014 (21 PDHs), Washington DC, USA, 2014
  • Project Planning, Analysis, and Control, The George Washington University, Business, 2013
  • Industrial Building Design, CISC-ICCA Seminar, Toronto, ON, 2013
  • OPG Nuclear Orange Badge 1 Training, OPG Nuclear, Darlington, ON, 2013
  • Fundamentals of Connection Design, AISC Night School, T.Murray, P.E., Ph.D., 2013
  • Fundamentals of Project Management, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, 2010
  • Leadership Training Program, WorleyParsons Canada Ltd., 2010
  • SmartPlant® Materials / Foundation, Intergraph, WorleyParsons Canada Ltd., 2009
  • AutoCAD Revit Structure Fundamentals, SolidCAD (24 PDHs), Toronto, ON, 2007
  • ISO 9001 Quality Systems, Consultec Ltd., Toronto, ON, 2007
  • Fulbright English for Graduate Students, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA, 2004
  • University Business Leadership Program, Ilinizas University Residence, Quito, Ecuador, 2000
  • Computer Science Engineering Certifícate, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Quito, Ecuador, 19994

employment background

-30- Forensic Engineering
Senior Associate—Civil/Structural
April 2015 – Present, Toronto, ON

  • Building systems and structural failure analysis
  • Investigations related to structural failures or damage to buildings or non-buildings structures and foundations
  • Assessments of structural design or construction deficiencies
  • Detailed design of structural remediation packages including emergency response plans, temporary shoring, detailed repair or reconstruction design, and engineering support during construction
  • Condition assessments of buildings and properties, and codes and standards compliance analysis and reviews
  • Project management, quality assurance and control procedures
  • Business development

Intermediate Associate—Civil/Structural
April 2015 – December 2016, Toronto, ON

AMEC / Inprocon Inc
Senior Structural Engineer / Project Engineer
February 2014 – April 2015, Oakville, ON

  • Delivered high quality detailed structural designs for the Western Range, ArcelorMittal, Liberia project including SAG mill area platforms, pipe-rack structures, concrete pier supports, water and wastewater structures, and building platforms for a 15M tpy large iron-ore concentrator
  • Completed the design check of reinforced concrete manholes and retaining structures, and the design check of the ball handling pit steel structure in the grinding area
  • Performed and delivered a 3D frame Response-Spectrum seismic dynamic analysis for a large multistorey hospital building (Baca Ortiz) located in Quito, Ecuador

Hatch
Senior Structural Engineer
January 2012 – February 2014, Mississauga, ON

  • Completed structural engineering designs and delivered engineering consulting support to various mining and nuclear projects, including 3 major projects as a lead or design engineer
  • Completed 7 EPC small brownfield nuclear projects in 18 months for the Pickering and Darlington Nuclear Plants and 8 EPC small brownfield mining projects in 7 months as part of the Vale Overflow portfolio of engineering services

WorleyParsons
Senior/Lead Civil Structural Engineer
2009 – December 2011, Toronto, ON

  • Completed structural engineering designs and delivered engineering consulting support to various industry sectors such as mining, petrochemical, environmental and infrastructure, and energy
  • Infrastructure Area Lead.  Led the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies and cost estimates for the Energy Conversion Project ($600 million - estimated T.I.C.) for the ferronickel metallurgical and power plants located in Bonao, Dominican Republic

WorleyParsons
Senior/Lead Civil Structural Engineer
2008 – December 2011, Toronto, ON

  • Performed structural engineering designs and delivered engineering consulting support to various mining, petrochemical, and infrastructure projects
  • Coordinated the structural analysis, design, and assessment of various heavy industrial structures and components comprising reinforced concrete and structural steel

Consultec Ltd
Structural Engineer
2006 – 2008, Toronto, ON

  • Completed the structural analysis, design, and assessment of various structures comprising reinforced concrete and structural steel for cement plants located in Canada, the USA, and other countries
  • Delivered the structural engineering analysis and design of several large reinforced concrete and partially posttensioned silos for the storage of clinker, cement, and coal
  • Developed and implemented various strategies to optimize the analyses and design of large pre-stressed and reinforced concrete silos and others structures

North Carolina State University
Research Engineer
2004 – 2006, Raleigh, NC, USA

  • Conducted experimental research for three projects under the advice of Dr. Mervyn J. Kowalsky
  • Expanded Shale, Clay, and Slate Institute & North Carolina State University—"Shear Performance of Reinforced Lightweight Concrete Square Columns in Seismic Regions"—recommended modifications for the shear strength analytical model
  • North Carolina Department of Transportation & North Carolina State University—"Pile Bent Design Criteria in Bridge Designs"—analyzed pile and bent cross-sections of bridges
  • Developed simple formulations for lateral displacement limit states of bridge superstructures, and designed the test setup for testing of neoprene bearing pads under cyclic shear

Quito Tennis & Golf Club - El Condado
Operations Manager
2002 – 2004, Quito, Ecuador

  • Supervised contractors for 32 construction projects involving more than 3500 m2 of reinforced concrete and steel, including offices, change rooms, warehouses and roads
  • Responsible for the work of maintenance and reconstruction projects containing more than 1000 m2

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Associate Professor (part-time)
2000 – 2004, Quito, Ecuador

  • Structural design, School of Architecture, Fourth and Fifth level

Inprocon Construction & Engineering Consulting
Project Engineer
1999 – 2004, Quito, Ecuador

  • Created and managed a company that provided structural design and construction services to several clients with projects in the cities of Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador
  • Completed the structural design and construction management of 14 institutional and residential projects

Diego Robalino F. Constructores
Assistant Structural Engineer
1999 – 2004, Quito, Ecuador

  • Collaborated in various structural studies and construction projects

professional societies and associations

  • Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), Professional Member
  • Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), Professional Member
  • Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, Professional Member
  • Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC), Professional Member
  • Project Management Institute (PMI), Member
  • Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE), Member
  • American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), Past Member
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Member
  • Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), Member
  • American Concrete Institute (ACI), Member
  • CSA Group, Canadian Standards Association, associate member of CSA’s S850 Blast Resistant Buildings Technical Committee
  • North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, Engineering-Intern
  • Canadian Institute of Mining, GTA West Branch (CIM), Past Member
  • Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE), Past Member
  • Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), Past Member

COURT APPEARANCES

Qualified as an Expert Witness in Structural Engineering for a Disciplinary Hearing at the Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba Professional Association, 2023.

Assisted in multiple mediations, arbitrations, and litigation procedures before settlement.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

  • -30- Forensic Engineering 2018 Outstanding Associate Award
  • -30- Forensic Engineering 2016 Outstanding Innovation Award (shared with J. Reitsma, J. Burns, S. d'Obrenan, R. Parkinson)
  • North Carolina State University graduate scholarship, 2004 – 2006 (M.Sc., NCSU)
  • Fulbright graduate scholarship, 2004 – 2006
  • Graduate research assistantship sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Participated in three research projects, 2004 – 2006
  • Third highest point average. First in class graduated as Civil Engineer at PUCE, May 1999 (B.Sc., PUCE)

Publications and Speaking Engagements

Speaking Engagements

  • "Soil-Structure Interaction - Losses Requiring Structural and Geotechnical Expertise," Subject Matter Expert Presentation, 30 Forensic Engineering Webinar (Presented by J. Reitsma, P. Robalino, and V. Schifano), June 2020
  • "Advanced Structural Analysis", Subject Matter Expert Presentation at Blaney McMurtry LLP, "Lunch and Learn", event organized by Blaney McMurtry LLP and 30 Forensic Engineering, February 2020
  • "Engineers before Engineering - Filippo Brunelleschi, Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore)," Subject Matter Expert Presentation, "Skills and Snacks", internal event organized by 30 Forensic Engineering, November 2019
  • “Silo Failures Caused by Unrealistic Design Considerations,” Subject Matter Expert Presentation, “Skills and Snacks-Silo Structure Failures,” Internal event organized by 30 Forensic Engineering, May 2017
  • “Project Management Boot Camp,” Subject Matter Expert & Instructor, GK University (Internal), June – August 2016
  • “Structural Damage Assessment and Remediation,” Subject Matter Expert Presentation, “Ask the Expert Day,” Event organized by GK, September 2016
  • P. J. Robalino, “Shear Performance of Reinforced Lightweight Concrete Square Columns in Seismic Regions”, North Carolina State University, Raleigh (NC), United States, 2006
  • "Structural Design Course, Fourth and Fifth level," School of Architecture, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, 2000 – 2004

Papers

  • B. Robinson, V. Suarez, P. Robalino, M. J. Kowalsky, M. A. Gabr, “A Point of Fixity Model for Pile and Shaft Bents,” ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers Proceedings of Sessions Of Geo-Denver 2007, February 18-21, 2007, Denver, Colorado Conference Proceeding Paper Contemporary Issues In Deep Foundations (GSP 158), Denver (Colorado), United States, 2007
  • B. Robinson, V. Suarez, P. J. Robalino, M. J. Kowalsky, M. A. Gabr, “Pile Bent Design Criteria,” North Carolina Department of Transportation (2005-19) FHWA/NC/2006-14 Transportation Research Board, Raleigh (NC), United States, 2005

Thesis

  • P. Robalino, “Shear Performance of Reinforced Lightweight Concrete Square Columns in Seismic Regions,” (Under the direction of Dr. Mervyn J. Kowalsky), A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University, Approved by Dr. Mervyn J. Kowalsky, Dr. Paul Zia, and Dr. James M. Nau, NCSU, Raleigh (NC), United States, 2006
  • P. Robalino, “Investigación Relacionada a Estructuras Prefabricadas que Incorporen Conexiones y/o Apoyos Articulados y sobre su Comportamiento Bajo la Acción de Fuerzas Horizontales para Edificios de Varios Pisos,” (Under the direction of Ing. Diego Andrade Stacey), A thesis submitted to the Faculty of The Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Approved by Ing. Diego Andrade Stacey, Ing. Guido Merino G., Ing. Estuardo Páez E., PUCE, Quito, Ecuador, 1999 

Articles

  • P. Robalino, “Even Retaining Structures Need Support - Design and Assessment Perspectives from a Forensic Engineer,” 30 Forensic Engineering website and LinkedIn, https://www.30fe.com/insights/, June 2020
  • P. Robalino, “Silo failures caused by unrealistic design considerations,” LinkedIn, January 2018
  • P. Robalino, “Explosion Response,” Claims Canada, November 2017, www.claimscanada.ca, PM40063170, pages 22 to 24, Canada, 2017

Standards

  • Assisted in the preparation of CSA standards as an Associate Member of CSA’s S850 Blast Resistant Buildings Technical Committee.
 

NEWS / INSIGHTS / EVENTS

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