Anthony Volonnino, P.E. Structural Engineer & Construction Expert

Anthony Volonnino is a structural engineer with over 30 years of experience involving buildings, modular structures, bridges, transmission towers, roadway structures, and other structural systems. He has specialized knowledge in the dynamics of structures, incorporating wind, seismic and vibrational analysis as it relates to structural design requirements and failure analyses. Anthony applies his expertise to forensic casework involving failed buildings, bridges and other structures, construction defect claims, and professional liability disputes.

Anthony's unique qualifications are built upon a foundation of hands-on construction experience gained earlier in his career. Anthony started as an apprentice carpenter and evolved to kitchen designer and drafter. Prior to obtaining his engineering degree, Anthony worked for an architectural firm preparing construction documents and renderings for various building types. He then worked as a drafting instructor, where he developed an architectural drafting and AutoCAD curriculum. His drafting skills and building knowledge became a strong basis in his understanding of building structures and the interaction of structures relative to the architectural envelope.

Anthony has been a design engineer and project manager for hundreds of successful large scale projects from inception to completion. He has engineered buildings with varying construction materials including concrete, post tension concrete, steel, masonry, wood, heavy timber, and light gauge metal framing. In addition to his design and construction experience, Anthony has worked with municipal and public sector clients to inspect and provide emergency response for local government agencies; he has also peer reviewed large scale projects.

Anthony is a Professional Engineer, licensed to practice in more than 10 jurisdictions. He earned his degree in Civil Engineering, with a concentration in the engineering and behavior of structural systems, materials, and foundations.

Umpire Expert Witness Investigations

In addition to his engineering background, Anthony is a certified NJSIAA umpire with over ten years of officiating experience in baseball and softball for various levels of competition. He applies his expertise to forensic casework involving the standard of care for baseball and softball umpires.

Engineering Profile

Experienced in the inspection, analysis, and design of structural systems for buildings, bridges and other structures, including but not limited to the following:

Engineering and behavior of structural systems for concrete, steel, precast, post tension concrete, masonry and wood, heavy wood timber and glulams timber
Structural building design/analysis and overall management of structures from inception to completion of construction
Dynamic analysis and engineering of structures for seismic, wind and vibration analysis
Structural building detailing
Architectural detailing
Design of deep foundations systems including steel piles and caissons for bridges, retained earth structures and buildings
Steel connection and detailing design
Retained earth structures including:
- Bridge abutments on piles/caissons
- Building retaining walls
- Gabion Gravity walls
- Landscape retaining walls
- Marine bulkheads
- Revetments
- Segmented retaining walls
- Sheet pile retaining systems
- Soil nailed walls
Mid-rise and high rise building structures
Casino structures
Parking deck structures
K-12 school structures
Modular structures and vierendeel modular staggered truss systems
Transmission tower/switch gear station structures
Warehouse/big box structures
Military structures
Bridge structures
Roadway structures
Wastewater treatment structures
Sheeting/shoring of adjacent structures/facilities during construction
Underpinning of adjacent structures
Large scale single family residential/multi-unit housing and single family homes
Historic retrofit structures
Institutional/Pharmaceutical/Biomedical research structures including structures for the support of vibration sensitive equipment such as linear accelerators, MRI’s, X-ray machines rooms
Architectural draftsman
Drafting and AutoCAD instructor
Woodworking and kitchen designer

Professional Experience

Robson Forensic, Inc.

Associate

2016 to present

Provide technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of commercial and personal injury litigation involving structural engineering, structural failure analysis, structural reverse engineering, professional liability disputes, and structural design and code compliance reviews in commercial, public sector and residential construction.

Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.

Senior Consultant

2014 to 2016

Senior forensic engineer providing services which include catastrophic collapse and failure analysis, assessment and investigation, emergency structural stabilization, damage repair, vehicle impact assessment, explosions assessment, emergency response, stucco structural damage, bridge and other civil/structural projects bridge damage assessment, mold damage, fire assessment, structural finite element analysis, expert witness testimony, construction claims investigation, and building code analysis. Assessment and mitigation of excessive building vibration subgrade subsidence and differential settlement monitoring; emergency structural stabilization and repair recommendations structural design and code compliance reviews; and material and construction defect studies and testing.

Paulus, Sokolowski and Sartor

Senior Structural Project Engineer

2005 to 2014

Overall structural designer, engineer, project manager consultant of foundation and superstructures of multi-story casinos, convention centers, pharmaceutical, industrial, modular and casino alteration
Analysis of high rise structures, including wind tunnel review, finite element mesh generation, deep foundation analysis, vibration analysis and long span truss design

Schoor DePalma Inc.

Structural Project Manager

2001 to 2005

Managed, designed and detailed various engineering projects including: K-12 schools, biomedical research facilities, police facilities, office buildings, wastewater treatment plants, and large scale housing projects and single family homes
Prepared proposals monitored project budgets, schedules, and accounts receivables
Developed client base and assisted in marketing which included an architectural seminar to promote understanding of IBC 2000 Code impact on structural building systems
Extensive forensic work as structural engineer of record for various counties, towns, and public entities that included emergency response of building collapses, boiler explosions, fires, sprinkler main breaks, due diligence and building restorations

Nadaskay Kopelson Architects

Senior Structural Engineer

1999 to 2001

Overall structural design of foundation and superstructure with emphasis in detail coordination and drafting of construction documents including hospital, schools, biomedical research facilities, industrial, internet switch gear stations and historical restoration experience

Paulus, Sokolowski and Sartor

Structural Engineer

1998 to 1999

Overall structural design of building foundation and superstructure including detail and coordination of construction documents
Design and detailing of steel framed connections for steel detailing companies

Schoor DePalma Inc.

Structural Designer

1995 to 1998

Structural bridge engineer designing both superstructure and foundations including precast, prestressed concrete stringers, curved girder analysis, pier design, deep foundation systems, and seismic design requirements
Structural building engineer for sewer treatment plant, K-12 schools, pharmaceutical, facilities, warehouse, and tank analysis
Structural design of box culverts, retaining walls, sheet piles, metering chambers

Bertlin Engineering

Staff Engineer

1995

Structural, civil, hydraulic, and building design including site development, storm water management, hydraulic, sheet pile design, lighting analysis, grading, and structural rehabilitation of buildings
Filing soil erosion permits, develop color renderings for zoning board presentations, and perform traffic surveys

Plaza School of Drafting

Drafting and AutoCAD Instructor

1989 to 1992

Instructor who developed 5 month architectural drafting program and course work to develop hand drafting skills for architectural drafting residential and commercial buildings
Presented AutoCAD course to develop training skills to be able to set up and draft a computer aided drafting project from start to finish. Additional training skills included customization of AutoCAD and understanding of X-refs and how to use, use of blocks and developing typical details

Ecoplan Architects

Drafting

1985 to 1989

Prepared construction drawings for residential and mid-rise buildings, commercial retail, and restaurants
Provided zoning and code analysis
Prepared colored renderings for zoning board presentations
Prepared 3D perspective building renderings for concept sketches and plans
Prepared zoning plans, site landscaping
Developed egress plans for buildings
Used early age AutoCAD to develop complex residential condominium units

Ulrich Inc.

Drafting and Carpentry

1982 to 1985

Installed kitchen cabinets, countertops and crown and base moldings including Wainscot detailing
Prepared construction drawings for kitchen and master bath plans
Prepared 3D renderings of kitchens

Professional Credentials

Professional Engineer: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, NCEES

Education

Certified Drafting Course, The Plaza School of Technology, 1982
B.Sc. Civil Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, 1995

Continuing Education

Engineering Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (live webinar), 2022
Structural Concepts for Non-Structural Engineers, December 2021
Fundamentals of Helical Anchors/Piles, December 2021
FHWA Bridge Inspector's Manual: Primer on Bridge Terminology and Mechanics, January 2021
FHWA Bridge Inspector's Manual: Bridge Inspection Reporting, January 2021
FHWA Bridge Inspector's Manual: Bridge Inspection Programs, January 2021
Engineering Laws, Rules and Ethics for Florida Professional Engineers, December 2020
Engineering Laws, Rules and Ethics for Florida Professional Engineers, December 2020
Controlling and Preventing Cracks in Concrete Flat Work, June 2020
Indiana Engineering Laws, Rules and Ethics, June 2020
Special Inspections Under the International Building Code Chapter 17, April 2020
Special Inspections Under the International Building Code Chapter 17, Part II, April 2020
Review of Engineering Dynamics Part 1: Kinematics of Particles and Rigid Bodies, SunCam, December 2019
Retaining Wall Basics, Half Moon Education Inc., December 2019
Geosynthetics and Retaining Walls, Half Moon Education Inc., December 2019
Slope and Retaining Wall Failures, Fixtures and Prevention, Half Moon Education Inc., December 2019
Slope Stability and Geosynthetics, Half Moon Education Inc., December 2019
Corrosion Control and Tactics, SunCam, December 2019 Engineering Ethics: The Big Dig Tunnel Collapse, PDHengineer.com, December 2019
Structural Design Loads in Accordance with the ASCE-7 Standard, Half Moon Education, Inc., May 2019
Deck Connections and Factors That Affect Performance, Hilti North America, August 2018
Introduction to the Forensic Engineering Process, Half Moon Education Inc., June 2018
Causes of Failures and the Forensic Engineering Report, Half Moon Education Inc., June 2018
Forensic Examination of Structures and Use in Litigation, Half Moon Education Inc., June 2018
Case Studies of Three Explosions and a Chemical Accident, PDHengineer.com, June 2018
Biodeterioration of Wood, PDHengineer.com, June 2018
Professional Ethics for Texas Engineers (Renewal for 2018), PDHengineer.com, June 2018
Engineering Ethics: Case Study of the TV Antenna Tower Collapse, PDHengineer.com, June 2018
Professional Practice Ethics for New Jersey Engineers (Renewal for 2018), PDHengineer.com, April 2018
Forensic Analysis Involving Fugitive Natural Gas and Propane, SunCam, March 2018
Design of Buildings for Coastal Flooding, Red Vector, March 2018
Designing Post-Installed Reinforcement for Development, NCSEA, February 2018
Seismic Design of Building Structures, Half Moon, December 2017
Seismology and Building Codes, Half Moon, December 2017
Basics of Soil Resources 2: Erosion, Desertification, Salinization & Soil Acidification, Red Vector, August 2017
Designing Foundation Repairs, Red Vector, August 2017
Designing with Structural Composite Lumber, Red Vector, August 2017
Wind design Using ASCE 7-10, Red Vector, August 2017
Structural Guying for Electric Distribution Systems, Red Vector, August 2017
Designing for Flood Loads Using ASCE, Red Vector, August 2017
2015 International Residential Code (IRC): Significant Changes, Red Vector, August 2017
Ethics for Professionals, Red Vector, May 2017
Fracking: Environmental Consequences, February 2017
Basics of Water Resources: Groundwater Hydrology, February 2017
Indiana Engineers’ Laws and Rules, February 2017
Concrete 1: Evaluation and Causes of Damage, February 2017
Risk Management for the Design Professional: Basic Principles, February 2017
Ethical Decision Making for Engineers #5, February 2017
Soil Mechanics, Bearing Capacity and Slope Stabilization, January 2017
FARO Scanner Technician Training
Certified Visual Observer (VO) for Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
Ethical Decision Making for Engineers #4, October 2016
Design of Steel Elements for Second Order Effects, October 2016
Structural Dynamics: An Introduction, October 2016
Driven Piles: Static Analysis – Single Piles, October 2016
Advancements in Concrete, October 2016
2015 International Building Code: Significant Changes to Structural Provisions, October 2016
Principles of Design-Build, October 2016
Helical Foundations & Tiebacks: An Introduction, October 2016
Florida Engineering Laws and Rules, October 2016
2014 Florida Building Code Advanced 5th Edition: Structural Summary of Provisions, September 2016
Pole Structural Loading, September 2016
Protecting People Against Terrorist Attacks: Chemical, Biological, and Radiological (CBR) Threat Protection, September 2016
Bridge Inspection and Maintenance: Laws and Requirements, September 2016
Building Pathology: Foundations, September 2016
Wind Design Using ASCE 7-10, September 2016
Site Planning and Design, January 2016
Roofing Materials - Concrete Tiles, November 2015
Hurricane Mitigation: Design and Construction Lessons, October 2015
Wood Design: Design Loads 2 - Lateral & Wind Forces, October 2015
Basic Wind Loads ASCE 7-10, September 2015
Ethical Decision Making for Engineers #5, September 2015
Coastal Engineering: Sea Level Rise, August 2015
Hurricane Damage: Wind vs. Water Determination, August 2015
Coastal Engineering: Storm Surge, August 2015
Gabions - Design of Retaining Walls, August 2015
Mold Sampling, August 2015
Residential Construction for Coastal Areas, August 2015
Mold Remediation, August 2015
Ethical Decision Making for Engineers #2, January 2014
Ethical Decision Making for Engineers #3, January 2014
Finite Element Analysis, January 2014
Earthquakes: The Basics, January 2014
Basic Wind Loads I – ASCE 7-05 Revealed, January 2014
Basic Wind Loads II – The Law and Implementation, January 2014
Structural Dynamics: An Introduction, January 2014
Brittle Fracture for Steel Structures, January 2014
Wood Design: Beam Design, January 2014
Concrete Fundamentals II – Concrete Slab-On-Grade, January 2014
Concrete Evaluation and Repair 1, January 2014
Retaining Wall Design –Part 1 and 2, January 2012
Green Building with Steel – Part 3: Light Gage Metal Components for Framing, January 2012
Wood Design: Behavior of Structures Under Loads and Forces, January 2012
Ethical Decision Making for Engineers #1, January 2012
Concrete 1: Evaluation and Causes of Damage, January 2012
Concrete 2: Repair, Planning, and Preparation, January 2012
Concrete 3: Methods, Materials and Maintenance, January 2012
OSHA 10 Hour Construction Program 2009 REV 1, July 2011

Professional Memberships

American Institute of Steel Construction, Professional Member
Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering Honor Society, Member
Chi Epsilon, New Jersey Engineering Honor Society, Member

Publications

Volonnino, Anthony and Edward G. Nawy. “Slip Form Construction Chapter” for Concrete Construction Engineering Handbook

Speaking Engagements

Technology in Vehicle-Related Investigations: Pennsylvania Auto Crime Investigator’s Association, Philadelphia, PA, January 8, 2016
Construction Vibrations: Delaware Claims Association, Philadelphia, PA, January 5, 2016

v. 05/5/22

Related Resources

See All of Anthony's Published Content

Utility Pole Failures

By Anthony Volonnino

The structural failure or collapse of a wood utility pole is often the result of advanced rot, vehicle impact, overloading, or some combination thereof. As part of a forensic investigation, experts…

Standard of Care for Baseball & Softball Umpires

By Anthony Volonnino

Baseball umpires are responsible for officiating the game and safeguarding the well-being of participants. Responsibilities of an umpire include enforcing rules, making judgment calls on plays,…

Differential Column Shortening

By Anthony Volonnino

Un-level floors, inoperable windows/doors, and various misalignment issues of cladding and partitions in high-rise buildings are sometimes the result of a phenomenon known as differential column…

Construction Vibration: Investigating Damage Claims

Thursday, October 22, 2020
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Featuring Anthony Volonnino

How can you determine if the property damage in your case (or claim) was caused by vibrations originating from a nearby construction project? Damages are often expensive, conditions prior to…