Eric Moody
Ph.D., P.E.
Since completing his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University in 1997, Dr. Moody has been actively involved in the civil and forensic engineering profession. As a consultant to government and private industry, he has researched and investigated hundreds of performance related issues in commercial and residential structures throughout Texas. His emphasis has been in the areas of earthwork and site drainage, roofing systems, foundation and structural systems, hydrology and water penetration analysis, wind damage analysis, and transportation systems analysis.He has published technical papers in the fields of civil and forensic engineering, infrastructure management, and construction materials and he has provided expert testimony in both deposition and courtroom settings. Dr. Moody also has extensive training and professional experience in the field of vehicular accident investigation and reconstruction. Prior to pursuing a fulltime career in forensic engineering, Dr. Moody worked in various research capacities at the University of Texas, Center for Transportation Research and the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI). After completing his Doctorate, he continued to work in a research capacity at TTI. He resigned his position at TTI in April 1999 to pursue consulting opportunities in forensic engineering on a full-time basis. In addition to his formal training at the University of Texas and Texas A&M University, Dr. Moody has also been involved in professional organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and the Texas Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists (TAARS). He is a former Chairman of the Forensics Committee for the Texas Section of ASCE.
Meteorological Events
Erosion and Sediment
When applicable the amount of deformation or “crush” can be quantified in order to understand energy loss during a collision. With a wide range of tools available we digitally image and measure crash vehicles for permanent record and subsequent analysis.
Our engineers are well-versed in providing deposition and trial testimony. We provide expert technical opinions based on accepted engineering principals and grounded by physical evidence. We are confident in our presentation of the facts and remain steadfast in the support of our findings. Moody Engineering has participated in thousands of cases since our inception in 1997. Our reputation for providing precise, accurate, and thorough analysis and expert testimony is widely recognized in the industry.
We develop comprehensive diagrams of all motor vehicle accident scenes. These diagrams are often pivotal in developing an immediate understanding of how and why an accident occurred. These diagrams routinely include information pertaining to roadway geometrics, site distance, pavement markings, signage, traffic signals, gouge marks, scrape marks, tire marks, and vehicle positions.
MEI’s provides qualified staff to inspect concerns related to building envelope, foundations, water damage and wind damage. We assist private parties, property managers, insurance companies, and if needed, perform this work in the capacity of an expert witness.
Engineering hydrology is a quantitative study of the relationship between rainfall and runoff over a set period of time. In the design of systems to control runoff, we employ a number of techniques to estimate peak runoff within a watershed (or catchment) area. Our engineering staff utilizes state of the art software applications, such as HEC-HMS, to generate hydrographs which most closely describe a hydrologic system. Similarly in the design of systems to convey storm runoff, we utilize engineering methods and analyze with hydraulic modeling software to determine the behavior of water within a channel, pipe network, pond, or pressurized system.
Whether the mainstem of the city’s river or a tributary channel in a neighborhood, we create solutions to control flooding. We are experienced in the analysis, design, policy considerations, and implementation of flood control projects across the State of Texas, working with small towns and big cities, or even special purpose districts. Most importantly, we help direct a discussion within the community about flood risk, so that the community can make informed decisions about major projects or project alternatives to fix legacy flooding problems, as well as new ones, to meet the demand of growing populations.
As the need for reliable clean water to supply agriculture, cities, industry and recreation increases – and especially in Texas – we can offer technical policy guidance on various best management practices, and design strategic low-impact development (LID) projects to protect surface and groundwater sources. We have a keen eye for marrying these objectives into the details of a complex building or site design.
As upstream watershed conditions change over time, and as flood events occur within the community, MEI prides itself in being able to envision and implement natural systems protection solutions, such as stream restoration. This begins with master-level understanding of the hydrologic and hydraulic systems and the influences of a changing flow regime and sediment transport on the natural creek systems.
MEI provides expert consulting on municipal land use issues, including Future Land Use planning, and zoning administration. MEI has experience in the development of municipal comprehensive plans for small-/mid-sized cities.
MEI draws on decades of experience working with local governments and special districts contemplating how to best allocate their resources to protect communities from flooding. We are adept at describing “community risk” and flooding, in many ways, so that the community can truly understand what is at stake. Ultimately, our ability to work through the technical details and communicate them effectively, allow decision makers to have all of the best information available to them.
Water and sanitary sewer infrastructure system expansions or rehabilitation/replacement require careful planning in order to ensure that the design and implementation meet a broad array of community objectives, including maximizing community and ratepayer benefit, and minimizing risk in many forms. MEI staff’s experience with grant funding, master planning, and with capital improvements planning provide a complete set of capabilities to guide water and sewer infrastructure projects.
Creek and drainage systems are part of the viability of a valuable natural regime. Changes to flow characteristics – such as increasing flowrates or velocities, or adding impoundments or creating restrictions or areas of low slope – can have a prodound impact on the health of the creek, in terms of its ability to sustain riparian life and support a healthy diversity of species. Particularly urban or urbanizing creeks are at risk of experiencing degradation. Additionally, we also know that the riparian natural system performs a number of critical functions, such as filtration and flood mitigation. MEI actively seeks to incorporate design strategies which protect and preserve sensitive areas. This begins with an ability to assess with knowledgable field guidance and detailed mapping capabilities, and through careful analysis, results in design solutions which retain natural function as well as character, without compromising hydraulic and hydrologic performance.