Independent engineering support for complex technical decisions.
IPEA provides separately commissioned engineering consultancy and technical advisory support for organisations facing design, integrity, materials, energy, thermal-fluid and simulation challenges.
Engineering support for decisions that require technical depth and independent judgement.
IPEA consultancy is focused on practical engineering work: analysing behaviour, reviewing evidence, checking models, investigating failures and helping clients make technically defensible decisions.
Engineering analysis & design review
Independent review of loads, assumptions, calculations, tolerances, joints, geometry, margins and the engineering basis behind a design decision.
Structural integrity & remaining life
Assessment of stress, fatigue, fracture, degradation and remaining-life evidence to support continued-operation, repair or intervention decisions.
Failure analysis & root-cause investigation
Structured investigation of failed components or systems using physical evidence, damage mechanisms, contributing factors and root-cause logic.
Simulation & computational review
Technical review of FEA, CFD and other computational models covering assumptions, boundary conditions, convergence, verification and interpretation.
Six technical service areas aligned with IPEA's engineering disciplines.
Clients can engage IPEA for focused support in one technical area or for work that combines several disciplines within a wider engineering problem.
Design, loads and mechanical behaviour
Provide design-analysis support where loading, stress, geometry, tolerances, connections or analytical evidence need independent engineering review.
- Engineering calculations and design review
- Stress and load-path assessment
- Bolted and welded joint review
- Tolerance and fit considerations
- Independent technical checking
Integrity, durability and remaining life
Support integrity decisions through stress, fatigue, fracture, damage-tolerance and remaining-life assessment of components and structures.
- Stress and structural assessment
- Fatigue and durability review
- Fracture-mechanics assessment
- Remaining-life considerations
- Integrity and reliability review
Failure mechanisms and material evidence
Investigate failures and degradation where material behaviour, inspection evidence, fracture features or operating history require technical interpretation.
- Failure investigation strategy
- Root-cause analysis support
- Corrosion and degradation review
- Materials-selection considerations
- Fracture and inspection evidence review
Thermal, energy and system performance
Analyse energy and thermal systems where performance, heat transfer, storage, efficiency or system interactions affect engineering decisions.
- Thermodynamic performance review
- Heat-transfer assessment
- Energy-system analysis
- Storage and technology evaluation
- System modelling and technical review
Flow, pressure loss and thermal behaviour
Analyse fluid and thermal systems involving pressure loss, flow distribution, heat transfer, thermal management and equipment performance.
- Flow and pressure-loss analysis
- Pipe and fluid-system review
- Heat-transfer and thermal assessment
- Thermal-management review
- CFD-related technical interpretation
FEA, CFD and computational model credibility
Review FEA, CFD and other simulation workflows where modelling assumptions, numerical behaviour or result interpretation influence engineering decisions.
- FEA and CFD model review
- Mesh and convergence assessment
- Verification and validation review
- Boundary-condition and load review
- Interpretation of numerical results
Define the question before starting the analysis.
Consultancy should begin with a clear technical objective, available information and intended use of the work. Scope and deliverables are agreed before substantive engineering work begins.
Discuss
Describe the technical problem, asset, component, model or decision that requires engineering support.
Scope
Define inputs, assumptions, exclusions, applicable methods, deliverables, responsibilities and intended use.
Analyse
Undertake the agreed calculations, technical review, evidence assessment or computational analysis.
Deliver
Provide the agreed output with findings, limitations, engineering interpretation and recommendations where applicable.
Deliverables designed around the decision the client needs to make.
The exact output depends on the agreed scope. The examples below illustrate the types of technical deliverables that may form part of an engagement.
Engineering calculations
Structured calculations, assumptions and technical interpretation relevant to the defined engineering question.
Independent technical review
Review of calculations, designs, models, assumptions or technical evidence prepared by another party.
Model review and assessment
FEA, CFD or computational review focused on model credibility, numerical behaviour and interpretation.
Failure-analysis report
Structured assessment of evidence, potential mechanisms, contributing factors and engineering conclusions.
Technical advisory report
Clear findings, limitations and engineering recommendations aligned with the agreed decision context.
Technical presentation
Presentation of methods, evidence, conclusions and limitations to technical or management stakeholders.
Clarify the engagement before relying on the work.
Engineering consultancy depends on the technical problem, the quality and completeness of available information and the intended use of the resulting work.
Is consultancy included with an IPEA course or membership?
No. Consultancy is a separate professional service. Courses and membership provide learning and professional-development benefits rather than project-specific engineering work.
What information should we provide with an enquiry?
Start with the engineering problem, the asset or system involved, the decision you need to make, the information currently available and the type of deliverable you expect. Do not submit confidential, export-controlled or commercially sensitive files through a public web form unless an appropriate arrangement has been agreed.
Can IPEA review work produced by another engineer or consultancy?
Independent technical review may form part of an engagement where the scope, available evidence and intended use are suitable. The review basis, limitations and deliverables should be defined before work begins.
Can IPEA provide FEA or CFD review?
Simulation and computational analysis can form part of a consultancy engagement. Typical review areas may include modelling assumptions, boundary conditions, loading, mesh strategy, convergence, verification, validation and interpretation of results.
Does an IPEA training course constitute engineering advice for my project?
No. Training is general professional development. Project-specific engineering advice is provided only through an appropriate consultancy engagement based on the relevant technical requirement and available information.
How is consultancy priced?
Consultancy should be priced against the agreed scope, technical complexity, required deliverables and other engagement conditions. A specific proposal or quotation can be provided after the requirement has been reviewed.
Start with the technical problem, the evidence available and the decision you need to make.
Use the IPEA contact form to describe the requirement at a high level. A consultancy scope can then be discussed separately before any project-specific engineering work begins.