ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 1 of 13
December 2012 In This Issue
Contents President’s Message ............. 2
Younger Member Events ...... 4
ASCE Professional Development ....................... 5
Other Professional Development ....................... 6
Engineering Outreach ........... 8
Employment ......................... 9
University News ................. 11
Upcoming ASCE Events December 11 ASCE Holiday Social (RSVP by Dec. 5)
Wednesday, Dec. 5
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 2 of 13
Officers & Directors 2012 - 2013 President Steve Randolph Horner & Shifrin, Inc. 5200 Oakland Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 Phone: (314) 531-4321 Fax: (314) 531-6966 E-mail: [email protected] President-Elect Marc Bacchetti David Mason & Associates 800 S. Vandeventer St. Louis, MO 63110 Phone: (314) 534-1030 Fax: (314) 534-1053 E-mail: [email protected] Vice President Shawnna Erter SCI Engineering Inc. 130 Point West Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63301 Phone: (636) 949-8269 Fax: (636) 447-4181 E-mail: [email protected] Secretary Matt Harper 219 Mockingbird Lane Waterloo, IL 62298 (618) 939-0154 Email: [email protected] Treasurer Michael Buechter Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District 2350 Market Street St. Louis, Missouri 63105 Phone: 314-768-2772 Fax: 314-768-6341 E-mail: [email protected] Director of Professional Development Lyle Simonton Director of Administration Kyle Tabor Director of Technical Development Chad Schrand Past President Elise Ibendahl
President’s Message
One of the initiatives that came out of the Executive Board’s
strategic planning session was a plan to address the issues of
diversity and inclusion. For most of us, if you look around your
office or scan the audience at one of the Section’s events, it is
obvious that the civil engineering profession is currently
dominated by white males. Granted, the “white male”
professional workplace model has enabled decades of designing
and constructing civil infrastructure. However, this model and
workplace culture has some significant limitations, including, for
instance, a lack of multiple and diverse perspectives, exclusion
versus inclusion, and maintaining the status-quo versus embracing emerging challenges.
According to the Society’s publication, Diversity by Design, diversity is important to the civil
engineering profession for several reasons. First, the U.S. population and the local
communities we serve (including our clients, regulators, and financiers) are becoming more
diverse. Second, (assuming that the economy turns around soon) there will be an increasing
demand for qualified civil engineers. At the same time, almost 50 percent of the current
science and engineering workforce is approaching retirement and enrollment in civil
engineering programs is relatively flat. Companies, agencies, and organizations need to recruit
from the largest possible talent pool of qualified employees. Third, U.S. engineering firms face
increasing global competition. To prosper in a worldwide marketplace, civil engineers need to
be even more conscientious about reflecting the diverse perspectives of their international
colleagues. And finally, increasing diversity in civil engineering in the U.S. is, quite simply, the
right thing to do: the logical extension of this country’s democratic evolution toward
increasing inclusiveness.
While the Society defines diversity as females, non-white people who are racially or ethnically
diverse, practitioners of religions not traditional in the U.S. (such as Buddhists, Muslims, and
others), people from diverse age groups, people of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender community), and people with disabilities, the St. Louis Section is initially focusing
its efforts on minority and female members.
As I mentioned in a previous edition of the President’s Message, the Section has created a
Diversity and Inclusion committee (chaired by yours truly) to help reach out to our minority
and female members and to those same groups in the St. Louis community. One of the things
that we’re planning to do is set up two ASCE High School Clubs; one in an all-girls high school
and another in the City of St. Louis.
Furthermore, we’d like to engage our women membership by creating a support group for
working mothers, providing a way for women who take time off from their careers to obtain
PDH’s, and participate in the “Introduce a Girl to Engineering” program. Additionally, we’d like
to engage our minority membership by establishing an affiliation with the National Society of
Black Engineers to possibly include a joint luncheon and building a relationship with St. Louis
Community College Engineering Program.
(continued)
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 3 of 13
Of course, to accomplish all of these goals, it will take a group of dedicated volunteers. If you are interested in participating in
any of these proposed activities, please let me know.
Lastly, now that we are at that time of year when it is time to renew your membership in ASCE, I encourage all members to
report their ethnicity on their ASCE profile. The Society is requesting this information to establish metrics so that we can
measure our progress in recruiting and retaining minority membership.
Things I Think (When I’m Not Thinking About Engineering)
There are so many good movies in theatres right now but I won’t have time to see them all. On my list are Lincoln,
ARGO, Silver Linings Playbook, and The Sessions.
I love most things about Thanksgiving but I don’t like pumpkin pie.
If I could control the weather, I’d approve cold temperatures from mid-November to mid-January but that’s it. I’m already looking forward to spring. Until next month, Steve
Remembering Stanley Dolecki, P.E.
Stan Dolecki passed away on October 7, 2012. Stan was President of the St.
Louis Section in 1980, a Fellow and a Life Member. Stan graduated from
University of Missouri – Rolla (now Missouri University of Science &
Technology) in 1950 and was inducted into Missouri S&T’s Academy in
1980. He was also President of the Missouri Society of Professional
Engineers in 1990-91.
Stan worked for Harland Bartholomew & Associates for 20 years before
moving to the St. Louis office of Black & Veatch in 1982, where he became a
project manager and manager of new business. He retired in 1990. Stan’s
wife of 58 years, Nancy, died a few years ago. They had two sons, Mark and
Greg. Stan was very well liked and respected by the engineering community.
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 4 of 13
Younger Member Events
Welcome to December!
It’s getting chilly out, let’s meet up in a warm location for some networking.
December YMG Meeting: Tuesday December 18, 2012 6-8PM
Fitz’s American Grill & Bottling Works 6605 Delmar Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63130 www.fitzsrootbeer.com
RSVP to Jordan Pettibone at [email protected]
We’ll chat some more about the upcoming events to be planned, and what we want to do with the spoils of our Trivia Night.
Speaking of Trivia Night, our 3rd Annual ASCE YMG Trivia Night was a success! We had a lot of fun answering useless
knowledge trivia (maybe it wasn’t all that useless afterall?) We had a tie at the end of the night. The group from Shannon &
Wilson were extremely confident in their trivia abilities because the won the tie breaker, predicting 82/100 questions would
be answered correctly. They were off by only 1. Congrats!
And thank you to all the teams and volunteers who helped make our trivia night fun.
Please email me ([email protected]) to RSVP.
Also, check out our facebook page… https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/STL.ASCE.YM/
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 5 of 13
ASCE Professional Development
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 6 of 13
Other Professional Development
http://asphalt.mst.edu
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
The 55th Annual Asphalt Conference brings together experts in industry to discuss topics
ranging from pavement construction, maintenance and rehabilitation, to materials and
design specifications. Programming includes MoDOT's current research and MAPA updates.
Topics:
Construction & Pavement Issues of
Overlays
Overlay Bonding
Quality Process Management
Impact of Spec Changes on Plant
Mixes
Fabric Inner Layers in Overlays
Chip Seal Basics
Appropriate Selection of Mixes
Trends in High RAP/Shingle
Mixes
Designing High Air Void Content
Mixes
Shale Oil vs. Crude Oil
RAP/Shingle Blending Charts
NCAT Test Track Update
High RAP/Shingle Modifiers from
Guayule Plant Changes in Emulsion Quality
Performance Mixture Testing
Achieving Good Pavement Drainage
AMRL Accreditation
MoDOT’s Current Research
MAPA Update
Registration fee of $125 includes all conference sessions, conference notes, breakfasts and
refreshment breaks. Participants who successfully complete the conference will receive a
certificate documenting their Professional Development Hours (PDHs). Approximately 10 PDH
credits may be earned at this conference.
Quick Links:
Online Registration (and payment)
Conference Schedule
Speakers
Conference Programming
Planning Committee
The 55th Annual Asphalt Conference
has something for everyone!
Tonya R. Huskey
Program Coordinator
Missouri University of Science and Technology
216 Centennial Hall
300 W. 12th St.
Rolla, MO 65409
(573) 341- 4835
Exhibitors There are spaces available for
exhibitors. The exhibitor fee for the
conference is $165.
Exhibitor registration includes:
- Full registration privileges for one
individual (includes all conference
sessions, continental breakfast and
refreshment breaks). - 8' x 10' floor space - One 8' table - Two chairs - One wastebasket - Electricity provided upon request.
If you are interested in a display
booth for your organization, please
choose "exhibitor" on the online
registration form or contact Tonya
Huskey, Conference Coordinator, by
email [email protected], or call
(573) 341-4835.
Cancellation Policy
Missouri S&T reserves the right to cancel
its programs in the event of insufficient
registrations, instructor illness, severe
weather, or natural disaster. In the event
of cancellation, registrants will be notified
immediately and all fees will be returned
in full. Persons wishing to cancel their
registrations must do so by close of
business on November 27, 2012.
Refunds will not be made after this date.
Substitutions may be made at any time.
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 7 of 13
Register Now For Blasters Training!
Good for both full training and refresher training for license renewal
Blasters Annual Training Seminar
January 7-9, 2013
St. Charles, Missouri
http:blasters.mst.edu Get the training you need through Missouri S&T's Annual Blasters Training Seminar. This seminar is great for anyone who needs a
Blasters license or a refresher course. And you can take advantage of the optional 4 hours of advanced training on Wednesday
afternoon.
Your instructor, Dr. Paul Worsey, has over 30 years of blasting experience and is responsible for the first
explosives engineering master’s degree program in the nation.
The Annual Blasters Training Seminar is a 20-hour course (or 8 hours for license renewal) that provides participants with basic
training for blasting in the crushed stone and construction industries. It is of invaluable use for individuals concerned with other
aspects of blasting, such as those used by underground mines and utility companies. The course also acquaints participants with
federal and state purchase, transportation and storage regulations.
Experienced blasters and engineers may use the course as both a refresher and an update on new products, blasting techniques, and
regulations, as well as to enhance their blasting knowledge and skills.
The advanced programming on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 9, should be of particular interest to refresher attendees.
Programming includes:
Selection of Explosives Secondary Blasting Requirements
Blast Designs Applications Signs, Warning Signals and Site
Control Initiation Systems and Blasting
Machines Federal and State Laws and
Regulations Blast Plan
Loading Blast Holes Blast Records Unpredictable
Blasting Vibrations and Airblast Schedules Hazards
Preblast Surveys
Professional Development Hours will be awarded.
More information is available at http://blasters.mst.edu.
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 8 of 13
Engineering Outreach
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 9 of 13
Employment
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
Environmental Operations, Inc. (EOI) is seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and ambitious Geotechnical
Engineer. The successful candidate will perform the tasks of a licensed professional geotechnical engineer for
commercial, industrial, municipal, environmental, and transportation projects.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF POSITION:
1. Prepares scope of work, budgets, and proposals for geotechnical investigation programs and engineering
assessments suited to each request for proposals.
2. Negotiates and administers contracts with clients, subconsultants, and subcontractors.
3. Assesses field and laboratory test results to develop and assign shear strength, compressibility, hydraulic
conductivity, shrink/swell, and other appropriate engineering properties for the materials encountered at each
project site.
4. Performs engineering calculations and assessments to provide recommendations for use in the design and
construction of shallow and deep foundation systems, permanent retaining walls, temporary earth retention
systems, dams, levees, seismic conditions, roadway subgrades, dewatering needs, slope stability considerations,
ground improvement applications, bedrock removal needs, earthwork procedures, landfill liners and covers, and
other geotechnical systems and considerations.
5. Prepares reports and presentations summarizing the geotechnical recommendations that have been developed.
6. Prepares invoices for clients and reviews/approves invoices from subcontractors. Serves as liaison with
professional contacts, including maintaining client and subcontractor relationships and developing new business
opportunities.
7. Supports business development efforts by attending networking functions, meeting with prospective clients, and
working directly with the Director of Business Development
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Professional Engineer license, preferably in Missouri and Illinois.
2. Masters degree in engineering.
3. At least ten (10) years experience in geotechnical engineering or related field.
4. Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written.
5. Extensive knowledge and expertise in sampling and laboratory protocols and methods, and appropriate application
of those protocols and methods.
6. Knowledge of uses and limitations of sampling and monitoring equipment and test results.
7. Advanced computer skills, including proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet applications, slope stability
modeling, LPILE, and other geotechnical software programs. ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Experience and motivation to aggressively develop new business and grow the Geotechnical Group.
2. Capable and willing to serve as a mentor to younger engineers.
COMPANY BACKGROUND
EOI is a regional, growth oriented firm providing turnkey consulting and contracting services in the environmental, geotechnical
and demolition fields. Headquartered in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, our primary market focus is in Missouri, Illinois and the
surrounding Midwest Region. Our services include:
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 10 of 13
geotechnical engineering
construction observation and testing
environmental engineering and consulting
soil and groundwater remediation
industrial hygiene services
asbestos, lead and mold abatement
building demolition
brownfields investigation, remediation and redevelopment services
environmental risk transfer and assumption
EOI has based its success on developing and maintaining strong customer relationships with high quality, dependable and timely
service.
We offer full benefits including health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance and 401k.
Please send resumes via email to [email protected] with ‘Geotechnical Engineer’ in the subject line.
Research Assistant Position in Geotechnical Engineering
A research assistant position for supporting a MS or PhD degree applicants is immediately available in the geotechnical engineering program at SIUE. High qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Knowledge of Finite Element modeling and familiarity with FLAC or Plaxis or Abaqus is a plus. Applicants should submit an statement of purpose along with their CV to Dr. Abdolreza Osouli at [email protected]. More information about the graduate admission process can be found at http://www.siue.edu/engineering/civilengineering/graduate/admission.shtml.
Research Assistant Position in Bridge Engineering
A research assistant position at Civil Engineering Department, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is available starting Spring 2013 (Jan. 2013). Applicants who desire to pursue a PhD (or MS) degree in Civil Engineering are encouraged to apply. The research projects will be focusing on bridge engineering crossed with the novel sustained infrastructure materials. The student is expected to gain advanced theory and extensive practical experience upon their completion of degree. Requirements: –Strong background in Structural design/analysis, and capability of performing computer-aided design/analysis –Good Knowledge of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and familiarity with ANSYS or Abaqus or other tools –Willing to work in both computer modeling and experimental tests –Industrial experience is a plus Applicants should submit a cover letter, research statement, and CV (or resume) to Dr. Huang at [email protected]. More information about the graduate admission process can be found at http://www.siue.edu/engineering/civilengineering/graduate/admission.shtml.
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 11 of 13
University News MS&T— ADVANCED HYDRAULICS AND HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
Location: MSD Date/Time: Meets Wednesdays 6:00 PM – 8:45 PM, Winter Semester begins January 23, 2013 Instructor: Gary T Moore MS, P.E. This course is intended to provide graduate students an opportunity to study methods used in the field of hydraulic engineering in analysis and design. Items of study include the phenomena of uniform and varied flow, critical flow conditions, backwater curves, hydraulic jump, and applications studied and applied in detail. Both hand calculations and computer methods will be utilized to compute hydraulic grade line elevations for hydraulic designs or examples. The student, as part of the course, will be responsible for the complete design of a hydraulic development including and not limited to water power, sanitation, river and harbor projects, open channel hydraulic design of a man made or natural channel or facility. In addition, it is anticipated that guest speakers may present/discuss floodplain management and regulations and open channel hydraulic analysis of floods similar to a case study presentation. This class will also involve one or two class periods in the field to determine manning’s roughness values for a natural channel and floodplain and other data gathering for use in the students HEC-RAS model for a selected creek in St Louis County. On completion of the course, students should be able to understand and determine hydraulic phenomena and applying the hydraulic principals to the design of hydraulic systems or facilities. The students should also be able to apply various evaluation techniques to solve hydraulic impacts of open channels and floodplains to facilities or adjacent land forms. Students will present their final design/analysis in a professional setting. Computer applications will employ the use of modeling utilizing HEC-RAS for steady flow and unsteady flow water surface computations and a version of the EPA’s SWMM computer application. Spreadsheet or hand computations will be performed for hydraulic calculations based on project or problem features. Prerequisite: Cv Eng 230 with a grade of "C" or better. For further information regarding enrolling in this or any other graduate courses at the MS&T Engineering Education Center at UMSL, visit MS&T's website at www.msteec.edu. Call (314) 835-9822 or mailto:[email protected] for more information
Volunteer Judges Needed for ASCE Mid-Continent Student Conference set for April 2013 at SIUE
The SIUE ASCE Student Chapter is pleased to announce that it will host the 2013 Mid-Continent Student Conference on April 4-
6, 2013. We expect students from about fourteen Midwest universities to attend one or more of the events planned for the
conference. To support several key events we will be looking for practicing civil engineers to volunteer to serve as judges. The
events for which we seek volunteer judges and the dates for which the judges will be needed at the event sites are:
ASCE-AISC Steel Bridge Competition - Thursday, April 4
ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition - Friday, April 5 and Saturday April 6
Technical Paper Competition - Friday, April 5
Geotechnical Design Competition - Friday, April 5
Concrete Bowling Ball Competition - Friday, April 5
All volunteer judges will also be invited to attend the Awards Banquet (at no cost to them) on the evening of Saturday,
April 6, 2013.
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer judge, or have questions about the responsibilities to officiate at one of the
events, please contact Brent Vaughn, ASCE Faculty Advisor, at 618-650-3533 or [email protected]. You are also invited to see
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 12 of 13
more information about the conference and its schedule in the Mailers section at the conference website:
http://www.ce.siue.edu/ASCE/MCSC/default.html
Geotechnical Engineering Masters Degree Courses at SIUE
The department of Civil Engineering of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is pleased to announce that a geotechnical
concentration area has been added to the graduate program. The geotechnical program requires the students to take
30 (with thesis) to 31 (without thesis) credit hours during their Masters level studies. The students will have the opportunity to
take core geotechnical courses as well as courses from other disciplines (i.e. structural, environmental, and transportation)
depending on their interest. The geotechnical courses will cover foundation engineering, soil mechanics in engineering
practice, excavation and tunneling, retaining structures and supporting systems. The students will also have the opportunity to
conduct research on geotechnical topics of interest. For more information about the program and its curriculum please visit:
http://www.siue.edu/engineering/civilengineering/graduate/geotechnical.shtml.
Have some ASCE Student Chapter news to share? ASCE student chapters associated with the St. Louis Section are encouraged to submit articles to the newsletter. See the newsletter submission information near the end of this issue for more information.
ASCE St. Louis Section Newsletter December 2012 Page 13 of 13
To submit items to the newsletter…
Please try to get all announcements for placement in the newsletter to the Newsletter Editor by the 15th of the month prior to
publication. Items may be sent via e-mail to Brent Vaughn at [email protected]. MS Word files are the preferred file type.
PDF files are also acceptable but may not look as sharp when inserted into the newsletter and hyperlinks might not carry
through to the final version . For multiple page announcements, please consider providing a single-page flyer, concisely
worded, with links provided to ancillary pages such as registration forms or other attachments. Also, please clearly include in
the email subject line a concise title for the announcement and desired month(s) of publication.
Most news items will be available on the Section’s Web Page, which can be reached via the link on ASCE National Website
(www.asce.org). Click on “Geographical and International Units” to link to the Section or go directly to our page at:
http://sections.asce.org/stlouis/index.html. The Section’s Website Editor is Jeff Smith e-mail: [email protected] or via
feedback directly from our website.
For more information and updates see our Web Page: Http://sections.asce.org/stlouis/index.html
This newsletter will be sent to all Section members via e-mail. Delivery of the newsletter hardcopy by First Class mail will
be made upon request. Members have the responsibility to keep their contact information in the ASCE national database
up to date. Please note that the St. Louis Section is only provided with members’ PRIMARY information on file at the
Society level. To ensure that we can contact you, please edit your PRIMARY information to contain the information where
you would like the section to contact you and how you would like your information to appear in our annual roster.
Please be sure to keep your PRIMARY contact information up-to-date by contacting ASCE at http://www.asce.org, or
call 800-548-ASCE (2723).
ASCE – St. Louis Section
c/o The Engineers' Club of St. Louis
4359 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108