texas civil engineer - fall 2015, volume 85, no. 4

Fall 2015 | Volume 85| No. 4

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PaidAustin, Texas

PERMIT NO. 879

How and Why ASCE Builds Global Leaders - Part Two

Get Out the Vote:Proposition 7

Texas-Sized Civic Service and the need for more

2 Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 85, No. 4 - Fall 2015

TexASCE.org 3

In This IssueFall 2015 | Volume 85 | Number 4

Calendar of Events 4

CPD Opportunities 4

President’s Message 5

Message From the Executive Director 6

Report From Region 6 7

Branch News 8

Younger Members’ Corner 10

How and Why ASCE Builds Global Leaders 13

Texas-Sized Civic Service and the Need For More 16

2015 Webinars 18

Membership Report 19

Meet Your Board Members 20

Legislative News 22

Vote Yes on Proposition 7 Infographic 23

ASCE News 24

Classified 25

John F. Kennedy Causeway Bridge 28

On the Cover: An aerial view of Houston, Texas. TEXAS SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERSEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Crespin Guzman PEOPERATIONS MANAGER: Elizabeth R. GreenwoodCOMMUNICATIONS MANAGER: Annemarie GasserDATA MANAGER: Lauren Marcotte1524 S. Interstate 35, Suite 180Austin, Texas 78704Phone: 512-472-8905E-mail: [email protected]: www.texasce.org

2014–2015 OFFICERSPRESIDENT: Curtis B. Beitel PEPAST PRESIDENT: Tim C. Newton PEPRESIDENT ELECT: Audra N. Morse PhD, PEVP-EDUCATIONAL: Lawrence D. Goldberg PEVP-EDUCATIONAL ELECT: Brian D. Bresler PEVP-PROFESSIONAL: Roman D. Grijalva PEVP-PROFESSIONAL ELECT: M. Isabel Vasquez PEVP-TECHNICAL: Peter E. Falletta PEVP-TECHNICAL ELECT: Edward M. Penton PETREASURER: Curtis R. Steger PE

DIRECTORS AT LARGESENIOR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Christina L. Hickey PESECOND YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Brad M. Hernandez PEFIRST YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Melanie D. Gavlik PEFIRST YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: John A. Tyler PE

SECTION DIRECTORSTravis S. Isaacson PE, Austin BranchRobert Lys Jr PE, Brazos BranchRussell R. Carter PE, Caprock BranchJohn A. Simcik PE, Central Texas BranchAnthony B. Gavlik PE, Corpus Christi BranchChula B. Ellepola PE, Dallas BranchJ. Gilberto Andujo PE, El Paso BranchKimberly K. Cornett PE, Fort Worth BranchEliot L. Fisher PE, High Plains BranchPaul A. Voiles PE, Houston BranchRussell W. Gibson PE, Northeast Texas BranchAlfonso A. Soto PE, Rio Grande Valley BranchKara J. Heasley PE, San Antonio BranchRobert C. Hickman PE, Southeast Texas BranchAndrew L. Mellen PE, West Texas Branch

ASCE - Region 6Kenneth B. Morris PEDirector and Board of Governors Chair 2014-2017Ken A. Rainwater PhD PEGovernor—Texas Section 2012–2015Jeremy P. Stahle PEGovernor—Oklahoma Section 2013-2016Sean P. Merrell PEGovernor—Appointed (Texas Section) 2013-2016Daniel B. Hartman PEGovernor—Texas Section 2014–2017Jeanette Walther PEGovernor—New Mexico Section 2015


Calendar of EventsTexas Section Meetings @ CECONOutgoing Board of Direction Meeting Incoming Board of Direction Meeting Strategic Planning CommitteeMeetingInstallation of Officers and Incoming Board of Direction MeetingTexas Section Business MeetingHistory and Heritage Committee Meeting

9/30/2015 7:30 AM

9/30/2015 7:45 AM

10/1/2015 1 PM

10/2/2015 8 AM

10/2/2015 11:30 AM10/2/2015 1 PM

Texas Civil Engineer DeadlinesWinter 2015 - Volume 86, No. 1November 24 Ad Insertion Deadline

November 10 Copy Submittal Deadline

Spring 2016 - Volume 86, No. 2February 24 Ad Insertion Deadline

February 10 Copy Submittal Deadline

Summer 2016 - Volume 86, No. 3May 23 Ad Insertion Deadline

May 11 Copy Submittal Deadline

Fall 2016 - Volume 86, No. 4

CPD OpportunitiesTo enhance communications between ASCE and ASCE’s Regions, Sections, and Branches, Geographic Services is pleased to advise you of the following seminars scheduled in our area:

Austin10/28 & 10/3012/2

Two Dimensional Modeling Using HEC-RASDesigning Non Building Structures Using ASCE-SEI 7-10

Houston9/17 & 9/18

Water Hammer In Transmission and Distribution Systems

Sugarland11/17-11/19

Carbon Management Technology Conference

Detailed descriptions of seminars are available at www.asce.org/continuing_education/Find us on Facebook Badge CMYK / .eps

@TEXASCETweets

TexASCE.org 5

It is hard to believe that my year as your President is already coming to an end. We have had so much going on at the Section that the time has flown by. I am happy to report that the state of our Section is strong, and we are getting stronger. We have laid the foundation for each of our Texas Institute Chapters to participate with us in CECON, and I’m excited to see what each Institute will contribute in the coming years. With 15 Branches, 5 Texas Institute Chapters and a number of Branch Institute Chapters, there are ample opportunities in ASCE’s Leadership Laboratory to get involved and develop your leadership and networking skills – see my Part Two article in this issue for more details.

In January, the Section launched a new Career Center on TexASCE.org, which we hope will become the place to find the best civil engineering resumes in our state. We are developing a step by step guide to help the members of our Student Chapters upload their resumes, and will include resume writing training as part of the combined 2016 Student Symposium in Lubbock. The guide will also help our current members upload their latest resumes to prepare for job transitions. The Section office is also developing a flyer to advertise the Career Center to your Human Resource departments – look for it and call it to their attention.

In June, the Texas Section signed a Memorandum Of Understanding for the Continuing Education Partnership with ASCE Global, in which the Section receives 20% of the gross revenue generated by ASCE’s webinar sales to our membership, in return for advertising the webinars through our existing channels. In addition to our monthly webinar series on Texas topics, ASCE Global provides national level speakers on a full range of topics.

Texas has also been blessed with another opportunity to bolster the funding for our transportation infrastructure – Proposition 7 in November will dedicate an additional $2.5B of the general

sales and use tax and motor vehicle sales tax revenue to the Highway Fund. The Texas Section is continuing our partnership with Move Texas Forward to mount another Get Out The Vote campaign. Look for local Branch activities near you over the next several months to participate in the campaign.

Email me at the Section office at [email protected] if you have any suggestions or want to get involved in these initiatives.

Together we will continue to foster and encourage the next generation of global leaders who build a better quality of life for all Texans.

President’s Message

Curtis B. Beitel PETexas Section President


In the homestretch and with new initiatives…If you are ready to wrap up this

fiscal year, then think again, because there is still plenty to do that transcends the fiscal year horizon. Are you still looking to get involved? There are many ways to participate! If you have not registered to attend CECON 2015 at the end of September then you are missing out on a Section highlight event. The conference is packed full of great sessions and speakers and also includes some fun activities for the whole family. You won’t regret being there! Is community involvement more your style? Join the Get Out the Vote efforts through your ASCE Branch. In a partnership with Move Texas Forward (MTF) we are well into a grassroots movement to support Proposition 7 in the November 3rd referendum on the transportation funding initiative across the state. Your Branch leadership will provide several items you can use to get the word out. We have developed a brief yet very informative power point presentation that can be used at community civic club level meetings to inform the general public about the infrastructure needs and the reasons to Vote YES on the amendment. Along with this item, we also provided the Branches plenty of Infrastructure Report Cards as a handout which can be used in a variety of ways, including any opportunity to share it with you community public officials. Yet, the coolest item comes from our marketing arsenal. It is the creation of the primary infographic piece (page 23) used to display the message and all the details to help explain it. Contact your Branch leadership or the Section office so you can have access to these materials.

Another initiative about to unfold is the development of the next Infrastructure Report Card Update targeted for release at CECON 2016 or soon thereafter in January 2017, coinciding with the beginning of the next Legislative session. This effort falls under the leadership of the Section’s VP Professional. If you are inclined to work on this project, please contact the VP Professional because this project needs to begin soon in order to meet the preferred target date.

Just because we have the end of this FY in our sights, you should not feel like you have missed out on being an active and contributing member. All you have to do is act on these three great opportunities. We appreciate all you do for ASCE and the Texas Section!

Crespin Guzman PEExecutive Director

Message From The Executive Director

ote Yeson Proposition 7

InfrastructureInfrastructureUpdate

www.texasce.org

Navigable Waterways CThe Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) is a federally maintained channel that links Gulf Coast ports and the inland waterway system. In combination with ports, Texas ranked 1st in the nation in total waterborne tonnage moved in the U.S. The GIWW has received additional funding in the last eight years for its maintenance and repair. The level of maintenance and repair of the aging infrastructure is directly tied to the amount of federal funding received.

Flood Control DSince 2004, the National Flood Insurance Program State Coordinator office has been relocated under TWDB; additional staff and funding for mapping and planning projects has also been provided for the office. Texas still has no statewide floodplain management plan and is not a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, although many of its communities are. Texas leads the U.S. in terms of dollars paid for flood claims. Other than low-interest loans and small grants, Texas does not fund flood control infrastructure.

Energy B+85% of electricity usage (75% of the geographic area) in Texas is served by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). From 2004 to 2012, the surplus reserve margin decreased from 30% to 12%. In 2004, two-thirds of the generation was supplied from natural gas. In 2011, approximately 40% of the electricity in Texas was generated using natural gas as the primary boiler fuel, 39% from coal, 12% from nuclear, and the rest from wind and other renewables. ERCOT has a total of 72,500 megawatts of generation capacity, with a load of 66,000 megawatts. The ERCOT service area has 40,500 miles of transmission lines.

Roads & Highways* D D D-Bridges* B- B- CTransit C C+ DAviation C+ C+ DSchools D- D- DDrinking Water D D- D-Wastewater C- C- D-Dams* D- D- DSolid Waste B B+ C+Navigable Waterways D C D-Flood Control D- D D-Energy B+ B+ D+*Note: these categories previously updated in 2008; all others last updated in 2004.

Infrastructure GPA X

“Renewing Texas Infrastructure”www.texasce.org

Texas National

C D1524 S. IH35, Ste. 180Austin, Texas [email protected]

Report CardReport Card Updatefor Texas

2012


www.texasce.org


Flood Control DSince 2004, the National Flood Insurance Program State Coordinator office has been relocated under TWDB; additional staff and funding for mapping and planning projects has also been provided for the office. Texas still has no statewide floodplain management plan and is not a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, although many of its communities are. Texas leads the U.S. in terms of dollars paid for flood claims. Other than low-interest loans and small grants, Texas does not fund flood control infrastructure.

Energy B+85% of electricity usage (75% of the geographic area) in Texas is served by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). From 2004 to 2012, the surplus reserve margin decreased from 30% to 12%. In 2004, two-thirds of the generation was supplied from natural gas. In 2011, approximately 40% of the electricity in Texas was generated using natural gas as the primary boiler fuel, 39% from coal, 12% from nuclear, and the rest from wind and other renewables. ERCOT has a total of 72,500 megawatts of generation capacity, with a load of 66,000 megawatts. The ERCOT service area has 40,500 miles of transmission lines.

Roads & Highways D D D-Bridges B- B- CTransit C C+ DAviation C+ C+ DSchools D- D- DDrinking Water D D- D-Wastewater C- C- D-Dams D- D- DSolid Waste B B+ C+Navigable Waterways D C D-Flood Control D- D D-Energy B+ B+ D+*Note: these categories previously updated in 2008; all others last updated in 2004.

Infrastructure GPA


Texas National

C D1524 S. IH35, Ste. 180Austin, Texas [email protected]


2012

TexASCE.org 7

report from region 6 Kenneth B. Morris PERegion 6 Director

Region 6 represents three Sections (Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas), 19 Branches, and 22 Student Chapters. We are one of the largest regions in terms of populations, and we are definitely one of the most complex in terms of the number of geographic units represented.

The Region 6 Board of Governors held its meeting on August 21 at the Oklahoma Section Meeting. The board considered funding for several items including the 2016 Multi-Regional Leadership Conference to be held in Chicago, January 15-16, 2016. If you have not attended a MRLC meeting and you are a Section or Branch officer, I would suggest that you sign up. Other items the governors discussed included the Region 6 website, Region 6 strategic planning and media relations with local media sources.

Region 6 has spent over $15,000 on Section, Branch and Student Chapter activities since October 2014. The board felt that these activities would benefit all of Region 6. If you have a project or event that you think would be a benefit to Region 6 please let one of your Region 6 Governors know about it so that we can discuss it at our next meeting. Or you can simply send a letter to the Texas Section office addressing it to the Region 6 Board of Governors then we can place it on our agenda.

The Society’s Board of Direction met July 17-19, 2015 at the July board retreat in Victoria, B.C. The board members continued with our strategic planning sessions. We hope to finish our plan by next year.

A presentation was given by the Chair of the Public Policy Committee (PPC). The PPC has the job of coordinating government affairs activities that are of significance to the members of ASCE at the national and state level. One example of their efforts recently involved the Highway Trust Fund that asked Congress to fund a six year transportation program. Through the ASCE Key Contact program many ASCE members contacted their legislators and emphasized the urgent need for this legislation. Unfortunately, the Congress voted for another continuing resolution that will only fund the highway programs through December. I hope that when this comes up for a vote again that you will contact your Congressmen. This is very easy through the ASCE website if you are a Key Contact member. I will be a member of the Public Policy Committee starting October 1, 2015 so if you have any questions or comments please feel free to call me or send me an email.

Another issue that came up at the Board of Direction meeting was the region allocation that is given to each region at the start of the fiscal year. These funds are used

for governor travel to various meetings throughout the year, however, as I have previously mentioned, we use our funds for several other purposes. The agenda item proposed that the region allocations be managed by ASCE global for region governor travel and that we would no longer control the funds at the region level. I expressed my opinion to the ASCE President before the meeting and told him that I opposed this measure. Thanks to other region directors helping me, we were able to defeat the proposal and will continue to control our funding.

I have also been appointed to the ASCE Web Oversight Committee with three other board members. I know that I said in the last TCE that we have a “new and improved” ASCE website. Unfortunately, there have been many complaints about the website and the ability for Sections, Branches and Regions to upload content. I hope that our oversight committee can help ASCE staff and consultants to improve the site and respond to the complaints voiced by our members. I will keep you informed on the progress.

The next meeting of the Region 6 Board of Governors will be September 29, 2015 at the CECON in San Marcos, TX. The Society’s Board of Direction will meet at the ASCE National Conference October 10-11, 2015. Sincerely,

Kenneth B. Morris, PE Region 6 Director

Civil Engineers are Global Leaders building a better quality of life.


Branch News Brad Hernandez PESecond Year Director at Large

The summer time is generally the time for relaxing, taking some time off from work to travel, and enjoying the Texas heat. This was not the case for the Branches around the State this summer as they continued providing their members with valuable opportunities for professional development, networking and community outreach events.

The Branches rely on their members to plan and organize the events. It really shows one of the greatest qualities the ASCE Branches have are their members. The events the Branches provide take time and effort to come together and without the passion of the volunteers they would not happen. If you are looking to give back to our profession, volunteering with your local Branch is the perfect opportunity. The time and effort will not only enrich your professional career, but personally as you will meet lifelong friends and colleagues.

Fort Worth BranchThe Fort Worth Branch hosted the annual Dallas-Fort Worth Joint Meeting on July 20 at the Arlington Hilton. The annual meeting provided a great opportunity for the ASCE members across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to come together for professional development and networking opportunities. The day started with providing technical sessions for both the Dallas and Fort Worth members. The attendees could choose three hours of technical sessions from five different tracks: geotechnical, structural, water resources, transportation and development or construction. The technical sessions were followed by a luncheon where the keynote speaker was newly-elected City of Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams PE. Mayor Williams is a civil engineer and gave an entertaining and inspiring speech about public service as a civil engineer. After lunch was a one hour ethics presentation by C.W. Clark PE, Director of Compliance and Enforcement for the Texas Board of Professional

Engineers. The meeting has a reputation to be a great success and this year was no different with well over 300 people in attendance.

Corpus Christi BranchThree Corpus Christi Branch representatives, Anthony B. Gavlik PE, William Allan Hayes PE and Craig B. Thompson PE, met with Congressman Blake Farenthold in May to present him with a copy of the Texas Section publication Engineering a Better Texas – ASCE and 100 Years of Civil Engineering in the Lone Star State as a token of appreciation for his participation in the 2013 Centennial Texas Section Conference held in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Branch Younger Members, Joe Alvarez and Carlos A. Martinez PE, led a demonstration of concrete preparation to elementary school children at the Corpus Christi Science and History Museum in June.

Later in June, Corpus Christi Branch Past-President, John Doug McMullan PE, hosted a Desalination Panel

L-R: Allan Hayes, Anthony Gavlik, Congressman Blake Far-enthold and Craig Thompson

L-R: Mark Roberts (ASCE Dallas Branch), Frank Pugsley (ASCE Dallas Branch Treasurer), Brad Her-nandez (ASCE Dallas Branch President-Elect), Angela Matthews (ASCE Dallas Branch President), Newly-Elected City of Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, PE. ASCE, Mandy Clark (ASCE Fort Worth Branch President), Travis Attanasio (ASCE Fort Worth Branch President-Elect/Treasurer), and Clint Hoover (ASCE Fort Worth Branch Secretary/Assistant Treasurer)

TexASCE.org 9

at the Museum of Science and History that drew over 50 attendees. The former Director of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, Frank Brogan, served as moderator for the panel. Featured members of the panel included: Robert Barger, Judy Adams, Bill Norris and Bech Bruun of the Texas Water Development Board .

Houston BranchThe Houston Branch promoted both internal (member-focused) and external (community-focused) goals this spring.

Member-focused initiatives include hosting high-profile keynote speakers at monthly Branch meetings to improve attendance which is up 130% over last spring. The Branch partnered with Houston - SEI to provide a continuing education seminar on April 14 titled “High Modulus Marine Geostructures”, advertises and regularly utilizes the Texas Section webinars, and actively promotes the formation of local institute chapters. Most recently, ASCE Houston - COPRI was started and joins existing ASCE Houston chapters SEI and EWRI.

As a means of building ASCE connections and sharing leadership stories, the Houston Branch hosted its annual Branch Leadership Dinner concurrent with the Offshore Technology Conference on May 4. The Branch officers and committee leadership welcomed honored guests, ASCE Society President Robert Stevens PhD, PE, F.ASCE; ASCE Executive Director Tom Smith III, ASCE Past Society, Section and Houston Branch President D. Wayne Klotz PE, D.WRE; and ASCE Texas Section President Curtis B. Beitel PE.

The Houston Branch Younger Members (YM) continue

to play a key role in encouraging young graduates to stay involved in the Houston Branch and represent ASCE in the community. The YM Group included the following programs this spring:April 3 - Student Tour of Springwoods Development Project

April 16 - YM Port of Houston Tour

April 25 - YMs served as judges for the Concrete Canoe Competition at Lamar University in Beaumont

May 30 - AIA Sandcastle Competition – For over a decade, ASCE Houston has competed in the annual sandcastle competition where teams of architects, designers, and engineers take their tools to East Beach in Galveston for one of the world’s largest sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has been hosting this competition since 1986.

June 13 - Buffalo Bayou Flood Clean-up - Houston YMs teamed with the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) and the America Water Works Association (AWWA) to lend a helping hand following the May 2015 floods.

Desalination Panel at the Museum of Science and History. Photo by Vernon Wuensche.

Elementary school students and Corpus Christi Branch Younger Members at the Corpus Christi Science and History Museum

Continued on Page 27


Younger Members’ Corner Fabian A. Herrera PEYounger Member Chair

Field Trip with Fugro, ASCE Dallas, DWU, and MWH GlobalWritten By Jonathan Brower EIT

Ten of the top juniors from Brandon Carver’s Civil Engineering and Architecture Design classes at Woodrow Wilson High School (WWHS) had the opportunity to go on an exciting and action-packed field trip on Monday, May 11. The day started off with the students getting a tour from Ardita Dushi PE, a speaker at WWHS earlier in the year, of the Fugro Geotechnical and Materials Lab. Students were shown the coring machines used by the engineers and technicians at Fugro as well some of the tests done on a daily basis in the lab. Some of the students were even brave enough to volunteer to execute some of the tests themselves. Watching some of the testing cylinders being loaded to failure in compression was the highlight according to many of the students. Mr. Carver and his students then made their way over to the Crown Plaza Hotel in Addison where they were special guests for the ASCE Dallas Branch Meeting. A special thanks to the ASCE Dallas Board of Directors and the ASCE Region 6 Governors for sponsoring the students’ meals at this luncheon. Several ASCE Dallas Younger Members hosted the students at two of the tables at the front of the hotel ballroom. After a brief lesson on how to use the multitude of glasses, plates, and silverware on the banquet tables, everyone sat

down for a great 3-course meal and a presentation from Mark Simon PE of Dallas Water Utilities. The students were also formally recognized during the meeting by the ASCE Dallas Education Co-Chair, Jonathan Brower, so that the ASCE Dallas members could put faces to the program they have been hearing so much about over the

past three years.

Next, the students visited Dallas Water Utilities’ Bachman Water Treatment Plant and got an overview of the ongoing upgrades to the treatment plant. Dallas Water Utilities Project Manager Cassia Sanchez led the tour along with the plant operator. Students were shown the

plant’s master control room, the ozone generation and destruct units, and the liquid oxygen storage. They also got to walk through the flocculation and sedimentation basins and witness a filter backwash in the Filter Building. Finally, the students were shown the clearwell construction that is currently in progress. This entire tour allowed the students to learn about and follow the water treatment process and see the water quality improve as they travelled through the plant. Thank you to Andre Garces-Torres PE, the ASCE Dallas Hospitality Co-Chair, for arranging this tour for the students.

Additional photos from the entire field trip can be found at http://dallasasce.org/gallery.php?id=56. Thank you once again to everyone that helped make this all-day field trip such a great success! Civil Engineering Club Student Survey ResultsTo better understand the student population, ASCE Dallas conducted an end-of-year survey about the Civil Engineering Club presentations with the four civil engineering classes at Woodrow Wilson High School. The hope is to take this feedback and continue to improve upon this quickly-growing program!

TexASCE.org 11

Thanks in large part to the four-year Engineering Academy at WWHS, the majority of the students were already aware of the civil engineering profession with structural and environmental engineering being the most widely recognized.

It also appears that the majority of the students are interested in pursuing engineering of some form or another in college:

The CE Club meetings increased the students’ interest in civil engineering for the most part:

Students were also asked to comment on how the club meetings positively impacted their outlook on civil engineering, here are some responses:

“Before the club meetings I had some previous knowledge towards civil engineering, but not as much

to where I could hold a conversation with engineers and know what they were talking about. I now have a more elaborate view on certain topics of civil engineering.”

“My interest increased because they made their jobs seem interesting by them showing what their job consisted of. It also sparked my interest because they knew everything they were explaining which helped me personally by making it simple to understand for someone not in that profession.”

Overall, the students preferred the more hands-on activities that the presenters put on with the Build-A-Beam activity being the overwhelming favorite: We also looked at ways that the CE Club program could be improved upon. For the most part, students expressed that they would like to do more hands-on activities or at least have some kind of participation role

(i.e. working out problems on the board or on paper) in the presentations taking place. Information was also gathered on what specific topics the students would like to learn more about when guest speakers come in: When asked to rate the CE Club meetings overall, the students gave the program an average rating of 8.15 out of 10.

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How and Why ASCE Builds

Global LeadersPart two

In Part 1, we developed fresh insights into ASCE’s vision statement of “Engineers as global leaders building a better quality of life.” Our society needs global leaders to advocate for funding to improve the condition of our aging infrastructure. Global leaders start off as local leaders, who progress to statewide leadership and then on to national and

global leadership. ASCE’s vision is described in more detail in the Vision 2025 Report, as:“Entrusted by society to create a sustainable world and enhance the global quality of life, civil

engineers serve competently, collaboratively, and ethically as master:”

“Planners, designers, constructors and operators of society’s economic and social engine – the built environment”

“Stewards of the natural environment and its resources”

“Innovators and integrators of ideas and technology across the public, private and academic sectors”

“Managers of risk and uncertainty caused by natural events, accidents and other threats”

“Leaders in discussions and decisions shaping public environmental and infrastructure policy”

Most civil engineers are not naturally inclined to global leadership and are not taught these skills in college, so ASCE has established a robust and safe “Leadership Laboratory” for civil engineers to use throughout their career to hone their leadership skills.

Sharpening your leadership skills is like learning to ride a bike – you can read numerous books on the subject, but it can only be learned by actually doing it. At its core, leadership requires others who are willing to follow and a vision of where the group should go or what can be accomplished. In the absence of direct benefits such as compensation, the willingness of others to follow is based on the character and reputation of the leader.

Curtis B. Beitel PETexas Section President

Vision 2025Entrusted by society to create a sustainable world and enhance the global quality of life, civil engineers serve competently, collaboratively, and ethically as:

Master Builders

Stewards of the Environment

Innovators

Managers of Risk

Leaders in Public Policy


Master Builders


Innovators

Managers of Risk



Master Builders


Innovators

Managers of Risk



Master Builders


Innovators

Managers of Risk



Master Builders


Innovators

Managers of Risk



Continued willingness to follow also requires the leader to take accountability and own the results. There are countless sources of leadership training out there. ASCE provides opportunities to lead a diverse group of civil engineers to accomplish various tasks.

I was a couple of months into my presidency of the Fort Worth Branch and was thinking about all of the tasks we need to get done, when it dawned on me one day that I don’t have a contract with any of those folks to do any of that. The only thing I can do is lay out an inspiring vision

of what needs to be done, and motivate them to put in the effort to do it well. It was really a pure leadership test. As it turns out, on the job the skills I have gained in ASCE to motivate and inspire others helps me motivate my project teams to accomplish the work.

As Greg DiLoreto, ASCE President 2012-2013, said at the Texas Section’s Fall 2013 Conference in Dallas, “A young civil engineer can obtain a position of leadership in ASCE much earlier in their career than a leadership position in their firm, and leading in ASCE increases the likelihood of being perceived as a leader in their firm.”

There are numerous rooms in ASCE’s Leadership Laboratory. In Texas ASCE has 17 Student Chapters, most of which have robust Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge competition teams. As thousands of students graduate and relocate to start their first jobs, they need

to find the closest Branch and start getting connected. The Texas Section has 15 Branches that are designed to provide leadership development and networking opportunities on a local level, including committees and an officer rotation. The Younger Member Groups in our larger Branches often hold social events to help new recent graduates get to know their peers.

At the Texas Section level, members quickly discover that not all parts of Texas are the same. Texas is a wonderfully diverse state with all of the major ecosystem types,

and our people are as diverse as our flora and fauna. Serving at the Section level offers additional leadership opportunities to work with engineers that have different perspectives and across significant distances. Each Branch has a Section Director that represents that Branch on the Section Board of Direction, and they can help Branch members volunteer for various positions and committees in the Section.

At the global level, ASCE offers more than 6,000 committee positions. Skills honed at the Section level help our members serve effectively at the global level. Members serving at the global level also learn quickly that not all states think like Texas. Leadership will require strong abilities to understand and motivate others across the political spectrum. Texas is in Region 6, which has 7 Regional Governors that help Section members volunteer for various positions and committees. In the Texas

TexASCE.org 15

Section we have a number of members who only pay their National ASCE dues and are assigned to the Texas Section. They are welcome participants in our Section, and they can receive the full benefits of our Section by paying their Section and Branch dues.

In addition to the operations side of the Leadership Laboratory, ASCE also has nine Institutes at the society level, some of which have Texas Chapters and Branch Chapters. Some of our Student Chapters also have Institute Chapters. Full membership in ASCE requires either a professional engineer’s/professional land surveyor’s license or an ABET accredited degree with multiple years of responsible charge of engineering experience. Each institute is designed to meet the technical needs of all of the professionals associated with an industry, and your ASCE membership includes one free membership to an Institute of your choice. Participation in the Institutes offers additional opportunities to lead professionals outside of ASCE.

I would like to address a common misconception that many in our younger generation have concerning professional networks. Young engineers tend to think they have a professional network because they have a number of friends on Facebook or LinkedIn. Before these social media existed, civil engineers developed professional networks by attending ASCE conferences.

Shared experience is what deepens relationships. To demonstrate that – think of your deepest relationships that are not family – chances are you grew up or went to high school together, went to college together, or worked together starting out. That relationship is deep because of a lot of shared experience.

Consider a typical missionary trip. At face value, the purpose appears to be traveling, feeding and clothing needy children, and making improvements in their village such as building a new water well. But the returning team members talk about the personal and spiritual growth, and they have a deeper relationship with the others on their team. Living in a hut with someone for a couple of weeks will do that. In fact, the other two purposes are there every time, and that is by design. Likewise, service in ASCE’s Leadership Laboratory produces face-to-face shared experiences that deepen your professional network way beyond Facebook or LinkedIn. I truly enjoy coming to ASCE events, to be around and serve with my friends. ASCE has truly enriched my life, and it can enrich yours.

In addition to our local Branch monthly meetings, your next statewide opportunity to share experiences is CECON 2015 coming up at the end of September in San Marcos. I hope to see you there.

Certified HUB-DBE-WBE-SBE 1507 South IH 35, Austin, TX (512) 328-2430 Serving Texas and Beyond Since 1987

www.horizon-esi.com

Agency CoordinationUS Army Corps of Engineers US Fish & Wildlife Service

Texas Historical Commission Texas Parks & Wildlife FEMA TxDOT TCEQ TWDB County and Municipal

Specializing in Infrastructure Projects Water/Wastewater RoadwaySchools Parks & Recreation

Oil & Gas Electric Utility Flood Control Wind Power

Waste Management

Regulatory Compliance NEPA Wetlands Archeology Endangered Species Geology TxDOT Categorical Exclusion SWPPP/Erosion Control Reservoir Permitting


Do you remember the Ford Pinto? An article in the May 2015 edition of the The New Yorker

titled The Engineer’s Lament written by Malcom Gladwell conveyed the thought process of the engineer who worked

for the Ford Motor Company recall office during the time when the Pinto was in production. The fascinating

thing about the article is that it highlights the difference in how policies are generated by an engineer rather than someone who lacks the training or predisposed disposition in analytical thinking. The argument Gladwell makes is that engineers “focus on identifying the real problem” and are trained to not make decisions based on emotion. This analytical way of thinking is the main reason why we, as a professional society, need to pursue roles of civic leadership to help shape decisions and policies that will have a long term effect on our world. Our Section President, Curtis B. Beitel PE, has been echoing the sentiments of this article all year, stressing the importance of civil engineers becoming global leaders, one of ASCE’s missions. There are numerous amounts of our members that have already been involved in their communities and are providing that analytical thinking to the boards and organizations they serve including PTA, Church, City Council, HOA, School Boards, etc. This leadership is important at every level from community up to global. We must get involved to ensure decisions and policies are being driven by data so that solutions are effective and efficient.

Two of our Section Members, Bennett Ratliff and James “Jim” Dannenbaum, who have been in civic leadership roles at the local community level and at the state level, are showcased in this article. These two members are great examples of how to help our society and both wholeheartedly agree that an engineer’s mind is crucial to the process and stress the importance of more community involvement by engineers.

Jim DannenbaumJim describes his journey as a “long, cascading series of opportunities”, a fitting metaphor for making the most out of your life, which is exactly what he did when he took advantage of the opportunities placed before him. Back in the 1960s, Jim was recognized by the Mayor of Houston for his work at the Junior Chamber of Commerce, which prompted the Mayor to ask Governor Smith to appoint Jim to a regional coastal water board. This appointment got the ball rolling on what became an impressive résumé of civic service activities. He was then appointed to the Texas Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to deal with ‘hot potato’ issues including standards for law enforcement and school finance. About a decade later, he was then asked to serve on the legislative task force for cancer care to analyze appropriations to MD Anderson and explain the importance and accuracy of the numbers. The task force led to the creation of the Texas Cancer Council that Jim chaired for 22 years. Despite Jim’s background in engineering, he was approached by the council to be their chair in order to provide an impartial and analytical view point that an engineer can uniquely provide. This speaks volumes to Jim’s character and to the potential assistance engineers can offer to the community. Jim went on to serve in several more positions, local and state, creating a network of relationships along the way. More recently, he was asked to serve on the UT System Board of Regents and was appointed by Governor Perry in 2007 for a six year term. While his time on the UT Board of Regents is over, he continues to be involved and serve on a variety of boards. In the brief time spent talking with Jim, it is apparent that there is no end in sight for his volunteerism.

Christina Hickey PESenior Director at Large

Texas-Sized Civic Service and the Need For More

Mr. Dannenbaum with his wife, Shirley Dannenbaum

TexASCE.org 17

Bennett RatliffBennett pinpoints his major start into civic leadership to the moment one of his friends who was retiring from the Coppell ISD Board asked him if he “was tired of standing on the sidelines yelling at the coach?”, which made him realize that he wanted to “get in the game.” It wasn’t that he was angry, but rather passionate about education and believed he could make some changes that would benefit the ISD and students. He had developed a network within the Coppell community through his previous activities with his children’s school and extra-curricular activities which gave him the voting base to get elected when he decided to run. He started off small and was successful, allowing him to expand his civic leadership when he decided to. Bennett served on the ISD Board for 3 terms until his youngest was in high school, at which point he turned his passion to the State Legislature and won the election for the State Representative for District 115 in 2012. He was endorsed by the previous Representative who Bennett had established a relationship while on the school board. His dad told him that the world was run by those who “show up” and that is what he strives to do.

It is important to note that both Jim and Bennett continued their civil engineering profession throughout these volunteer positions they took on. Dannenbaum Engineering is a well-known firm throughout the state with 8 locations and The Ratliff Group, LLC was just named 56th largest in its industry. Elizabeth Andrew, an Executive Member for Education and Community Services of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, Australia, stated “volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart” and this certainly applies to these two individuals.

Both of their stories display examples of the ‘long, cascading series of opportunities’ that Jim spoke about and these opportunities are a result of their competence and dedication. They built up relationships along the way, which morphed into new opportunities, but the main reason why these opportunities kept coming was because they both kept showing up.

Importance of Getting Into Civic LeadershipWhen asked why it is important for our membership to get involved in civil service, both of them responded with the importance of an analytically trained mind making decisions. Bennett stated he doesn’t like politics, but he likes civic service and that the logical, sequential thinking we are taught in school is put to good use in creating policy. Our responsibility is to educate policy makers and the media so that the data can overcome the emotions, or better yet, become the policy makers. Unfortunately, the issues we deal with are sometimes hidden until a catastrophe occurs, like flooding or a bridge collapse. As engineers, we deal with life cycles and not election cycles, but Bennett still emphasizes the importance of analytically trained minds involving themselves in these decisions that will affect life cycles before they become catastrophic. Jim echoed this sentiment by explaining that as engineers we are taught the skills to think critically, focus on the details, check for verification and to look for fatal flaws, all of which are important in every discussion. Jim went outside of his field of expertise when he served on the legislative task force for cancer care and he was able to do so because of his thought process that he describes as ‘dispassionate analytical approach.’ In Gladwell’s “The Engineer’s Lament”, the author talks about a joke where an engineer says a fact-based, logical, but politically incorrect statement that would make playing golf more efficient for everybody. Gladwell goes on to say “we wrongly think of the engineers’ attitude as callous, when to their mind, in their focus on identifying the real problem, they are the opposite of callous.” Engineers are trained to think logically and Jim reasons this allows them to differentiate between things based on propaganda and hidden agendas and to pursue a proper solution to the problem.

Where to Start?Like Jim and Bennett, start small and start with something you are passionate about. Build a reputation and a network, and the opportunities will grow. When asked if engineers should be encouraged to take on civic leadership roles, Jim replied “Absolutely! Enthusiastically! 100% Agree.” The goal is to get more engineers to reply in the same manner.

Mr. Ratliff hard at work in his chair with the Texas Seal.


Larry Goldberg PEVP-Educational

2015 WebinarsTexas Section Members pay $35 per webinar, or buy July – December 2015 Prepay Subscription for $150. Non-Members Pay $75 per webinar or Buy July – December 2015 Prepay Subscription For $250. ($200 Savings) Branches and Student Chapters get 1 free connection per

webinar. Contact Annemarie Gasser for more information. [email protected]

TopicsPreliminary Schedule(Subject to Change)October 2015:Houston LUCE Bayou ProjectNovember 2015:Professional EthicsDecember 2015:Desalination, by Jorge Arroyo PE, former Texas Water Development Board Director of Special Projects

2015 Webinars On-DemandThe Section is now offering the first half of 2015’s recorded webinars as an on-demand downloadable file. Members pay $25 per webinar and non-members pay $75 (except ethics videos - $75, $150). Enjoy a one hour recorded presentation, worth one professional development hour. Visit TexASCE.org, click Education, then On-Demand Webinars.

January 2015Update On Wind Loading Criteria By Bill ColbourneFebruary 2015Low Impact Development Case Study: Birnamwood Drive, Klotz Associates Kevin Hoffman, PEMarch 10, 2015:State Water Implementation Fund For Texas,Todd Chenoweth, Senior Advisor, Texas Water Development BoardApril 14, 2015:US 290 Update, Texas Department Of TransportationMay 12, 2015:Hydrology and Hydraulics, Lesley Brooks, Freese And NicholsJune 18, 20152014 OCEA Winner: Ward County Water Supply, Nick Lester, Freese And Nichols

2015September 30 - October 2, 2015

Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel, Spa & Conference Center | San Marcos, Texas

Keynote Speakers

Samantha Medlock JD, CFM

CECON 2015 also features panel discussions on high speed rail, drones, water resources, and concrete paving. ASCE President-elect Norma Jean Mattei PhD, PE, F.SEI, will give an ethics presentation during the Friday breakfast. Dr. Jean-Louis Briaud PhD, PE will present on “Geotechnical Risk: What is Acceptable?”.

Jean Louis Briaud PhD, PE

Senator Robert Nichols PE

KathleenJackson PE

Norma Jean Mattei PhD, PE

TexASCE.org 19

Travis N. Attanasio PEMembership ChairMembership Report

In Late 2014/Early 2015 the Section Membership committee embarked on a membership retention campaign. The campaign was focused on reaching out to three distinct groups; • Life members who do not pay local/section dues • Gap members, those who pay national dues but not

local/section • Arrears members, those who have paid in the past

but are not current

In each of the groups a specific message was tailored targeting specific areas in interest. For the life members, a personalized note was written illustrating the importance to the community of a lifetime of ASCE service. For the gap members a personal message was crafted in the form of a tri-fold card, specifically highlighting the benefits of the local branches. And for the arrears members, the card’s message was broadened to remind its reader of all of the benefits that ASCE has to offer.

Each of the mailings included special features that made the envelope stand out from other bulk mail to be able to get the groups interested in opening it. These included; • Cancelled stamp, appearance of first class mail• No logos or graphics on the envelope • Handwriting font for the addressing • Personalized signature • Business reply mail card to return free to the Section

The first mailings went out at the end of March 2015.The Campaign made waves across National ASCE and soon after the Los Angeles, Boston, New York City, and Southern Colorado ASCE Sections were reaching out to Texas to get the details and to pull together similar outreach campaigns.

If your branch is interested in gaining some ideas for your own direct mail membership campaign at the branch level, contact Lauren Marcotte at the Section Office (512-472-8905 or [email protected]) for samples of the final printed mailings, statistics on the campaign’s success in each branch’s region, or other related resources.

What has the Section Membership Committee Been Up To Lately?

2015 Webinars

resources and platforms to help you tap into your local network, advance the profession and infrastructure initiatives at the state level, and stay current on issues and topics that matter most to Texans.

Members can access new resources for networking and collaborating by logging on to TexASCE.org. On our site you’ll

live and on-demand webinars, and much more.

We’re also looking forward to our annual Civil Engineering

transportation, water, and sustainability. It’s all about Building aBetter Texas, starting with the local communities where we live and work.

awarded a scholarship from the Texas Civil Engineering Foundation

As civil engineers, we have the best jobs in the world, we build and sustain the infrastructure that fuels our state’s economic engine. Your membership helps you to drive that engine by learning new skills, building professional relationships, and leading your community onward and upward”

Continued on back . . .

Membership helps you build your network, broaden your base of experience,

see the instructions on the enclosed Membersihp Response Card

It’s like, no matter who you are or where you are in your career, you are going to get access to abroader base of information than you did from your degree. At my local branch meetings, if I have a question in an area I haven’t previously been exposed to, I’m surrounded by people who want to share their experience. I’ve never met anyone herewho has said ‘I don’t have time to help you.’ These are people who are not as

advancement of the profession. And that is something that carries forward into the next generation . . .something that makes you want to give back. I hope to inspire someone in the future that’s just coming out of college, and help them to achieve their goals.”

Zack Walters, PE

“There has neverbeen a better timebe a local ASCE member in Texas!”Travis Attanasio, PETexas SectionMembership Chair

1. Log on to www.ASCE.org and click RENEW at the top of the page

4. Fill in the rest of the form and pay online by credit card or

Or Call 800-548-ASCE (2723) (9 am-5pm ET) for assistance

Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. The dues are $51 for Brazos,

Northeast Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Southeast Texas, or West Texas.

Things just keep getting better and better. Just this last year Texas Proposition6 passed! Members gained access to a new platform for collaborating by

Members completed work on the Texas Section Centennial H4H House, building a bright, sustainable future for the Munroy family. And there’s much more to come. I hope you'll join with us, Jack.

Here in Texas, as civil engineers we're not only striving for excellence in our professional practice . . . but through service, we're giving back, enriching the lives of our friends and neighbors every day.

We don't just become members of ASCE, but we become integral members of our communities. We become people who other people know they can count on, whether for their solid professional expertise or for the trusted advice of a friend.

No doubt the year ahead will bring many challenges But asTexas civil engineers, we have no fear. We know we can tackle anything if we band together, with diligence and pride, in true “get it done” fashion.

1524 S. I-35, Ste. 180 | | | (512) 472-8905 | 9999

ASCE Texas SectionEST. In 1913

Things just keep getting better and better...

Jack, Will you contribute to the profession and your local Texas community this year?

r YES. I intend to or have already made my

r NO THANKS, Not this year.

1524 South Interstate 35, Suite 180 | | (512) 472-8905 | 999

Dear <<First Name>>,

You already know the American Society of Civil Engineers is the premier global resource and network you turn to with your professional concerns.

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In addition to the broad perspective you gain from networking at the Society level, opportunities to build professional contacts that will carry you through the greater part of your career are happening right here in Texas all of the time.

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Strong visual images with accompanying text can fuel a message better than straight text alone. It’s the ideal medium for showing (versus just telling) how a donor/member’s gift or

here presents the message as a sequential story supported by cut lines beneath photos that allow skimmers to get the gist of the story, even if they don’t read the entire appeal. Headlines accompany close-up photos that capture emotion and advance the message. And two panels are dedicated to a more traditional letter format. Computer HandScript simulated handwriting is used on both the front and back covers to enhance personalization.

What Makes This Envelope Special?* Stamp (versus a pre-printed indicia)

* Cancellation mark on the stamp,

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Zack Walters describes the benefit of local membership. He was

From:.

Draft mark-up of gap/arrears card concept


Meet Your Board Members Melanie Gavlik PEFirst Year Director at Large

President: Curtis Beitel PEHaving served on the Board for a number of years, Curtis is currently serving as President. Curtis currently works for HDR Inc.Q: What concept in civil engineering have you found especially hard to grasp?A: “As a drainage engineer, I tend to relate design flows to a return frequency, which makes me wonder about the design flows for sanitary sewers. Is there such a thing as a 10-year or 100-year flush event?”Q: What do you do to de-stress?A: “To de-stress I enjoy playing the drum set. To date my biggest claim to fame is opening for Gene Stallings at the Colonial Country Club.”Q: What sports team are you a fanatic of?

A: “The fighting Texas Aggies, of course.”Q: How did you decide to become a civil engineer?A: “I am good at math and science, but I did not want to wear a lab coat at work. Civil engineering applies science to improve our everyday lives.”Q: Describe your family:A: “I have been married to my wife Leanne for 19 years, and we have two beautiful daughters – Katherine (9) and Ellie (4). They love to come to conferences with me, and you’ll see them running around CECON 2015.”

President Elect Elect:Craig Thompson PECraig has been active in ASCE for several years and will proudly be serving as President Elect FY 2015-2016. He has been with Naismith Engineering Inc. for over 20 years.

Q: What was the weirdest/hardest/most interesting interview question you have been asked? How was your answer?A: “Wow, it has been a while since I have been interviewed, but I remember being asked “Where do I see myself in 20 years?” What’s interesting is, looking back on it, I am right where I thought I would be!”Q: Favorite Book: A: “There are several by Mark Frost about golf – The Match, Grand Slam, Greatest Game Ever Played that I could read over and over Other authors I enjoy are Joseph Ellis, John LeCarre, and Michael Crichton.”Q: Previous vacation

destination that should be a must for everyone:A: “My mother’s family is from the central part of Idaho and the Sawtooth Mountain range is unbelievable but a must on everyone’s list should be Zion National Park. I really enjoy driving throughout the picturesque areas in the Western US.”Q: How did you decide to become a civil engineer?

A: “I was talked into it by the Dean of Engineering at Texas A&M. I thought I wanted to be an Architect…what a disaster that would have been!”Q: Best piece of advice you have received: A: “Get out in front of it. Although, my Grandfather used to always tell me that if I “stuck” with him I would stay out of trouble. He was right and I think about what he would do during tough situations!”Q: Describe your family:A: “I have a wife, Kathryn, of 13 years and 2 boys, Jack (9) and Evan (8).”

TexASCE.org 21

Vice President - Educational Elect:Ed Penton PEEd is currently employed with Jacobs.Q: What is your top love in the civil engineering profession? A: “I enjoy driving which led me become an engineer. In particular, I gravitate toward transportation related work.”Q: What do you do to de-stress?A: “I like to listen to audio books while I drive. Particularly I like books on science such as cosmology, physics, and biology. However, I will usually alternate with classic works of fiction or biographies that you might find on a summer reading list.”Q: Have you completed any physical challenges? (i.e. marathons, iron man, swam across the English Channel)A: “Does remodeling my kitchen and den count? We took it down to the studs and replaced everything.”Q: What sports team are you a fanatic of?A: “I’ll root for any of the Dallas Teams and if there are none then any Texas team”Q: How did you decide to become a civil engineer? A: “I was a former UPS driver and spent many hours delivering packages all over the Dallas area literally looking at roads all day. It was tiring work and the folks that had worked there for thirty years looked like they aged very quickly. One day I decided that I should design roads, so I enrolled at the university to get a degree in civil engineering.”Q: Other random or interesting thing about you that would be fun to share:A: “I enjoy the sense of permanence you get from creating public works. Many of the things we do as engineers will be around long after we are forgotten.”


Legislative News Roman D. Grijalva PEVP-Professional

Proposition 7 The constitutional amendment related to highway funding is on the ballot this fall as Proposition 7. Proposition 7 will dedicate $2.5 billion in general sales tax revenues to the state highway fund (to the

extent that overall sales tax collections exceed $28 billion). In addition, the amendment will add 35% of motor vehicle sales tax revenues above $5 billion to the state highway fund. The exact amount of money Proposition 7 will generate depends on several factors, including the rate of growth in tax sources. A working assumption is that the fund transfers will start at $2.5 billion in FY2018 and will grow to over $3.8 billion annually by FY2030. This revenue, coupled with transfers of oil and gas severance tax revenues from last year’s passage of Proposition 1 and a cessation of “diversions” for non-highway spending, will allow the state to replace and significantly supplement the debt sources that have sustained state highways for over a decade. ASCE Texas Section will be working with the Associated General Contractors, Move Texas Forward and other groups on a coordinated campaign, including a “get out the vote” effort to pass Proposition 7.

Water Plan Funding UpdateOn July 23, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved approximately $3.9 billion in financial assistance from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT). The inaugural round of SWIFT financing will be distributed to 21 applicants for approximately $1 billion in projects in the first year and approximately $3.9 billion total over the next decade.

The applicants are requesting funding for 32 projects identified in the 2012 state water plan. The types of projects approved include transmission pipelines, canal linings, capacity expansions, seawater desalination, leak detection systems, water meter replacements, and reservoirs.

SWIFT was established by the Texas Legislature and voters in 2013 to fund projects in the state water plan. SWIFT was created through the transfer of a one-time, $2 billion appropriation from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The $2 billion will be leveraged with revenue bonds over the next 50 years to finance approximately $27 billion in water supply projects.

The TWDB anticipates closing loans for projects approved for SWIFT financing in December, 2015.

[Texas State Capitol], Photograph, n.d.; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth354699/ : accessed August 27, 2015), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting McAllen Public Library, McAllen, Texas.

TexASCE.org 23

ote Yeson Proposition 7

TXDOT estimated that there is a projected average annual gap between existing and needed revenue of $4 billion. (Not including $1 billion needed annually to address the increase in heavy truck traf�ic generated by energy development.)∞

$4 billion annual gap

Proposition 7 funds CANNOT be used to pay for toll roads

in partnership with


www.texasce.org


Flood Control Drelocated under TWDB; additional staff and funding for mapping and planning projects

plan and is not a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, although many of its

Energy B+85% of electricity usage (75% of the geographic area) in Texas is served by the Electric

decreased from 30% to 12%. In 2004, two-thirds of the generation was supplied from natural gas. In 2011, approximately 40% of the electricity in Texas was generated using natural gas as the primary boiler fuel, 39% from coal, 12% from nuclear, and the rest from wind and other

Roads & Highways* D D D-Bridges* B- B- CTransit C C+ DAviation C+ C+ DSchools D- D- DDrinking Water D D- D-Wastewater C- C- D-Dams* D- D- DSolid Waste B B+ C+Navigable Waterways D C D-Flood Control D- D D-Energy B+ B+ D+*Note: these categories previously updated in 2008; all others last updated in 2004.

Infrastructure GPA X


Texas National

C D1524 S. IH35, Ste. 180Austin, Texas 78704


2012


www.texasce.org


Flood Control Drelocated under TWDB; additional staff and funding for mapping and planning projects

plan and is not a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, although many of its

Energy B+85% of electricity usage (75% of the geographic area) in Texas is served by the Electric

decreased from 30% to 12%. In 2004, two-thirds of the generation was supplied from natural gas. In 2011, approximately 40% of the electricity in Texas was generated using natural gas as the primary boiler fuel, 39% from coal, 12% from nuclear, and the rest from wind and other

Roads & Highways D D D-Bridges B- B- CTransit C C+ DAviation C+ C+ DSchools D- D- DDrinking Water D D- D-Wastewater C- C- D-Dams D- D- DSolid Waste B B+ C+Navigable Waterways D C D-Flood Control D- D D-Energy B+ B+ D+*Note: these categories previously updated in 2008; all others last updated in 2004.

Infrastructure GPA


Texas National

C D1524 S. IH35, Ste. 180Austin, Texas 78704


2012

The ASCE Texas Section 2012 Report Card Update for Texas Infrastructure assessed transportation related infrastructure with grades of D for Roads & Highways, B- for Bridges, C+ for Transit, and C+ for Aviation. The Texas Report Card found that poor infrastructure negatively affects Texan businesses, Texan families, and Texan communities. www.texasce.org/irc

More Information: www.texasce.org/TXpropsRegister to vote by October 5, Vote Yes on Proposition 7 on November 3

http://votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/

ASCE Texas Section is the professional association for civil engineers in Texas. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the oldest engineering society in the US and Texas is one of the largest sections in ASCE. Representing nearly 10,000 civil engineers, ASCE Texas Section is committed to

sustainable infrastructure for the citizens of Texas.

TexASCE.org

Proposition 7 (“Prop 7″), a constitutional amendment drafted by legislators in the 84th legislative session and authorized by SJR 5, will appear on the November 2015 statewide ballot. The amendment would authorize a new, stable source of funding for transportation in Texas, dedicated to the construction and maintenance of roads. Upon passage, Prop 7 would dedicate a portion of the general sales and use tax and the motor vehicle sales tax to the general highway fund. This is not a new tax will not raise taxes.

$10.8 billionannually

Highway investment needed to maintain the 2010 condition and congestion levels∞

Number of Registered Vehicles in Texas in 2013

20,171,135†

14,664,328Number of Registered Vehicles in Texas in 2002

Statistic Sources (retrieved July 24, 2015)∞“Transportation Funding, Understanding Transportation Funding in Texas, 2014 – 2015 Edition”, Texas Department of Transportation†State Motor-Vehicle Registrations - 2002 & 2013, Of�ice of Highway Policy Information, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

TxDOT Highway Contract Awards - Possible in 5 MonthsPresentation made by TxDOT staff to the Transportation Commission in June 2015. They depict letting levels before Prop 1, after Prop 1 and legislative appropriations, and what investment could be if Proposition 7 passes in November.

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Prop 7Add’l SHFProp 1Concession/FeeTxDOT BondsTraditional$2,500,000,000 -

$5,000,000,000 -$7,500,000,000 -

$10,000,000,000 -


NewsBriaud Elected Technical Region DirectorDr. Jean-Louis Briaud, distinguished professor and holder of the Spencer J. Buchanan Chair in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University, was recently elected technical region director

in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for 2015-2018. Briaud brings many years of experience to the position, and has innovative visions for the technical branch of ASCE. He wants a more balanced structure that better represents the importance of the institutes, whose publications generate around 40 percent of the budget for ASCE. He also feels there needs to be a shift in focus from numbers to quality education in civil engineering.

“It is time to make an effort to concentrate on improving the engineering practice and education. There needs to be a focus on quality, not quantity; we need to raise the bar and encourage pioneers and think tanks more often,” said Briaud.

“The first time Dick Fosbury, a civil engineering student from Oregon State, first used his method in the high jump, many were quick to criticize. It was so different from what was considered standard, like the scissors jump or straddle technique. But that did not stop him from using his intelligence to craft a new approach by studying the position of his center of gravity. When he took the gold at the 1968 Summer Olympics, it was a huge deal. All of this to say that innovation takes courage, patience, effort and a great deal of time. We need to encourage this discovery process again,” he said.

A distinguished member of ASCE and a registered professional engineer, Briaud received his bachelor’s degree from the Ecole Speciale des Travaux Publics in France in 1972, and his doctorate from the University of Ottawa in Canada in 1979. His expertise is in foundation engineering and more generally geotechnical engineering. He is currently president of the Federation of International Geoengineering Societies. He has served as president of the Association of Geotechnical Engineering Professors in the U.S., and the Geo-Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. Among other awards, he has received the ASCE Ralph B. Peck Award, the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) Geoffrey Meyerhof Foundation Engineering Award,

the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Hogentogler Award, the ASCE Huber Research Prize, and the ASCE Martin Kapp Award. Over the last 35 years, Dr. Briaud has conducted about 10 million dollars of research, most of which was on foundations and retaining walls. He has supervised 50 doctorate students and over 90 master’s students. He is author of the books “Geotechnical Engineering: Unsaturated and Saturated Soils” and “The Pressuremeter,” and has published about 300 articles and reports in geotechnical engineering.

Alfonso A. Soto PE Named ASCE FellowAlfonso A. Soto PE, F.ASCE, Terracon principal and manager of Geotechnical and Construction Material Testing services, has been named a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through civil engineering ASCE

Fellows have made significant contributions and developed creative solutions that change lives around the world. It is a prestigious honor held by fewer than 4 percent of ASCE members. “For more than 24 years, I have been involved with civil engineering, both practicing and teaching,” said Soto. He became a member of ASCE in 1997 and having participated in several association initiatives. It is an honor to receive the distinction of being named a Fellow in ASCE.”

In 2009, Soto was invited to teach one of the first upper level classes for the newly created Civil Engineering (CE) program at The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) in Edinburg now the Univ of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) after consolidation with UT-Brownsville. Since then, he has been contributing to the growth of the CE program there in different roles as lecturer, advisor, and collaborator.

Based out of the Pharr office, Soto leads a team of geotechnical and materials professionals to incorporate the use of advanced exploration and in-situ testing techniques to local projects, some of them high-profile. He has more than 24 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, and project management. He has participated in projects in several countries in South, Central, and North America.

TexASCE.org 25

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City of McKinney requires me to have a regis-tered Texas engineer do a written review of my own engineer-type report, regarding an ancient brick building that their tree is slowly destroying. Alternatives considered. Details at www.McKinneyCracks.com or www.engineermonopoly.com. Reply to [email protected].

Classified

David Harris PMP, joins LJA Engineering as Director of Client Services in the firm’s Houston Rail DivisionDavid has over 25 years of diverse management experience with hands-on knowledge of a wide range of project disciplines. His expertise

includes strategic planning, business development, project and program management, engineering design, construction, and maintenance. Since joining LJA, David has been involved in freight rail business development and strategic growth initiatives to build and expand LJA’s reputation in the railroad industry as well as its geographic presence. As Director of Client Services, David will utilize his diverse railroad and management expertise to build customer satisfaction and confidence by ensuring value through quality, schedule, and cost performance. David is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Project Management Institute, and the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance Association.

Pa pe -Daw s o n c e l e b r a t e s its fifty year anniversaryIn August 2015, Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., celebrated its 50th year providing

professional engineering services. With offices in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, the company has an extensive resume of successful, high-profile projects throughout the state of Texas.

Gus Pape and Gene Dawson, Sr. founded Pape-Dawson Engineers on August 1, 1965. With the goal of providing quality civil engineering services with a high level of integrity, the pair did all of their own engineering, surveying, drafting, computations, and handwriting of field notes, while Lily Pape, Gus’s wife, served as the company’s first office manager.

Now under the leadership of Gene Dawson, Sr.’s sons, Gene Dawson, Jr. and Sam Dawson, the company provides professional engineering consulting services to the public and private sectors in the technical areas of transportation, water resources, land development, environmental and surveying. Pape-Dawson Engineers has grown from its original staff of three, to one of the largest engineering firms in Texas.

“Pape-Dawson is unique because of our people,” said Gene Dawson, Jr., president of Pape-Dawson Engineers. “We have many long-term employees who have made a tremendous impact on our company and the communities in which they live and work. It’s these people that make our company great, and without them, we couldn’t produce our projects on a daily basis.”

Pape-Dawson Engineers has an extensive resume of successful, high-profile projects across the state including Six Flags Fiesta Texas, La Cantera Resort, Westover Hills, the AT&T Center, and the City of San Antonio Complete Streets Study in San Antonio; the City of Austin Slaughter Lane Bridges, Tech Ridge Center, and Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in the Austin area; Harris County MUD 133 Water Plant Improvements, Bauer Landing, and Berkshire Oaks in the Houston area; the Windsor Hills, Northpointe Crossing, and North Grove developments in the Dallas area; and the Sanctuary at Bear Creek, Bridges of Deer Creek, Rivercrest Bluffs, and Citicorp, USAA, Clear Channel Communications and Chase Bank.


Photos provided by: Saud Memon PE

TexASCE.org 27

June 25 - YM Low Impact Development Tour of Queenston Manor Apartments – Houston YM’s toured this existing site that implements low-impact development practices that include bio-swales, permeable pavers, and underground detention. The tour included lunch and a Q&A session over the installation of the systems, challenges, lessons learned, and most importantly, the efficacy of the systems in response to the torrential rains that occurred over the Memorial Day weekend.

July 7 - YM Golf Tournament benefiting the ASCE Houston Student Scholarship Program

Houston YMs and the Houston Branch Education Committee facilitated several events for affiliated university Student Chapters. These events were designed to encourage students to join ASCE after graduation, and included:

February 7 - UH Resume Fair - ASCE members volunteered at the University of Houston Spring 2015 Resume Fair. (photos opposite page)

May 3 - Spring Student Chapter BBQ - the Branch hosted a catered lunch and outdoor activities for ASCE student members from PVAMU, Rice, UH, Texas A&M, and Lamar.

Finally, the Houston Branch believes that community outreach is an important function of ASCE. The Houston Branch Education Committee hosted the following community-focused STEM activities that promoted the civil engineering profession and encouraged local school children to pursue a career in engineering:

May 9 - I-SWEEEP - ASCE Houston participated in the 8th annual International Sustainable World Energy Engineering and Environment Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP).

April 10 - Career Day 2015 - ASCE Houston participated in Career Day with Harmony Science Academy.

April 6 - “Shadow the Engineer” Day - ASCE Houston hosted two “Shadow an Engineer” Days on Monday, April 6, 2015, and Friday October 24, 2014.

April 11 - Houston Hobby Airport “HobbyFest “ - ASCE participates in the Houston Airport System’s family fun day near the tarmac at William P. Hobby Airport each year.

February 28 - Science Engineering Fair of Houston - ASCE participated in the Science Engineering Fair of Houston presented by Chevron.

Branch News Continued from Page 9


The Corpus Christi John F. Kennedy Causeway Bridge was opened up to allow vehicle traffic on the Fourth of July weekend in 1973. Before the bridge was constructed, traffic stopped at a swing bridge to allow barges to cross the Gulf Intracoastal waterway. The new bridge allowed traffic to continue without impacting barge traffic. The bridge is a significant landmark because it was the first post-tensioned concrete segmental (precast balanced cantilever) bridge in the United States. The post tension method was originally invented in France by Professor Eugene Freyssinet and used in the construction of the Veudre Bridge in 1908. The first post-tensioned segmental bridge was built in 1945 in France over the River Marne. But in the United States, this type of construction had not yet been used. The JFK Bridge was part of a program in which the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Texas Highway Department (now TxDOT) built a model at the University of Texas to see how the bridge might crack. The concept of this long span bridge had been used in Europe but not in the US. Professor John Breen and Bridge Division engineer Alan Matejowsky worked with student Satoshi Kashimi and other students to build the model. Then Matejowsky and a team designed the longer span of the bridge that would cross the Intercostal waterway. In addition, the FHWA mandated that for

large bridge projects those comparisons of construction types both concrete and steel would be put in place.

The longest span of the bridge is 200 feet long with a 400 foot segmental unit. The total length of the bridge is 3,298 feet. There are about 55 bridges in Texas and according to the American Segmental Bridge Institute about 400 bridges in about 35 other states of this construction in the United States. The bridge was built by Heldenfels Brothers. Heldenfels Brothers has a manufacturing plant located in Corpus Christi and has constructed many other landmarks such as the Dallas Cowboy Stadium, Reliant Minute Maid Park, West 7th Street Bridge to name a few. Donald E Skewis was the Supervising Resident Engineer for the project. There were many other engineers both at the state and local levels that worked on the project. As a follow up after construction, Skewis and Professor Breen documented the lessons learned in the TxDOT Research report “Minimizing Construction Problems in Segmentally Precast Box Girder Bridges” and other reports. The JFK Causeway Bridge won the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Award after its construction. Today the bridge is the typical type of bridge construction for long span bridges (spans over 300 ft. or greater). The precasting of the bridge allows for much better quality

The John F. Kennedy Causeway BridgeMelinda Luna PEHistory and Heritage Committee Chair

Image courtesy of Texas Department of Transportation

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control which reduces the need for some maintenance. The durability of segmental bridges has proven itself. The advantages of post-tensioning are:• Minimization and control

of cracking because the compression from the prestress is greater than the tension from the applied loads.

• If cracks form, they are held tighter together

• The slab members are thinner

and span lengths are longer.• Deflection of the structure is

controlled by design. The precast concrete segmental construction benefits are that costs and construction time is reduced. A segmental bridge is put together in small sections which is an advantage during construction where it is difficult to transport large sections of concrete. With all these benefits, the segmental bridge construction

method is still an evolving technology. There is a need for construction of longer span bridges due to urbanization, economics, safety and also bridge aesthetics.

The John F. Kennedy Causeway bridge is a landmark of sorts in Corpus Christi as a place to go fishing, bird watching, and other recreational activities. For civil engineering, this bridge is the start of over 40 years of continuous applications research and development studies in post tension concrete and changes in FHWA policy to allow for more cost effective innovated bridge construction. Once the bridge turns 50, it should be an ASCE Civil Engineering Historical Landmark. Special thanks to William R. “Randy” Cox PE, Executive Director, American Segmental Bridge Institute, former Director of the Bridge Division, Texas Department of Transportation for reviewing this article.

Image courtesy of Texas Department of Transportation



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