Texas Civil Engineer - Spring 2015 | Vol. 85

Spring 2015 | Volume 85| No. 2

The Growth of Water Projects in Texas Texas Water Development Board

2015 MRLC Reviews A Whole New Engineer Book Review Online Collaboration With Your Branch, Group or Committee

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Austin, Texas PERMIT NO. 879

September 30 - October 2, 2015 Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel, Spa & Conference Center | San Marcos, Texas

Sustainability Transportation Water Resources

2015

From a satisfied attendee: “2014 CECON at Galveston was the first CECON conference I attended. In the past, I have presented and participated at many conferences and forums, I must admit the organizers did a phenomenal job to pull it together in an excellent fashion. Sessions were planned to include broad spectrum of topics, covered some real challenges that engineers and planners are facing currently. They included lively discussions and moderators were chosen in line to facilitate the individual session needs. I found CECON a good place for networking with peers and industry leaders; I am very much looking forward to repeat the same experience in this year’s event in San Marcos, Texas.” - Anwar Zahid PhD, PE Associate Vice President, ARCADIS Visit TexasCECON.org for information on attendance, sponsorship or exhibiting.

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

On the Cover: A construction crew working on the expansion of a water treatment plant in the city of Cleburne. Courtesy of the Texas Water Development Board TEXAS SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Crespin Guzman PE OPERATIONS MANAGER: Elizabeth R. Greenwood COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER: Annemarie Gasser DATA MANAGER: Lauren Marcotte 1524 S. Interstate 35, Suite 180 Austin, Texas 78704 Phone: 512-472-8905 E-mail: office@texasce.org Website: www.texasce.org 2014–2015 OFFICERS PRESIDENT: Curtis B. Beitel PE PAST PRESIDENT: Tim C. Newton PE PRESIDENT ELECT: Audra N. Morse PhD, PE VP-EDUCATIONAL: Lawrence D. Goldberg PE VP-EDUCATIONAL ELECT: Brian D. Bresler PE VP-PROFESSIONAL: Roman D. Grijalva PE VP-PROFESSIONAL ELECT: M. Isabel Vasquez PE VP-TECHNICAL: Peter E. Falletta PE VP-TECHNICAL ELECT: Edward M. Penton PE TREASURER: Curtis R. Steger PE DIRECTORS AT LARGE SENIOR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Christina L. Hickey PE SECOND YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Brad M. Hernandez PE FIRST YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Melanie D. Gavlik PE FIRST YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: John A. Tyler PE SECTION DIRECTORS Travis S. Isaacson PE, Austin Branch Robert Lys Jr PE, Brazos Branch Russell R. Carter PE, Caprock Branch John A. Simcik PE, Central Texas Branch Anthony B. Gavlik PE, Corpus Christi Branch Chula B. Ellepola PE, Dallas Branch J. Gilberto Andujo PE, El Paso Branch Kimberly K. Cornett PE, Fort Worth Branch Martin D. Morris PE, High Plains Branch Paul A. Voiles PE, Houston Branch Russell W. Gibson PE, Northeast Texas Branch Alfonso A. Soto PE, Rio Grande Valley Branch Kara J. Heasley PE, San Antonio Branch Robert C. Hickman PE, Southeast Texas Branch Andrew L. Mellen PE, West Texas Branch ASCE - Region 6 Kenneth B. Morris PE Director and Board of Governors Chair 2014-2017 Ken A. Rainwater PhD PE Governor—Texas Section 2012–2015 Jeremy P. Stahle PE Governor—Oklahoma Section 2013-2016 Sean P. Merrell PE Governor—Appointed (Texas Section) 2013-2016 Daniel B. Hartman PE Governor—Texas Section 2014–2017 Jeanette Walther PE Governor—New Mexico Section 2015

In This Issue

Spring 2015 | Volume 85 | Number 2 Calendar of Events 4 CPD Opportunities 4 President’s Message 5 Message From the Executive Director

Report From Region 6 7 Branch News 8 Younger Members’ Corner

Students’ Center 12 Book Review “A Whole New Engineer”

Student Symposium at Lamar University

Cover Story: Growth of Water Projects in Texas

Meet Your Board Members

Legislative News 20 Membership Report 21 STEM Committee Report 23 Group/Committee Online Collaboration

Monuments To Civil Engineers: Manhole Covers

2015 Webinars 27 ASCE News 28 Classified 29 Business Directory 30

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Calendar of Events

CPD Opportunities

Texas Section Meetings

To enhance communications between ASCE and ASCEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regions, Sections, and Branches, Geographic Services is pleased to advise you of the following seminars scheduled in our area:

Texas Section Board Meeting in Beaumont and Student Symposium and Concrete Canoe Competition

April 23 - 25, 2015

Third T&DI Congress June 2016 in Houston, Abstracts Due

June 29, 2015

Executive Committee Meeting Austin

July 10, 2015

CECON 2015 - San Marcos

Sept. 30 - Oct. 2

Texas Civil Engineer Deadlines

Austin 5/17 5/21/2015 Dallas 3/12/2015 Houston 3/11/2015

World Environmental & Water Resources Congress with a Biosolids Workshop on May 21 HEC-HMS Computer Workshop Structural-Vibration Analysis: Design and Troubleshooting Offshore Technology Conference

5/4 Summer 2015 - Volume 85, No. 3 5/7/2015 May 18 Ad Insertion Deadline May 4 Copy Submittal Deadline Detailed descriptions of seminars are available at www.asce.org/continuing_education/ Fall 2015 - Volume 85, No. 4 August 24 Ad Insertion Deadline August 10 Copy Submittal Deadline Find us on Facebook Badge

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

President’s Message Our mild winter this year has provided frequent reminders for all of us that spring is right around the corner. Springtime is a very hopeful time of year, as trees bud and blossom and nature comes alive again. Likewise in the civil engineering profession, students are the new growth that provides the next generation to design and maintain our infrastructure. During Discover-E (Engineer’s Week) last month, there were numerous STEM activities all over Texas to expose middle and high school students to the possibilities of engineering. I encourage each of you to find a local event next year and give back, planting the seeds of future engineers. The Section’s STEM committee is identifying and encouraging local activities throughout the year as well. As Blaine Leonard, Pres.10.ASCE pointed out in his talk on generational differences at the MRLC, our current students share a deep desire to change the world. We need to help them see that the work civil engineers do helps improve the quality of life of the community they live in. Our message doesn’t need to be limited to formal STEM activities – just talk to the kids in your family and your sphere of influence to show them how a project you are working on helps that community. We are also gearing up for the Student Symposium in Beaumont on April 23-25, 2015 – which is a combination of the Texas/Mexico Concrete Regional Canoe Competition and the Section’s Board meeting. On Thursday night I will be giving a talk on “The Third Competition”. Our Student Chapters are very focused and passionate about the Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge competitions, but once each student receives their degree they will also compete for a job – and ASCE can help them with that competition, too. An interview for a

job should not be the first time they talk with a practicing engineer. To enhance this support, our Student Activities Committee is working on combining the Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge competitions Curtis B. Beitel PE starting in Lubbock in 2016, to Texas Section President provide a 3-day event for both teams with some time built in for sessions on interviewing and resume writing. Email me at the Section office at president@texasce.org 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.

University of Texas at San Antonio Student Chapter’s 2014 concrete canoe, “The Battleship”

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Message From The Executive Director

Crespin Guzman PE Executive Director

El Paso members and students with some leadership from the Texas Section

For Your Benefit… I have just returned from a very successful 2015 Multi Regional Leadership Conference (MRLC) in Houston, my mind is overflowing with information and I’m excited to share it with you. The conference brought together Student Chapter and Younger Member leaders with Section and Branch leaders. Everyone was enthusiastic about trying out the ideas we garnered from ASCE members outside our Section. However, I believe that members from Regions 3 and 7 were even more enthused to hear about the Texas Section’s latest accomplishments! Our Section, Branches, Younger Member Groups, and Student Chapters were all well represented. They deserve credit for being active and engaged through all of 2014 and embarking on the challenges of 2015. So, if you were not in attendance, I’d like to share what I’ve learned. The breakout session topics at the MRLC are very diverse and the legislative initiatives are always a priority to me, because actions taken at the state capitol affect all of us, directly. We are only a few weeks into the session and there are several bills that could have an impact on our members as professionals. The Section will monitor these bills and keep you informed. I encourage every Branch member to communicate with your representatives at both the state and national level. You can become a Key Contact for the Texas Section by joining through the society’s website. www.asce.org/keycontacts/

were generational differences and personality traits. The latter has to do with your workplace and other groups of people you may be associated with where you have leaders and followers. All attendees were asked to do a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator evaluation to determine the type of personality they have and the characteristics normally associated with it. The purpose of the exercise was for participants to better understand why people in organizations and groups participate and how to inspire people to work together effectively by knowing their personality type. I discovered I am an ENFJ type, meaning I am the Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging type. I recommend this exercise to boost your leadership skills. Finally, I encourage you to get involved with the Branch and Section outreach efforts in your community. The Section encourages community based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) outreach efforts and suggests partnering with existing STEM organizations. (See Patrick Beecher’s article later in this issue.) It may be as easy as adding to an ASCE component that already exists. One of the initiatives is Civil Engineering Clubs in high schools and there is even a how to guide to get one started. www.asce.org/Civil_Engineering_Club/

A couple of other topics I learned about at the MRLC

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

report from region 6

Kenneth B. Morris PE Region 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 spring meeting January 29 at the Multi-Regional Leadership Conference (MRLC) in Houston. The MRLC was very informative this year and was attended by students from almost every Student Chapter. The Sections and Branches were also well represented at the meeting. This was a great experience for young engineers to develop their leadership skills and meet other engineers in our profession. The Board of Governors approved two nominees for the ASCE Region 6 Governor election to replace Ken Rainwater PhD, PE on the Board. Patricia Frayre PE, and David Calabuig PE, will be on the ballot for the Texas Region 6 Governor serving on the board from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2018. Both candidates have served in various offices and on ASCE committees for several years and are well qualified. The Region 6 Board of Governors approved $3000 to help with the archival of Texas Section documents that have accumulated and been stored for many years. The documents and photos will be scanned into the archive and categorized for digital storage. The Texas Section has extended offers to Region 6, Oklahoma Section and New Mexico Section to share in this capability to store their own documents. The Board of Governors also approved $1000 for a Dallas Branch Scholarship fund and $500 for a Caprock Branch “Bridge Bash” competition for high school students. The Younger Member Group of the Houston Branch put together the MRLC program this year. As part of the

Photo by Kenneth Morris

program, they arranged a trip to NASA for attendees. Two buses full of civil engineers headed for NASA headquarters where we reviewed the Mission Control Center and visited a facility that warehoused the Saturn 5 rocket. The history of space exploration was very interesting. It started with the program in the early 1960’s up to present day. Everyone had a great time. Good job Houston Younger Member Group! The ASCE Board of Direction met in Miami, Florida to approve the nominees for ASCE President-elect for FY-2016. The candidates on the August ballot will be Norma Jean Mattei PhD, PE from Louisiana and Thomas Walthers PE from Wisconsin. The meeting was held in Miami to coincide with the Region 1,2,4 and 5 MRLC. The Board received reports from the Public Policy Committee, Committee on Education and Industry Leaders Council. The policy statement PS 455 was reviewed for changes to require four years of progressive experience before an engineer would be allowed to sit for the PE Exam. Currently, some states allow engineers to take the exam after completion of an undergraduate degree or what is called early taking. They still must have taken the Fundamentals of Engineer (FE) Exam before the PE exam. The motion to change PS 455 failed and the policy will remain as it is written. A strategic planning session was held again to discuss the future direction of ASCE and how we can bring about positive changes to better our profession. The ASCE Legislative Fly-In will be held March 24-26, 2015 in Washington, D.C. We hope to have members come this year from all 50 states. Region 6 will be well represented with delegates from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The next meeting of the Region 6 Board of Governors will be held April 9-11, 2015 at the Rocky Mountain Student Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sincerely, Kenneth B. Morris PE, PTOE Region 6 Director Civil Engineers are Global Leaders building a better quality of life.

texasce.org

Branch News

Brad Hernandez PE Second Year Director at Large

As we transitioned from 2014 to 2015, the Branches across the state continued to be active throughout the holidays. The Branches participated in community outreach programs, a leadership conference, a first ever younger member meeting, and received an ASCE award. It is truly amazing what the Texas Section Branches accomplish each year. The following are just a few of these accomplishments: Volunteers construct the rain garden at Bryker Woods Elementary School in Austin

Austin Branch Canstruction Team (Left to Right) – Neil Higa, Gwendolyn Brown, Jackie McMahon, Kacey Cubine Paul (Captain), Travis Paul, and Laura Friello. Not pictured Mona Loti and Sarah Lobsenz. Austin Br anch Austin Branch Volunteers participated in Canstruction. The Branch members created a fantastic Hungry Hippos display and donated 25,000 pounds of food to the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Austin Branch Volunteers Help Construct Rain Garden at Elementary School. Written by: Brandon Klenzendorf PhD, PE ASCE Austin Branch members regularly mentor over 120 senior-level civil engineering students at The University of Texas at Austin. This year, the students’ design for a rain garden became a reality at a local elementary school. All civil engineering seniors at The University of

Texas at Austin are required to take an Engineering Professionalism course that prepares students for their careers by providing real-world experience. Students are charged with developing designs and plans for real clients and stakeholders. They also explore the nontechnical aspects of civil engineering practice, including balancing the demands of engineering, science, policy, law, ethics, and business. Students are assigned to ASCE Austin Branch members who help with designs and provide guidance on stakeholder and client relations. A little over two years ago, the engineering class began designing a rain garden to address runoff issues at Bryker Woods Elementary School in Austin. The rain garden was designed to capture and treat runoff from an adjacent roof by increasing infiltration and decreasing runoff velocities. With guidance from ASCE Austin Branch mentors, the students’ design was approved by the Parent-Teacher Association and a date was set for construction. The Community Outreach Committee of the EWRI Austin Chapter and ASCE Austin Branch members organized with the ASCE UT Student Chapter and elementary school teachers, parents, and students on the construction day in November 2014. Approximately 25 people helped to build the rain garden. It has remained verdant through the winter and has been capturing runoff from recent rains. The Austin Branch is continuing to work with the elementary school and plans to construct a second phase of the project in the spring. Plans are also underway for construction at a second Austin-area campus. The City of Austin is supplying interpretive signs at the rain garden so visitors and students alike can learn about stormwater

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

quality and engineering principles. This initiative was made possible through the collaboration of the ASCE Austin Branch, EWRI Austin Chapter, ASCE UT Student Chapter, The University of Texas at Austin Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, and the Austin Independent School District. For additional information on the programs, please contact Brandon Klenzendorf (bklenzendorf@geosyntec.com) or Professor Bob Gilbert (bob_gilbert@ mail.utexas.edu).

(from left to right) Ed Penton, Fabian Herrera, Julie Jones, Ashlyn Kelbly, Brad Hernandez, Jonathan Brower, and Sean Merrell hanging out with the celebrity stars from the murder mystery dinner

TBPE Chairman Daniel Wong speaking at the Corpus Christi Branch Joint Engineering Societies Meeting in January Corpus Christi Br anch The Branch had their annual Joint Engineering Societies Meeting in January 2015 with Daniel Wong, Chairman of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE), as the speaker. The meeting was attended by over 80 people representing ASCE SAME, TSPE, AWWA/ WEAT, AIChE and PMI. Dallas Br anch The Dallas Branch sent eight representatives to the Region 3, 6, & 7 Leadership Conference in Houston on Friday, January 30th and Saturday, January 31. The

conference included a Younger Member council, a workshop for Section and Branch leaders, and a workshop for Student Chapter leaders. This was a great way for civil engineers in all stages of their career to network with, learn from, and encourage one another. At the conference, the Dallas Branch’s Education Co-Chair, Jonathan Brower EIT, presented

during the “best practices” focus sessions to talk about the success the Civil Engineering Club at Woodrow Wilson High School in east Dallas. The hope was to inspire other Branch and Section leaders to expand their education & outreach programs based on the success that the Dallas Branch has experienced. The Dallas Branch also won the ASCE Website of the Year Award for the fourth time in five years. Sean Merrell PE and Brad Hernandez PE were in attendance to accept the award from ASCE Presidentelect, Mark Woodson PE.

Sean Merrell (left) and Brad Hernandez (right) accepting the ASCE Branch Website of the Year Award from 2015 ASCE Presidentelect, Mark Woodson (center)

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Younger Members’ Corner

Fabian A. Herrera PE Younger Member Chair

Corpus Christi Branch ASCE Corpus Christi Younger Members kicked off the year with an annual “Meet and Greet” Social at Grimaldi’s. They had several rising leaders attend and had a great discussion regarding past, present and future endeavors. The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Student Chapter was invited and the Branch leaders hope to maintain a great level of communication and support for years to come. Annually, the Corpus Christi Branch and TAMUK Student Branch team up and host a joint meeting on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. This year a panel discussion will be incorporated into the agenda and will be led by the Younger Members of the Corpus Christi Branch. Upcoming ASCE YM-Corpus Christi events include: March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Social April 23: Buc Days “Dunk the Mayor” Social (Historic Corpus Christi event) May 21: Bowling Social

Dr. Evil and Marilyn Monroe characters from the celebrity murder mystery dinner at the CRYMC

This year’s Central Region Younger Member Council Conference, which is held in conjunction with the Multi Region Leadership Conference and the Workshop for Student Chapter Leaders, was hosted in Houston, Texas. Planning for this event began over two years ago, when the Houston Branch Younger Member Group proposed that the 2015 conference be held in town with Brian C. Ridley, PE and Natalie Weiershausen, PE as Co-Chairs. Over 300 ASCE members were in attendance in Houston, including about 170 students.

In addition to two full days of educational and networking sessions, the Co-Chairs hosted an awards banquet for Central Region Younger Member Awards that included a celebrity murder mystery entertainment and dinner. Not only were there “celebrities” involved in the show, but several ASCE members were pulled in as suspects; some good laughs were definitely had. In addition, there was a tour on the second day that took almost 150 conference goers down to NASA Space Center Houston. While there, attendees saw the Saturn V rocket, mission control, mock-up/training center, moon rocks, and more. The Houston Younger Members group had a great time hosting and hope everyone that attended had a blast as well. Special thanks to all ASCE staff, sponsors (both ASCE and corporate) and Brandon Ash, Jason Brock PE, Corpus Christi Younger Members kicked off the year with their annual and John Myers EIT for helping “Meet and Greet” Social at Grimaldi’s out along the way.

2015 CRYMC Conference Houston, Texas Written by Natalie Weiershausen, PE, ENV SP Photo Credits to Brandon Ash & ASCE

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

Group photo of all CRYMC attendees

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Studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center One of ASCEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest benefits is the opportunity to become involved. ASCE enables individuals to accomplish things they might not be able to on their own. In this article you will be surprised at all the activities the Student Chapters are participating in. Each group is learning valuable life lessons about planning, coordination, and other tasks necessary to complete and deliver projects in a professional setting. The events build team work and teach responsibilities each student will continue to use for the life of their career. Professional development can never begin too soon and these students exemplify what it means to be involved. Texas A & M University Student Chapter The TAMU Student Chapter hosts many events for its members to be involved during the spring semester. The events we hold are designed to help prepare ourselves for the professional world as well as build friendships within the civil engineering world. Many of the events during the semester are also sponsored by potential employers. These events allow for one-on-one interaction between a potential employer and student. Chapter leaders

Photo by Megan Ross

Texas Tech students prepare concrete for their canoe build. Photo by Megan Ross

John A. Tyler PE First Year Director at Large

believe that having these social and outreach events with employers and the community allows opportunities to network, which ultimately helps to land that job after graduation. Events planned for the spring are social, such as hosting a Super Bowl Party sponsored by Jones & Carter, Inc., and a group tour to the Bluebell Creamery. This tour is a great way to get to know the members within the organization. The biggest spring event is the end of year picnic. The Chapter is working to get its first sponsor for this event to make this the best picnic by far. The picnic has become a great way to relieve stress prior to the start of finals and allows students to enjoy our fellow engineers in a relaxing environment. All of the events held each semester are designed to help the members network with other students, professionals, and potential employers while having some fun along the way. Texas Tech University Student Chapter By Donald Auld The J.H. Murdough Student Chapter of ASCE will be hosting two separate on-campus socials this year in which they will be promoting both the concrete canoe and steel bridge competition; TTU is very proud to be involved in both of these competitions and the Chapter leaders encourage all members to become more involved in them. The concrete canoe demonstration was held on January 31, 2015 to show Chapter members what constructing a concrete canoe is like, as well as what it is like to be a part of the team. The steel bridge social event will be held in early March. They will be doing a complete regulation trial-run of the Steel Bridge competition to show all civil engineering students what the competition is like. It also gives the Steel Bridge new-comers some more practice in designing and constructing regulation bridges. Aside from the ASCE competitions, the TTU chapter will be holding its annual golf tournament at Reese Golf Course in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 2 PM. All professionals are encouraged to come out play some golf and get to know the newest generation of engineers from Texas Tech! University of Texas at Austin Student Chapter By Saif Al-Shmaisani The University of Texas at Austin ASCE Student Chapter aims to provide civil engineering students with a greater understanding of the civil engineering profession and the impact that it has on the world we live in today. The UT Austin Student Chapter allows members to

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

gain technical understanding through competitions and develop as leaders through responsibilities within the society. This past fall, we constructed a rain garden at a local elementary school, Bryker Woods Elementary, which was designed by UT civil engineering students in a senior professionalism class. The outreach project was executed by the Student Chapter, the local Austin Branch, our wonderful Faculty Advisor, Dr. Robert Gilbert, and his wife and children! The elementary school and Bryker Woods PTA love their new rain garden, and we thank them for giving us the opportunity to be a part of constructing it!

involved with ASCE and the countless benefits of being a member. Members of the Student Chapter continue to build a solid relationship with professionals, specifically by working closely with the President of the Fort Worth Branch, Mandy Clark, and attending Fort Worth Branch meetings. Our Student Chapter continues to give back to the community by hosting volunteering days at

UT-Austin ASCE also had the honor of hosting the 2015 Texas-Mexico Regional Steel Bridge Competition. The UT Austin’s Steel Bridge team at the competition in January competition was the largest this region has seen yet, with 16 schools registered to compete! Our competition Tarrant Area Food Bank. Concrete canoe captains Will coordinator, Chandni Patel, took charge of preparing Sanders and Minh Tran are excitedly leading the team for the competition, putting in long hours to make sure towards a final design for the upcoming Concrete Canoe that the competition was a success. The success of the competition and seeking guidance from alumni and competition was also made possible by our department’s former captains. staff and faculty, our regional head judge Kelly Skoviera, the countless volunteers, and all our corporate supporters. Officers and members are happily continuing our We wish our region’s representatives the best of luck at tradition of working together to better ourselves, our nationals this year. This coming April, UT Austin Student Student Chapter, and our community each day and we Chapter is set on making sure that our Concrete Canoe look forward to what the semester has in store for us. team performs outstanding in the regional competition. University of Texas at El Paso The 2014 Concrete Canoe team placed fourth last year Student Chapter By Andrea in one of the tightest final standings our region has ever Gutierrez seen, with all top four teams being within 10 points of The ASCE Student Chapter at the University of Texas at each other. This year’s team is trying to learn from our El Paso (UTEP) is ready to start another semester with previous success and claim our spot at nationals this even more drive and motivation than the last. Aside year! We wish the best of luck to all the schools in our from preparing for the Texas-Mexico Regional Concrete region and may the best canoe win! Canoe Competition in April, our members participated University of Texas at Arlington in Project MOVE in February, a day-long event where Student Chapter By Derek J. Baker students from the UTEP campus perform community The ASCE Student Chapter at The University of Texas service throughout the city of El Paso. Our Science and at Arlington is continuously growing and has hit the Engineering Extravaganza (April) is another event in ground running in the Spring 2015 semester. There are which the members participate by hosting hands-on endless opportunities for civil engineering students to engineering workshops for high school students to teach become involved with the university and professional them problem solving and communication skills. Lastly, events, including volunteering in the community and the officers, along with our Practitioner Advisor, headed participating in competitions with the guidance of Derek to Houston, Texas to attend the ASCE Workshop for Baker, Student Chapter President, and our dedicated Student Chapter Leaders (WSCL) in late January to learn officers. new ways to better lead the chapter. A busy semester lies ahead for the UTEP ASCE Student Chapter but, with Ambassador Jorge Jimenez will be presenting to the some hard work and dedication, it will be a successful Introduction to Civil Engineering class about how to get one.

texasce.org

Book Review: “A whole New Engineer” The book A Whole New Engineer, by Mark Goldberg and Mark Somerville, is often described as a book about engineering education reform highlighting the dramatic events Audra Morse PhD, PE that occurred at Franklin W. Olin President Elect College of Engineering and the iFoundry incubator at the University of Illinois. However, I believe the book has lessons for everyone and such a confined view of the book is unjust. The book captures the need to think of learning in a more robust way through partnerships built on trust between the student and instructor. Rather than the typical “sage on the stage” (aka, lecture by the professor) approach to education in the classroom, the instructor should be a “coach” to help the students explore their own educational interests and develop their skills of life-long learning. The authors developed the five pillars of educational transformation, which are joy; trust; courage; openness; and connectedness, collaboration and community. The five pillars should be used to create an educational experience that connects engineering students to communities and real-life design experiences through apprenticeship and industry experiences. Please

note, the pillars do not include curriculum and content (the technical) and pedagogy (instruction), which is typically considered the pathway to educational reform. I believe the authors’ notion of a whole new engineer and the process to develop engineers could be just as valuable as parents, spouses, bosses and organization volunteers. Joy, trust, courage, openness, and connectedness are key elements in all productive and positive relationships and all parties in the relationship should possess these qualities. The authors describe a bit of history throughout the first several chapters of the book as they relate to education, iFoundry and Olin College. The authors build upon the work of Dan Pink, Carol Dweck and others to create their five pillars of educational reform. The authors wrap up the text with examples and the characteristics needed to i m p l e m e n t educational reform. ASCE members and officers should employ the five pillars to implement ASCE activities or reform. The ASCE activities/reform could be changes the Section and Branch would like to make to their operations. I believe the five pillars are the tools to revive ASCE membership at the Section and Branch level as well as inspire members to become more active in ASCE. 

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

Texas-Mexico Regional Student Symposium

April 23 - 25, 2015

The Student Symposium and Texas-Mexico Regional Concrete Canoe Competition will be held at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Texas Section President, Curtis Beitel PE will give a presentation on the “third competition” for students - getting hired for a great job after graduation. Kathleen Jackson PE will give a presentation about the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas from the Texas Water Development Board. Contact the Section office if you are interested in attending and would like discount hotel rates.

Symposium Schedule

Thursday April 23, 2015 6 PM “Third Competition” Presentation from Curtis Beitel & BBQ Dinner 7 PM Concrete Canoe Captain’s Meeting Friday April 24, 2015 8:30 AM ASCE Texas Section Board Meeting Canoe Display Setup Technical Paper Presentations 10 AM Canoe Display Judging 1 PM Student Business Meeting 2 PM Canoe Design Presentations 7 PM Dinner & Presentation from Kathleen Jackson Saturday April 25, 2015 8 AM Canoe Races 6 PM Awards Dinner

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The Growth of Water Projects Kathleen Jackson PE in Texas Texas Water Development Board

An unprecedented number of water projects will be funded in Texas in the next 50 years. Given the numerous financial assistance opportunities available from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), the time is ripe for Texans to take part in the water projects that will match our water infrastructure to the state’s booming population growth.

Part of the reason for the boom in water projects is the 2013 investment of $2 billion from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to create the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas, or SWIFT. The immense response to this new funding program has demonstrated the need to expand the state’s water supply. The TWDB is currently reviewing the 48 initial applications we received for the first round of SWIFT funding, which is expected to finance $800 million in water projects each year for the next 10 years. Projects eligible for funding can be found in the 2012 State Water Plan, which is available on the TWDB’s website -www.twdb.texas.gov. The state water plan is always evolving to include the most up to date water strategies and projects needed in each region of the state. There are currently more than 3,000 projects and strategies identified in the state water plan that could help Texas meet its water needs. While the types of projects needed to meet each region’s demands vary, the TWDB will support funding many types of projects through SWIFT, which is expected to finance $27 billion for water projects over the next 50 years.

The rising number of water projects in Texas presents opportunities for work force sectors needed to complete certain project phases such as planning, design, and construction. Texas is already home to some of the most successful and innovative water projects in the world; with financing now available, exciting projects are on the horizon (such as brackish desalination, aquifer storage and recovery, and new conservation efforts) and will require your efforts to move them from paper to construction. As part of the state water planning process, the TWDB develops population and water demand projections for a 50-year horizon. From that process, the TWDB estimates that the Texas population will increase by 82 percent between 2010 and 2060, which will also result in an increase in water usage. In 2010, Texans used approximately 4.8 million acre-feet of water for municipal uses. In 2020, that number is expected to reach 5.5 million. In 2060, it will grow to 8.4 million. Total water use across the state will increase from 18 million acre-feet in 2010 to 22 million acre-feet in 2060. The TWDB’s goal is to provide financial assistance for water projects that will help meet these growing demands. Through a variety of funding programs, the TWDB has provided more than $15 billion in financing for water projects since its inception in 1957. SWIFT, however, was created to address the impact of the 2011 drought. Citizens and legislators alike recognized the need for a fund that could immediately make more of an impact on the state’s water supply. The TWDB administers all types of financing, including loans and loan forgiveness, at competitive, low-interest rates to communities and political subdivisions, such as municipalities, river authorities, or groundwater conservation districts. Public-private partnerships can also participate in TWDB-funded projects. This is possible if the TWDB provides assistance only to the public entity and only for the parts of the project the entity owns. Through SWIFT and the TWDB’s other funding programs, such as the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the Economically Distressed Areas Program, water projects are making an impact in Texas today, and will continue to do so tomorrow and many years from now. Thanks to our water planning process, we know that supporting this growth over the next 50 years is vital to ensure we have enough water for our children and grandchildren. With this financial assistance, Texas will have the unique opportunity to protect our most precious natural resource

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

through efficient, well-planned, and innovative water solutions. Strategies to meet our water supply needs, such as conservation of existing water supplies, new surface water and groundwater development, conveyance facilities to move available or newly developed water supplies to areas of need, water reuse, and more, are all on the table. At the TWDB, our mission is to provide leadership, information, education, and support for planning, financial assistance, and outreach for the conservation and responsible development of water for Texas. We want leaders from all economic sectors to engage with us on the advancements taking place in water infrastructure. Civil engineers have an opportunity to partner in the development of affordable and

sustainable water for Texas, and with your help we will ensure the success of our state for generations to come. Kathleen Jackson is a Board member for the Texas Water Development Board. She is a registered professional engineer and received her bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University. The Texas Water Development is the state agency that provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance, and technical assistance services to the citizens of Texas. To learn more about the TWDB, please visit our website: www.twdb. texas.gov.ď&#x192;ł

Water For Texas The TWDB expects to fund $800 million in water projects each year for the next 10 years through SWIFT. The TWDB has funded more than $15 billion in water projects since 1957 and plans to fund more through its other funding programs. To learn more about the projects receiving financial assistance from the TWDB, please visit the financial assistance section of our website: www.twdb.texas. gov/financial/index.asp

Aerial view of the East Side Water Treatment Plant in Dallas. Courtesy of the City of Dallas

texasce.org

Meet Your Board Members First Year Director at Large: John Tyler PE John works as a Project Manager for Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc. in San Antonio and is serving the first of a two year term. Q: What is your top love in the civil engineering profession? A: “Solving problems for the betterment of mankind. It is very rewarding to observe a built solution to a problem which only moments ago presented another obstacle in someone’s quality of life.” Q: What do you do to de-stress? A: “My wife and I enjoy putting puzzles together without looking at the cover. Yes, it sounds boring, but is a great way to disconnect. This gets your mind off day to day stresses and enables quality time, well, until a piece goes missing…”

Brad and his family during the holiday season.

Second Year Director at Large: Br ad Hernandez PE Serving his second year of a two year term, Brad currently works for AECOM in Dallas. Q: What is your top love in the civil engineering profession? A: “I honestly love the people I get to work with in our field. I’ve been lucky to have worked with people from all different walks of life. I’ve not only grown as an engineer, but also as a person by sitting down and getting to know other civil engineers. “

Q: How did you decide to become a civil engineer? A: “I have always enjoyed logistical challenges. A civil engineering project is nothing but these challenges. Each project is always different and presents its own unique set of obstacles. Every day is something new.” Q: Other random or interesting thing about you that would be fun to share: A: “I am avid drummer and played in a few bands.”

Q: What sports team are you a fanatic of? A: “I’m a huge fan of all LSU sports. I was born, raised, and went to college in Baton Rouge, LA. I really didn’t have a choice but to love LSU!” Q: Previous vacation destination that should be a must for everyone: A: “My wife, Ann, and another couple went to Anguilla. Anguilla is a small, laidback island in the British Virgin Islands. It has the most beautiful beaches and fantastic restaurants. It’s a must if you ever have the opportunity!”

River Rats, John and his daughter, cooling off in Central Texas

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

Melanie Gavlik PE First Year Director at Large

Pete and his son Adam at Boy Scout Camp Alexander near Pikes Peak in Colorado.

VP Technical: Pete Falletta PE Pete currently works for Terracon in their Houston office. Q: What is your top love in the civil engineering profession? A: “I love to help solve problems on active construction sites. I really enjoy the excitement and pressure of coming up with solutions to help the project move forward. “ Q: Have you completed any physical challenges? A: “I have participated in the MS 150 bike ride for the last five years. “ Q: What sports team are you a fanatic of? A: “Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, I am cursed with being a Bills fan. I plan to have them as pallbearers at my funeral so they can let me down one more time. “

First Year Director at Large: Melanie Gavlik PE Melanie is serving in her first year on the Board, and currently works at Naismith Engineering Inc. in Corpus Christi, Texas. Q: What do you do to de-stress? A: “I love yoga, crafting and reading. Finding the time to fit these things in while chasing after my two little ones is the real

challenge!” Q: Previous vacation destination that should be a must for everyone: A: “My Husband and I went to St. Lucia for our honeymoon, it was absolutely gorgeous.” Q: Best piece of advice you have received: A: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, there is no such thing as a stupid question” Q: Describe your family: A: “My wonderful husband, Anthony, and I have been married 6 years. We have two beautiful girls, Kaitlyn (3) and Olivia (1), who make every day a new and wonderful adventure!”

Q: Best piece of advice you have received: A: “Talk less…..Listen more!!!”

The Gavlik family, Melanie, Anthony and their daughters Kaitlyn and Olivia

texasce.org

Legislative News

Roman D. Grijalva PE VP-Professional

2015 Texas Legislative Session The 84th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature is now in session and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re tracking several items of interest to Texas Section members including additional transportation funding and engineering procurement reform, as well as monitoring the implementation of the first round of SWIFT funding for 2015 water projects.

In addition, Senate Bill 5 was filed by Senator Robert Nichols calling for a constitutional amendment dedicating all motor vehicle sales tax revenue above $2.5 billion annually (projected to be nearly $2.5 billion annually) to the highway fund, starting in 2018. This is in addition to the $600 million per year that would accrue to the highway fund if it is decided that the DPS would be funded out of state general revenue rather than the highway fund. This amendment would require passage of a constitutional amendment.

Tr ansportation Funding Legislators will consider increased spending on transportation and/or public education, against possible tax cuts. Both the House and Senate have included in their proposed budgets an end to the funding of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) out of general revenue instead of out of the Highway Fund. This would potentially net TxDOT about $600 million per year that would be available to TxDOT for highway projects.

Engineering Procurement Reform Recently, questions over management, operations and contracting at the Health and Human Services Commission, resulted in Governor Abbot mandating an independent audit. In addition, as a result of HHSC contracting questions in the Legislature, Senator Jane Nelson filed SB 353, which requires enhanced oversight for larger contracts ($1 million and above). Governor Abbott told state agencies to abide by these provisions even before (and if) the bill passes. Further reform in the filing of bills in the Legislature, particularly on Qualification Based Selection on engineering contracts, will continue to be monitored. Water Plan Funding Update Abridged financial applications were due to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) on February 2 and the TWDB received 48 applications totaling more than $5.5 billion in water projects. The applications included a mix of urban and rural projects and the TWDB had estimated it would be providing approximately $800 million in SWIFT financial assistance in the first round in 2015. The TWDB will start the evaluation process immediately and over the next few months, the agency will conduct a comprehensive scoring process of all applications. Projects will be scored against the prioritization criteria previously developed through public input in 2014. The TWDB will also be evaluating other eligibility requirements, such as whether the project is in the state water plan and what type of SWIFT financial assistance it can receive. The project prioritization list will be released later this spring and the TWDB anticipates closing SWIFT loans by the fall.ď&#x192;ł

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

Membership Report

Travis N. Attanasio PE Membership Chair

Which would you r ather have:

Option 1: Ten of the best movies in the world that you can only watch ten minutes each of OR Option 2: One really good movie that you can watch from beginning to end? The answer to the above example is most likely the latter. However, when it comes to ASCE and most things in life, I have noticed that many people apply option 1. They attempt to do so many things at the same time, and the result is a poor effort spread amongst all of these things. Simply put, they are “a jack of all trades but a master of none.” Whether it be the amount of ASCE projects you start, the sports you play, the languages you learn or the people you date, it is not a good idea to bite off more than you can chew. One Step At a Time (or Two) The best way is to focus on one or two of the projects you are most passionate about. If you need to sit down and make a list of all the ideas and then choose the best one you want to follow through with, then…do that.

them down in an ‘Idea Notebook’ and stop putting any further effort into them. Seattle Seahawks Cornerback Richard Sherman said, “Talent will take you so far. But if you don’t put in the work, talent will fail you.” The success you achieve will be proportional to the quality and quantity of the effort you put in. It’s as simple as that. Well, not actually. Often times, we know exactly what we need to do, yet avoid doing it. But this doesn’t change the fact that the above statement is true. Get it? The “ASCE-verse” is willing to pay you back for your investments tenfold.

How much are you willing to invest?

Once you choose your two projects you want to work on, take all your other ideas and projects and put them on hold. Do not necessarily discard them, rather just write

Illustration by: Zsuzsanna Kilian

texasce.org

Download the Civil Engineering Club Guide from ASCE.org today! http://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/ Membership_and_Communities/Ways_ To_Get_ Involved/Pre-College_Outreach/Content_Pieces/ce-club-guide.pdf

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

STEM Committee Report To aid in evaluating what the function of this committee would be, I solicited input from the Texas Section Branch Presidents. Feedback was received from four Branches. 1) What activities is your Branch

currently doing to promote STEM education in the community?

- MathCounts, speaking at schools, student engineering clubs, E-Week, Earth Day, Career Days, Future Cities, etc. Evaluating the possibility of starting a Civil Engineering Club in a school district. 2) When involved in STEM activities, is your Branch typically partnering with another organization?

- With TSPE since they organize MathCounts. Depends on the activity. Many times it is informal. Some activities are done solely by the Branch. Partnering with the local

Patrick M. Beecher PE STEM Committee Chair

university (UTSA). 3) What type of support, if any, has your Branch received or is currently receiving in regards to STEM activities?

- No support. ASCE National provided a $200 stipend and promotional materials for the CE Club. Received a $3,000 grant from the Texas Centennial Celebration that was used to have an “Engineering Day” at a museum during E-Week. Would like to find out what the other Branches are doing and what activities have been the most successful. 4) What type of outreach/support would you like to see the Section provide to help enhance or expand your Branch’s efforts in supporting STEM? Specific training, development of educational materials, grants, etc.?

- Not sure at this time. Struggle to find volunt e ers . Need to convince the management of some engineering firms the value in having employee participation in these activities (taking time during work hours, seeing active support in ASCE as a benefit to the company). Grants would be beneficial, particularly for the smaller Branches. Encouraging Branches to conduct events that promote STEM. Develop kits with outreach materials. Encourage Branches to actively participate in and promote Future Cities competitions since it encompasses so many civil engineering aspects.

texasce.org

Collaborate On TexASCE.org with Your Group The Texas Section has a great new resource available in the form of enhanced association management software – free to you on TexASCE.org! If you are a member of a Texas Section committee, trust or governance group, technical group, student chapter or any other kind of local ASCE group, this is for you! Although it’s certainly great to see your local ASCE group face-to-face whenever possible, work and family obligations can often take priority. So it is great news that there are options for engaging with your ASCE group at times when you all can’t physically be in the same place at the same time – that way the most can be made of your time when and where it’s available.

TexASC

Among other things, the Younger Member Committee utilizes its group room for sharing pictures This can be accomplished by engaging with your group online through your own collaborative site, or group room, through signing into your Texas Section member profile. Among other features, you can collaborate with your group through forums, photo galleries, group emails, instant messaging, and file-sharing. You can also keep events organized through your group calendar and even set up event registration through your group site. This may be a complete website solution for your group, or if your group has already developed a web presence, this could add additional capabilities that you might link to your existing site or sites to enhance your group’s web presence. A committee chair might use the forum capability to

introduce new topics for Committee members to respond to and/or contribute resources such as documents or pictures. Committees can also share news stories or developments related to their shared area of interest by posting to the Committee’s wall.

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

Lauren Marcotte ASCE Texas Section Data Manager

private). And if you are your group’s chair, president, or otherwise administrative lead, you will be able to bulk email your group through the group room application on TexASCE.org as well. A Branch organizing an upcoming meeting might use the capabilities on TexASCE.org to access the membership database, updated monthly for local membership status, to process applicable member discounts as well as collect information and registration payments by linking a registration page from its group room to a web announcement featured on its existing home page. A branch might also link from their main site

CE.org

“It’s a great place to organize shared files, especially if email can’t handle a certain sized file.” - Craig Thompson to their group site on TexASCE.org in order to use the interactive calendar or photo galleries. These features might be especially appealing to student chapters who are looking for a complete system of online engagement for their chapter without incurring any additional costs for their chapter.

The great thing is, your group members will already be added to your group site, with a link accessible to them from their profile. You will have the latest contact information available in your group’s directory (for those members who have not chosen to keep this information

For more information about utilizing these new website capabilities, take a look at these instructional videos (http://www.texasce.org/?Newsiteinstruction), or just log in and discover the capabilities for yourself. If you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to contact Texas Section staff. We’re here to resolve any technical difficulties and we’d be happy to help you in making the most of these new capabilities for your group!

texasce.org

Monuments to Civil Engineers: Manhole covers Melinda Luna PE History and Heritage Committee Chair

Port Isabel, Texas is located on the South tip of the Texas coast. A city of 5,000, where you’ll find Port Isabel Historical Museum. It houses the largest collection of artifacts from the U.S./Mexico War. Around this museum is a series unique monuments to civil engineers in Texas - a series of manhole covers depicting various generals and projects from the area. The manhole covers depict engineers and projects including: George G. Meade, George B. McClellan, P.G.T. Beauregard, Fort Polk (Texas), and the Rio Grande Railroad Company. The manholes are located on Tarvana and Maxan streets near the Queen Isabel Causeway. Each unique manhole cover tells a story of a man or project. The men emblazoned on the manhole covers served as civil engineers, involved in the U.S. - Mexico War, and some contributed as civil engineers involved in the settling of Texas.

George Gordon Meade – George G. Meade was a graduate of WestPoint in 1835. He worked to survey the Long Island Railroad after graduation. He then fought in the Seminole War in Florida. He resigned from the army and worked as

an engineer on the Alabama, Florida & Georgia Railroads. He also did survey work on the Mississippi, mapping the terrain data for hydrologic studies and also surveyed the Texas borders. In 1842, he joined the Corps of Topographical Engineers. He worked on construction of lighthouses in Delaware then was called to Texas and fought in the Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma battles. Following the Civil War he returned to working on coastal lighthouse as well as surveys of the Great Lakes. P.G.T. Beauregard – Pierre Gustave Totant-Beuregard was a United States Military academy graduate. Graduating second in his class, he was responsible for constructing and maintaining the army chain of coastal forts. During the Mexican American War he built fortifications, and conducted reconnaissance under the command of General Winfield Scott. Beauregard was responsible for the strategies that captured Mexico City and ensured the U.S. victory. From 1848 to 1860, Beauregard worked on a variety of engineering projects; defense against a flooding Mississippi River, building forts in Florida and maintaining ones already built, and improving shipping channels at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Just before the beginning of the American Civil War, Beauregard was charged with and was successful in saving the New Orleans Federal Customs House from sinking into the soft mud it was built on. He eventually became involved in creating the Louisiana Lottery. George B. McClellan - George B. McClellan came to Texas as a Lieutenant. He fought in the battles of Resaca de la Palma and Palo Alto. He the explored and found the source of

the Red River for the U.S. Corps of Engineers. As Chief Engineer for the Department of Texas, he evaluated Texas Ports to help grow the state. He settled in Ohio after his Texas adventures. He rose to the rank of General under President Lincoln and eventually ran against him in the 1864 presidential race. He served as Governor of New Jersey before his death in 1885. Rio Grande Rail Road Company was a railroad built in 1872. It was the only railroad in Texas and one of the few in the U.S. to be built with forty-two inch track gauge. It also utilized mesquite for railroad ties as well as using mesquite for fuel in the steam locomotives. The railroad was a direct route from Brownsville to the coast and utilized 15 bridges to cross the marshland. It was an early engineering feat in Texas and was also able to withstand hurricanes and floods. A map guide to these sites is provided at http://bit.ly/1G38ZIm If you are in the area consider visiting this unique site. http://www.waymarking.com/cat/ details.aspx?f=1&guid=611c4db20a6e-4055-9cba-b07f658a4bc 5 & l a t = 2 6 . 0 7 74 3 3 & l o n = 97.207667&t=6

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

2015 Webinars

Larry Goldberg PE VP-Educational

2015 ASCE TEXAS SECTION W E B I N A R SERIES Texas Section M e m b e r s pay $35 per webinar, or buy January 2015 – June 2015 Prepay Subscription for $150. ($50 Savings) Branches and Student Chapters get 1 free connection per webinar. Contact Annemarie Gasser for more information. agasser@texasce.org Non-Members Pay $75 per webinar or Buy January – June 2015 Prepay Subscription For $250. ($200 Savings)

2014 Webinars On Demand The Section is now offering 2014’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 2014: Texas Water Fund with Texas Water Development Board

Topics January 2015 Update On Wind Loading Criteria By Bill Colbourne

March 2014: Concrete Roads: What You Don’t Know Can Cost Your Client

February 2015 Low Impact Development Case Study: Birnamwood Drive, Klotz Associates Kevin Hoffman, PE March 10, 2015: State Water Implementation Fund For Texas, Todd Chenoweth, Senior Advisor, Texas Water Development Board April 14, 2015: US 290 Update, Texas Department Of Transportation May 12, 2015: Hydrology and Hydraulics, Lesley Brooks, Freese And Nichols June 9, 2015: 2014 OCEA Winner: Ward County Water Supply, Nick Lester, Freese And Nichols

February 2014: File Sharing and Transferring Data

April 2014: Starting a Business: Things to Consider May 2014: Managing Generational Differences June 2014: Application of Communication Basics July 2014: Sustainability Meets Infrastructure - An Overview of EnvisionTM August 2014: Accessibility in the Public Right of Way September 2014: NEPA Delegation to TxDOT September 2014 Ethics: Special Considerations in Natural Disaster Prone Areas November 2014: Update on South Texas Activities on TxDOT Roads December 2014: Bridge Scour and the Observation Method 

texasce.org

News FREESE AND NICHOLS NAMED A TEXAS TREASURE FORT WORTH, Texas – January 8, 2015 - Mayor Betsy Lake Worth and the Holly Water Treatment Plant in the Price and the Fort Worth City Council proclaimed Sept. 1890s. A selection of the firm’s projects across the state 16, 2014, as Freese and Nichols Texas Treasure Day in includes Waco’s Lake Brazos Labyrinth Weir, the Phyllis honor of the designation conferred earlier this year by J. Tilley Memorial Pedestrian and Clearfork Main Street the Texas Historical Commission. The designation was bridges in Fort Worth, the Regional Groundwater Update sponsored by Texas Sen. Wendy Davis and Rep. Craig Project in the Houston area, the Olmos Dam rehabilitaGoldman and names Freese and Nichols as a Texas tion in San Antonio, the Brown County Water Treatment Treasure Historic Plant in Brownwood, Business. The Texas the Elm Fork AthletHistorical Commisic Complex Master sion cited the firm Plan in Dallas, the for exceptional conWard County Transtributions toward the mission System near economic growth Odessa, and the and prosperity of Tarrant County ColTexas. Of the 165 lege Energy Techbusinesses to receive nology Center in Fort this honor, Freese Worth. and Nichols is one of only 20 business- Pictured: State Rep. Craig Goldman, Freese and Nichols Chair- The Texas Treasure es to have served the man Emeritus Jim Nichols, Mayor Betsy Price, Freese and Nichols Business Award Prostate of Texas for 120 President and CEO Bob Pence, Freese and Nichols CFO Cindy gram recognizes the Milrany, Freese and Nichols COO Ron Lemons, and Kristi Wise- accomplishments of years or more. Mayor Price read the man and Charles Boswell representing state Senator Wendy Davis Texas businesses that proclamation at the have provided emSept. 14 City Council ployment opportunimeeting and congratulated Freese and Nichols as she ties and support to the state’s economy for at least 50 handed the certificate to Chairman Emeritus Jim Nichols. years. Created in 2005 by Senate Bill 920, authored by President and CEO Bob Pence thanked the Mayor and Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio and sponsored Council on behalf of the company’s 500-plus employees. by Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson of Waco, the program pays tribute to the state’s well-established businesses Freese and Nichols was founded in Fort Worth in 1894 and their exceptional historical contributions toward the by John Blackstock Hawley. The firm has served Texas state’s economic growth and prosperity. public entities for many years, beginning with design of PSI promotes Shashank Valluru PE to vice president Professional Service Industries, Inc. (PSI) is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Shashank Valluru PE to Vice President.

Shashank Valluru PE

Mr. Valluru earned his Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas Arlington and his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Osmania University. Based in Houston, he previously served as district manager but will continue to oversee the Houston drilling, geotechnical and environmental departments along with the Astrodome Special Project. He has been with the PSI team since 2001.

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

Classified City of McKinney requires me to have a registered 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 rb8102@copper.net

Visit Our New Career Center! Post your resume and recruit new employees all in one place! TexASCE.org

SAVE THE DATE!

Call for Potential Speakers and Exhibitors! We are proud to announce the dates for the 25th Annual Louisiana Civil Engineering Conference and Show. This event, a joint effort from the New Orleans Branches of ASCE and ACI, is the premiere gathering for the Civil Engineering community in the Greater New Orleans Area. We are in the process of soliciting sponsors and exhibitors and establishing the technical program for the fall conference which will be held on September 23-24, 2015, at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, Louisiana. For additional information on the conference, please visit our web site at www.LCECS.org

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Stormwater Program Management

Water Quality Monitoring

Industrial Stormwater Management

Advanced Research Topics

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