4:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
New Innovative Technologies with Real-time Monitoring: Smart Cement, Corrosion, Expansive Clays and Microbial Fuel Cell
Presented by Dr. C. Vipu, P.E., with the University of Houston Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology and Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology
BIO: Cumaraswamy Vipulanandan (Vipu) is an endowed professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Houston, Houston, Texas. He is the Director of the Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT) and the Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology (THC-IT). He was the Department chairman from 2001 to 2009. Earned his MS and PhD in Civil Engineering from Northwestern University. He was the Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator for over 80 funded projects since 1984 amounting to over $13 million. His research areas include geotechnical, foundations, materials, environmental, disaster management, rapid recovery, artificial neural network, and modeling. One focus area of the research is related to development of highly sensing smart cement and smart grouts with real-time monitoring system for applications in oil and gas industries and civil infrastructure industries. Also, he has developed a new nondestructive method to detect and quantify surface and bulk corrosion. Recently he has developed the Vipulanandan Rheological Model to characterize the fluids including drilling muds and cement slurries and the model is being used around the world. He has also developed the new Vipulanandan Failure Models for rocks, soils and concrete. He has graduated 35 Ph.D. and 90 Masters students (with theses). He was the editor for seven books published by the American Society of Civil Engineering and the American Concrete Institute. Recently he received two patents on “Smart Cement” and “Detection and Quantification of Corrosion in Materials”. He was selected as the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in 2011 by the U.S. underground infrastructure industry. He has also received several national, state and local awards for his research, teaching, and service.
ABSTRACT: Smart cement with highly sensing properties has been developed. The smart cement is piezoresistive and is also sensitive to the stress, chemical and temperature changes and is integrated with real-time monitoring. The performance of the smart cement has been tested in the laboratory and field model well. The real-time monitoring can be also used in regular concrete curing and in-service performance in the field. A non-destructive electrical method has been developed to rapidly detect and quantify corrosion in the metals and non-metallic materials and the technology can be easily implemented in the field. Also new polymer treatment method has been developed to rapidly treat the expansive clay soils to reduce the swelling and enhance the mechanical properties. Microbial fuel cell has been developed to treat waste waters and produce electricity with biosurfactant. New Analytical Models have been developed to characterize the smart cement, corrosion and soil behaviors.
5:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Geoforensic Study of Existing Laydown Area Distress in Houston, Texas
Presented by Mr. David Eastwood, P.E., D.GE, DFE, BC.GE, C.A.P.M., F.PTI, F.FPA, F.ASCE with Geotech Engineering and Testing
BIO: Mr. Eastwood has practiced consulting engineering for about 48 years, serving in key technical project management and administrative roles. His specialties are in geotechnical, environmental, materials and geoforensic engineering. Mr. Eastwood's experience in these functions include a wide range of project types, ranging from public infrastructure, public works, municipal work, industrial facilities, commercial developments to waste disposal facilities, power plants, dams, marine terminals, and underground storage tank contamination studies.
Mr. Eastwood conducts training in geotechnical, environmental, materials and geoforensic engineering for many agencies and associations. He is the President of Houston Chapter of Texas Council of Engineering Laboratories. Furthermore, he is the founder and past president of Foundation Performance Association, an organization specializing in foundation failure evaluation. In addition, Mr. Eastwood has been certified as a Corrective Action Project Manager with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Mr. Eastwood is the past President of the Academy of Distinguished Civil & Environmental Engineers at the University of Houston, Cullen College of Engineering. Mr. Eastwood is also a 2017 Member of Distinguished Alumni of College of Engineering at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering. Furthermore, Mr. Eastwood has been accepted as an Academy of Geo-Professionals (AGP) as a Diplomate, Geotechnical Engineer Fellow Member. In addition, he has been accepted as an American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Fellows Member. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from the University of Houston in 1977 and 1978, respectively.
ABSTRACT: Laydown areas serve as designated storage spaces within industrial yards for equipment, tools, and supplies. Due to cost considerations, many of these materials are supported on a flexible base rather than a rigid foundation. This study aimed to assess the distress observed in the flexible base of a laydown facility located in Houston, Texas. Documentation indicated that the laydown area was constructed in 2019 with a lime-stabilized subgrade and a limestone base. The subgrade and base had approximate thicknesses of six inches and eight inches, respectively. Site observations revealed significant deterioration, including widespread rutting, numerous potholes, standing water in low-lying sections, poor drainage, and pavement failure. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the causes of distress in the existing laydown area and provide recommendations for repair. A geoforensic investigation was conducted to assess the condition of the aggregate surface course and stabilized subgrade soil. This evaluation involved site visits, in-situ density measurements using a nuclear gauge, geotechnical assessments, laboratory testing, and a review of available documentation. The collected data was then analyzed to determine the factors contributing to the observed distress. Based on the review of available records, field explorations, laboratory test data, and engineering analysis, the primary causes of distress in the laydown area appear to be the absence of lime stabilization in the subgrade, insufficient compaction of the subgrade, inadequate thickness of the limestone base course, and a deficient drainage system. These findings provide the basis for targeted repair recommendations to improve the durability and performance of the laydown facility.
