*Looking for our yearly Ethics presentation? Join is in SEPTEMBER at 3:00 pm*
4:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Active Surface Faults Along the Gulf Coast and Their Impact on the Built Environment
Presented by Mr. Richard G. Howe, P.G., C.P.G., with Terra Cognita, LLC
BIO: For more than 49 years, Richard G. Howe has practiced geology in various fields of application, which include engineering geology, hydrogeology, environmental geology, and petroleum geology. In the course of his professional work, he has conducted numerous studies of many of the surface faults that cross the upper Gulf Coast of Texas, a geologic phenomenon that can cause extensive damage to buildings and other structures. His work with faults in the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana first began in the 1970s while working in the oil industry and he has been investigating surface faults in the public and private sectors for more than twenty-five years. Mr. Howe holds a B.S. in Geology from Lamar University and a Master of Geoscience from Texas A&M University. As Owner and Principal Geologist of Terra Cognita, LLC, he is licensed in Texas and Louisiana and certified by the American Institute of Professional Geologists. Mr. Howe is active in multiple professional organizations, including AAPG, HGS, and AEG, and has held leadership roles such as Past-President of the Engineering, Science, & Technology Council of Houston. His honors include the HGS Distinguished Service Award, the Floyd T. Johnston Memorial Award, and an Honorary Life Award from HGS.
ABSTRACT: Active surface faults are found along the coastal areas of Texas and Louisiana, and they are a geological hazard that can adversely impact engineered structures. They exist within a swath which generally parallels the coastline and which ranges from offshore to perhaps as much as 100 miles inland. Whereas some engineering designs can retard the effects of a fault on fixed structures for a period of time, there are no "fault-proof" designs. Risk management of faults consists of identification and avoidance where possible.
5:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Geoforensic Study of an Industrial Building in Texas
Presented by Mr. David A. Eastwood, P.E., and Mr. John Wang, Ph.D., 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 includes 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 the 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 the 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.
BIO: Mr. John Wang, Ph.D., is a Project Manager at Geotech Engineering and Testing (GET) with the responsibility for daily operations of Geoforensic and geotechnical explorations, data analyses and preparation of report recommendations. He has several years of experience in field of geoforensic, geotechnical, environmental, and materials engineering. He has been involved in geoforensic studies as they relate to commercial structures, residential, slope failures, pavements, retaining walls, sewer leaks, plumbing leaks, etc. He other experience includes research and development in the field of soils, rock materials testing for slopes, retaining walls, pavements, low to high rise buildings, slope protection remedial works, deep foundations, flood control channels, community centers, office buildings, and subdivisions. His other experience includes research and development in the field of unsaturated soil mechanics (expansive soils). Dr. Wang is also actively involved in environmental site assessment projects, including Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Studies.
ABSTRACT: An Industrial Building, located in Houston, experienced extensive cracks and separations in the floor slabs. The building consists of a one-story metal building, is supported by drilled shafts, and was completed in/around August 2023. The purpose of this study was to (a) identify the cause(s) of distress at the floor slab and (b) recommend repair techniques that would reduce future distress and cracking of the floor slab. These objectives were met by (1) conducting site visits, (2) performing a geotechnical study, (3) conducting laboratory testing, (4) reviewing existing data and reports by others, and (5) analyzing the data to develop engineering recommendations. This report presents our site visits and field exploration together with our laboratory test results and recommendations. The causes of the distress at the floor slab for the subject building could be attributed to (a) inappropriate depth of rebar placement in the concrete slab, (b) inappropriate spacing and depth of control joints in the slab, (c) inadequate compressive strength of concrete, and (d) poor quality concrete. We anticipate further distress at the floor slab due to the deficiencies stated above with time.
