4:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Joint Sealant Basics
Presented by Mr. Lyndon Muse with MAPEI
BIO: Lyndon Muse is a Sales Representative for MAPEI’s Construction Restoration Systems segment, serving South Central Texas—including Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and the South Texas Valley. He provides clients with a full range of MAPEI solutions, including coatings, sealers, decorative toppings, and waterproofing systems for commercial and infrastructure restoration projects.
ABSTRACT: This introductory class covers the fundamentals of joint sealants used in construction and restoration. Participants will learn about sealant types, selection criteria, surface preparation, application techniques, and performance considerations. The session highlights MAPEI’s range of sealant solutions and their role in protecting structures from moisture, movement, and environmental stress. Ideal for contractors, specifiers, and facility managers seeking practical guidance on sealant use in commercial and infrastructure projects.
5:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Geoforensic Study for 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, and 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 the 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 the 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. 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 in the floor slab due to the deficiencies stated above over time.
