4:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Engineered Earth Armoring Solutions Technical Training
Speaker : Michael W. Johnson, P.E. w/ Propex Geosolutions
Abstract : The focus of the presentation will be the soil stabilization and erosion control mitigation capabilities of the Propex brand of Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRM) and High Performance Turf Reinforcement Mats (HPTRM). The ARMORMAX system consists of Pyramat 75 HPTRM coupled with an engineered earth anchor that provides permanent tie-down for either severe erosion and/or structural slope stability. The Pyrawall system is an Engineered wrap-face vegetated solution for constructing reinforced earth walls and steepened slopes that consists of Pyramat 75 and fiber-composite internal bracing. The Scourlok system is a robust Engineered Bank Stabilization system designed to resist extreme hydraulic stress and protect shorelines and banks while promoting vegetation that is designed to provide below water scour protection.
Michael Johnson has over two decades in the Civil Engineering and Construction industry. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, he has detailed design and project management experience in Heavy Civil and Environmental projects, both domestic and international. In addition, he possesses permitting experience with several Local, State, and Federal land development and planning divisions, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Army Corps of Engineering (USACE), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). Mr. Johnson has spent the last five years of his career focusing on Green Infrastructure and Sustainability projects throughout the Gulf Region. He holds Professional Civil Engineering Licenses in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
5:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Retaining Wall Failures and How to Avoid Them
Speaker : Jim Dutton w/ Du-West Foundation Repair
Abstract : Retaining walls are structures designed to hold back soil. We see retaining walls everywhere, even in Houston where the topography is fairly flat. But why do we see retaining walls that have failed and what can we do to keep from having these failures? Mr. Dutton will share his company's experience in repairing failed retaining walls, showing why they commonly fail, how to repair them and what can be done to avoid future failures. Several failure repair case histories will also be presented.
Jim Dutton is Vice President of Du-West Services, Inc. Mr. Dutton has over 42 years experience in the construction industry, of which the last 37 years have been endeared to foundation repair, plumbing and HVAC in the State of Texas. He is a past FPA Board Member and past FPA Structural Committee member where he has co-authored some of its peer-reviewed publications. He has served many years as president of the Foundation Repair Association, both in several Texas chapters and at the national level. Since 2004, Mr. Dutton has been a syndicated host of Texas Home Improvement heard on several radio stations throughout the State of Texas.