4:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Field Inspection Findings: Common Problems
Presented by Mr. Greg Brooks, P.E., with GA Brooks Engineering
BIO: Greg Brooks, P.E. is a licensed Professional Engineer with over a decade of experience in structural and windstorm engineering along the Texas Gulf Coast. Since earning his certification in 2013, Greg has conducted more than 2,000 foundation and structural inspections, ensuring compliance with rigorous coastal standards.
His diverse project portfolio includes the design of windstorm-compliant homes, foundation repair plans, structural evaluations of fire-damaged properties, and inspections for manufactured housing. Greg has also served as a general contractor, overseeing the construction and remodeling of high-end residences, including large concrete foundation homes and elevated beach-style structures.
Greg holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and began his engineering career under the mentorship of TVH Engineering before founding his own practice. He is an active member of the Foundation Performance Association and remains committed to continuing education and ethical engineering practices, always prioritizing the homeowner’s best interest.
ABSTRACT: This presentation, led by Mr. Brooks, will highlight recurring problems observed during field inspections across a range of structural and foundation-related projects. Topics will include concrete foundation repair, pier and beam foundation systems, beam sizing in wall removal scenarios, wooden piling replacement, manufactured home tiedown inspections, FHA completion inspections, and new construction. Unfortunately, many of these issues persist, often resulting in significant costs to homeowners and insurers. The session will explore common pitfalls in these areas and present practical solutions to help mitigate or prevent costly errors.
5:00 PM (1.0 PDH)
Pavement Condition Survey for a Road Project in Houston, Texas
Presented by Mr. David A. Eastwood, P.E., and Mr. James Namekar, 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: Dr. James Namekar, P.E. is Chief Engineer of Geotechnical Engineering at Geotech Engineering and Testing (GET), where he oversees operations in geotechnical and environmental engineering, data analysis, and report development. With 26 years of experience, he offers deep expertise in geotechnical, environmental, materials, and geoforensic engineering. His work spans public infrastructure projects such as water systems, roads, bridges, retaining walls, commercial buildings, rail systems, airports, ports, flood control channels, and residential subdivisions. He has led geotechnical explorations, coordinated lab testing, analyzed results, and provided post-design services. Dr. Namekar has contributed to research in deep foundations, slope stability, retaining wall design, and unsaturated soil mechanics. His experience includes landslide investigations, slope stability analysis, ground improvement, jet grouting, foundation design and inspection, settlement analysis, lateral earth pressure evaluation, and rigid pavement design—particularly on expansive soils. He has also conducted numerous Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, demonstrating his broad technical capabilities.
ABSTRACT: Geotech Engineering and Testing was engaged by a local developer to assess the condition and projected lifespan of an existing asphaltic concrete pavement structure on a major thoroughfare in the Houston Metro area. The geotechnical study involved a comprehensive site visit to evaluate the current pavement condition and structure. The team also performed a traffic loading analysis to determine whether the existing pavement could support anticipated future demands. Based on these findings, recommendations were developed for potential modifications to the pavement structure to accommodate the prescribed traffic loading. Repair options considered included milling and overlay, Full Depth Reclamation (FDR), and complete removal and replacement of the pavement structure. As part of the evaluation, Pavement Condition Index (PCI) values were calculated for various road segments, ranging from 48 to 80. Field exploration included soil borings, measurement of pavement thickness components, and subgrade stabilization checks using phenolphthalein testing. A 10-year traffic loading review was conducted to assess the pavement’s ability to support projected usage. Based on the results of the study, it was determined that the existing pavement was in suboptimal condition and would require a combination of repairs and reconstruction to remain serviceable for another decade.