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August e.Geo

August 2019




In this issue:

  1. Welcome our new President, Chris Diaz
  2. August Regional Meetings: Seismic Updates to California Building Code
  3. August EP Meeting
  4. Become a mentor - the most rewarding job you'll have
  5. Fundamentals of Professional Practice: Save $1000
  6. Did you know... you can now access PDH details on our website!
  7. Don't miss an opportunity with CalGeo's Job Board
  8. CalGeo's Membership Journey
  9. Membership Renewal is here!
  10. Welcome our New Members
  11. Upcoming Events - the e.Calendar

Welcome CalGeo's new President: Chris Diaz

Its a new year for CalGeo and that means a new President. Please welcome Christopher Diaz, P.E. President/Principal of Diaz-Yourman & Associates.

Christopher Diaz has over 30 years of experience in civil construction and geotechnical engineering.  For the past 15 years, the major focus of his work has been in the design and construction of liquefaction mitigation, as well as in-ground improvement projects, including stone columns, grouting, and deep dynamic compaction. Chris became a principal and company president of Diaz-Yourman & Associates (DYA) in December 2004, after 10 years as a staff engineer through senior engineer.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Chris has served on the CalGeo Board of Directors since 2010 and also on the Orange County and State boards of ACEC. He is also involved in several professional and engineering organizations, including ASCE, WTS, and is a member of the DFI Ground Improvement Committee.  Chris has been instrumental in directing DYA to generously support the student chapter of CalGeo at Cal Poly Pomona.


Seismic Design Updates to the California Building Code

We know its hard to stay abreast of all the changes to legislative issues, advancements in technology and code requirements. That's why we're here!

Registration is now open for our August Regional Dinner Meetings in Walnut Creek and Santa Ana to get an update on the California Building code changes as they relate to new seismic design requirements.

ALREADY 50% SOLD! Register early to save your seat.

August 27th - Scott's Seafood, Walnut Creek  $60 Members/$70 Non-members

August 29th - The Hacienda, Santa Ana $50 Members/$65 Non-members

We love our friends at ASCE - Members get the CalGeo member price.

Students are only $25!

We are bringing in Dr. David Baska from Terracon Consultants in Seattle Washington. Dave Baska has been a practicing geotechnical engineer since graduating from the Colorado School of Mines in 1984.  Dr. Baska’s interest in earthquake engineering was sparked by Harry Seed while earning his M.S. from UC Berkeley in 1988.  Following an additional decade of consulting, Dave returned to school and earned his doctorate under Steve Kramer at the University of Washington (UW).  He has completed consulting projects throughout the U.S. and abroad, including the State of California where he is a certified geotechnical engineer.

The new building code incorporates some significant changes from the previous code.  Dr. Baska will discuss the seismic provisions of the new code from a geotechnical engineer’s perspective and share his experience with implementing the provisions into practice.

Biography:

Dave Baska has been a practicing geotechnical engineer since graduating from the Colorado School of Mines in 1984.  Dr. Baska’s interest in earthquake engineering was sparked by Harry Seed while earning his M.S. from UC Berkeley in 1988.  Following an additional decade of consulting, Dave returned to school and earned his doctorate under Steve Kramer at the University of Washington (UW).  He has completed consulting projects throughout the U.S. and abroad, including the State of California where he is a certified geotechnical engineer.  Dr. Baska has been an Affiliate Associate Professor at the UW since 2007.  His participation in earthquake reconnaissance teams to Chile and New Zealand following the 2010 Maule and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes has enhanced his practical approach. Dave was awarded a University of Canterbury Visiting Erskine Fellowship to teach in Christchurch during the 2019 academic year.

Details:

Meetings will both begin with a sponsored happy hour and registration courtesy of our Affiliate Partner Hayward Baker.

5:45pm: Happy Hour and Registration

6:20pm: Dinner

7:00pm: Presentation

8:15pm: Conclusion & Questions

Thank you Affiliate Sponsors:

  


August Emerging Professionals Meeting

Join the Sacramento Emerging Professionals group the 3rd Wednesday of every month for a casual dinner and interesting speaker.

August's meeting will be on August 21st at the North Natomas Library

Presented by: Sam Rosenberk, Ram Jack

Helical piles and anchors have been used in construction applications for more than 175 years. The first recorded use of helical piles was in 1836 by Alexander Mitchell when he used helical piles to underpin the Maplin Sands Lighthouse in England. Helical piles have gained in popularity to the extent they are more frequently used compared to many other deep foundation types in some geographical areas. In the past, helical piles were an interesting alternative that some geotechnical engineers would take into consideration in some special cases. Helical piles are barely mentioned in undergraduate and graduate civil engineering studies. Now helical piles are widely known by most practicing engineers and should be considered an essential part of any foundation course. Even owners and developers are beginning to request helical piles due to their versatility and high capacities in both tension and compression. The International Code Council (ICC) established an acceptance criteria AC358) for helical piles in 2007. ICC inducted helical piles into the International Building Code (IBC) in 2009. The presentation will cover the design, applications and building code requirements of helical piles.

Engineering Presentation Outline:

  1. Driven Pile System: Components, Advantages, Benefits, Video Clip
  2. Helical Pile System: Components, Applications, Benefits, Video Clip
  3. Theory & Design: History, Terzaghi, How To Calculate Capacities
  4. ICC Acceptance Criteria: AC358, Applications Covered
  5. IBC 2009-2012: Key Helical Pile Sections, Stability, Unbraced Lengths, Lateral Loads, Group Effect
  6. Foundation Solutions Software: Solutions, Benefits, Screen Shots, Reports
  7. Interesting Jobs: Review of 6 Real World Applications with Case Study Info.
  8. Seismic Testing: Update on Seismic testing of Helical Piles

Speaker Bio:

Sam Rosenberk, Ph.D., P.E. is the Vice President of Engineering for Ram Jack Systems Distribution, LLC. Rosenberk is responsible for designing, developing, installing, and testing hydraulically driven steel underpinning piles as well as helical piles and anchors. Rosenberk has designed foundation underpinning systems for residential, commercial, and industrial projects throughout the United States, Canada, and South America.

Cost: $20 Professionals, Students free!

Details: Dinner & registration @ 6:30pm, presentation @ 7:15pm

RSVP by August 19th to: [email protected]

Webcast: As usual, we will webcast this meet for those members outside of the Sacramento area. Please register using the link below on our GoToWebinar page. You will be sent reminders and a link to join the meeting.

REGISTER FOR WEBCAST>>

We will record the presentation and have it available with other recordings on our Members Club page for viewing at your leisure.


Become a Mentor

Looking for ways to give back to your community and encourage young kids to look at our profession as a possible career path? ACE is an after school program for high school students that introduces them to careers in architecture, construction management, engineering and other disciplines.

The ACE Mentor program has chapters across America and have recruiting events for potential mentors like you! Mix and mingle with your peers and learn how you can get involved with high school students and teach them a little of what drive you.

August 1st: ACE LA/Orange County Mentor Recruiting event, Newport Beach. CLICK HERE for more information and RSVP

August 28th: ACE San Diego Mentor Recruiting event, San Diego CLICK HERE for more information and RSVP

OR... Join the ASCE OC Mentorship Program

Applications for the 2019-2020 Mentorship Program are now being accepted! ASCE OC hosts an annual Mentorship Program for the encouragement and development of its members and our future leaders. The program will pair young professionals (protégés) with an experienced civil engineer (mentor) in the local OC Branch. The Vision of the ASCE OC Mentorship Program is to provide invaluable guidance to young professionals to establish and attain their goals while providing a meaningful opportunity to experienced engineers to contribute to the Civil Engineering community.

Mentors and young professionals are paired after a speed interview process based off of discipline, common interests, and location. Throughout the year members in the program will attend three mandatory events and have the option to attend several informal events such as happy hours. The roles and responsibilities for mentors and young professionals will be unique to every pair and the goals set between each pair will serve as a guide for their relationship.

Applications due by Friday, August 30, 2019.

More info online here!


Save $1000 on Fundamentals of Professional Practice

This Quiz Is SO Easy!
 
This quiz poses just one question and provides helpful hints about correct answers:

Why would the highest-rated professional-liability insurer in the United States give every insured firm $2,250 for enrolling at least one of its rising stars in the Fundamentals of Professional Practice (FOPP) program?

a.   The insurer doesn't know how to manage money. (C’mon, it’s the nation’s no. 1-rated professional-liability insurer.)

b.    The insurer figures its insureds will like it more if it gives away money. (Uh, not likely: Its insureds own the company!)

c.    The insurance company believes that making a profit is unAmerican. (Since when?)

d.    The insurer believes that its insured firms reduce their own and the insurer’s liability exposures when the insureds have on staff rising stars who’ve learned how real pros run a geoprofessional firm; i.e., FOPP is an investment that pays BIG dividends.  
 
You did go with d, right? And if your firm is insured by Terra Insurance Company (which specializes in geoprofessional coverages), you’ve likely had people go through FOPP (more than 2,000 alumni!) or plan to soon. There’s nothing else like FOPP. And CalGeo members get a $1,000 discount because CalGeo is a sponsor!

Click here for more information on John Bachner's Fundamentals of Professional Practice course.


Did you know... CalGeo now keeps your Professional Development Hours in your profile!

For those of you with licenses in other states that require professional development hours, or perhaps you just want to keep track of the continuing education you receive, CalGeo has added a section to our website to help you with that.

New Continuing Education Management:

  • Easily view, edit and add continuing education through your member profile
  • Download a transcript of your Professional Development courses and hours
  • When you attend a CalGeo short course or conference starting in August 2019, your hours will be added to your membership profile
  • Keep everything easily accessible and in one place!

CLICK HERE to check it out! *Member login required. Can't remember your login or need to be linked to your company's membership? E-mail Kelly Cabal to request assistance.

Note: The Continuing Education section will most likely be empty until you start attending events this year.

Pro Tip: Find the CE section under your member profile menu once you login and select Member Portal on the right hand Quick Links:


Don't miss an Opportunity - Check out our job board

Check out CalGeo's new and improved Job Board for new opportunities. Members can post for free on CalGeo's job board and expand to all of Zip Recruiter's job network for only $149. If you are asked to pay $249 (non-member price), your company account is not recognized as a member.

How to post a job:

  • Visit CalGeo's website and click on the Jobs link in Navigation.
  • Look for the Employers link on the top right corner to sign-in.
  • Click the blue Member Login button on the job board and use your CalGeo membership login credentials to get the member price.

Call or E-mail Kelly Cabal with any questions!


CalGeo's Membership Journey

You may not realize it, but CalGeo offers something for everyone along their career path. Take a look at this short infographic to see where you fit in and what's in store. You can also download it as a PDF here!


Membership Renewal opens August 1st!

We hope you have found value in your membership with CalGeo this year. For a brief synopsis of what we've accomplished, download our Membership Value report HERE!

We have mailed out renewal packages to the key contacts of each firm. You have a couple ways to renew:

On-line Option:

Organizational members: Key contacts can Click here to complete a membership form/renewal and update your company size and information. Pay instantly online with a credit card or get an invoice e-mailed and pay before the deadline of September 15th.

Affiliate members: Key contacts can Click here to complete an Affiliate membership form/renewal, update company information and pay online or get an invoice e-mailed.

Individual members: Click here to login and complete a membership form/renewal, update your information and pay online or get an invoice e-mailed. Upgrade to a company membership so all your employees receive the benefit of membership, participate and receive in the salary survey and get voting rights!

Old-school Option:

Organizational members: Download our Membership Form, complete and remit with payment by the September 15th deadline. We take care of all the computer stuff!

Affiliate members: Download our Affiliate Membership Form, complete and remit with payment by the September 15th deadline.

Questions? E-mail or call Kelly Cabal 949-391-2436


Welcome CalGeo's Newest Members

We are pleased to welcome GeoVision to the CalGeo family this month.

GEOVision offers a full range of high-quality geophysical data acquisition, analysis, and imaging services. GEOVision specializes in non-invasive methods of investigtion for engineering, environmental, groundwater, mining, and archaeological applications.


The e.Calendar & Upcoming Events - The Geo-Calendar

 

Quick Browse: SoCal events in ORANGE, NorCal events in GREEN

August 27, 6-8:30pm: NorCal Regional Dinner Meeting w/ASCE-SF, Scott's Seafood Walnut Creek

August 29, 6-8:30pm: SoCal Regional Dinner Meeting w/ASCE-OC, The Hacienda Santa Ana

October 14-16, 2019: Focused Seismic and Liquefaction Training by Itasca, Crowne Plaza LA Harbor, Los Angeles

SAVE THE DATE, more details coming soon!

October 23, 2019: DFI 2019 Traveling Lecturer, Willie NeSmith, P.E. to present on cast in place piles, Bay Area