In this issue:
- New Video Released - Check it out and share!
- 2020 Legislative Update - What's new and how does it impact you?
- February Regional Meetings start this week
- Project Award Deadline EXTENDED to February 15th
- SoCal Loss Prevention - 5 spots left!
- Conference Speaker Release 3
- CPT Bootcamp - SoCal
- Free Webinar: Seismic Hazard & Risk Assessment for Induced Seismicity
- Career Center Reminder
- Stego's Latest Innovation
- Welcome our New Members
- Upcoming Events - the e.Calendar
New Video Released - Check it out and share!
We wanted to put a fun little video together to quickly tell new-comers and members why CalGeo is so great (as if you didn't know already!). Please let us know what you think and share the video on social media. Click the link or image below to watch on YouTube.
Video link: https://youtu.be/C8Aaz7IUgho

2020 Legislative Update
SB205 and AB1768, how do you keep it all straight?

Read more on our website about these new pieces of legislation and how it may or may not impact you. We try to distill what's important so you're not wasting time e-mailing back and forth to find out all the information and requirements.
AB 1768, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, amends the definition of “construction” work for which prevailing wages must be paid to include “work performed during the design, site assessment, feasibility study, and other pre-construction phases of construction…regardless of whether any further construction work is conducted…”
Senate Bill 205 (2019) requires a person applying to a city or county for a new or renewed business license to demonstrate enrollment under the NPDES Industrial Storm Water General Permit for each business location conducting regulated industrial activities
Regional Meetings Coming Up Fast!
How can non-linear analysis be more accessible to practitioners like yourself? Read on!
Only a few more days to register for our NorCal dinner meeting! Register now for the February 5th NorCal regional meeting with Dr. Ross Boulanger, Professor & Director of the Center for Geotechnical Modeling at UC Davis.

Nonlinear dynamic analyses of Austrian Dam in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
In this presentation, Dr. Boulanger summarizes the non-linear dynamic analysis using the Austrian Dam/Loma Prieta case history. One of his goals in this talk is to make nonlinear analyses more accessible to practitioners, so the emphasis is on how to use the tools and not on the math/numerical methods.
The following week, Dr. Boulanger will be jetting to Southern California to join up with CalGeo, EERI and ASCE Geo-Institute in San Diego. He will be speaking on a slightly different topic and focus for this joint meeting
February 5, 2020: Scott's Seafood, Oakland $60 Members, $70 Non-members
REGISTER for the NorCal Meeting>>

2019 EERI Distinguished Lecture, "Liquefaction: Lessons, challenges and opportunities"
Liquefaction during earthquakes has been the subject of extensive study for over half a century and is now routinely addressed in engineering practice using a wide range of technical approaches that depend on the project size and importance. These past studies have produced major advances in our scientific understanding of liquefaction phenomena and the engineering practices used to address liquefaction hazards, but there remain numerous situations where knowledge gaps and engineering practice limitations hinder the efficient mitigation of earthquake-induced liquefaction damages to our infrastructure and communities. This presentation examines a number of lessons, challenges, and opportunities regarding the evaluation and mitigation of liquefaction hazards, including aspects of site characterization, engineering analysis methods, challenging soil types, remediation methods, performance-based engineering procedures, and risk management approaches.
February 11, 2020: Sufi Mediterranean Restaurant, San Diego, $40 CalGeo/ASCE/EERI and all others welcome!
REGISTER for the SoCal Meeting>>
Project Award Deadline Extended to February 15
We are giving you an extra two weeks to get in your project award submissions. Awards will be presented at our Annual Conference and 50th Anniversary Celebration on April 24th, 2020 at the Project Award Luncheon at the Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe.
The deadline for submission is now February 15! This is the same day as the Early-bird deadline for conference registration (saves you $100)
Winners will be able to present their outstanding projects to conference attendees and accept their medal and award. Winning projects will also be featured in our e.Geo newsletter with a short article and photo.
This is a great marketing opportunity to show your clients that you have been recognized by a committee of your peers for the outstanding work you performed.
Any projects conducted in the past 5-years are eligible. Three size categories (based on budget) are available in both PUBLIC and PRIVATE sectors.
Both Affiliate members and Organizational members can submit projects!
Projects will be scored on:
- Innovation
- Difficulty of Investigation
- Design Team Interaction
- Social Impact
- Quality of Report
Download the application form and requirements here>>
Submit your application and fee online here>>
Documents and report can be e-mailed or uploaded to Dropbox by the deadline of January 30, 2020. Please contact Kelly Cabal for more information.
Shhhh! We only have 5 spots left for SoCal Loss Prevention
If you want to get in on our once-a-year Loss Prevention Seminar, you still have a chance. We have about 5 seats left for our Burbank location on Saturday February 8th.
CalGeo's Loss Prevention seminars are designed for field staff and technicians and offer four-hours of training on a Saturday morning (complete with hot breakfast).
Program:
- "An Engineered Approach for a Successful Soil Stabilization Project - The Technician's Role" by Marco Estrada, Pavement Recycling Systems
- "Asphalt Batch Plant Inspection" by Tim Reed, Vulcan Materials
- "Observation & Testing - Preparation of Field Reports" by Neal Berliner, Geocon
- "Construction Defect Litigation & Liability: A Field Technician's Role" by Michael Edwards, Byron & Edwards
Details:
Residence Inn Burbank, 321 S Ikea Way, Burbank, CA 91502
FREE PARKING!
7:30am Registration & Breakfast
8:00am Start of seminar
12:00pm Conculsion & PDH certificates
Conference Speaker Release 3
We are celebrating 50 years of CalGeo at the Resort at Squaw Creek in beautiful Lake Tahoe April 22-24, 2020. Short courses available on Wednesday April 22nd.
PRINTABLE PROGRAM RELEASED! Download it here!
There is so much in store for you - we always have the best social events, food and fun. Plus you will stay on-top of technical issues, risk and liability, legislative action and our economic forecast for the year to come.
Thursday April 23rd stay with us after lunch for Tyler Munzing's presentation:
What’s shakin’ in Sacramento? – Seismicity, Continuity of Services, and other A&E issues before the California Legislature
Tyler Munzing is Director of Government Affairs for ACEC California, responsible for managing ACEC California’s state legislative activities, tying together the organization’s policy agenda and political objectives with the promotion of the engineering and land surveying profession. Prior to joining ACEC California, Tyler served in the State Capitol representing multiple state legislators, most recently as Legislative Director for a Senator where he spent seven years working prominently on energy, transportation, resources, and design professional issues.
That afternoon we also have Dr. Richard Schweickert, Professor Emeritus at UNR speaking on:
Neotechtonics of the Lake Tahoe Area: Implications for Landslides and Tsunamis
The main themes involve using detailed field studies and underwater observations with ROV’s, along with high-resolution bathymetry and lidar topographic images, to produce evidence for a paleo-Tahoe, landslides and consequent tsunami, and active faults.
Dr. Schweickert received his B.S. and Ph.D. in Geology from Stanford and has held numeros teaching and academic positions at Cal State Sonoma, San Jose and San Francisco. He later took on the role of Associate Professor of Geology at Columbia in New York before settling at the University of Nevada, Reno in 1982. His on-going research is focused on crustal evolution of mountain belts, with emphasis on North American Cordillera, California-Nevada and Alpine chain. With NSF funding, Dr. Schweickert has carried out research in Alaska, California, Nevada, Chile, Argentina, Antarctica, Newfoundland, Italy, and Corsica.
Join Dr. Schweickert on an optional field trip Friday April 25th at 3:15pm!
Field Trip Program:
In Squaw Valley, high-standing Tahoe-age glacial moraines represent times when the Truckee River canyon and Lake Tahoe were glacially dammed. From there we will drive along the canyon through high walls of Quaternary volcanic rocks to Tahoe City and scenic Commons Beach. There, we will outline, 1) the geologic framework of Lake Tahoe, 2) 2.5 m.y. to 923 ka volcanism and lava dams at Tahoe City, 3) Lake Tahoe highstand benches, 4) boulder megaripples on the Tahoe City shelf produced by giant tsunami waves from the McKinney Bay collapse, and, if time permits, we may discuss 5) some of the history of the Lake Tahoe dam.
Save $100 on Early Bird registration (members only) until February 15th.
Sponsorships still available! Please download our Sponsorship Information (PDF) and complete the on-line sponsorship form to support 50-years of CalGeo!
Spring CPT Bootcamp in SoCal is March 6th
Our CPT Bootcamp short course was such a success it sold out in just a week! Don't miss our SoCal extended version on March 6th at the Courtyard Marriott Santa Ana, just off the 55 freeway at MacArthur.

More Options, More Learning:
To offer more learning opportunities for geo-professionals with varying degrees of CPT experience we have extended this course to a full day format.
AM Session:
Background on Cone Penetration Testing, data collected and soil parameters. If you are new to CPT - this is for you! Learn all about how the data is collected and how to calculate basic soil parameters and the soil behavior type.
A basic introduction to the software program, CPeT-IT will be included to cover importing files, looking at the data and basic parameter selection.
PM Session:
The afternoon session will take a deeper dive into analyzing CPT data for pile design and shallow foundations. More advanced features of CPeT-IT will be discussed and the course will move quickly.
CLiq will be introduced for liquefaction evaluation and case history examples will be used to work through.
Choose your path!
Register for just the AM, just the PM or come for the full day - its up to you!
Cost:
Half Day single session (AM or PM) $180 members, $300 non-members, $50 student members
Full Day (both AM and PM sessions) $300 members, $500 non-members, $100 student members
What's included:
Half day sessions will include either breakfast (AM session) or lunch (PM session) and breaks. Full day attendees will receive both breakfast and lunch.
Please plan to bring a laptop computer to follow along with the software. Free 7-day licenses will be available for both CPeT-IT and CLiq if you do not own the programs.
More information on CPeT-IT & CLiq available from Geologismiki's website.
REGISTER NOW
Free Webinar: Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment for Induced Seismicity
Login at noon Pacific Time on Thursday February 13th for this informative free webinar!
Presented by: Ellen M. Rathje, PhD and Janet S. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering - Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering and Senior Research Scientist - Bureau of Economic Geology The University of Texas at Austin
With the increasing rate of induced earthquakes, it is important to assess the potential impacts of earthquakes on the infrastructure and people in the affected areas. Approaches to quantify the expected levels of earthquake shaking (i.e., seismic hazard) and the expected levels of damage (i.e., seismic risk) are available and have been used for decades to evaluate the impacts of natural earthquakes. However, these approaches need to be adapted to assessments for induced earthquakes. This presentation will provide an overview of the approaches used to quantify seismic hazard and risk, and how they are being adapted for use with induced earthquakes.
Information on Connecting
Meeting Link: https://utbeg.webex.com/utbeg/j.php?MTID=m462e06aaa8f76c159960f4f292dece53
Meeting number/access code: 803 500 290
Password: YuAyi783
Video address: Dial [email protected]
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter meeting number
Join by Phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll
(If you need a Global call-in number, look under meeting information once you join the meeting or contact [email protected] prior to 02/13/2020.)
Stego's Latest Innovation
Stego is excited for Beast Form Stake to be nominated for Most Innovative Product award in the Slab Tools/Equipment & Materials category. Beast Form Stake is a vapor-barrier safe forming accessory that meets ASTM E1643 requirements - never puncture the vapor barrier. The Beast® Concrete Accessories line has received three MIP wins to date and we hope to make it a fourth. Learn more about this innovative concrete accessory and cast your vote!

Also, make sure to check out some of their more popular articles such as:
10 Critical Reasons Why You Need a Below-Slab Vapor Barrier
Despite its cost being measured in mere cents per square foot, project designers, contractors and building owners often disregard a high-performance under-slab vapor barrier. Yet, failing to use this vital material may be the best illustration in the construction industry of “a penny wise and a pound foolish” – unnecessarily risking costly consequences and potentially years of legal squabbling over liability.
Here are 10 critical reasons why you should always use a high-performance vapor barrier, no matter the project:
1. Vapor barriers are relatively cheap. Floor failures are not. 2. A proper vapor barrier installation can limit your liability. 3. Your indoor air quality depends on it and so do the building inhabitants. 4. Even a warehouse can experience moisture problems. 5. Give your HVAC system a break - and maybe save some money in the process. 6. Your floor covering warranty may require it. 7. "Concrete Cancer" Prevention. 8. Avoid Sweating Slab Syndrome with a proper vapor barrier installation. 9. A high-performance vapor barrier prevents long-term curling. 10. Vapor barriers save time and money for the concrete placement team.
Read the full article here >>
Career Center Reminder - Post your jobs here!
Our old Job Board was sooooo 2019 - check out our new Career Center launched just in time for the new year! Fully integrated with our website, you can use your same CalGeo login and password to access the new Career center and receive special member pricing on all your job posts.
Employer Posting Structure:
30 Day Posting: $39 Member Price. $100 Non-Member Price
60 Day Posting: $59 Member Price. $175 Non-Member Price
90-Day Posting: $79 Member Price. $199 Non-Member Price
Featured Upgrade: Only $25 for Members ($45 for Non-members)
Featured jobs will be promoted at the top of the board, highlighted, and published to the Google Jobs Network. These jobs are sorted with the most recently posted jobs appearing at the top. Non-featured jobs will appear in chronological order from oldest to newest below the featured jobs.
Attention Job Seekers! We haven't forgotten about you - check out the new Career Center to post your resume and apply for open positions. Employers can search through resumes and reach out to you directly.
Take me to the new Career Center >>
Welcome CalGeo's Newest Members
We are pleased to welcome a few new members to the CalGeo family this month:
Geo Spectra Consulting Engineers, Inc. is a full service geotechnical engineering, forensic consulting, and material testing and inspection firm comprised of a team of highly qualified engineers, geologists, and other professionals. Geo Spectra's primary goal is providing the highest level of geotechnical consulting, design, and construction services to both public and private entities, as well as legal professionals. Geo Spectra is certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE), under the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC). The firm is also registered as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) with several agencies.
Merrell-Johnson Engineering: Originally established as Kenyon Engineering, Inc., Merrell Johnson Companies has been serving the High Desert and Southern California since 1957. Now over thirty strong, our team of highly qualified professionals and support personnel has the experience and technical expertise to provide you with service you can rely on.
Cleary Consultants, Inc. is a Santa Clara County based consulting engineering firm specializing in geotechnical and geological engineering. Serving the construction industry for over 40 years, we have extensive experience with the local soils and geological conditions within the greater San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. Cleary offers a broad range of geotechnical services to public and private sector clients during the planning, design, and construction phases of the project.
The e.Calendar & Upcoming Events - The Geo-Calendar
Quick Browse: SoCal events in ORANGE, NorCal events in GREEN
CalGeo Events & Deadlines:
February 5, 2020: NorCal Regional Meeting w/Dr. Ross Boulanger, Scott's Seafood, Oakland
February 8, 2020: SoCal Loss Prevention Seminar (Saturday 8am-12pm), Burbank
February 11, 2020: SoCal Regional Meeting w/Dr. Ross Boulanger, La Jolla
February 13, 2020: Free Webinar on Seismic Hazard Analysis
February 15, 2020: Deadline to submit your Outstanding Project Award submission
February 15, 2020: Early Bird registration deadline for Annual Conference (Save $100!)
February 28, 2020: Taber Drill Class, Capay Valley
March 6, 2020: SoCal CPT Bootcamp, Santa Ana
March 31, 2020: Regular registration deadline for Annual Conference
April 2-3, 2020: Rocscience Short course on 2D Numerical Modelling, Los Angeles
April 22, 2020: Roscience Short courses @ Annual Conference, Lake Tahoe
April 22, 2020: Prevailing Wage Short course @ Annual Conference, Lake Tahoe
April 22-24, 2020: CalGeo's Annual Conference & 50th Anniversary! You don't want to miss this one. Cross your fingers for some good snow and skiing at Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe
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