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October e.Geo

 

October 2018




In this issue:

  1. Fall Regional Dinner Meetings
  2. The Great Debate: Prop 6
  3. Salary Survey - best yet!
  4. Award Winning Design-build Foundation
  5. Helping students will help you
  6. Opportunities for students @ DFI & Performance Based Design Webinar
  7. LPILE Seminar SOLD OUT - but wait!
  8. Be a beta tester for Rocscience
  9. Welcome our newest members

Fall Regional Dinner Meetings

Join us on October 9th in Burbank and October 25th in Sacramento for our fall regional dinner meetings.

Evaluation of Liquefaction Induced Building Settlement

Presented by Dr. Jonathan D. Bray, Ph.D., P.E., NAE, Faculty Chair in Earthquake Engineering Excellence, University of California, Berkeley

Jonathan Bray is the Faculty Chair in Earthquake Engineering Excellence at the University of California, Berkeley.  He earned engineering degrees from West Point, Stanford, and Berkeley.  Dr. Bray is a registered professional civil engineer and has served as a consultant on several important engineering projects and peer review panels. He has authored more than 300 research publications.  His expertise includes the seismic performance of earth structures, seismic site response, liquefaction and ground failure and its effects on structures, earthquake fault rupture propagation, and post-event reconnaissance. 

Significant settlement and damage may occur due to liquefaction of soils beneath shallow-founded buildings. Liquefaction-induced settlement of buildings on shallow foundations requires evaluation of shear-induced, volumetric-induced, and ejecta-induced ground settlement mechanisms. There are simplified procedures available for estimating volumetric-induced settlement, which are largely due to post-liquefaction one-dimensional reconsolidation settlement for free-field conditions. However, there are few well-established simplified procedures for estimating shear-induced building settlement due to liquefaction. Nonlinear dynamic soil-structure interaction (SSI) effective stress analyses can capture this mechanism (e.g., Luque & Bray 2017). It is the basis for a recently developed procedure by Bray & Macedo (2017) for estimating the shear-induced component of liquefaction-induced building settlement. The liquefaction-induced building settlement (LBS) index characterizes the cyclic shear strain potential of the soils underlying the structure to estimate shear-induced liquefaction building settlement. The Bray & Macedo (2017) procedure is shown to provide estimates of liquefaction-induced building settlement consistent with those observed. Thus, it offers engineers a reliable simplified procedure for estimating liquefaction-induced building displacements. The Bray & Macedo (2017) simplified procedure is discussed and applied to a field case history to provide insights in this talk.

Cost: $45 CalGeo Members, $60 Non-members, $20 Full-time students.

Program:

5:30pm Registration & cocktail hour (sponsored bar!)

6:30 Dinner

7:15 Presentation

8:30 Conclusion

All attendees must pre-register on-line by October 5th (Burbank meeting) and October 22nd (Sacramento meeting)

REGISTER FOR BURBANK MEETING OCT. 9th, DeBelle Golf Course Canyon Grille

Thank you to our Burbank meeting bar sponsors:

REGISTER FOR SACRAMENTO MEETING OCT. 25th, Blue Prynt Restaurant

Thank you to our Sacramento meeting bar sponsors:


The Great Debate: Proposition 6 on the November Ballot

CalGeo recently sent out a survey to the key contacts of our member firms asking their opinion on supporting the coalition for No on Proposition 6 on the November ballot. The results of the survey were split 70% for CalGeo supporting joining the coalition for NO on Prop 6and 30% against. A smiliar outcome was present with CalGeo's board of directors and therefore we have elected to not support a coalition but rather inform our members about the proposition. Its up to you to vote this November!

Summary (from the Official Voter Information Guide):

Proposition 6 will eliminate certain road repair and transportation funding. It will require certain fuel taxes and vehicle fees be approved by the electorate. Initiate consitiutional amendment.

A YES vote on this measure means: Fuel and vehicle taxes recently passed by the Legislature would be eliminated, which would reduce funding for highway and road maintenance and repairs, as well as transit programs. The Legislature would be required to get a majority of voters to approve new or increased state fuel and vehicle taxes in the future.

Arguments: VOTE YES ON 6 to immediately LOWER GAS PRICES. Californians are struggling with the high cost of living. VOTE YES on Proposition 6 to repeal the unfair regressive gas and car tax increase and require voter approval for any future increase. VOTE YES on Prop. 6 for lower gas prices!

A NO vote on this measure means: Fuel and vehicle taxes recently passed by the Legislature would continue to be in effect and pay for highway and road maintenance and repairs, as well as transit programs. The Legislature would continue not to need voter approval for new or increased state fuel and vehicle taxes in the future.

Arguments: California Professional Firefighters, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, American Society of Civil Engineers and first responders URGE NO on Proposition 6 because it jeopardizes the safety of bridges and roads. Prop. 6 eliminates $5 billion annually in local transportation funding, stopping thousands of road safety, congestion relief and transportation improvement projects in every California community.


Salary Survey - our best yet!

We had a record 54 companies submit information for our salary survey this year! The salary survey is finished and was mailed out to participating organizations on August 22nd. If you participated but did not receive your copy please contact Kelly asap.

Didn't get a chance to participate? No worries, there is always next year! 

Click HERE to purchase our salary survey (data from 2017). Please note: CalGeo's salary survey is available to Members ONLY! Just another reason to join us.


Award Winning Design-Build Foundation

One of CalGeo's newest Affiliate members, Malcolm Drilling was a recent award winner of the 2018 Deep Foundations Institute Outstanding Project Award. Look for CalGeo's booth at this year's DFI Annual Conference right here in Anaheim, California!

The landmark residential tower located at 181 Fremont sits on a uniquely innovative and structurally complex foundation. A five-story concrete basement extending 60 feet below grade is supported with 5 to 6-foot diameter concrete piles socketed up to 25 feet into bedrock, with the deepest pile reaching just beyond 260 feet. A watertight, stiff temporary shoring system was required to allow the excavation to be performed without adversely affecting improvements on adjacent structures including a 27-floor tower to the east, and a 3-story masonry building to the south. Additionally, special bracing details were utilized at a shoring wall shared with the neighboring San Francisco Transbay Terminal, to have a means of controlling the response to the excavation.

Close, consistent collaboration within the project team was required to make this foundation project a success. This hard work has paid off, with Malcolm and team members Brierley Associates (support of excavation designer) and Arup (structural and geotechnical engineer), winning the coveted 2018 DFI Outstanding Project Award (OPA) for this project.

Visit Malcolm’s 181 Fremont project page to learn more and view additional photos of this work.

Malcolm’s award-winning design-build solutions proved successful on the 181 Fremont tower.


 Helping students will help you

Our student chapters need you! If you are able to present at any of the student chapter meetings (usually in the evening with a casual dinner), please let us know! In particular, the chapter at San Luis Obispo is currently looking for presenters.

In an effort to provide our membership with a trained and motivated workforce each year, CalGeo has recognized that it is imperative to get involved with students and get them informed about CalGeo. Here is what we are working on to facilitate student involvement in geotechnical engineering, CalGeo and our industry:

  • Support of CalGeo student chapters through promotion of their events and free membership to CalGeo
  • Sponsorship of Geo-wall teams by CalGeo (up to $500)
  • Sponsorship of 2 chapter members to attend our Annual Conference for FREE
  • New chapter awards with monetary prizes at the Annual Conference
  • Reduced rates at dinner meetings and free attendance at Emerging Professional meetings
  • Cue Career videos available online with interviews of CalGeo members and young professionals
  • Sponsorship of 5 students to attend the Deep Foundations Institute Conference in Anaheim October 24-27, 2018

CalGeo Provides Opportunities for Students @ DFI

CalGeo will be at the DFI conference in Anaheim October 24-27th. Come by our booth in the exhibit hall to say hello!

If you are a professor or know a student interested in deep foundations, please encourage them to attend the DFI Conference and participate in the exciting Student Activities Program. Student registration is only $100 and CalGeo has sponsored 5 student grants!

On Friday, October 26, students will be able to attend a brief on-site technical presentation on the Gerald Desmond Bridge foundation design and construction challenges, followed by a site tour of the bridge. The day will conclude with a panel discussion on Choosing Your Career Path.

A limited number of grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis for this program. Reimbursements will be distributed at the conclusion of the Student Activities Program.

Performance Based Design Panel Discussion Webinar

Can't attend the DFI Conference? You can register for DFI 2018 Annual Conference - Performance Based Design Panel Discussion (PBD) Webinar and participate no matter where you are. In this panel discussion, structural and geotechnical experts in practice and research will provide insights into the meaning, benefits and challenges of foundation design for projects utilizing PBD. Each panel member will give a brief presentation followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

Register here


LPILE Seminar SOLD OUT! But wait...

We quickly realized that our one-day LPILE Seminar on October 18th was popular when it completely sold out within a week and a half!

This is obviously a popular topic and we will be holding another seminar in early 2019 hopefully in two locations: Sacramento/Bay Area and Orange County. If you would like to be put on a waiting list to be the first to know, please send us a quick e-mail with your contact information.


Be a beta tester for Rocscience

Rocscience just unveiled RS2 2019 with a whole slew of new features including advanced material models for more realistic modeling of slope conditions, integration with Slide2 for more accurate comparison of slope analysis results and a better user experience. 

Click HERE to read more about RS2 and sign-up to be a beta tester!

Don't miss Rocscience's short course at our Annual Conference April 10, 2019 - stay tuned for more info as we get closer to the date.


Welcome our newest members

CalGeo is very excited to announce that the following individuals have joined for 2018/19:

 Scott Rudd

Join us in welcoming our newest Affiliate members Geoslope & GeoPier!    

About GEOSLOPE:  GEOSLOPE has been developing state-of-the-art software for geotechnical and geo-environmental modeling for over 40 years. Since 1977, we've been helping small engineering firms, large multi-national corporations, government agencies, regulatory commissions and universities from our head office in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

We look forward to partnering wtih CalGeo in bringing SLOPE-W and other software workshops and seminars to CalGeo members!

About GEOPIER: Geopier Foundation Company, a subsidiary of Tensar Corporation, developed the first Rammed Aggregate Pier® (RAP) system in 1989. Now, Geopier is the industry leader in providing efficient, cost-effective Intermediate Foundation® solutions for the support of structures.


Upcoming Events & Webinars - The CalGeo Calendar

October 9 SoCal Regional Dinner Meeting w/ Dr. Bray, Burbank

October 17 Emerging Professional Meeting & Webcast, Sacramento & On-line

Do you live in SoCal? Join the webcast of the meeting in LA, OC or San Diego.

Click HERE to e-mail Neal Berliner regarding an LA web broadcast

Click HERE to e-mail Mike Moscrop for the OC location webcast

Click HERE to e-mail Brad Kuna for the San Diego webcast

You can also sign-up to host a web-cast in your office.

October 18 LPILE and GroupPile 1-day hands-on seminar by Ensoft, Los Angeles (LAX) SOLD OUT! Stay tuned for a repeat in Sacramento and Orange County in early 2019

October 24-27 Deep Foundations Institute Annual Conference, Anaheim

October 25 NorCal Regional Dinner meeting w/ Dr. Bray, Sacramento

October 26 Performance Based Design Panel Discussion Webinar by DFI

Please note: There will be no November Emerging Professional Meeting due to Thanksgiving 

Save the date - details coming soon:

SoCal Loss Prevention Seminar January 26, 2019

NorCal Loss Prevention Seminar February 9, 2019