Highlighted Speaker Presentations

Mark Jernigan, P.E., Senior Construction Engineering Manager, Jacobs Engineering

LUNCHEON KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Successful Communication in Engineering

Jacob Borgerson, P.E., Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., Houston, TX

DARRELL ELLIOTT LECTURE: This lecture is to honor the late Darrell Elliot, who was an active LCECS Committee Member at the time of his death. Darrell was also a past president of the ACI-Louisiana Chapter, one of the hosting organizations of the LCECS. Often referred to as "Dr. Concrete," Darrell was internationally recognized for his knowledge in concrete issues. Many speakers on material presentations for the LCECS had a professional relationship with Darrell. Therefore, it is only fitting to have the marquee presentation in the Materials section named after him.

Concrete Flatwork Cracking: Is My Concrete Okay?!

Concrete will crack when it does not possess sufficient strength to resist the stresses imposed on it. Cracking may indicate a greater (unobserved) structural concern, a long-term durability issue, or simply an aesthetic problem. Contractors and designers can minimize concrete cracking but often contribute to the problem. This presentation will discuss the causes of concrete cracking, techniques for evaluating cracks approaches for controlling cracking, and finally, crack repair methods. Cracks can be caused by a variety of factors, including shrinkage (plastic and drying), and thermal stresses, in addition to others. Attendees will be introduced to various evaluation methods (e.g., impact-echo, ground penetrating radar, concrete coring, petrographic examination, etc.) and when their use is appropriate. Finally, techniques for crack mitigation and repair will be presented. Case studies will be used to illustrate the concepts presented. This presentation will benefit contractors, engineers, architects, testing laboratories, owners, and anyone who has walked on a job site wondering why the concrete cracked.

Lawrence Roth, P.E., GE, Env SP, Wickenburg, AZ

BUZZ HAIR LECTURE: This lecture is to honor the late Buzz Hair who was an active ASCE member. While traveling to make a presentation at the 2000 conference, he was in a fatal automobile crash. Each year since then,a distinguished presenter for the lecture is selected by the Geotechnical Group in New Orleans.

The Climate is Changing, Deal With It!

Our changing climate is escalating threats to infrastructure from more extensive flooding and wind damage; temperature extremes, heat waves, and droughts; increases in wildfires, permafrost thaw, and dust storms; and sea level rise. Weather extremes and changing climate stressors adversely affect infrastructure systems, jeopardize personal safety from weather-related disasters, threaten food and water supplies, degrade ecosystems, and diminish our quality of life. Civil engineers, designers and builders of the infrastructure that underpins our quality of life, are ethically obligated to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. In a changing climate, the civil engineering community of practice must upgrade its knowledge, skills, and attitudes to implement infrastructure that is safe, resilient, and sustainable. This presentation describes how civil engineers can improve decision-making and better understand the effects of uncertainty by applying risk analysis to deal with threats posed by changing climate stressors, and by using adaptive management to accommodate change in a vague and unpredictable future.