Texas Civil Engineer Centennial issue by TexasASCE

Centennial Edition | Volume 83 | No.5

Engineering A Better Texas Centennial Year In Review: 100 Years of Civil Engineering Fellowship

Interview: History Book Author Betsy Tyson Section Historic Digital Archive A Tale of Two Plaques The Future of Civil Engineering

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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

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On the back cover: ASCE Logo on Omni Hotel in Dallas courtesy Omni Hotel photographer. All other photos Jerry Hughes Photography. TEXAS SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Crespin Guzman PE OPERATIONS MANAGER: Elizabeth R. Greenwood COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER: Annemarie Gasser DATA MANAGER: Lauren Marcotte 1524 S. Interstate 35, Suite 180 Austin, Texas 78704 Phone: 512-472-8905 E-mail: office@texasce.org Website: www.texasce.org 2012–2013 OFFICERS PRESIDENT: John N. Furlong PE PAST PRESIDENT: Ralph M. O’Quinn PE PRESIDENT ELECT: Tim C. Newton PE VP-EDUCATIONAL: LeAnne M. Napolillo PE VP-EDUCATIONAL ELECT: Eric L. Fisher PE VP-PROFESSIONAL: Stephen B. Crawford PE VP-PROFESSIONAL ELECT: Patrick M. Beecher PE VP-TECHNICAL: Keith A. Rutherford PE VP-TECHNICAL ELECT: John D. Garcia PE TREASURER: David J. Matocha ASSISTANT TREASURER: Curtis R. Steger PE DIRECTORS AT LARGE SENIOR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Regina E. Lemons PE SECOND YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Travis N. Attanasio PE FIRST YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Brett A. Pope PE FIRST YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Vanessa I. Rosales-Herrera PE SECTION DIRECTORS Brandon E. Hammann PE, Austin Branch Robert Lys Jr PE, Brazos Branch Russell R. Carter PE, Caprock Branch Devon K. Dreyer PE, Central Texas Branch Craig B Thompson PE, Corpus Christi Branch Brad M. Hernandez PE, Dallas Branch M. Isabel Vasquez PE, El Paso Branch C. L. Caleb Hing PhD PE, Fort Worth Branch Oziel E. Gonzalez PE, High Plains Branch Carol E. Haddock PE, Houston Branch Arthur M. Clendenin PE, Northeast Texas Branch Oscar Lopez PE, Rio Grande Valley Branch James A. Lutz PE, San Antonio Branch Robert C. Hickman PE, Southeast Texas Branch Joshua C. Ferguson EIT, West Texas Branch ASCE - Region 6 Martha F. Juch PE, CFM, D.WRE Director and Board of Governors Chair 2010-2013 Gary L. Struzick PE Governor— Appointed 2010–2013 Nancy S. Cline PE Governor—Texas Section 2011–2014 Kenneth B. Morris PE Governor—Oklahoma Section 2011–2014 Elvidio V. Diniz PE Governor—New Mexico Section 2012–2015 Ken A. Rainwater PhD, PE Governor—Texas Section 2012–2015

In This Issue

Centennial Edition | Volume 83 | Number 5

Message From The Centennial Chair

Interview With Betsy Tyson,

History Book Author 2012 - 2013 President’s Message

Spring Conference in Corpus Christi

A Tale of Two Plaques

Fall Conference in Dallas

Habitat For Humanity Home

Infrastructure Report Card 15 Engineering The Future: Our Survey

Preserving Our Past in the Digital Age

Centennial Grant Program 20 Message from the Executive Director

Centennial Webinar Series 23 Get Out The Vote Campaign

Centennial Geocaching Project

Centennial Display Banners 30 2013 - 2014 President’s Message

This special issue of the Texas Civil Engineer commemorates the centennial year of the American Society of Civil Engineers - Texas Section. From a Good Roads meeting in 1913 to present day, this fellowship of civil engineers has always gathered in the interest of the profession and for the betterment of Texas infrastructure and our members. Through our dedicated membership, this centennial year resulted in a wonderful exploration of Texas civil engineering history and technical expertise including conferences, proclamations, webinars, promoting the civil engineering profession, volunteering and educating the public through STEM and being active in our communities by getting out the vote on the state’s water plan. Visit www.texasce.org/centennial to see all of our activities! Texasce.org

Message From the Centennial Chair I remember the day well. Jack Furlong called me and asked if I could help co-chair the Texas Section Centennial Activities in four years. Since the word “NO” is not Sean P. Merrell PE, PTOE in my vocabulary, I agreed to Centennial Celebration help out. Next thing I know, Chair & Dallas Branch I’m neck deep in CentenniPresident 2012 -13 al Celebration planning and organizing, motivating and defining a 100 year celebration for the largest group of civil engineers that I’ve ever been involved with. Heck, I couldn’t even spell the word Centennial when I first started on this adventure (is it one n or two?) And where was Jack Furlong PE, D.WRE while all of this was going on during the past year? He chickened out as my co-chair and ONLY served as the Section President, led the successful design, fundraising and construction of the Centennial Habitat for Humanity House and completed the video capture of all the living Texas Section Past Presidents, Executive Directors and Secretaries (he got off easy!!) First thing we did was to define what we wanted to accomplish with this Celebration. Was it just a big beer bust and party? Was it going to involve fireworks? How would we pay for it? When would it occur? Could we get Mike Rowe to come speak to us? We decided early on to make it a YEARLONG, STATEWIDE event involving all 16 branches (we lost one branch along the way, but who is counting?) We also decided to have monthly themes (listed on page 23) to help guide us in our planning. Mark K. Boyd PhD, PE, CAPM, D.WRE, ENV SP was instrumental as a co-chair of the celebration in developing the sponsorship program to raise funds to pay for the activities of the Centennial Year. Our initial goal was to raise $250,000. A lot of people laughed (some fainted) when we mentioned that number. We ultimately got over one third of that goal, which upon reflection, was a very lofty goal. Fortunately, the Texas Section had reserve funds to help cover some of the expenses for this once in a life time event. Many 4

Section President John (Jack) N. Furlong presents Mark K. Boyd a President’s Special Recognition Award at the Honors Luncheon in Dallas. Jerry Hughes Photography

thanks to Ottis C. Foster PE and Crespin Guzman PE who served as Executive Directors during the planning of this and to all the Section officers who approved this funding. Without it, we could not have produced the display banners, or developed, researched and printed the Centennial History Book. Many thanks to the writer of this book, Betsy Tyson and to Melinda Luna PE for assisting in the research of both these projects. I hope everyone purchases a copy of the history book and shows it off to their family, friends and coworkers since it is a wonderful recap of not just ASCE, but civil engineering projects and leaders in Texas over the past hundred years. Annemarie Gasser joined us in the nick of time in 2013 as the Section’s Communications Manager, and without her graphics wizardry and editing prowess, the materials (including the History Book) would not have looked nearly as good as they do. And while we are talking about graphics, I would like to give a big shout out to David Kochis from Fugro for developing not only the Section’s official centennial logo, but a commemorative centennial logo for each branch. He captured an important part of each branch in the logos and they looked excellent. The logos appeared on every type of trinket, swag, tchotchke and bauble you can think of. Some of this awesome merchandise is still available on the section website, but act now…it won’t last long and these collectible items will be gone forever (you only celebrate a hundredth anniversary once!!)

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

Before the history book was even started and the logo was designed, the planning committee had to find a way to plan so many events and develop ways to make them successful. Like I said earlier, if this was just a big beer bust, I’m sure I could have handled it. But we wanted a much more refined celebration that could involve many types and ages of individuals. We needed a professional party planner. Well the word “party planner” may have upset some folks (i.e. beer bust), so we searched high and low for an event planner. We hired Paula Rigling CMP, CAE who worked with us for almost 3 years to develop programs and produce the biggest celebratory events in the history of the Texas Section. But the glue that kept all of the centennial planning together was the Texas Section Secretary, Elizabeth Greenwood. I emailed, called and bounced ideas off her every day for almost 4 years. She worked many weekends, holidays and late nights to make the Centennial Celebration a great success. She took the library/museum display banner project from a state of “it almost didn’t happen” to a successful and well received project that shows off what ASCE and civil engineers do in Texas. Along the way during this journey we wanted to accomplish a few underlying goals. We strove to build a sense of pride amongst our members (Two hugely successful conferences in Corpus Christi and Dallas). We attempted to create a lasting legacy for the profession (Centennial Habitat for Humanity House). We wanted to increase awareness and understanding of civil engineers (Centennial Proclamations and the Infrastructure Report Card). We also wanted

to preserve and promote the heritage of civil engineering (History Book & Webinars) all while exciting and inspiring dynamic, intelligent young people to join the profession (Display Banners & Membership Drive). I’m sure I’ve missed a lot of folks who helped successfully plan the activities during 2013 and I want to thank them all for their hard work and dedication. I truly hope everyone got to participate in some way during the Centennial Celebration year. Please check out the photos taken during the Centennial year at http://www.flickr. com/photos/texasce. The next 100 years of ASCE Texas Section starts now. Hopefully the past year inspired and motivated you to participate in ASCE more, to step up and volunteer for a worthwhile cause, or to become a leader in ASCE. Sean P. Merrell holds a Smart TV box he feigned dropping at the Honors Luncheon in Dallas. Jerry Hughes Photography

Region 6 Director and Board of Governors Chair, Martha F. Juch and 2013 ASCE President, Gregory E. DiLoreto, PE, P.LS, F.ASCE attended our Centennial Celebration at the Fall Conference in Dallas. Photo by Jerry R. Rogers

Texasce.org

Q&A

With Betsy Tyson, Centennial History Book Author

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

What is unique to civil engineers in Texas? Texans love a good story and Texas engineers are no different. There is the pride of accomplishment and of overcoming obstacles that Texans like to read about. It’s true for those of us born here as well as those who settle here. Texans love stories of degree – the ”largest” or “first” has a lot of appeal. When I was in College Station researching in the Texas Section archives, I saw streets and structures named for early engineering leaders like Nagel and Cushing. Members who earned civil engineering degrees in Texas have retained strong ties to their schools.

Which civil engineering projects in Texas deserve more recognition? Many projects described in the book should be candidates for engineering accomplishment and historic awards when they become eligible. I would like to see the Houston Astrodome preserved and not torn down. In what contexts do you think your book might become a part of public discourse? Members could donate one or more copies to local libraries or schools and be available to speak about past or present engineering achievements.

How would you describe ASCE Texas Section to a stranger? It’s a professional organization filled with accom- who and what did you find most plished individuals who take pride in their work fascinating in your research? I was always mystified by what civil engineers and have done much for Texas and Texans. did. I have worked for General Telephone of the What civil engineering subject Southwest (now Verizon), for Texas Power & matter is the most interesting to Light, and for the National Highway Traffic Safety you? Administration in Washington. In each workplace I enjoyed learning about the bridges and sky- there were one or more rooms filled with engiscrapers. It was exciting the day I was coming into neers. These rooms were neat and orderly. They downtown Austin from South Austin and realized held slanted drafting tables where large sheets of I was crossing Lady Bird Lake on a spandrel bridge paper rested. Slide rules were on each table. You (a design with multiple arches.) It was one of my can probably tell this was in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The “ah-ha” moments in researching this book. It’s drawings were not of buildings but other types of nice to look around me and know what kind of design and there were formulas and the printing building or bridge or highway design I’m seeing. was neat and precise. These are brief impressions from that time period, but these are the memoDisaster City near College Station and the idea ries I had of these rooms full of engineers. When that people travel from all over the world to im- I worked for the U.S. Forest Service in California, I prove ways to respond to a disaster was interest- saw for the first time computer mapping through ing. I didn’t have time while working on the book, GPS. This related to land management and road but I would like to know more about forensic engi- building projects in the late 80s and early 90s. neering. Over and over, in Texas Civil Engineer articles, I What names came up the most in found a self-deprecating wit that comes through your research? in the writings. It’s an appealing trait, this self-depThe founders were mentioned most, not only in recating, dry sense of humor. the early writings, but in the awards named for them like John Hawley of Fort Worth. E. B. Cush- In the early decades of the Texas Section the Texing was quite a character. Hawley’s humanity as Civil Engineer published both technical writing comes through in his writing. One of Hawley’s and chatty, informal tidbits about members and earliest signed articles was about how important their wives (since the organization for decades it was for member engineers to get to know each was 100% male most of the time.) These personother and spend time together. Continued on Page 28 Texasce.org 7

2012 - 2013 President’s Message Thank You Texas Section Civil Engineers for 2013! Wow! What a wonderful year to celebrate the Texas Section ASCE Centennial! John N. (Jack) Furlong PE, As Texas civil engineers, we D.WRE Texas Section President have much to be thankful 2012 - 2013 for. This was the last time two full conferences were held in one year, with committee meetings, icebreakers, social events, technical sessions, honors luncheons, vendor products, and student activities that brought out some of the best of what the Texas Section is all about! We are blessed to have the support and participation of so many caring engineers! We are changing, as the Texas Section switches to one Civil Engineering Conference (CECON) a year! Fort Worth – Fall, 2012 The Centennial Celebration started early in Fort Worth in November of 2012, with the theme “Where the Centennial Begins”. The 2012 Fall Conference saw the release of the 2012 Infrastructure Report Card, and included participation from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure and the Construction Institute at the beautiful Marriott Renaissance Hotel near Sundance Square in Fort Worth. This conference hosted many excellent technical presentations, a social event with Comedy Improv, and many tours of area projects and venues! Corpus Christi – May, 2013 The Centennial Celebration kicked off in high gear with a dinner honoring past presidents of the Texas Section at a wonderful venue overlooking Corpus Christi Bay. The theme of the Spring Conference was “From Good Roads to Sustainable Infrastructure – A Century of Progress”. The Omni Hotel provided excel2013 Fall Conference President’s Special Recognition Awards For Meritorious Service to the Section:

Colin G. Blankenship PE, CFM, RAS Mark K. Boyd PhD, PE, CAPM, D.WRE, ENV SP John D. Garcia PE Sean P. Merrell PE, PTOE

lent accommodations for our committee meetings, the icebreaker, tours of the bay and the Friday night social at the Texas Aquarium. Students held their annual concrete canoe races in the protected jetty area of Corpus Christi Bay. Almost 200 students attended this event with the best viewing from the Jetty Bar with a beverage in hand! Dallas – September, 2013 The Centennial Celebration continued in Dallas with the theme “Sparking Innovation” and many great activities. On Wednesday, the Construction Institute held their second annual summit with many excellent papers and speakers. On Thursday, the Geotechnical Institute had a full slate of nationally known speakers presenting papers and attendees were offered several continuing education courses. After the icebreaker, a Texas Hold ‘em Poker tournament was held with Ken Morris our Region 6 Director winning! Friday started off with an outstanding plenary breakfast centered on P3 project delivery. The Honors Luncheon was held on Friday at noon where Deborah Ferguson (Channel 5 Anchor) was the emcee - she was a hit with all in attendance! A Friday night social at the Old Red Courthouse (site of the Texas Section founding meeting 100 years ago) included a Geocaching exercise, video history of past civil engineering leaders, and line dancing! Saturday saw several more technical sessions and committee meetings. Saturday afternoon began the groundbreaking at the Centennial House at 1626 Bickers Drive in partnership with the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. This home was built as a “Green House” with many sustainable features incorporated into the design and a wonderful capstone to the celebration year! All together the Fall Conference was a success! The Next 100 years! What better way to begin the next 100 years as we look to the past and plan for the future! My hope is that you will remember this Centennial Celebration and share your enthusiasm for our most worthy profession. Civil engineers build the environment we live in. Thanks, again! It has been my honor to serve you during the Centennial year!

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

Spring Conference in Corpus Christi We began our Centennial Celebration on Tuesday, March 19 2013 with a Centennial kickoff reception at the Corpus Christi Town Club with over 80 members, Section officials and Past Presidents in attendance. At this meeting, we presented the Section office and Centennial Celebration Chairman a large framed photo consisting of portraits of past Texas Section presidents for the last 100 years. This six-foot wide picture was on display at the Centennial Fall Conference in Dallas and is on permanent display in the Texas Section office.

approximately 150 students competing.

In all, 238 registered professionals, 83 registered students, 47 speakers, 31 exhibitors, 12 John D. Garcia PE sponsors, and 59 guests, for Centennial Celea subtotal of 470 participants bration Liaison and attended the conference. Ad- Corpus Christi Host ditionally, there were an esti- Committee Co-Chair mated 100 students associated with the Concrete Canoes Race; the March 19-23, On Wednesday, we began with a full day of Con- 2013 ASCE Texas Section Centennial Conference in tinuing Professional Development Seminars with Corpus Christi attracted nearly 600 attendees! 280 members attending sessions. We concluded the day with an Ice Breaker event with the Exhibitors and gave away door prizes totaling more than $3,000. There were 31 registered exhibitors. Thursday and Friday consisted of all day technical sessions in which members attended 30 minute sessions. On Thursday evening, 200 members - guests and students - enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the outdoor exhibits including cocktails, hors d’oeuvre and a dolphin show at the Texas State Aquarium. After the dolphin show, guests moved to the exhibit area to enjoy fresh Gulf seafood and delicious landlubber entrées.

POCCA Inner Harbor Boat Tour, left to right: Carmelo Rivero;

Texas A&M University-Kingsville Student Chap- Tim Newton; John Garcia; (background Vernon Wuensche ter planned the Friday night entertainment. This (hat); Martin Pflanz); Ottis Foster; Keith Rutherford; Josh Ferguson. Jerry Hughes Photography event took place on the 3rd floor of the Omni Hotel and saw over 100 members, guests and students in attendance. The event consisted of food, drinks and entertainment by a D.J. and a live band. On Saturday morning, members had the option to view the Concrete Canoe Races held at the Corpus Christi Marina or attend a field trip to the Lydia Ann Lighthouse in Port Aransas. The tour participants enjoyed a foggy boat ride to the secluded lighthouse and an escort by a school of dolphins on the ride back. Approximately 13 Universities from Texas and Mexico competed in the annual concrete canoe competition. UT Tyler won Members enjoy an underwater view before dinner. the competition and advanced to the national Jerry Hughes Photography competition. This event was well attended with Texasce.org

A tale of Two Plaques Elizabeth Greenwood Texas Section Board and Corporate Secretary/ Operations Manager

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… It was 1913 and the Progressive

Era was flourishing, seeking to improve the human condition through the application of political, scientific and engineering solutions. The Lincoln Highway opened as the first paved coast-to-coast highway; the continuous moving assembly line for automobiles began operation at the Ford Motor Company plant in Highland Park, Michigan; the first full-service filling station opened in Pennsylvania, providing gasoline for automobiles in a dedicated off-street location; and the construction of the Panama Canal was completed when the Gamboa Dike was demolished by a radio signal originating four thousand miles away in Washington D.C., allowing the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to flow together for the first time. President Woodrow Wilson’s sweeping economic reforms brought the Federal Reserve Act as well as the Tariff/Revenue Act into law; and the 16th Amendment to the Constitution gained ratification, authorizing the collection of income taxes.

Texas saw the formation of the Board of Water Engineers to regulate the appropriations of water; the Industrial Accident Board and the Texas Employers’ Insurance Association was formed to provide compensation for injuries or death resulting from accidents on the job; the Texas Woman Suffrage Association was reactivated and renewed the statewide campaign for women’s right to vote. Professor Robert Joseph Potts from Texas A&M organized another of the informative Good Roads Congresses, which advocated for the improvement of Texas’ many thousands of miles of mostly rural, and rutted-dirt, roadways, which were used daily by 70% of the state’s 4 million population. It was at this meeting in Corpus Christi that seven intrepid civil engineers began the journey to form an association of like-minded professionals.

View of the north support pylon, location of the new plaque on Burleson Street. Photo by Jerry R. Rogers

Fast forward seventy years to 1983 – the U.S. was embroiled in the Savings and Loan crisis; around

North Beach Gateway arch . Photo by Jerry R. Rogers

the world, the overproduction of crude oil caused gasoline prices to plummet; and the major world powers were continuing to test nuclear weapons; and Sally Ride became the first US woman in space aboard the second mission of the Space Shuttle Challenger. President Ronald Reagan authorized GPS for civilian use; the Compact Disc, cell phone and computer mouse were introduced; and the US DoD ARPANET adopted TCP/IP as the networking standard, paving the way for the TxASCE:Layout 3 copy 2/14/13 12:40 PM Page 2 creation of the Internet.

The Corpus Christi Branch of ASCE was making plans to host the Texas Section in 1983 in celebration of the Section’s 70th anniversary, and Branch member John R. Eidson Jr. proposed a plaque to commemorate the organization’s founding. This founding marker was to be placed near the location of the Beach Hotel where Potts, Charles Terrell Bartlett, John B. Hawley and four other civil engineers reconvened after the Good Roads Congress to relax and discuss an ASCE affiliated group in Texas.

Eidson, a consultant at Goldston Engineering, drafted the inscription for this marker based on the accounts recorded in the First Fifty Years of the Texas Section, written by Israel W. “Izzy” Santry Jr. PE in 1963. Eidson commissioned a 24” x 36” aluminum plaque from a foundry in San Antonio at a cost of $610. A concrete footing was constructed by Goldston for $315 and on March 19th, during the Section’s spring meeting in Corpus Christi, attendees assembled on Continued on Page 24

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Fall Conference in Dallas I was the lesser of four co-chairs of the September 11-13, 2013 Fall Centennial Conference in Dallas. People ask me, “Mark, what was it all about anyway?” Mark K. Boyd PhD, The conference was about celPE, CAPM, D.WRE, ebrating 100 years of a united ENV SP and organized Texas Section. It Fall Conference Host Committee Co-Chair was about delicious Texas BBQ, dancin’ the Two Step, learnin’ Texas ASCE and Dallas history, raffles in the exhibitor halls, ASCE Texas in big lights on the new Dallas Conference Center Omni Hotel, poker night, recognitions for so many fine civil engineering leaders at a sold out well organized awards luncheon, special programs for students, special seminars, continuing education about a new infrastructure sustainability rating system (EnvisionTM), a full slate of Construction Institute, Geotechnical Institute, and civil engineering technical tracks, groundbreaking of the Habitat for Humanity Centennial House, and so much more! If you want to know what happened, ask those who were there, but a list of the events just won’t do. The event was alive with the energy and dedication of our dozens of committee chairs and volunteers, delivering the conference to fellow civil engineers gathered in fun, fellowship, learning and service. Quinn G. Spann Jr. PE, in his second “go ‘round” as a Host Committee Co-Chair (Fall ’08), did his usual excellent job guiding our volunteers in the nuances and details of managing a conference. Angela Lang Matthews PE (co-chair) culminated her arduous dedication to planning the event with deft leadership, fixing and patching on the fly.

Left to right: Quinn Spann, Vicki McCullough, Sean Merrell. Seated, left to right: Amanda R. Powers, Angela Matthews, Jessie S. Allen. Photo courtesy Sean Merrell

Dr. Steven D. Sanders PE (Conference Treasurer) worked tirelessly to keep our conference out of red ink. The event was also rich with people like Dr. Kenneth A. Rainwater PhD, PE dutifully supporting his Red Raider concrete canoe team, as he has for so many years, making sure civil engineering stays fun to keep those students on a future professional track. Elizabeth (Liz) D. Metting PE did a fantastic job as Entertainment Chair. She pulled off the Old Red Courthouse party, one of the most memorable well organized entertainment events in anyone’s memory. Jack Furlong PE proudly showed his interviews of our Past Presidents just outside the Old Red Courthouse dance hall. Co-Chair Marvin Oey led the charge on the Construction Institute front to bring technical prowess to our fine conference.

My beloved son, Stephen Boyd (SMU Mavericks CW dance team) led civil engineers in the Texas Kristin D. Green (co-chair) was not present at the Two Step, proving to everyone that engineers can conference, but her skilled, guiding hand was felt do much more than just design, calculate, sit in everywhere. She was home taking care of her chairs and talk! I even saw our former Executive newborn “Baby Brady”, her “little guy” as she Director Ottis Foster PE dancing up a storm! refers to him. He’s our own Texas Civil Engineer Centennial Baby!! Maybe he’ll join us one day? SMU students and Texas ASCE leadership were busy breaking ground at the Centennial House on Congratulations Kristin; you’re the best! Bickers Street. 12

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

Sparking Innovation 2013 Dr. Jerry R. Rogers PhD, PE, D.WRE, Dist. M. ASCE and Melinda Luna PE were there, as always, on message, educating us about civil engineering history to connect our past to our future. Sean P. Merrell PE, PTOE (a.k.a. the Energizer Bunny) has been working for years to focus our collective consciousness on the importance of this Centennial milestone. Sean just missed out winning his coveted Texas Hold ‘em Poker Tournament, but he’s a winner in my book as one of our organization’s leadership treasures. Sean actually slowed down during the event, but almost no one noticed that except me. Crespin Guzman PE, our distinguished Executive Director, was keeping things moving along at the awards ceremony and special events. D. Wayne Klotz PE, D.WRE, Pres.09.ASCE, our past Texas and Society President, was there livening things up at the party and honors luncheon. There is no space here to mention all the distinguished past presidents and other leaders that graced the conference, and with so many I’m sure I would leave someone out. Dedicated young leader Marc Sandhu PE brought our conference to the 21st century with his smart phone app for the event. And Lena Peter PE planned and executed the most entertaining Honors Luncheon the Section has ever produced.

Line Dancing at Old Red Courthouse. Photo Jerry Hughes Photography

ASCE Texas Section’s Fall Conference App was brought to life by Marc Sandhu and sponsored by Baker. Above is a screen shot of the event guide schedule.

Elizabeth Greenwood was there, once again, working tirelessly as the glue that helps keep everyone from getting well….unglued! Human treasures; young and experienced, men and women, established leaders, newer members and students, came together at this conference from every corner of our State. After reflecting on the experience, I came to the inexorable conclusion that I don’t need a Branch or Section Treasurer’s report to be able to say that Texas ASCE is the richest section in the society. Join me in continuing our wonderful tradition of fellowship and learning at CECON 2014 at the start of our 2nd century - year 101!

Sean Merrell presents Elizabeth Greenwood, ASCE Texas Board and Corporate Secretary/Operations Manager, a commemorative Centennial vase for her hard work and dedication. Photo credit Jerry Hughes Photography

Texasce.org

Habitat For Humanity Centennial Home By John (Jack) Furlong PE President 2012-2013 ASCE Texas Section

The American Society of Civil Engineers-Texas Section, dedicated the Centennial House built in association with the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity chapter on December 14, 2013. The Centennial House is based on a design utilized by the Rice University Habitat for Humanity campus chapter. The “Vert House” is a 2011 design by Rice graduate architecture students Courtney Benzon and Yonatan Pressman. Rice University graciously allowed the Texas Section to use the Vert House plans as the basis of the Centennial House design in Dallas. After final City inspections and approv- Jack Furlong, Ashlyn Kelbly and Colin Blankenship, worked als, the House will be owner occupied by mid- tirelessly to make our Habitat For Humanity Home a reality April, 2014. for the Monroy Family. Thank you all for your tremendous The structure is a one story, three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with an attached garage. The home was built in partnership with the Monroy family. Edgar Monroy has lived in Dallas his entire life and works for Dr. Pepper as a forklift driver. He has a 2 ½ year-old daughter, Kassie, who is excited to have her very own backyard and possibly a puppy. Edgar learned about the Habitat program through helping to build his mother’s Habitat For Humanity home. A special THANK YOU to sponsors: ASCE Texas Section, Big City Crushed Concrete, TXI, Inc., CH2M Hill, Kimley-Horn Associates, Richard Furlong PE, Jack Furlong PE, Langermann Foster Engineering Co., Sterling Construction Company, ASCE Region 6, Eric L. Davis Engineering, 2M Foundation, David Nathan Meyerson Foundation, Dallas Branch and it’s members and Rinker Materials. Volunteer Groups that helped build this home over the last 3 months of 2013 include Southern Methodist University ASCE Student Chapter, ASCE Trivia Question As part of the Texas Section Centennial Celebration, the Centennial Committee encouraged all Branches to obtain proclamations from their local governing councils. How many Proclamations were obtained? (See page 29 for answer)

hard work! Photography credit Sean Merrell

Texas Section members, Terry Winn PE, CH2MHill, Inc., Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Arias, Inc., UT-Arlington ASCE Student Chapter, Engineers Without Borders, L.A. Fuess, Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc., WJE Associates, Inc., Halff Associates, Inc., Hayden Consultants, Inc. and Burns & McDonald, Inc. Again, thanks to all who donated time and effort on this most worthy project! Donations for the Centennial Home build are still being accepted through the Texas Section. Contributions at any level are welcome, but if you donate at one of these levels we would like to show our appreciation with the following Centennial gifts: (limited sizes/items available) • $1,000 - a copy of the Centennial history book, a star badge, lapel pin, window cling, sport shirt and fishing shirt. • $500 - a Centennial history book, a star badge, window cling and fishing shirt • $200 - a copy of the Centennial history book, window cling and a fishing shirt • $100 - a sport shirt, a lapel pin and a window cling • $50 - two Centennial window clings and a lapel pin Contact the Section office at office@texasce.org if you would like to make an individual or corporate contribution. Thank you!

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

Infrastructure Report Card David F.J. Calabuig PE

Texas Infrastructure Report Card Committee

The Section released the 2012 Report Card for Texas’ Infrastructure in November 2012 during the Fall Conference in Fort Worth and at a special press conference at the Texas Capitol on January 14, 2013, as part of the Centennial Celebration. About 30 persons attended the press release; including three State Representatives, all Professional Engineers. The press release coincided with the beginning of the 83rd Texas Legislature. State Representatives Callegari, Wayne Smith and Ratliff spoke in favor of ASCE’s work to educate state legislators and the general public about the current Left to Right: Tim C. Newton, Crespin Guzman, Martha Juch, condition of infrastructure in Texas. Representative Bennett Ratliff, Representative William A. “Bill”

Callegari, Representative Wayne Smith, Jock Furlong , David Cal-

t links Gulf ranked 1st in ived additional ntenance and g received.

Several bills were filed in favor of improving abuig, and Curtis Steger. Photo credit Jerry Hughes Photography. Texas’ infrastructure and Governor Rick Perry mentioned in his 2013 State of the State water, dams, flood control, and schools. While speech the need to resolve Texas water and trans- the overall grade of Texas’ infrastructure has importation problems. Among the advances of this proved slightly over the last four years, half of the past Legislature - a $2 billion transfer from the infrastructure categories still received unsatisfac“Rainy Day Fund” was approved by Texas voters tory grades. If Texas wants to remain competitive, to create a Water Infrastructure Bank and for the and one of the largest and fastest growing econonext two years, $450 million was dedicated to re- mies in the U.S., infrastructure has to be a priority. pairing roads impacted by the energy sector exploration boom. The Texas Section issued a call to The following infrastructure category grades have its members to support Proposition 6 authorizing increased: the new $2 billion State Water Implementation • Transit, Solid Waste and Flood control saw a Fund for Texas (SWIFT). slight grade increase. • Navigable waterways received one full grade The 2012 Report Card for Texas’ Infrastructure letter increase. found that most of the infrastructure categories These categories have kept the same grade: grades have not • Roads, bridges, aviation, schools, wastewater, significantly imdams and energy. 2012 proved, result- Finally, the drinking water infrastructure grade Report Card Update for Texas Infrastructure ing in an overall decreased slightly. grade of “C”. D D D B- BC+ This grade indi- While some good work has been done since the C C+ D C+ C+ D cates a below 2012 Report Card for Texas’ Infrastructure release, D- DD D DD average con- Texas needs to continue working on solutions to C- CD D- DD dition in many provide long-term, reliable funding sources to B B+ BD C Dinfrastructure modernize our roads, water systems, and other inD- D DB+ B+ D+ categories that frastructure, to fuel our economy in the long-run. received a poor, To read the new 2012 Report Card C D+ “D or below”, for Texas’ Infrastructure or to “Renewing Texas Infrastructure” www.texasce.org grade including read past versions, please visit roads, drinking www.texasce.org/TXirc. Texasce.org 15 Texas

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The Next 100 Years of Civil Engineering A survey of Texas civil engineers

YES

What would you do if you

could jump in a DeLorean and travel 100 years into the future? What kind of Texas would you see? Would Texas be a thriving economy, having solved many of the major isAre you positive that Texas’ infrastructure sues we face today? Would we Stephen B. Crawford PE finally see flying cars or would VP-Professional will meet the demands in the year 2113? we see solar powered cars driv- 2012-2013 ing on self-healing concrete? What advancements will happen over the next 100 Maybe people will be travelyears in the field of civil engineering? ing from city to city across the state in Hyperloop tubes? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see all Texans drinking a nice cold glass of potable water - a sign MORE NUCLEAR POWER WIRELESS that we accomplished our goal of turning water HIGH SPEED ENERGY into a true resource to handle the demands of a TRANSPORT NEW CEMENTS growing population in our state? DESALINIZATION

SELF DRIVING FLYING GREEN EFFICIENT CARS MATERIALS/ ENERGY EQUIPMENT/ 3D MODELING CONSERVATION SOFTWARE HOLOGRAMS

Responses

Jump in your DeLorean and travel to the year 2113: What do you think will be the BIGGEST challenge facing Texas 100 years from now?

25 20 15 10 5 0

ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

POPULATION OTHER TRANSPORTATIOn WATER

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

The Centennial theme for December was “Looking Forward into the Future.” Therefore, the Texas Section decided to ask our members to answer three important questions on what the future may hold in our great state. Responses to the survey showed a wide range of opinions and thoughts on Texas infrastructure in the year 2113. Some of the feedback was positive, but many responders seemed pessimistic about the future of Texas. Maybe it has to do with our perception of recent trends in the State or maybe it has to do with our view of the national and global perspectives of the things that affect our field. Let’s look at the three questions and your feedback to see what we can learn to help prepare for the next 100 years.

the heavy demand on natural resources. Others believe that our politicians can get in the way and that some elected officials show inaction when it comes to infrastructure needs. However, hope did abound for some of the responders. They agreed that Texas has good potential, and we have overcome challenges in the past to get to where we are today. In general, they have faith that Texas infrastructure will continue to improve to meet our ever-growing demands. One respondent just said “Absolutely positive. That’s just Texas…always has and always will be.” What advancements do you think will happen over the next 100 years in the field of civil engineering (think futuristic)? Respondents had some really clever answers to this question, including green/alternative vehicles, Hyperloop tubes, self-driving cars, new cements and concrete, such as self-healing concrete, low-cost desalination, more nuclear power, prevalent use of composite materials, improvements in solar energy, 3D integrated digital project development, sustainable materials to reduce waste, holographic design of projects, and robotics in construction. Specific to the field of civil engineering, some respondents think that our profession will continue to globalize and that technology will enable us to work in teams made up of participants all over the world. Others think that civil engineers will cease to exist and that current specialties will emerge as specific disciplines (and the respondent notes that this is a good thing!).

What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing Texas 100 years from now? The overwhelming response to this question was water supply, with aging infrastructure and transportation running a close second and third. Responders had a wide variety of reactions to this question. Most believe that some of the big issues we are trying to overcome today will impact us 100 years from now, including population increase, lack of funding for infrastructure projects, depletion of oil reserves that Texas heavily relies on, undersized utilities and pollution of clean water. New challenges that we could be facing in 100 years included food demand and sea level changes that could affect ports and coast lines, potentially brought on by climate change and unsustainable population growth on Earth. According tho the responders high unemployment and debt may also be hitting Texans hard during this time if In closing, what better way to wrap up the Centennial than looking into the future and predictenergy alternatives are not discovered. ing the challenges the civil engineering field will Are you positive that Texas’ infrastructure will face and need to overcome in the next 100 years. Just reading through these responses should give meet demands in the year 2113? The majority of responders do not think that us all some good ideas for improvements and adTexas’ infrastructure will meet demands in the vancements to make Texas a better place to live. next 100 years. But why? Some of the negative Hopefully, these responses will give you motivaresponses included lack of funding to support in- tion to focus on what you can do to help make frastructure needs, lack of desire to face the chal- Texas strong for many generations to come. lenge, the substantial amount of infrastructure that needs attention, the concern that funding is directed to less important needs, infrastructure is not able to keep up with use and growth, and Texasce.org

Preserving Our Past in the Digital age Melinda Luna PE, History and Heritage Committee Chair

Within the scope of the project, the team developed an assessment of Digital Archive Management (DAM) software, which will manage and store the digital files. The evaluation process included setting up a demonstration and trial of each software solution, utilizing some of the digital files already scanned by Tim Taylor of Austin Image Research. Canto Cumulus was the most cost effective long term solution and best suited software to manage the Texas Section digital archive. Our findings on software solutions and associated costs were presented to the ASCE Texas Section Executive Committee in January of 2014. There are about 6900 files that have been I was volunteered as Project Manager, with the digitized already. Some of the challenges include help of Lauren Marcotte (Section Data Manag- identifying photographs that are not labeled, and er), Annemarie Gasser (Section Communications including searchable meta-data, making the arManager) and Tim Taylor (Centennial History chives more accessible for researchers. Our digiBook Photo Researcher). The Section’s archived tal archive will be enormous, the team estimates records include technical papers, meeting pro- 193,000 files will be available in a digital format ceedings, member photos, newspaper clippings, once the project is complete. videos, Texas Civil Engineer magazines, and other written records from 1913 to the present. In October of 2013, the ASCE Texas Section office embarked on creating a digital archive of historical photographs and documents. After searching through boxes of research materials for the Section history book, the decision to digitally archive ASCE Texas’ history was clear. Our oldest historical documents have started to degrade and we’ll need to preserve them for the next generations of civil engineers in Texas. This project has been on the Section office To-Do list for the last five years, while the boxes have been cluttering the Section office, out of storage. The time was right to start this endeavor.

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

Panoramic group photo of 47 men at San Antonio Sewer Pipe Works, Saspanco, Texas. April 15, 1927. ASCE Texas Section Digital Archive It will take approximately 4 years to complete the process, but once finished, the archives will be available to members and the public. Users will type a name or key word to quickly search the archives from any computer with an internet connection. This search will utilize meta data associated with the digital file (entered at the time of upload) to the database. Upon launch of the digital archive, the Section office will hold webinars to introduce and train interested members, agencies and organizations. The Texas Section office receives monthly requests for historical photos and documents. This resource will shorten the response time from days to minutes and promote ASCE Texas Section and the great accomplishments of its members, as an important part of our collective history. The archive includes many photos and subjects that are not identified and could prove useful. Some of the records are panoramic photographs such as the one shown above. This photograph shows Texas Section Members touring the San

Antonio Sewer Pipe and Manufacturing Company in SASPAMCO, Texas just outside of San Antonio, off FM 153 in Wilson County in 1927. Here you can see members Hans Helland and J.H. Brilliant, Texas Section Past Presidents, touring the plant. There are many other items in the Texas Section archives waiting to be discovered. While some of the photos have details included in captions, the archive team will require help from ASCE members to identify details of the documents and photos for Texas Section history. We will also pursue grants to off-set costs of this project for the Section. If you have interest in grant writing, Texas civil engineering history, or ASCE Texas Section historical knowledge and would like to volunteer, contact Melinda Luna PE at txascehistory@gmail. com. Anyone from around the state with an internet connection will be able to assist us in this project.ďƒł

Texasce.org

Centennial Grant Program

John A. Tyler PE & Tyler P. Dube EIT 2013 TSCG Committee Co-chairs

ASCE Texas Section celebrated its Centennial anniversary with a bang. The 2013 Texas Section Centennial Grant (TSCG) program awarded nearly $36,000 to ASCE Texas Branches. The goal of the program was to help the branches promote civil engineers as leaders and experts on America‘s vital infrastructure systems and to encourage advocacy of important civil engineering issues, highlighting this special anniversary for the general public.

ton’s East Beach. The sandcastle project aimed for broad community exposure to the civil engineering profession through sand replicas of common items found on an engineer’s desk - a calculator, a roll of plans, and a paperweight featuring the ASCE Texas Section Centennial logo. The Houston Branch constructed enlarged versions of their real-world counterparts with the utmost detail. Sand replicas of buildings from the Houston skyline were also constructed, serving as the backSeventeen separate proposals were carefully vet- drop to this tremendous display. ted at the beginning of the year to ensure success.

The ideas were incredible!

Austin Branch CANstruction Build Team (left to right): Neil Higa, Laura Friello, Kacey Cubine (Team Captain), Linda Barlow, and Eric Rodriguez. Photo by Linda L. Barlow

The Austin Branch’s CANstruction® project created a larger-than-life sculpture of the Texas Section’s Centennial logo combined with Austin’s iconic Pennybacker Bridge. Linda Barlow PE, of the Austin Branch, recounted that “thirteen other groups of local architects, engineers and high school students showcased their talents by designing and building giant sculptures made entirely of canned foods.” The sculpture was on display in an area mall for nine days in November. The canned foods were donated to the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. The Houston Branch participated in one of the world’s largest sandcastle competitions hosted by the American Institute of Architects at Galves20

The Houston Branch constructed enlarged items found on an engineer’s desk - a calculator, a roll of plans, and a paperweight featuring the ASCE Texas Section Centennial logo with the Houston skyline serving as the backdrop Photo by Natalie M. Weiershausen PE

The Dallas Branch’s 3D laser scanning project focused on public outreach and education about one of the latest technology trends in civil engineering. Dr. Georgia Fotopoulos, an associate professor of Geosciences at UT Dallas, and her research team, reached out to the Dallas Branch Poster for 3D Dalpublic through a so- las. Photo courtesy Sean Merrell cial media poll for a vote on the most Continued on Page 29

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

o s rs n o p S

Innovator

ASCE Texas Section would like to thank our Sponsors for their support of our Centennial Year. Your generosity has made our celebration a success and helped mark this historical event in a tremendous way. Thank you Sponsors!

Leadership

Designer Professional

速

large logo / cmyk

Texasce.org

Message From The Executive Director

Crespin Guzman PE Executive Director

Look Back, Look Forward, Please Pass Go…

members on how to utilize our new site. Furthermore, the Texas Civil Engineer magazine has gone digital. Members can access the magazine from their desktop, phone and tablet devices.

We are also in the midst of change when it comes to our Section level meeting and conference formats. The year 2014 will usher in a Spring Student We just finished embracing our past with our Symposium in Tyler, April 24-26 and Texas Civil Centennial Year Celebration and have now begun Engineering Conference (TxCECON) in Galveston, to improve our future. We will not rest on our September 16-19. Civil engineering students in laurels; instead we will strive to add new and universities are also a focal point this year. My greater accomplishments to our civil engineering goal is to visit each campus with an ASCE Student legacy for the Texas Section of ASCE! Chapter and meet with the Dean, CE Department Head, and the faculty advisor(s) to understand CONGRATULATIONS to the many supporters of how the Section can better support their ASCE the Texas Section, including sponsors, vendors, Student Chapters. Additionally, our governing and participants in our Centennial Celebration acdocuments, including the Strategic Plan, will get tivities. Because of you, we had a wonderful and a much needed review and update. successful year in creating awareness of the civil engineering profession. We recognized civil en- Looking to the future, I believe the Texas Section gineering achievements in Texas and our Section will continue to prosper because of our dedicatMembers that created Texas history and Section ed leadership and hardworking members. We heritage during the past 100 years. The recently are getting away from the mindset of “business published, Engineering A Better Texas: ASCE and as usual” and we are open to new and innovative 100 Years of Civil Engineering in the Lone Star ideas for getting the most out of your memberState, culminated our Texas Section Centennial ship with ASCE Texas Section. history - I highly recommend it! So, I invite you to come along for the ride and help The Section office strives to streamline operations us create the future… to deliver better customer service to all Members, Branches as well as our Region 6 partners. The Texas Section website (www.texasce.org) has a new CRM service provider, YourMembership.com. Members will be able to strengthen their professional relationships and network more easily with the built-in capabilities in this membership management software. Committees and groups will have an online forum to share ideas and communicate through our new site. Look for these new features on our site mid-May 2014. The Section office will host a FREE webinar for our 22

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

Centennial Webinar Series

LeAnne M. Napolillo PE VP-Education 2012 -2013

Continual Learning Throughout the Centennial In celebration of the ASCE Texas Section Centennial, a monthly series of webinars was held in 2013. Webinars followed the monthly Centennial themes, which were identified to help the Section and Branches organize meetings, events and programs around a particular topic. The Centennial webinar series, which offered free registration to all Texas Section members, was a huge success! Thank you to each presenters: January Government Relations

our

November Community Involvement

“Habitat for Humanity: a Conduit for Community Involvement” presented by Tommy Prince (Habitat for Humanity International)

December Looking Forward into the Future

“Data Revealing Building Efficiency and Electric Vehicle Usage and Charging” presented by Scott Hinson (Pecan Street Research Institute)

Join us in 2014 as the Texas Section continues with monthly webinars, which will be held the second “From Austin to Washington: A Legislative Update for Civil Tuesday of every month. Delivered by leading ex- 4 Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number Engineers” presented by Leslie Nolan and Aaron Costello perts, these quality training sessions provide the (ASCE) latest information on a variety of subjects, and allow you to interact directly with the instructor. VisFebruary Student Mentoring “Discovering STEM Volunteer Opportunities in Texas” pre- it www.texasce.org for registration information. sented by Tricia Berry (Director of Women in Engineering

Promotions Program and Director of Texas Girls Collaborative Project)

Clifford Brade PE, SE has been promoted to project engineer in the Dallas ofMarch senior History fice of Thornton Tomasetti. Mr. Brade has “Learning from the Past: Tropical Storm Hermine in Williammore than eight years of experience in son County” presented by Martha Juch, PE, CFM, the D.WRE of buildings (AECOM)design and Melinda Luna PE,and CFMspecial structures, international property loss consulting, and construction support services. His experiApril Sustainability ence includes the design, analysis, and seisClifford Brade PE “Sustainable – How do you and knowpost-tenit when you mic Infrastructure assessment of reinforced see it?” presented by Wayne Klotz PE, D.WRE, Pres.09.ASCE sioned concrete, steel, and timber structures (Klotz Associates) for commercial, cultural, educational, healthcare, residential, sports, and agricultural use. Mr. Brade is a licensed PE in Texas andMay a licensed SEAwareness in Illinois. He holds a bachelor’s andWater master’s “Current degrees State in civilofengineering from Texas A&M UniverWater Infrastructure in the U.S.: Key Lessity, and sons a bachelor’s degree applied science from Texasprefrom ASCE’s ReportinCard and Failure to Act Series” Lutheransented University. by Emily Fishkin (ASCE) Patrick Ross PE has joined R.G. Miller EngiJune Transportation

neers, Doesn’t Inc., as Start a Transportation Department “Transportation with Concrete” presented by Manager for the firm’s Public Infrastructure Mark Vincent, (Port of Houston Authority) Group. Mr. Ross has more than 24 years of experience and is proficient in the full range August Structural Engineering of planning and design aspects in the devel“Future of the Structural Engineering Profession” by Stan R. opment process of transportation projects. Caldwell PE, SECB, F.ASCE, F.SEI (retired) His experience is comprised of conceptuPatrick Ross PE al and preliminary design of highway imOctober Geotechnical Discovery provements, alternatives development and “San Jacinto Monument: A Case History” by Philipfinal G. King analysis, cost estimating, project phasing and funding, PE, D.GE (Synchropile) design and construction. Mr. Ross has a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Kellogg Brown & Root Services, Inc. Whether building, designing, or managing projects, KBR provides the full range of highest-quality engineering and construction services. Headquartered in Houston, we deliver best-in-class service and performance locally, regionally, and around the world. KBR changes as the world changes, and we continue to “build the future.” 601 Jefferson Street, Houston, TX 77002 • 713-753-3575 • www.kbr.com

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Texasce.org

Continued from Page 11 Burleson Street at the site of the old Southern Pacific Rail Road Right of Way to unveil and dedicate this historic marker. There the aluminum plaque reposed on its simple pedestal, burnished by the salty wind, rain and sun, blessed by the gulls and grackles, and visited by the occasional hearty traveler who, curious about this lone monument on the wind-swept dune, trekked two blocks inland from the beach to brave the North Beach traffic and find enlightenment. Until 2011 – the year the City of Corpus Christi began the revitalization of the neglected North Beach area and invested in a project to establish an identifiable entry to the tourist destination. Bonds had been passed to finance the transformation of the under-developed rincón, rows of palms were planted, and Wright Architects was engaged to design a gateway arch as a welcoming portal for the popular attractions in the area. Brian D. Bresler PE was president of the Corpus Christi Branch at that time, and upon seeing Wright’s plans for the first time in early March, he saw a slight problem: the north pylon of the archway was smack dab on top of the founding marker that had been so proudly unveiled in 1983! The marker and its cement pedestal would be removed to make way for the new structure. Being sensitive to the importance of this marker, the architect offered to mount a new one on the

D E S I G N Engineering/Construction Management Urban Design & Planning Alternative Delivery Environmental Planning Technology Public Involvement Program Management

E X C E L L

Llewellyn Powell, left, and Richard Powell, right, sons of founding member W.J. Powell of Dallas, pose with John A. Focht of Austin, center, at dedication ceremony in 1983. Photo credit Member Vernon A. Wuensche

north support pylon if the Section was interested in participating in this enhancement of the archway project.

Bresler contacted the Section, and in June the Executive Committee, looking towards the Centennial Celebration just two years away, recognized the opportunity for a prominent public exhibit, but they wanted a new plaque with revised wording that better reflected the contributions of civil engineering to the citizens of Texas. This would also be an opportunity to correct the citation for Julian C. Feild Jr. from Denison. Time was of the essence, so over the course of many emails, as Secretary to the Section and in consultation with Bresler and others, I quickly drafted the new wording. I also obtained a quote to produce a 36” x 48” bronze plaque as well as a separate round medallion to commemorate the centennial, which would be placed later in the centennial year, and obtained approval from the Section leadership for the production of the new E N C E . pieces. The construction of Austin the gateway arch, however, Brownsville Dallas was delayed and when conEl Paso Houston struction resumed again, Plano San Antonio the cost of bronze had gone up enough that the amount

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

earmarked for the medallion was instead applied to the $6,743 needed for the large plaque. The new bronze plaque with the updated text was finally cast and shipped to the City in October for storage until it could be installed. There were additional construction delays for the gateway arch, but when the time came to install it 6 months later, the plaque could not be found! Hearts sank, and a few veins bulged, until at last it was discovered in the corner of an office where it had been put safely out of the way.

the nuts. Much to everyone’s surprise, he was able to successfully remove all six nuts without having to grind anything! The plaque easily came off the base, and the group quickly loaded everything back in to Tom’s vehicle and returned to Corpus Christi in time to have a tasty celebration breakfast. The much-abused plaque was refurbished by Wuensche in his garage with a power-washer and a can of black paint. When, in March of 2013, the Section came to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its envisioning, the now gleaming original plaque was on display at the conference hotel in Corpus Christi.

In the meantime, Corpus Christi Branch members Thomas W. Stewart, W. Allan Hayes PE and Vernon A. Wuensche PE, concerned over the imminent demise of the original plaque, Construction on went in the prethe gateway in dawn twilight one North Beach was July morning and completed over the spirited it away to summer, includa kinder fate. As ed the mounting Hayes recounts it, of the new bronze It was decided plaque and installaClose up view of the current plaque. the best way to Photo by Jerry R. Rogers tion of the wooden avoid any potential trussed arch. The unneeded attention to the activity planned trio of aluminum-plaque-nappers had located a was to start as early as possible. So around spot along the new cement Boardwalk at the acdawn-thirty that morning the three conspiratual site of the old Beach Hotel, and only a few tors loaded into Tom’s Suburban and headed hundred yards away from the new archway and for North Beach to execute their plot. As the bronze plaque. On October 1, 2013, both plaques sun began to peak over the horizon we went were rededicated in a ceremony that celebrated to work. Because the hardware holding the the past, present and future of ASCE in Texas. aluminum plaque on the concrete base was so corroded, Tom had brought equipment to One hundred or even just fifty years from now, grind-off the old nuts and hopefully allow the what will be the important events remembered plaque to be removed. Allan had also brought from 2013? Will YouTube and Twitter be just a a pair of simple vice-grips, and while Tom was footnote to history; will the 3D printing of body getting set-up Allan began working to loosen Texasce.org

Thank you Centennial Partners for participating in our Centennial Year conferences. With your help, our community of civil engineers gains great technical knowledge and skills necessary for their success.

parts be common place or will the cloning of human tissue have advanced; will the Hyperloop be our preferred mode of transportation; will India dominate the colonization of Mars after the launch of Mangalyaan? Will President Barack Obama be remembered more for being the first African American to hold the office, for his signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act, or for his 4-year effort to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the world; will sea rise have inundated the Gulf of Mexico and obliterated North Beach? If that happens, will dedicated civil engineers ensure these two plaques remain on the Texas coast in Corpus Christi? Whatever the future holds, the plaques, if they could speak, would surely be echoing the sentiment, “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” And this author is confident that ASCE members will recall with pride the contributions of their predecessors in 1913, and the efforts to commemorate them in 1983 and 2013.  Elizabeth Greenwood has served the members of ASCE Texas Section since March of 1999 and always with great pleasure. She currently serves as the Board and Corporate Secretary/Operations Manager.

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Get Out The Vote!

Curtis R. Steger PE Committee on Government Affairs

The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers was very involved in the November 2013 approval of Proposition 6 and the Statewide Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) to improve Texas water infrastructure with the â€œGet Out The Vote!â€? effort. Members from across the state led or participated in several activities to encourage ASCE members as well as the general public to support Proposition 6, which was the constitutional amendment that allowed a $2 billion transfer from the â€œRainy Day Fundâ€? into the infrastructure fund managed by the Texas Water Development Board. The â€œGet Out The Vote!â€? work was a huge success and the proposition passed with more than 73% of the citizens of the state supporting the funding mechanism. Stephen B. Crawford PE was instrumental in leading the statewide ASCE effort to support the constitutional amendment. Members from Branches across the state participated in TV interviews, newspaper editorials, and luncheon presentations. Vikas K. Verma PE gave a great interview to the KYTX Chanel 19 News in Tyler in late October, answering several fundamental issues related to the amendment. Leadership from the branches was also central in spreading the word at their September and October meetings. Some branches even submitted newspaper articles supporting the legislation. The Section office prepared and distributed an informative brochure as well as created the www.texasce.org/TXprops website that provided details on Proposition 6. At the Society level, ASCE also helped out by sending Key Alert e-mail reminders for early voting and regular voting. Navigable Waterways

Flood Control

between 2010 and 2060, from 25 million people to

46 Million People

2012

Report Card Update for Texas

Roads & Highways* Bridges* Transit Aviation Schools Drinking Water Wastewater Dams* Solid Waste Navigable Waterways Flood Control Energy

Energy

B+

National

DC D D D DDD C+ DDD+

The ASCE Texas Section 2012 Report Card Update for Texas Infrastructure assessed water-related infrastructure with grades of D- for drinking water, C- for wastewater, C for navigable waterways, and D for flood control. The Texas Report Card found that poor infrastructure negatively affects Texan businesses, Texan families, and Texan communities. www.texasce.org/irc

â€œRenewing Texas Infrastructureâ€? www.texasce.org

WATER SUPPLY

2012

Report Card Update for Texas

Infrastructure

Ground water depletion is the primary reason available water supplies have declined from 17 million acre-feet to 15 million acre-feet in recent years. With Texasâ€™ growing population, an additional Texas

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This was a great effort and we will need to add to our efforts during the 2014 election cycle, when key transportation

D BC+ C+ DDCDB+ C D B+

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The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) is a federally maintained channel that links Gulf Coast ports and the inland waterway system. In combination with ports, Texas ranked 1st in the nation in total waterborne tonnage moved in the U.S. The GIWW has received additional funding in the last eight years for its maintenance and repair. The level of maintenance and repair of the aging infrastructure is directly tied to the amount of federal funding received.

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*Note: these categories previously updated in 2008; all others last updated in 2004.

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Infrastructure Texas

B+

August 13, 2013

8 of the top 15 fastest growing cities in the country. Texasâ€™ population is expected to increase 82%

Flood Control

Drought Impact on Texas Surface Water

Texas has

Navigable Waterways

Fund Texasâ€™ water plan for the next 50 years

Map Sources NDMC USDA NOAA TCEQ Office of Water

Energy

funding will be on the November 2014 ballot. Together, the water and transportation funding initiatives can go a long way to keep Texas as a national leader for key infrastructure. With this necessary infrastructure, the Lone Star state will continue to be a front-runner for growth in the United States for years to come.ďƒł

Roads & Highways Bridges Transit

Aviation Schools

Drinking Water Wastewater Dams

Solid Waste

Navigable Waterways Flood Control Energy

D BC C+ DD CDB D DB+

D BC+ C+ DDCDB+ C D B+

National

DC D D D DDD C+ DDD+

*Note: these categories previously updated in 2008; all others last updated in 2004.

8.3 Million acre-feet Infrastructure GPA

â€œRenewing Texas Infrastructureâ€? www.texasce.org

above what is presently available will be required by 2060. (1 Acre-foot = 325,851 gallons)

www.texasce.org

ASCE Texas Section is the professional association for civil engineers in Texas. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the oldest engineering society in the US and Texas is one of the largest sections in ASCE. Representing nearly 10,000 civil engineers, ASCE Texas Section is committed to sustainable infrastructure for the citizens of Texas.

More Information: www.texasce.org/TXprops Register to vote by October 7 http://votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/

PROPOSITION 6

Authorizes the transfer of $2 Billion from the stateâ€™s Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund) to a State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) over the next 2 years. The SWIFT will be operated as a revolving fund, with repayments funding new loans and financing projects in the 50 year State Water Plan. The Rainy Day Fund is expected to have a balance of $8 Billion at the end of 2015, a one time transfer of this magnitude is fiscally responsible. Source: 2012 State Water Plan, Water for Texas, Texas Water Development Board www.twdb.state.tx.us/

Vote Yes on Proposition 6 November 5, 2013

Texasce.org

Continued from page 7 al tidbits were filled with interesting details. One of the most social and inventive, it seems to me, was Charlie Davis of Fort Worth. When there was a nearby meeting, he and his wife hosted social gatherings at their house that are mentioned repeatedly. He was expert in building with concrete. In the ‘50s, all the chatty personal stories vanished. There no longer was time to spend writing about personal details because the economy was booming and there was so much to do. I’ve found this in professional journals in other fields, like medicine, where I work part time doing historical research and museum exhibits.

ENGINEERING

A BETTER

TEXAS

ASCE and 100 Years of Civil Engineering in the Lone Star State

Betsy Tyson

I also learned how sociable and full of fun engineers could be. Inside that careful, serious public persona is a social lion trying to get out. When engineers get together, they like to have a good time and report on it. In the early journals, I read about engineers turning cartwheels down the halls in the hotel where they were meeting. I read about engineers being thrown out of either a hotel or a circus. In the early decades, the meeting stories were filled with details about the nice hotels, the excellent menus, the dances, and special tours for members. I like the fact that engineers can trace civil engineering education back to George Washington’s understanding that engineering skill was necessary to build and maintain this new nation, and that West Point was established with that goal in mind. How do you think your work might appeal to readers who are not professional engineers or members of ASCE? It’s a general history of Texas as told through the variety and diversity of engineering projects with some fascinating stories and characters. It’s written in general language and does not go into technical detail or use jargon. I wrote it with the general public in mind.

(Photo and excerpt from page 19 of the book) “Their plan called for driving pilings 40 feet below sea level to secure the seawall foundation. The seawall itself would hug the shoreline, its outer wall curving inward to throw the wave action back into the Gulf. The base of the actual seawall would be 16 feet thick tapering to five feet at the top, and it would stand 17 feet high. A defensive line of granite boulders would be placed 27 feet into the surf to further break up wave action. The first seawall segment, constructed in 1902-04, was 3.3 miles long. The present seawall is 10 miles long. An equally challenging civil engineering feat involved raising the surface of the island by up to 12 feet in quarter-mile-square sections. Every building had to be raised by hand-turned jack screws. From 1903 to 1911, buildings and such utility systems as water pipes, streetcar tracks, fireplugs, and telephone and telegraph lines also were lifted section by section.”

Order your copy today! Members pay $30 + Shipping www.texasce.org/historybook or on Amazon

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

Trivia Answer

(Question on page 14)

30 Proclamations were obtained by Branches across the state. See videos and photos on the Section website. 1. Addison 2. Arlington 3. Austin 4. Brazos County 5. Bryan 6. Carrollton 7. Cedar Hill 8. College Station 9. Corsicana 10. Dallas 11. Dallas County 12. Denton 13. Desoto 14. Edinburg 15. Fort Worth 16. Frisco 17. Garland 18. Grand Prairie 19. Lewisville 20. Longview 21. McAllen 22. McKinney 23. Melissa 24. Mesquite 25. North Richland Hills 26. Pharr 27. Plano 28. Richardson 29. Rockwall 30. South Padre Island

Continued from Page 20 popular Dallas icon to scan and model in three dimensions. The winner, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, garnered the majority of the 700 votes cast via the group’s Facebook page and was scanned using LiDAR technology. The research team developed a 3D model to display at Dallas Earth Day, demonstrating emerging technologies in mapping. The San Antonio Branch utilized their grant to hold an essay contest for middle and high school students. The goal of the project was to generate of interest in civil engineering through public outreach. The response was over-

whelming. The Branch received essays from public, private, and home schooled students each discussing their interest in a Texas Civil Engineering landmark from the last 100 years. The Branch invited two winners from each category to present their essay at the Branch meeting in January with Congressman Lamar Smith as the special guest speaker. Funds from the TSCG program helped make projects like these a reality and brought a fantastic close to ASCE’s first century in Texas. The Texas Section gives special thanks to volunteers promoting civil engineering around the state.

Texasce.org

Centennial Geocaching Project Looking for something to do in the great outdoors this summer? Why not throw some engineering discovery into the mix? Geocaching and Waymarking are real-world ‘seek–and–find’ challenges open to anyone with a sense of adventure and a GPS device. Players locate hidden containers, called geocaches, or, in the case of Waymarking, visit intriguing sites using a smart phone or GPS and then share that experience online. ASCE Texas will be launching our own ‘adventures in discovery’ starting in May, highlighting some of our greatest civil engineering achievements and landmarks.

Photo: Johan Larsson www.flickr.com/photos/johanl

Featuring the following sites and many more: • Galveston Seawall • Waco Suspension Bridge • San Antonio Riverwalk Contest rules to follow - check the Section website for updated information.

Centennial Display Banners All Texas Section Branches received centennial display banners to help promote civil engineering to the general public. Three retractable banners form a set with photos and information on Texas civil engineering projects. The banners utilize the Vision 2025 statement from ASCE: Entrusted by society to create a sustainable world and enhance the global quality of life, civil engineers serve competently, collaboratively, and ethically as master: • Planners, designers, constructors, and operators of society’s economic and social engine - the built environment; • stewards of the natural environment and its resources; • innovators and integrators of ideas and technology across the public, private and academic sectors; • managers of risk and uncertainty caused 30

Houston Branch utilized their banners as a backdrop while participating in 2013 HobbyFest. Photo courtesy Paul A. Voiles PE

by natural events accidents, and other threats; and • leaders in discussions and decisions shaping public, environmental and infrastructure policy.

Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 83, No. 5 - Centennial Edition

2013 - 2014 President’s Message The American Society of Civil Engineers - Texas Section celebrated a landmark year in 2013 - its 100th year anniversary. What an accomplishment for the Texas Section! As organizations come and go, it is the dedication and hard work of past and present civil engineering professionals that built our enduring organization.

This list is merely a sample of projects built in Texas early in the twentieth century; they document just how far the Section has come in Texas in the last 100 years. The civil engineers who designed and built these major projects found the need to network and learn from each other. Seven civil engineering leaders worked together to create the Think of what civil engineers in ASCE Texas Section in 1913 for Texas were like in the year 1913, these very reasons. when the Section formed. They were planning, designing and ASCE Texas Section has thrived constructing some very signif- and grown during its first centuicant projects. A few examples ry to include a membership base of significant Texas projects civil of almost 10,000 engineers. It engineers designed and built at is the Society’s goal to find the best ways to serve its members, the turn of the 19th century: • The Medina River Dam whether in large cities or in re(1912) – largest dam in Texas mote areas across the State. Please give your input. With at that time • Austin’s first wastewater your help, the Society will not only continue, it will improve. treatment plant (1919) • W. T. Waggoner Building, The Centennial Celebration was Fort Worth (1920) – tallest a vehicle for melding together building in the southwest at the various organizational units of the Section, across the State, that time • The Magnolia Petroleum to celebrate the first 100 years Building, Dallas (1922) – tall- of a professional association est building in Texas at that of civil engineers in Texas. Civil engineers, in Texas, belong to time • Dredging of the Houston ASCE in various ways. A member of the Texas Section can be Ship Channel (1925) • Corpus Christi deepwater members of Branches, Younger Member Groups, the Section, port and harbor (1926) • Hobby Airport, Houston the Society and Student Chap(1927) ters. I am blessed to Texas civil engineers were also have been a part of involved in creating the Texas this Celebration. Highway Department (1917). Many thanks to Sean P. MerThe Department would plan, rell PE, PTOE, Centennial Celbuild and maintain one of the ebration Chair, the Centennial best and largest highway sysCommittee, ASCE Texas Section tems in the world. Board of Direction, office staff,

Members and all who worked together to make last year a year to Tim C. Newton PE remember. Texas Section President 2013-2014

What will the future bring? I forsee change in the way civil engineers work, where they work, diversification of clients, more sophisticated delivery systems and tools used to complete projects. With our thriving Section, the future will never change the bond we have across the State as civil engineers. Wherever you go, please remember that ASCE Texas is always your home. No matter where the future leads you, the Section is always here to meet your needs.

The American Society of Civil Engineers is the ONLY organization that serves civil engineers across the State with all of the following benefits: • Networking with peers • Leadership training • Technical training • Mentoring – opportunities for personal growth • A sense of belonging • Technical resources nationwide • A global society – the ASCE brand is unlike any other worldwide Thank you to everyone who participated in the Celebration. I look forward to being a part of this organization as we begin the next century of civil engineering in Texas. Texasce.org 31

Texas Civil Engineer Centennial issue

Published on Apr 23, 2014

Volume 83.5

texasasce

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