Texas Civil Engineer Fall 2013

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

The Evolution of TxDOT Call for Nominations: Texas Section Awards for Outstanding Civil Engineers Get out the Vote!

Proposition 6

George G. Wickline TxDOT’s First State Bridge Engineer

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Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4 On the Cover: The

TEXAS SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Crespin Guzman PE OPERATIONS MANAGER: Elizabeth R. Greenwood COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER: Annemarie Gasser 1524 S. IH-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. RosalesHerrera 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 Richard M. Graves PE, Deep East Texas 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 Director and Board of Governors Chair 2010-2013 Gary L. Struzick PE Governor—Appointed 2010–2013

In This Issue Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4 Calendar of Events

4

CPD Opportunities

4

President’s Message

5

Message from the Executive Director

6

Cover Story The Evolution of TxDOT

7

Habitat for Humanity 1626 Bickers St., Dallas, TX Built in Partnership with the Monroy Family How are YOU Celebrating the Texas Section’s Centennial?

13

Report from ASCE Region 6

15

Get Out the Vote! Proposition 6

16

Call for Nominations Texas Section Awards for Outstanding Engineers

18

Membership Report

20

Legislative News

22

Texas Section Centennial Webinar Series

23

Centennial Sponsors

24

ASCE News

25

Students Center

26

Texas Civil Engineering History George G. Wickline TxDOT’s First State Bridge Engineer

28

Professional Directory

29

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

12

PUBLISHER: Silent Partners, Inc. ©2013 www.silentpartners.com

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| www.texasce.org

West 7th Street Bridge project is a collaborative effort between the City of Fort Worth, TxDOT and Sundt Construction and includes key support from corporate partners such as Chesapeake Energy (use of casting yard site), Cash America and Darrell Keith Law (right-ofway donation). A popular east-west thoroughfare in Fort Worth that connects downtown to growing mixed-used developments and the Cultural District, the project involves the replacement of the aging West 7th Street Bridge with a new signature structure—the world’s first precast network arch bridge. Construction of the 7th Street Bridge Arch Structure. Photo by Kevin Stillman/TxDOT.

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Texas Civil Engineer

CPD Opportunities To enhance communications between ASCE and ASCE’s Regions, Sections, and Branches, Geographic Services is pleased to advise you of the following seminars scheduled in our area:

Executive Committee Meeting Austin, TX

April 24–26, 2014

Spring Student Symposium Tyler, TX

AUSTIN ________________________________________

May 30-Jun 1, 2014

Executive Committee Meeting Corpus Christi, TX

Sep 16–19, 2014

Texas CECON 2014 Galveston, TX

NOV 3–6, 2013

wind loads for buildings and other structures

(architectural; codes and standards; structural)

DEC 5–6, 2013

project management

(management and practice)

FEB 6–7, 2014

DALLAS ________________________________________ design-build contracting

(codes and standards; structural)

FEB 20–21, 2014

Detailed descriptions of seminars are available at

www.asce.org/knowledge-learning/continuing-education/ Free continuing education videos available to Texas Section members at

www.texasce.org>Education>On-Demand Education

| www.texasce.org

Texas Section Meetings Jan 18–19, 2014

2nd green streets & highways (transportation)

4

Calendar of Events

Texas Civil Engineer Deadlines Winter 2013 Issue—Volume 84, Number 1 Nov 15 Ad Insertion Order Deadline Nov 22 Copy Submittal Deadline Centennial 2013—Special Issue Dec 15 Ad Insertion Order Deadline Jan 3 Copy Submittal Deadline Spring 2014 Issue—Volume 84, Number 2 Dec 15 Ad Insertion Order Deadline Jan 3 Copy Submittal Deadline

Other Important Dates Nov 28, 2013

Thanksgiving Texas Section Office Closed

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

President’s Message

T

he Texas Section is 100 years old. This is 1,200 months, 36,525 days, 87,600 hours, 52,596,000 minutes, 3,155,760,000 seconds, any way you calculate the time, this has been an incredible history of Texas civil engineers making significant contributions to the way people live in Texas. Roads, bridges, dams, water and wastewater facilities, schools, public buildings, stadiums, homes, all started with ideas, plans and specifications, thoughtfully and carefully drawn or drafted by engineers and technicians, and laid out by surveyors, built by constructors, and inspected by quality control and quality assurance managers. Our way of life depends on how and why our built environment performs and how it is maintained.

As we move into the 21st Century, the standard of living we take for granted will be put to the test, and as stewards of our environment, we have the responsibility of sustaining and improving the environment for our descendants, as our ancestors did for us.

Please read our History Book Engineering a Better Texas—ASCE and 100 years of Civil Engineering in the Lone Star State. This book will be on sale through the

Texas Section office. Great for a souvenir gift! Every coffee table needs one!

Texans speak with their checkbooks. In the water area, passage of House Bill 4—one of the signature achievements of the 83rd Legislature—would authorize $2 billion to start a revolving water fund that is contingent on voter approval in the November 5, 2013 election. The initiative would pave the way for billions of dollars for local and regional water projects to meet the long-term goals of the state water plan. In the transportation area, the passage of HB1 and SJR1 during the third special session, after over 200 days in session this year, the Texas legislature finally agreed upon a transportation funding bill that will go to the voters for approval in November 2014. The Constitutional amendment would divert half of the oil and gas severance tax that funds the state’s emergency fund, or Rainy Day Fund, to roads, giving the highway department a potential boost of $1.2 billion annually.

Lawmakers readily acknowledge it’s a stop gap measure since the agency needs $4 billion more per year.

John N. (Jack) Furlong PE Texas Section President

As we move into the 21st Century, the standard of living we take for granted will be put to the test, and as stewards of our environment, we have the responsibility of sustaining and improving the environment for our descendants, as our ancestors did for us.

To commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Texas Section of ASCE and as a part of the Texas Section Fall Conference, we broke ground on the construction of the ASCE Centennial Habitat for Humanity house in September. Habitat for Humanity’s goal is to provide safe, affordable housing for families in need. Texas ASCE is happy to join Habitat in this mission. Our goal for the Centennial House is to build a truly green home in an affordable manner. Several companies and volunteer groups in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area are also helping make this dream possible! Thank you.

I want to personally thank everyone who has participated in the Texas Section Centennial Celebration this year. To the sponsoring companies, individuals, and businesses that have made this whole affair so memorable! This has been a most memorable year with activities, events, conferences, papers, presentations, and yes a Centennial Green House built by mostly civil engineers with the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity! Good Job!

Jack

Civil Engineering Trivia

What is the origin of the slogan “Don’t mess with Texas®”, when was it introduced and what is its purpose?

See page 29 for the answer

| www.texasce.org

The leadership conferences this year have focused on relational leadership, and the need to interact with other institutes, organizations, and individuals. Robert Hall led these conferences and discussed the idea of “relational leadership” in his book This Land of Strangers. The year has seen the end of two conferences a year with a switch to only one major conference or CECON which stands for Civil Engineering Conference. Our goal is that this one conference will be the most important event civil engineers will attend annually. The Texas Section office has done an outstanding job supporting the Centennial Committee with planning, conferences, history book, banners, oral history project, and many other high priority projects this year. Annemarie Gasser and Lauren Marcotte are helping Elizabeth and Cres in the Texas Section office.

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Texas Civil Engineer

Message from the Executive Director

Crespin Guzman PE Executive Director

In 2014, Members can look forward to new and improved services, enhanced projects and programs along with opportunities to

It’s Not Over Till It’s Over...

When the Centennial Celebration Program began we had many ideas of what to do and how to get it done, but most importantly—who would do it. As an organization, I believe our planning has been right up there with the best of them. But where are we now? With more than half of the year gone by, we are fast approaching the finish line and then, it’s over. Together, we have created a lot of great memories through all the projects and programs.

I look forward, with great anticipation, of what is yet to come before the Centennial Celebration is over!

As you contemplate your involvement and participation, consider the following in your assessment: the Section’s work with the 2013 Texas Legislative session and the unveiling of the Infrastructure Report Card Update at a press conference at the Capitol. Little did we know, the regular session would be extended with three special sessions in order for Water and Transportation bills to be passed. But, it’s not over yet! We still have a Fall 2013 referendum to vote on constitutional amendments, Proposition 6 on funding Water improvements. and a fall 2014 referendum for continuing funding for transportation infrastructure. So, do your part,

continue serving

there is plenty to help with in our efforts for “Getting Out the Vote!”

the engineering

Our Spring Conference in Corpus Christi was a great venue to celebrate the Centennial. A number of highlights included the introduction of various items promoting the Centennial— shirts, caps, lapel pins, window stickers and Centennial Star badges! If you have not acquired your share of Centennial swag, there are plenty more occasions to do so. Just visit our Centennial website at texasce.org/icontribute. Also, there is opportunity for individuals to make a monetary contribution to the Centennial as an individual sponsor. Our Centennial

community in a capacity that fits your interests in ASCE.

opportunities are not over yet!

The excitement generated at our Spring Conference in Corpus Christi carried over to the Fall Conference planning. We developed monthly themes for 2013 in our Centennial Webinar Series that will continue through December. Maximize your PDHs by tuning in to these at your local sites and/or support activities that promote the Centennial because it is not over yet!

Finally, new Society, Region 6, Texas Section, and Branch officers have been elected in ASCE. You, as a member, have a chance to work with some great new leaders. Don’t waste any time, contact them and volunteer to help with their areas of responsibility. In 2014, Members can look forward to new and improved services, enhanced projects and programs along with opportunities to continue serving the engineering community in a capacity that fits your interests in ASCE.

| www.texasce.org

Stay engaged, be proactive and enjoy the ride because it’s not over ‘til it’s over!!!

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Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

The Evolution of TxDOT

By Ann Hatchitt, Communications Division, Texas Department of Transportation

T

he achievements of the members of the Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE Texas Section) during the past 100 years directly parallel the evolution of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which will celebrate its 100-year anniversary in 2017.

a national road system continued and 40 years later, federal legislation created the Interstate Highway System. Construction of the Interstate Highway System challenged TxDOT and Texas engineers to innovation and performance levels unimagined by the early transportation pioneers.

TxDOT builds on a foundation established by fine engineers who led the Texas Highway Department beginning nearly 100 years ago. By creating a transportation system that achieves the highest levels of structural integrity and safety, TxDOT continues that commitment through its goals to maintain a safe system, address congestion, connect Texas communities and become a best-in-class state agency. A glance back at the history of TxDOT reveals some of the most challenging civil engineering projects of the last century. Texas ASCE history is TxDOT history, and together, both organizations can be credited for the incomparable transportation system Texas citizens and visitors enjoy today.

State Highway Engineer Gibb Gilchrist was a strong influence on the early years of TxDOT. Although he led the department for less than a year between1924 and 1925, when he resigned during political upheaval, he returned to serve the agency from 1928 through 1937. Gilchrist organized the system of TxDOT districts that we know today. With Gilchrist at the helm, the department began the daunting task of maintaining approximately 16,000 miles of roadway. At that time, the system included 96 miles of concrete pavement, 1,000 miles of asphalt, and 5,000 miles of gravel, shell or stone roads. An additional 10,000 miles of roads were described as “just plain dirt.” Construction in the late 1920s included a brick pavement road between Weatherford and Mineral Wells that is now U.S. Hwy. 180.

Increasingly efficient equipment and the establishment of a Materials and Tests Division in 1930 marked significant ad-

Workers construct a brick pavement road between Weatherford and Mineral Wells in Parker County on U.S. Hwy 180 in 1929.

| www.texasce.org

In an effort to stimulate the building of a coordinated national system of roads, Congress passed the Federal Aid Road Act in 1916. TxDOT was established a year later in 1917, the same month the United States entered World War I. The dream of

Continued on next page 7

Texas Civil Engineer vances, as the department moved into the next decade. The State Highway Building in Austin was completed in 1933 at a cost of $455,152.

During the Depression, many Works Progress Administration projects enhanced traveler safety by funding underpasses and overpasses to replace grade-level railroad crossings on Texas highways.

Above: Clearing the Neches River at approximately 176 feet, the steel Rainbow Bridge in Orange County was the tallest highway bridge in the South upon its completion. Constructed with funds from the federal Public Works Administration and the Texas Highway Department for $2.75 million in 1938 —the most costly Texas program affiliated with the PWA.

Also during that period, the Neches River Bridge was completed in 1939, known as the Rainbow Bridge. Upon its completion, the Rainbow Bridge was the tallest highway bridge in the South and the largest single project completed by the department to date. Today, its cable-stayed companion, the Veterans Memorial Bridge, serves northbound traffic, and the Rainbow Bridge serves southbound traffic.

The history of TxDOT and advances in the engineering profession in Texas symbolically merged with Gilchrist’s selection as dean of engineering at Texas A&M in 1937. He later became president of the college and the first chancellor of the Texas A&M College System in 1948.

Still, the department was significantly different from the driving force we know today. Much work was still done with teams of horses and mules. Animal power continued to be used until at least the early 1960s for some applications of highway maintenance such as mowing. Hence the term maintenance “barns” has remained, describing the buildings where four-legged TxDOT workers were housed. During a festive dedication for an underpass in Yoakum back in 1937, Gilchrist rode on the new thoroughfare in an ox cart.

| www.texasce.org

Above: Today, the Rainbow Bridge now serves southbound traffic over the Neches River in Bridge City near Beaumont. The Veterans Memorial Bridge serves northbound traffic.

8

Below: H-490 Dedication day in Yoakum, back in 1937, when Gibb Gilchrist addressed the community and then rode through the new underpass in an ox cart.

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4 In 1937, the first farm-to-market road was built in Rusk County between Mount Enterprise and Shiloh under the supervision of 34-year-old District Engineer Dewitt Carlock Greer, who would have a profound and lasting impact on the department for years to come. Those years were billed as the greatest construction program in the history of the world, “getting Texas motorists out of the mud.” As State Highway Engineer from 1940 through 1968, the youthful, good-natured Greer maintained a steel determination for quality and set the tone for the department of achievement and service we know today.

The post-World War II era was the beginning of a golden age for road building with about 25 percent of all the highway work in the United States taking place in Texas.

By shaping one of the most outstanding transportation systems of its day, TxDOT and the engineers who contributed their talents propelled robust economic development in Texas. Industry growth and opportunity became more and more evident as exceptional projects emerged from one border of our state to another.

Dedicated in April 1957, the Pecos River High Bridge, a steel deck truss bridge with concrete piers, still carries the Southern Pacific Railroad across the Pecos River gorge in Val Verde County in South Texas. Built on U.S. Hwy. 90, the Pecos River High Bridge replaced a bridge destroyed by flood in June 1954.

Growth in Houston was also spurred by the Baytown-Laporte Tunnel, under the Houston Ship Channel. Both the Baytown-LaPorte Tunnel and Corpus Christi’s iconic Harbor Bridge, completed in 1960, expanded vehicular commerce in those communities.

Above: The Pecos River High Bridge on U.S. Highway 90 in Val Verde County replaced a bridge destroyed by flood in June 1954. The new bridge was dedicated in April 1957.

Below left: The $10-million Baytown-LaPorte Tunnel shown under construction below the Houston ship channel.

Below right: Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge is shown in November 1960 on U.S. Hwy 181 with the existing lift bridge which it replaced in the background.

| www.texasce.org

The growth of Texas’ largest cities parallels many unprecedented civil engineering achievements. During the next several decades, TxDOT closed gaps in the Interstate Highway system and built major transportation projects with names familiar to us today including the Gulf Freeway, along the route of U.S. 75 leading from Houston to Galveston; the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike; and Loop 610 with the impressive bridge over the Houston Ship Channel.

Continued on next page 9

Texas Civil Engineer Dallas continued to develop as an economic influence with the construction of the Stemmons Freeway, today’s I-35 East, which opened in 1959. With impressive projects such as the I-635 interchange, I-35 continued to expand in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the 1960s. The complex system of interchanges in Dallas eventually resulted in the development of the renowned High Five Interchange, north of downtown completed in 2005. The massive five-level freeway interchange was built at the junction of two major highways that carry heavy rush hour traffic, the LBJ Freeway (I-635) and the Central Expressway (U.S. 75).

J.C. Dingwall led the department from 1968 to 1973. He noted his proudest achievement was the progress made on the construction of the Interstate system during his tenure. He passed the torch in 1973 to his top assistant, Luther DeBerry.

TxDOT expanded its focus to the beauty and quality of the transportation experience for motorists with the publication of the Official Highway Travel Map of Texas. Texas Highways Magazine launched in 1974 and celebrates its 40th anniversary next year. The Adopt-A-Highway program originated in the Tyler District in 1985 and is an opportunity for community and civic organizations to keep Texas roadways free of litter and debris.

Adopt-A-Highway is now a global initiative. The world-recognized “Don’t Mess with Texas®” anti-litter campaign began its more than 27-year run of encouraging motorists to keep trash off Texas highways in 1986.

Today, TxDOT oversees a vast multi-modal transportation system. The department is responsible for maintaining 80,000 line miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail, public transportation and maritime transportation.

Top left: Laborers work on the Stemmons Freeway in December 1959 with the Dallas skyline in the background.

Middle left: Construction of the I-30/I-635 interchange in Dallas is shown in January 1969.

Bottom left: In January 1969, an engineer inspects a single-shaft pylon which will support four, multi-lane roadways on upper two levels at the LBJ Highway and Lake June Road in Dallas.

| www.texasce.org

Below: State Highway Engineer Dewitt Greer receives the first copy of the 1961 Official Highway Travel Map from travel counselor Rosemary Williams.

The Official Travel Map of the Highway System of Texas has been distributed at no charge to the traveling public at Texas Travel Information Centers since they opened to promote the Texas Centennial in 1936.

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Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

The Bridge Division supports the structural planning, design, review, construction and inspection of the state's 50,000 bridges. The division also develops policies, design standards, manuals and guidelines for the design, maintenance and construction of a safe and comprehensive state bridge system.

TxDOT’s new Maritime Division was established in 2013 in response to the expansion of the Panama Canal, and the fact that Texas tops all U.S. states for exports. Maritime Division staff work with many entities—ports, maritime associations and private industry, as well as federal, state, and local governments and agencies. The division’s main focus is to promote development and intermodal connectivity of ports, waterways and marine infrastructure and operations.

The Rail Division oversees rail planning and inspection, highway-rail crossings, management of the South Orient Railroad, and rail public transit safety. Texas leads all states in total rail route miles, with 10,384. The state has 9,784 public highway and rail crossings.

TxDOT’s history is as imaginative and colorful as its leaders and reflects the determination and persistence that is Texas itself. Our state consistently tops lists of the Best States in which to Live and the Best States in which to do Business.

As we celebrate this 100-year milestone of the Texas ASCE with its current 9,600 members and reflect on the history of TxDOT, one of the largest employers of professional engineers in Texas, it’s clear that the achievements of both organizations mirror the tremendous economic powerhouse that the state of Texas has become. Prosperity and economic development grew as each mile was added to the transportation system, that now boasts 80,000 line miles.

During the past several years, with tools provided by the Texas Legislature such as Comprehensive Development Agreements, design-build strategies and the ability to issue bonds, TxDOT has continued to build. Impressive recent accomplishments such as the Grand The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is the first of three Santiago Calatrava-designed Parkway around bridges being built over the Trinity River in Dallas. Construction on the bridge began in Spring 2007, and the bridge was officially lit on March 29, 2012.

Houston and the DFW Connector, LBJ Express and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas and Fort Worth are testimony to a continuing commitment to great civil engineering achievements that benefit us all.

However, with 15 million new Texans projected to arrive during the next 25 years, the importance of protecting the tremendous investment the state has made during the past 100 years becomes a more pressing concern. In addition, the question remains of how the state will grow the transportation system to meet the demands of increasing population and economic development.

The Texas transportation system has been built on the shoulders of incredibly dedicated and skilled individuals who shared a vision for greatness, a vision undeniably interwoven with the greatness that is Texas itself.

eLibrary Provides Excellent Resource for Members

FreeLearning Video Lectures are the most convenient way to catch up on civil engineering subjects at your leisure. During our Centennial Celebration, you can log on and watch for FREE! Earn PDHs, get national and local know-how all from the convenience of your computer. | www.texasce.org

The Aviation Division helps cities and counties obtain and disburse federal and state funds for the 300 reliever and general aviation airports included in the Texas Airport System. The division operates a fleet of state-owned aircraft for the transportation needs of state officials and employees.

11

Texas Civil Engineer

1626 Bickers St. |Dallas, TX | Built in Partnership with the Monroy Family

T

o commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Texas Section of ASCE and as a part of the Texas Section Fall Conference, we broke ground on the construction of the ASCE Centennial Habitat for Humanity house in September. Habitat for Humanity’s goal is to provide safe, affordable housing for families in need.

We are looking for volunteers every weekend through November 9. The volunteer days will be on Saturday from 7:45 am to 4:00 pm. We will break for lunch at noon, and lunch will be provided at the site.

Volunteer for the Habitat House project: http://vhub.at/ASCE2013

Meet our Habitat For Humanity Family—the Monroys Edgar Monroy has lived in Dallas his entire life. He describes himself as smart, focused, outgoing, and a strong Christian. Edgar currently works as a forklift driver for Dr. Pepper, and feels very secure in his job. For fun, Edgar enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his daughter, Kassie. Edgar learned about the Habitat program by helping his mother build her Habitat Home.

Kassie is 2 and 1/2 years old, very playful and smart. She likes watching SpongeBob, and also enjoys playing with her cousins.

Edgar decided to apply for the Habitat homeownership program because he thought it would be a good idea to purchase a home while he was young.

Edgar is most excited about having his own space and a place for his family to come and hang out. Kassie will be excited to have her very own backyard and Edgar hopes to get her a little puppy. Edgar is very thankful for the opportunity to provide a stable home for his daughter.

| www.texasce.org

SHARE with US!

12

The Texas Section wants to know when something great happens to our members. Email professional news to share@texasce.org and we will post it on our Member News page and on our social media sites. Get the word out!

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

How are YOU Celebrating the

T

he Texas Section Centennial Year is coming to a close. But there are still a

lot of opportunities to celebrate and participate during the last three months of 2013. We are still encouraging each of the Branches to also incorporate the Centennial monthly themes within your meetings, activities and programs. The Texas Section will also continue to provide informative, cost effective webinars to correspond with these themes so please keep your eyes and ears open for these monthly webinars. Ideas for the last three months of our Centennial year are below to help inspire you and close out the Centennial Celebration year.

October—Geotechnical Discovery: The base on which everything is built is very important. During this month, take the time to dig into this topic and discover what new and exciting things are happening in the world of Geotechnical engineering. From the oil and gas fields across the state, to large water and transportation projects, geotechnical issues are a part of almost all projects we work on.

November—Community Involvement: This is a very fun yet important month. Giving thanks & giving back to our communities is an excellent way to spread the word about how great Civil Engineers are. Projects such as Habitat for Humanity, CANstruction and drives to collect food, clothes or toys for the holidays is a great way to give back to our citizens.

December—Looking Forward into the Future: Let’s look into our crystal ball and see what the next 100 years will bring to the world of civil engineering. Buildings that reach into the heavens, underwater cities, constructing structures in outer space…the possibilities are endless. This should be a great way to cap off what will be a great year.

The Texas Section Fall Centennial Conference is in the books. What a successful conference!! We had over 600 attendees during the 5 days of celebrating, commemorating, learning and socializing at the Dallas Omni Hotel. Photos from this conference can be found online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/texasce.

Big thanks to the Dallas Host Committee for organizing the biggest and best ASCE conference I’ve ever been to. It provided a lifetime of memories for me.

Look for a detailed recap in our special Centennial issue early next year.

During the Fall Conference in Dallas, we broke ground for the Centennial Habitat for Humanity house in Dallas. This “green” house, built with many sustainable features, will surely benefit a very worthy family. The house will take 8 weeks to build (Sep 14–Nov 8) and

| www.texasce.org

Sean P. Merrell PE Centennial Celebration Chair

Te x a s S e c t i o n’s Centennial?

Continued on next page 13

Texas Civil Engineer there are still opportunities to volunteer and come out to “swing a hammer”. Go online to http://vhub.at/ASCE2013 to register and sign up to volunteer. Many thanks to Jack Furlong and Colin Blankenship for leading this effort an inspiring us all to volunteer to make our community a better place to live.

What would the world be like without civil engineers? That is the idea behind a student video contest; to come up with ideas of what a horrible place the world would be like. This Centennial YouTube contest for college & high school students started on September 1 and goes until December 31. There are cash prizes for the three winning video submissions. Rules and entry information are available at www.texasce.org/videocontest.

Please encourage students in your area to participate in this contest. There will be an online component later in the contest to see which video is the fan favorite, so be sure to look for that as well.

Join the Fun!!

The Texas Section Centennial Committee developed five goals early in the planning and preparation for the events that have taken place in 2013.

The Centennial Planning Committee has chosen five individuals who have best represented each of the goals. These individuals have transformed these goals into excellent values over the past four years during the planning and development of the Texas Section Centennial Celebration year.

These individuals were honored during the Honors Luncheon at the Fall Conference. The Centennial Planning Committee appreciates the hard work, motivation and inspiration they have provided. These five winners and the goals they best represented are:

October

★★ Joe Waxse, PE—For building a sense of pride among members

Geotechnical Discovery

★★ Wayne Klotz, PE—For increasing awareness and understanding of civil engineers ★★ Melinda Luna, PE—For preserving and promoting the heritage of civil engineering

November Community Involvement

December

| www.texasce.org

Looking Forward into

14

the Future

★★ Martin Pflanz, PE—For inspiring dynamic and intelligent young people to join the profession ★★ Jack Furlong, PE—For creating a lasting legacy for the profession

There is still time to request your local city or county to issue a proclamation for our Centennial year. We have received 30 proclamations from across the state including from the Governor’s office, the Texas Senate, and the Texas House of Representatives. These proclamations can all be viewed on the website at http://www.texasce.org/centennial.

The Texas Section Civil Engineering History Book is now available.

This history book (http://www.texasce.org/historybook) makes a great gift to a coworker or friend and represents many months of hard work in writing and producing it. This is a beautiful book worthy of being displayed in a library or gift shop with many great photos, excellent accounts of past Texas civil engineering projects and details on great Texas Civil engineers who have built this great state into what it is today. This history book can be previewed and purchased on the Texas Section website for only $30 (for Texas Section members). Centennial merchandise is also available for a limited time on the Centennial website as well.

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

Report from ASCE Region 6

By Martha F. Juch PE, CFM, D.WRE, Region 6 Director 2010–2013 Region 6 represents three Sections (Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas), 20 Branches, and 18 Student Chapters. We are one of the largest Regions in terms of populations, and we are definitely one of the most complex in terms of the number of geographic units represented.

ASCE Board of Direction Summer Meeting and Society Elections

The Board also continued to fund the Civil Engineering Certification, Inc. based on long-term projections which shows an increase in income from the Diplomate certification programs over time which will offset expenditures. The Board reviewed the Sustainable Infrastructure Certification Business Plan and directed the Committee on Sustainability to postpone the proposed certification program as the Committee coordinates more closely with the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, Inc. This action does not affect the credentialing for the Envision Sustainability Professional associated with ISI’s infrastructure sustainability rating system launched last year.

The Directors approved revisions to 43 policy statements, sent three back to the Public Policy Committee for further discussion, and rescinded six policy statements. The Board also approved supporting the Governor’s Transportation Coalition with $60,000 in the next six months and staff will work closely with the group to determine if ASCE should support their work in the future. The Board received an update on the global strategy initiative, including ASCE’s development of an initial strategy in India.

The president and board recognized several special awards, including two for work on the highly successful 2013 Infrastructure Report Card. The following appointments for 2014 were approved: • Treasurer, Louis Aurigemma, PE, F.ASCE • Assistant Treasurer, Dennis Truax, PhD, PE, F.ASCE • Assistant Secretary and Parliamentarian, Thomas Smith III, CAE, Investment Manager, Vanguard Institutional Asset Management Elections ended in August, and the President-elect for 2013–2014 is Robert Stephens, Ph.D. PE F.ASCE. Bob will be the first President-elect nominated through the Institutes rather than the geographic regions. We are very proud that Bob moved to Texas a few years ago and is now a member of Region 6 and the Texas Section. I served with Bob on the Board of Direction for two years, and he will be a great President! Ken Morris, PE PTOE was elected as the 2013–2016 Region 6 Director and will be taking over for me after the annual conference in Charlotte. Ken is our current governor from Oklahoma, and our first Region 6 Director from Oklahoma. Congratulations to Bob, Ken and the other newly elected directors and governors.

The Region 6 Board of Governors met with the Oklahoma Section on August 23 in Stillwater, Okla.

Jeremy Stahle, PE was appointed to fill Ken Morris’ unexpired term and will serve as Governor through 2014. Sean Merrell, PE was appointed as Governor for 2013–2016, and will succeed Gary Struzick as he completes his term at the end of September. Thanks for all your hard work, Gary! And Congratulations Jeremy and Sean!

I encourage you to browse the ASCE website for more detailed information on the Board of Direction meetings and the strategic initiatives. This will be my last article as Director, and I have enjoyed representing Region 6 and the Texas Section on the Board. I look forward to serving on several Society committees, and with becoming more involved again at the Branch and Section level. As always, feel free to contact me at mfjuch@austin.rr.com or one of the Region 6 Governors if you want additional information on anything regarding the Society or Region 6.

ASCE WANTS YOU! The ASCE Region 6 Board of Governors is actively soliciting nominations from the Texas and Oklahoma Sections for two open Region 6 Governor positions for 2014–2017. The Board needs active, enthusiastic members who want to be involved in ASCE at the regional and society level. The only requirements are that candidates must be from the Texas or Oklahoma Sections and have served as a Section or Branch officer, as a member of a Section or Branch committee, or as a member of a Society Committee. Governors have four in-person Board of Governors meetings per year (January Multi Region Leadership Conference, New Mexico Spring Section meeting, Oklahoma Section meeting, Texas Section meeting), may be asked to serve on at least one Society level committee, and are expected to promote ASCE by speaking to several branches and student chapters in their area each year. Individuals may submit a letter of interest and résumé directly to the Region 6 Board of Governors through the Texas Section office. Candidates must declare their interest

by December 1, 2013. One candidate from each Section will be nominated for election next summer with terms starting October 1, 2014.

| www.texasce.org

The ASCE Board of Direction met in Traverse City, Mich. on July 12 and 13, 2013. The Directors approved the fiscal 2014 budget, which will include using a small portion of our investment income to supplement regular income and meet expenditures. Our investments are doing very well and our reserves continue to grow. The Program and Finance Committee recommended a budget based on no increase in dues, and the Board of Direction concurred.

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Texas Civil Engineer

Get Out the Vote!

Proposition 6 October 21st marks early voting for November’s General Election. Proposition 6, which will be included on the November 5 ballot, calls for approval of a transfer of $2 billion from the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund to a State Water Infrastructure Fund for Texas. The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers supports Proposition 6.

As many of you are aware, ASCE Texas Section’s 2012 Report Card Update for Texas’s Infrastructure assigned the state’s infrastructure a cumulative grade of C, with an estimated five-year investment need of $2.2 trillion. Faring even worse, water-related infrastructure received grades of D- for drinking water, C- for wastewater, C for navigable waterways, and D for flood control. These grades are unacceptable.

| www.texasce.org

We need your help to Get Out the Vote (GOTV) for Proposition 6. Emphasize the importance of addressing our water infrastructure issues to your community by submitting an op-ed or press release to your local newspaper. ASCE and the Texas Section have developed draft op-ed and press releases that you can tailor to your local media by including the specific water infrastructure issues your community faces. Contact your Branch President for more details.

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| www.texasce.org

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

17

Texas Civil Engineer

Call for Nominations: Texas Section Awards for Outstanding Civil Engineers

By B. Andrea Cheng Ranft PE Honors Committee Chair

T

he Honors Committee is seeking nominations of individuals who provide outstanding service to their profession and the community. Each Branch has these engineers who are exceptional not only in their careers, but also in their community efforts. The Texas Section wants to recognize these individuals at the 2014 Fall Section Conference. Consider your co-workers, colleagues or mentors, who are deserving of recognition and provide the candidate’s name to your Branch President or Branch Honors Chair.

Nominations are due by October15, 2013 (normally September 15) to Honors Committee Chair B. Andrea Cheng Ranft PE. The following are summaries of the awards that ASCE Texas Section bestows. Additional information and lists of past recipients can be found on the Texas Section website at http://texasce.org/honors, as well as a simple form that can be completed in a matter of minutes.

AWARD OF HONOR

The Award of Honor was established by the Texas Section-ASCE to be presented to a limited number of members of the Texas Section “in recognition of service to the Texas Section and outstanding professional achievement in civil engineering”. This is the most prestigious award presented by the Texas Section.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AWARD

The Texas Section Professional Service Award is conferred on a subscribing member of the Texas Section for meritorious service to the Texas Section and to one or more of the Section’s Branches upon recommendations of the Honors Committee.

Section Presidents, Past Presidents, Society Officers and Past Society Officers are not eligible for the award.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE AWARD

The Texas Section History and Heritage Award is given to an individual (not necessarily a member of the Texas Section) or Branch for making special contributions to recording and/or recognizing the history and heritage of civil engineering in Texas.

Nominations should be sent to the History & Heritage Committee. Nominations endorsed or originating with the History & Heritage committee should be sent, as described in the Section Rules of Operation, to the Honors Committee with accompanying documentation on the Branch or individual’s specific contributions.

SERVICE TO PEOPLE AWARD

The Texas Section Service to People Award is made to a civil engineer (not necessarily a member of the Texas Section) who has distinguished himself or herself with special service to people. The award is intended to recognize civil engineers who bring credit to their profession through community activities that are visible to the general public.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO STUDENTS AWARD

The Professional Service to Students Award is conferred on a subscribing member of the Texas Section for meritorious service to the Texas Section through service to one or more of the Texas/Mexico Regional Conference’s Student Chapters (Clubs).

Section Presidents, Past Presidents, Society Officers and Past Society Officers are not eligible for the award.

| www.texasce.org

GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER AWARD

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The Texas Section Government Civil Engineer Award is conferred on a subscribing member of the Texas Section employed by a governmental organization for meritorious service to the Texas Section and to one or more of the Section’s Branches. Eligibility for this award requires that the recipient be a current subscribing member of the Texas Section-ASCE. The nominees for this award will be evaluated in the following areas: (a) years in public service and involvement with elected officials and the media, (b) engineering achievements in public service, (c) civic, humanitarian and social activities, (d) professional activities, (e) publications, papers and presentations.

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

JOHN A. FOCHT JR. CITIZEN ENGINEER AWARD

This Award was established to recognize John A. Focht, Jr.’s outstanding and continued dedication to the Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Eligibility for this award requires that the recipient be a current subscribing member of the Texas Section-ASCE who has demonstrated during the previous calendar year “volunteer efforts that better our world such as local or national legislation, education on all levels, nonprofit volunteer organizations, community activities, and so forth”. The nominees for this award will be evaluated on the following: (a) overall positive impact and overall contribution as a result of the effort, (b) number of people involved or reached by the effort, (c) originality of the effort or its component parts and (d) level of effort. No more than one award shall be awarded in any year and the presentation will be made at the Fall Conference.

I

n addition to individual awards, the Section honors outstanding civil engineering projects that have impacted our profession and our communities. Nomination guidelines can be found at http://texasce.org/honors and are due to the respective committee chairs by October 15, 2013 (normally September 15). Please contact the committee chairs for assistance with the nomination packets.

TEXAS OUTSTANDING CIVIL ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Texas Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Award may be awarded on an annual basis to a project that demonstrates the greatest contribution to civil engineering progress and to society and which was designed and/or built in Texas.

Submit nominations to the Section Past Presidents Council Chair Amy S. Smith, PE. The 2013 Texas OCEA Award will be conferred at a Section conference in 2014 or at a meeting/location requested by the recipient.

TEXAS HISTORIC CIVIL ENGINEERING LANDMARK

T

o submit nominations for awards, please go the website for information, forms, and contact information: http://texasce.org/honors.

| www.texasce.org

National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark status is conferred by ASCE upon projects that are at least 50 years old from the time of completion, and which demonstrate a design or construction which expanded the limits of the profession. For a project that may not qualify on the national scale but is deemed significant for the region or local area as a noteworthy project, a Section may designate it to be a Texas Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. If you or your Branch has an interest in this award, please contact the History and Heritage Committee Chair, Melinda Luna.

The nomination process may take up to a year, and the Texas Historic Civil Engineering Landmark would be conferred at a meeting/location requested by the recipient (project owner).

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Texas Civil Engineer

A World Without Civil Engineers YouTube Contest!

By: Brett Pope, PE

In celebration of the ASCE Texas Centennial, the Texas Section is hosting a YouTube contest for High School and College students. The theme of the contest is “A World Without Civil Engineers.” Submissions will be accepted starting September 1, 2013 until December 31, 2013. Official rules, prize information, and other details are available at the link below:

| www.texasce.org

http://texasce.org/videocontest

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Membership Report Why can’t we get 10,000?

A refocusing on marketing strategy.

Travis N. Attanasio PE Second Year Director at Large

Does this story sound familiar?

I

recently met a young man who became a professional engineer in a larger firm that included one of the most impressive professional networks for his skills. This young man had an exceptional talent for getting information and making necessary connections, which in my head meant he was perfect for ASCE. When he asked what I did, I proudly explained my work but particularly focused on my work with associations, like ASCE. While respectful, he politely shared his less than favorable opinion of his experience with ASCE. Point blank he told me he found little professional benefit. This young man was very involved with ASCE in his local Branch in the past and served on several committees. He did so dutifully, enjoyed contributing, but rarely spoke enthusiastically about his membership experience, “I found it to be mundane and general.” Then something happened that changed everything. He had decided to specialize in floodplain management, and his reputation and interest in the subject earned the attention of another association which he was marketed to join. This young man had found that belonging to a select group of engineers, that being in a room with professionals who did exactly what he did, far outweighed the general nature of ASCE, “They understood me…I didn’t have to explain myself.”

His story is every member’s story whether prospect or current. His hesitancy about ‘membership’ is shared by many who intellectually know what ASCE does but fails to experience the membership community that we so ardently try to create. His experience was lack-luster, and he felt his membership was more important to the staff to ensure the association’s sustainability, but not much really in it for him. The other association made him feel differently because those involved took an immediate interest in him - making sure his membership was purposeful and meaningful.

As I bring my Membership Chair efforts to a close and look toward the future, I feel we have an opportunity to consider this young man’s teachable moment. We could continue looking for that next “sure thing” to recruit members but I feel it will prove to be otherwise. Instead, we should pause, reflect and then choose to embrace a shifting attitude and focus for our organization.

We’ve been trained to be membership marketers; using traditional marketing strategies to recruit members. We’ve spent hours designing the perfect postcard, the perfect brochure, the perfect contest. We’ve segmented engineers to find those most willing to join. We’ve trained members to “sell” the value of membership! So why haven’t we gotten more than satisfactory results? It’s because we’ve been “selling” membership as though it was a product; we’ve abandoned the strategy of “inviting” members to become part of a distinctive community where sharing information and knowledge is the norm.

Membership marketing focuses on selling… compelling all from recent graduates to traditional engineers to ‘buy a membership.’ It becomes a transaction, it treats members as customers. And in return, members behave as such. They view us as another “company” seeking their attention and money. Prospects are inundated with information and offers, all promising that it will make them wiser, successful, and more. But because of the sheer volume of information, they ignore most of what comes their way. No matter what we send, it translates to ‘blah-blah-blah …

Join! Send dues.’

But replacing membership marketing with a membership development mindset immediately differentiates our organization in their eyes. By virtue of being a civil engi-

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4 neer, they’re already a member…we now need to invite them to make a further commitment…one that through their active engagement will result in producing a meaningful experience like no other.

We offer them an opportunity to become part of a distinctive community where fellow members possess the knowledge and expertise to address their immediate and long-term needs.

Our new motto should be inviting a ‘membership experience’ where members selflessly reach out to support one another within this unique micro-community.

So how do we do this?

(1) Inform members what it means to be citizens of their micro-community of engineers; (2) teach them how to navigate ASCE to get their specific and specialized needs addressed; (3) leverage the membership community as a member benefit.

Every ASCE Texas Section member is now responsible for membership development. It starts with you. The first step is to recognize words matter. Abandon traditional marketing lingo that imposes information about your organization on members. Instead, differentiate ASCE from other organizations by embracing language that describes benefits from the members’ perspective; illustrate how their involvement can make all the difference in their lives and make a compelling case for participation. Most members don’t know how to make the most of their membership. This strategy—done in digital or physical space—overcomes that. Prospective members become more enthusiastic about joining when exposed to this knowledge.

Increasing member satisfaction is a key point in this strategy.

Instead of the traditional ASCE Branch meeting where everyone meets for lunch, gets their PDH, and returns to work, incorporate lightly structured activities at social and educational events that help members connect in meaningful ways. Have a geotechnical engineer bring along a sample of lime treated sub-grade, or have a structural engineer show you why the bending moment is too great in a beam, and probably most important, give lessons learned. No one is perfect, we all make mistakes, but if we can reach out to our micro-community of engineers and give valuable advice on how to not make them, we give that ‘membership experience’ that sets us apart.

We need to make sure our members understand how their membership is meaningful. We need to make ASCE ‘a professional home.’

This isn’t a metaphor…it is real.

Authors note: Information in this article was derived from Beyond Membership Marketing:

Why Modernizing Your Recruitment Strategies is a Must by Trish Hudson, MPsSc, © copyright 2012, Melos Institute, Pacifica, California, used with permission.

| www.texasce.org

Every member looks for that feeling; every member deserves that experience. Members lack the understanding of how to do so. You alone have the power to make ASCE better…beginning with the invitation to new members.

21

Texas Civil Engineer

Stephen B. Crawford PE Vice President Professional

An Active 2013 Texas Legislative Session for ASCE In January 2013, the ASCE Texas Section unveiled the latest Texas Infrastructure Report Card (IRC) at the Capitol. Soon after this event, Curtis Steger, PE (Government Affairs Chair) and Crespin Guzman, PE (Executive Director—Texas Section), along with other representatives from Transportation Advocates of Texas, were able to visit with members of both Legislative bodies to continue to push the message for the infrastructure needs of our state. The Section office staff created and provided a presentation level Infrastructure Report Card reference notebook for leadership members active in the legislative process. We also provided these resource/reference notebooks to key legislators assigned to specific committees on our issues of interest as well as to appropriation committee members by personal delivery to their offices. The notebooks were readily accepted, providing pertinent resource material was very good and much appreciated by our leadership members and the legislators.

As the various committees held their hearings during the regular session and into the three specials sessions, Crespin presented both verbal and written testimony on our infrastructure needs. This showed the Legislature that the Texas Section was very engaged in the process by expressing support for the bills being considered and highlighting the Infrastructure Report Card at every opportunity. Similarly, we were able to handle some direct media inquiries about infrastructure through our Branch level contacts. Many thanks to Crespin Guzman, Curtis Steger, the Section office and others for their continued efforts to educate our legislators on the important infrastructure issues facing our state.

Water and Transportation Referendums The 2013 Legislative session was a roller coaster of events that sent water and transportation bills on a wild ride, careening the proposed transportation bill into a third special session until it was finally passed by the Texas Legislature. Here’s what you need to know about the results of these legislations:

| www.texasce.org

Water Plan Funding—By the end of the Regular Session on May 27, the Legislature did pass SJR 1 and HB 1025, which together would transfer $2 billion from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to a State Water Implementation fund, however, it is subject to a statewide referendum in November 2013. Although the actual funding of the water plan was not passed in the Legislative session, the citizens of Texas have a chance to vote for approval of this referendum in November so we can start addressing the huge issues we face with water in our state. As a side note to the Water Plan referendum, the Texas Section plans a “Get Out the Vote” campaign over the next few months, and we need all Branches and Section Members to help us campaign for passage of this important referendum.

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Transportation Funding—Transportation Funding was not passed during the regular session and it took three special sessions to pass measures tentatively providing funding for the state’s highway system. The funding measures will be included in a constitutional amendment election in November 2014 (not this year). The amendment to SJR 1 provides that 37.5% of the oil and gas taxes collected above the amount collected in 1987 will be transferred to the Highway Fund at the end of each fiscal year instead of the Rainy Day Fund. It is estimated that $1.2 billion could be transferred to the Highway Fund by the end of 2014 and at the end of 2015 if the referendum passes. The Texas Section will continue to track the developments of this referendum through 2014.

Please continue to communicate with your legislators about the importance of passing these referendums so we, as engineers, can continue our work to improve both the state’s water and transportation infrastructure for future generations. Your input and communication on these issues is as valuable as ever.

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

Texas Section Centennial Webinar Series As a benefit to our Texas Section members, the Section is hosting FREE monthly webinars during the Texas Section’s Centennial Celebration in 2013. The webinar topics in the Texas Section Centennial Webinar Series are aligned with the monthly themes that have been identified to celebrate the Centennial: • January—Government Involvement (January 16)

LeAnne M. Napolillo PE Vice President Educational

• February—Student Mentoring (February 12) • March—Civil Engineering History (March 12) • April—Sustainable Environment (Go Green) (April 24) • May—Water Awareness (May 30) • June—Transportation/Traffic (Go Month) (June 27) • July—Discover Civil Engineering • August—Structural Challenges (August 22) • September—A time to CELEBRATE • October—Geotechnical Discovery (October 22) • November—Community Involvement • December—Looking Forward into the Future Each webinar is eligible for 1.0 PDH. Check the Texas Section website (www.texasce.org/education) regularly for upcoming webinar dates and registration information.

ZACHRY DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY PRESENTS: THE BUCHANAN LECTURE

Dr. Andrew J. Whittle

The Lectures will take place in the Brazos Amphitheater at the College Station Hilton 801 University Drive, College Station, Texas 77840 T: 979-639-7500 starting at 2:00 pm on 22 November 2013.

More details on the Lecturers can be found by visiting: https://ceprofs.civil.tamu.edu/briaud/buchanan.html

Dr. David E. Daniel

| www.texasce.org

The 2013 Buchanan Lecturer is Dr. Andrew Whittle, the Edmund K. Turner Professor, in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Whittle’s lecture will be “Importance of Undrained Behavior in the Analysis of Soil-Structure Interactions”. The 2013 Buchanan Lecture will be preceded by the 2012 Terzaghi Lecture delivered by Dr. David E. Daniel, President of the University of Texas at Dallas. The title of Dr. Daniel’s Terzaghi Lecture is “Geoenvironmental Engineering: Problems Solved and Challenges Remaining”.

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Texas Civil Engineer

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Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

Promotions

Clifford Brade PE, SE has been promoted to senior project engineer in the Dallas office of Thornton Tomasetti. Mr. Brade has more than eight years of experience in the design of buildings and special structures, international property loss consulting, and construction support services. His experience includes the design, analysis, and seisClifford Brade PE mic assessment of reinforced and post-tensioned concrete, steel, and timber structures for commercial, cultural, educational, healthcare, residential, sports, and agricultural use. Mr. Brade is a licensed PE in Texas and a licensed SE in Illinois. He holds a bachelor’s andmaster’s degrees in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, and a bachelor’s degree in applied science from Texas Lutheran University.

Patrick Ross PE has joined R.G. Miller Engi-

neers, Inc., as a Transportation Department Manager for the firm’s Public Infrastructure Group. Mr. Ross has more than 24 years of experience and is proficient in the full range of planning and design aspects in the development process of transportation projects. His experience comprises concepPatrick Ross PE tual and preliminary design of highway improvements, alternatives development and analysis, cost estimating, project phasing and funding, final 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

Minute Maid Park

IH 45 (N) / Sam Houston Tollway Interchange

Greater Houston Wastewater Treatment Plant

Younger Member Groups in Texas Younger Members Committee Chair: Brian C. Ridley PE Central Texas Branch Dallas Branch El Paso Branch Fort Worth Branch Houston Branch Rio Grande Valley Branch San Antonio Branch West Texas Branch

Devon K. Dreyer PE (devon.dreyer@spacex.com) Fabian A. Herrera (fherrera@criadoassociates.com) Sergio R. Mendez Jr. EIT (srmendez2@miners.utep.edu) Mark P. Allen PE (MPAllen@drhorton.com) Natalie M. Weiershausen PE (nmcstar00@aol.com) Marlen Gonzalez EIT (marlen.gonzalez12@gmail.com) Deepa Thankaval EIT (dthankavel@pape-dawson.com) Joshua C. Ferguson EIT (joshua.c.ferguson@gmail.com)

If your Branch doesn’t have a Younger Members Group, and you are under 35 years old, why not consider starting one!

Contact your Branch President or Younger Members Committee Chair Brian C. Ridley PE for information.

| www.texasce.org

25

Texas Civil Engineer

Students Center Articles and updates from our Student Chapters.

Brett A. Pope PE First Year Director at Large

Student Chapter Use of Facebook Pages

The average person between the ages of 18 and 34 spends a whopping 3.8 hours per day on Facebook...

T

he average person between the ages of 18 and 34 spends a whopping 3.8 hours per day on Facebook, according to research by Ipsos Open Thinking Exchange. For this reason, student chapters across Texas have utilized Facebook as a powerful communication tool for its members. Below are some of the ways our student chapters are using their pages: The UTEP Student Chapter (343 members) shared photos and videos of their recent successes at the 2013 National Student Steel Bridge Competition. They also gave recognition to the sponsors that helped fund their efforts.

The University of Houston Student Chapter (296 members) shared photos of their recent successes at the 2013 Regional Concrete Canoe Competition. They also posted announcements regarding their 2013-2014 Officer Elections.

The UT–Austin Student Chapter (110 members) posted well over 1,000 photos from student activities held during the 2012-2013 year alone!

| www.texasce.org

Also impressive are the Lamar University students that recently posted “How To” videos on their page for advanced welding tips and techniques to be used for the steel bridge competition. Through their Facebook pages, the students at these and other Texas schools have done a tremendous job in showcasing our great organization to the public. Keep up the good work!

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ASCE has policies in place that govern the use of social media. For those schools interested in starting up a new social media initiative, please review the policy guidelines located at http://www.asce. org/followasce/.

| www.texasce.org

Fall 2013 • Volume 83 • Number 4

27

Texas Civil Engineer

George G. Wickline TxDOT’s First State Bridge Engineer

By Melinda Luna PE, History and Heritage Committee Chair

G

eorge Grover Wickline was Texas Department of Transportation’s first bridge engineer. He started working as a bridge engineer of the Texas Highway Department in 1918 and was responsible for building a number of bridges, creating standards, specifications for steel, concrete and timber bridges in his 25-year career.

This effort set the standard for the TxDOT Bridge Division to be one of the leaders in innovation in bridge design and maintenance. Wickline also sought to finance the bridges in several ways to maximize the federal and state funds. He often looked to railroad companies, locals and others with an interest in improving the stream and grade crossings. This created a faster pace for the projects than using only federal funds. He also worked on the border bridges of Texas with other state agencies such as Louisiana and Oklahoma Departments of Transportation.

George G. Wickline was born January 5, 1882 in Erath County to Lloyd Edward Wickline and Aerie Rammage Wickline—farmers that had moved to Texas. He was the eldest of 5 children. He was close to his family and would often write letters to them during his long career. Wickline attended the University of Texas and graduated in 1904. One of his classmates was Walter Owen Washington another ASCE member that had a long career in the Rio Grande Valley.

| www.texasce.org

His first job was as assistant city engineer in Los Angeles. He moved back to Texas and started work as a bridge engineer for the Southern Engineering Company and the railroads in the Dallas area. Wickline married Hattie Bell Coffman and had one child, Joyce. He served in the military during World War I.

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Wickline is credited with increasing the safety of highways by eliminating the number of “at grade” crossings for railroads.

During the 1920s, an increase in automobiles brought an increase in accidents. In Texas there were 350 incidents at railroad crossings and 152 deaths in the 1920s. In 1928 over 100 “at grade” crossings were eliminated. Wickline shared his knowledge with others via his writings and documentation publishing: Drainage Areas and Culverts in 1919, and Drainage Problems and Designs of Modern Highway Drainage in 1920, Texas Highway Bulletin 4—Grade Crossing Elimination in 1924 and documenting the works of the bridge division in Highway bulletins such as Texas Highway Bulletin 12. A notable bridge that Wickline worked on was the 1923 bridge on US 90 over the Pecos River, which was destroyed in the 1954 flood.

He served as TxDOT bridge engineer for 18 years only stepping down to oversee the construction of the Rainbow Bridge near Beaumont from 1936 to 1939. Wickline worked on

Photo of George Wickline courtesy of Texas Department of Transportation.

the Rainbow Bridge, one of the tallest bridges in the world, alongside another pioneer in bridge design, Percy V. Pennybacker.

Some of the bridges he designed are historically significant and still in existence. These bridges include: • 1922 Steel Truss on Loop 150 over the Colorado River in Bastrop, Texas • 1928 Business Route 46 over Comal Creek in Comal County • 1932 SH 29 over the Colorado River in Burnet County • 1932–1933 North Bosque River at SH 6 in Erath County • 1935 SH 183 at Burlington North Railroad in Fort Worth With engineering professional licesnure new to Texas, Wickline sought his professional licensure in 1937. George Wickline died at the age of 60 aboard a train in Dallas on November 27, 1943. He was a long time member of ASCE.

What is the origin of the slogan “Don’t mess with Texas®”, when was it introduced and what is its purpose?

The Texas Department of Transportation developed the Don’t mess with Texas® anti-litter campaign in 1986.

The campaign continues to be successful today, helping reduce visible litter by an estimated 34 percent on TxDOT-maintained roadways between 2009 and 2013.

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Structural Support

Superior Quality, Value, and Service

P.O. Box 5000, Little Elm, Texas 75068 972-294-5000 Fax: 972-294-2664 1-800-422-4667 www.CraigOldenInc.com For a complete list of Hayward Baker offices and techniques, visit: www.HaywardBaker.com Š2013 Craig Olden, Inc. All Rights Reserved