Speaker: Lisa Johnson, University Architect, North Carolina State University

Date: Thursday, February 20th, 2014

Topic: NC State University Master Plan

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Summary: Centennial Campus is part of a larger effort by NC State to create neighborhoods that are diverse in character and are organized around attractive, lively open spaces. The proposed physical master plan contributes to a sense of place by building a common vision of Campus Neighborhoods and their connecting Paths. Centennial's master plan demonstrates a rich tapestry of foot paths, smart buildings and natural environment to foster NC State's Guiding Principles.

Primary Aspects of this plan includes;

• Human Scaled Neighborhoods and Paths
• Environmental Sustainability
• Pedestrian Oriented Campus
• Effective and Appropriate Vehicular Movement
• Other Issues

Ms. Lisa Johnson is the NCSU University Architect and has been working at NCSU for more than 20 years.  She received her Bachelor's in Architecture in 1982 from Louisiana State University.

Speaker: Mr. John E. Skvarla

Date: Thursday, January 16, 2014

Topic: Changes at NC DENR

Presentation:  No Presentation

Summary: Mr. Skvarla is the Secretary of the NC Department of Natural Resources. He discussed the new changes at NC DENR and the impact of those changes to engineers across the state.

Mr. Skvarla came to DENR after a successful career in business. He most recently served as CEO for Restoration Systems, an environmental mitigation firm based in Raleigh that helps improve and restore wetlands and waterways. His past environmental experience also includes his work as chairman with Wilkinson Hi-Rise, a world leader in manufacturing new products such as waste management and automated recycling systems. Skvarla previously served as chief operating officer for The Aviation Group, Inc., a company that emerged as the world's largest all-cargo airline during his tenure. He also has been managing director of an investment banking office in Raleigh and owner of a Sandhills golf course community. An attorney, Skvarla in 1978 founded and served as senior partner to the Raleigh-based Skvarla, Wyrick, and Robbins law firm, where he specialized in corporate and tax matters, as well as public and private capital formations.

Speaker: Craig M. Newton, PE

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2013

Topic: The Planning Process for the Union Station Project

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Summary: The first Raleigh Union Station was built in 1892 and still stands at the corner of Dawson and Martin Streets, though it was abandoned as a train station in 1950.  Since then, multiple plans and studies identified the Boylan Wye as the best area for a new union station or Multi-Modal Transportation Center.  The City of Raleigh, NCDOT, and Triangle Transit recently aligned their efforts to develop plans for a new Raleigh Union Station, which will adaptively reuse a 1960’s-era industrial building.  The $73 million project is partially funded, design teams have been selected and began work in January 2013, and completion is scheduled for 2017.  This session will review the project history, feasibility, costs, funding, schedule, and benefits.

Mr. Newton is a native of Raleigh, and a 1988 graduate of NC State University with a BS in Civil Engineering.  He began working with the NCDOT Rail Division in 2000, and oversees the NCDOT Train Station Improvement Program, and other Rail Facilities projects.  He has also worked in municipal government and in private sector engineering.

Speaker: R. Jason Herndon

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2013

Topic: Mechanics’ Liens in North Carolina

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Summary: Mechanics’ Liens in North Carolina – Where have we been, where are we now, and where are we going? Substantial changes over the course of the last year have dramatically altered the mechanics’ lien “playing field” for engineers and all other construction project participants. This presentation will discuss the evolution of those changes, what those changes mean for engineers who want to protect and enforce their rights, and what additional changes may be on the horizon.

Jason Herndon is a construction law attorney with Parker Poe in Raleigh, where he represents a diverse group of clients including design professionals, public and private owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and construction sureties. He has litigated a wide variety of construction issues including scheduling disputes, delay/disruption claims, design defects, construction defects, cumulative change impacts, payment and performance bond claims, mechanics’ lien prosecution and defense, and contract disputes. Mr. Herndon currently chairs the Lien and Bond Law Revision Committee for the NC Bar Association’s Construction Law Section, and has been named a “Rising Star” in construction litigation by Super Lawyers each year from 2010-2013.

Speaker: David Demo

Date: Thursday, September 19, 2013

Topic: An Introduction to Tensioned Fabric Structures

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Summary: The presentation covered the fundamentals of tensioned fabric structures including the materials, fabrication, structural characteristics, and design. Additionally, Mr. Demo discussed the environmental considerations and performance related to energy use, daylighting, acoustics, fire safety, maintenance, and operating costs. Finally, he discussed the applicability of this construction type.

Dave Demo, principal of David A. Demo, PLLC, has over 45 years of experience in structural engineering and construction project management. Twenty-five of those years have been spent in the analysis, design, and construction of tension fabric structures. He has contributed to a number of major fabric structures; most notable are the Denver International Airport, Inchon Stadium in Korea, and BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. He is has a BSCE from the University of Pittsburgh, a MSCE from Lehigh University, and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Life Member of ASCE and a registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Speaker: Greg Lucier, Laboratory Manager, Constructed Facilities Laboratory, NCSU

Date: Thursday, July 25, 2013

Topic: Development of a Rational Design Procedure for Precast Concrete Spandrel Beams    

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Summary: Precast concrete slender spandrel beams are commonly used in parking structures to transfer vertical loads from deck sections to columns. In addition, slender spandrels often serve as a railing or barrier around the exterior edge of the parking structure. The main objective of this research program was to develop rational design guidelines for precast concrete slender spandrel beams. These design guidelines are expected to simplify the reinforcement detailing required for slender spandrels. The results of the research can be read in "Behavior of precast, prestressed concrete sandwich wall panels reinforced with CFRP shear grid" and "Development of a rational design methodology for precast concrete slender spandrel beams: Part 2, Analysis and design guidelines".

Speaker: Beth Howey of HDR Engineering, Inc.

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013

Topic: Bonner Bridge - History and Replacement Structure Foundation Design Aspects    

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Summary: The replacement of the 50-year-old Bonner Bridge has been studied for over 20 years and the presentation provided a brief glimpse of the history of the bridge as well as some of the foundation design aspects the Design Build team tackled in working on the replacement structure.

Speaker: Dr. Reza Jafari

Date: Thursday, April 18, 2013

Topic: Roundabouts vs. Signalized and Unsignalized Intersections: Safety and Operation Concerns

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Summary: Mr. Jafari discussed the advantages and disadvantages of roundabout design versus signalized and unsignalized intersections. Traffic and transportation engineers are responsible for safety and ease of travel for all modes of transportation including pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist. He reviewed the overall delay, back of queue, and other measures of a roundabout’s effectiveness by discussing case studies in North Carolina.

Speaker: Mr. James Rispoli

Date: March 21, 2013

Topic: Practical Lessons Learned For Engineers Managing Projects

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Summary: Mr. Rispoli is a professional engineer and a Board Certified Environmental Engineer. He provides expert engineering management services to clients engaged in project and construction management. He is currently a Director at Large for ASCE, a Senior Executive Advisor at PT&C Inc., and a Professor of Practice at NCSU's Center for Nuclear Energy Facilities and Structures. He presented several projects and discussed their potential and actual pitfalls. He also presented ways to anticipate, avoid, or mitigate potentially adverse outcomes. He showed how to mitigate risk in the planning and the execution phases, and discussed his view of essential approaches to optimize outcomes.

Speaker: Nico Sutmoller, Insulfoam Geofoam Specialist

Date: February 21, 2013

Topic: Geofoam - A Lightweight Fill Alternative

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Summary: Mr. Sutmoller spoke about the utilization of Geofoam as a light weight fill alternative. EPS Geofoam is a large block, rigid foam plastic material that has typical densities between 12-46 kg/m³ (0.7-2.85 ft³) making it up to 100 times lighter than soil. It is one of the only truly engineered fill materials that has predictable, consistent physical properties. He also spoke about the manufacturing process of EPS, the history of Geofoam, recent trends, some design considerations, specifications, and installation considerations.

Speaker: Mr. Wade Kirby

Date: January 17, 2013

Topic: Engineering Challenges in a War Torn Country

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Summary: Wade Kirby is a licensed Professional Engineer and Geologist in North Carolina.  He earned his Masters degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech, a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M, and a Bachelors degree in Geology from North Carolina State University.  He recently completed a one year contract with the United States Marine Corps in Afghanistan through L-3 Communications.  Prior to his work in Afghanistan, Wade worked for several large consultant firms as well as the NCDOT, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the City of Wilmington.